To watch this 18# silly little Sheltie prancing around in the grass makes it hard to realize that only a month ago, he was quite ill and had an unsure outcome.  River was from the batch of eight Shelties that came from the August hoarder confiscation in Casper, Wyoming.  The veterinarian that examined the dogs in order to provide health certificates was concerned about him making the trip from Wyoming to Colorado.  He was running a temp of 103 and lay limp in the arms of whoever was carrying him.  He was started on a course of antibiotics immediately and we used a syringe to get little dribbles of water into him.  He lay motionless in his crate for the whole long car ride back to southern Colorado.

It took the strong wills of a bunch of us with RMCSR to get him to eat and drink and take his meds.  Once he could hold his little head up, we began to plan for his future.  Nikki and Jeff became his foster mom and dad and their youngest son carried him around and cuddled with him.  That was the real medicine he needed.

And now.....River's foster mom says he is a character!  He loves to be outside to run and play in the sunshine.  He hops in the grass like a renegade bunny rabbit and he wears his harness when walking so that he is more secure in unfamiliar settings.  He adores other Shelties, "It's like looking in a mirror, mom!"  He has a sense of humor, too.  Nikki describes him as a little thief.  He takes the kids' underwear and puts it in a pile with all the dog toys that he has collected from all the toy boxes.  It is a very neat pile but a pile just the same.

Dogs and humans alike, we all carry some kind of baggage with us.  River did not have those fabulous life lessons early on like "all humans carry treats in their pockets just for me" and "cars are how we go to the park" and "that big noise won't hurt me because mom won't let it happen.  So he still has some fears to overcome.  But time and patience are the gifts that River's new family will share with him.  And he will become all the pooch he can be.

Please don't just send a message for information on River.  If you are interested, a completed application is the way to go.  He is very cute so we expect a flood of applications and we will try to get back to folks as quickly as possible.  Sorry, but if there is no fence or no vet reference, it is better if you save your time and ours.

Please begin the process for adoption by reading our Adoption Policies and, if we sound like the right group for you, fill out our online Adoption Application. From there, our receipt of your completed application will be confirmed by email. You then will receive a follow-up phone call if we feel you are a good potential applicant for the dog. Lots of good conversation with the foster family, a reference from your veterinarian, and a home visit round out the screening process. We take dog adoption very seriously.  Please put a lot of thought into why you want to adopt a dog, and help us make a good match for your family. We appreciate your taking the time to visit with us. We will look forward to hearing from you as well.

Adopt Me!

Baylie
Collie / Mixed (short coat)