July 21
There's nothin' like a cool hose on a hot day!

CHECK OUT CHAMP'S NEW VIDEOS!!!!!

July 8, 2010

Great news! 

Champ is the loneliest dog in Illinois!   Well, not really, because he lives with 11 other dogs who are great companions for him and a foster mom who takes wonderful care of him.  But Champ longs to be someone’s dog, to have a family of his own that he can love and who will love him best of all. 

Lots of folks have looked at Champ’s pictures and read about his info.   But in the end, the cost of his medication causes people to back away from this special fellow.  

Here’s the great news:  a group of special angels* who raise money for BCs with special needs, has agreed to support the cost of Champ’s medication for a while.   With careful shepherding J and another angel or two, we’re hopeful that the cost of Champ’s meds will be covered for several years.   All his family will need to do is give him his monthly injection and make sure his blood chemistry is regularly monitored.  Champ is very excited about this opportunity, and so are all of us who care about him.  

Are you the special person who can take Champ into your home and heart, so he doesn’t have to spend another birthday with, well, only all his doggie friends? 

*Care4BCs is a non-profit fund-raising group that helps support BC rescues in financial need. We wish to make a difference for groups who are working so hard to save border collies, but may not have the staff or resources to raise money.

March 8, 2010

Hi folks,

                  My Foster Mom is busy, busy, busy lately, so I sneaked in here to use her computer.   I’m really, really ready for a home of my own, so I wanted to just check with you myself—do you have room for a good dog like me?

                 I really like living here with my FM, because I have lots of company—I have 12 other roomies!   I like them, now that I’ve gotten to know them, although it took a little while.  I don’t like to rush right into another dog’s face, if you know what I mean. 

                  Anyway, my foster mom said I should tell you about what I’d like for my forever home.   One thing I know for sure, I’d like to live in a quiet house—loud noises bother me and then I feel a little worried.    It’d be great if I could live with another dog who wouldn’t mind if I chased after him (or her!) while he chased a ball.   I like playing like that—not rough or anything but chasing is a lot of fun, I think. 

                   Actually, one of my favorite things to do is chase things that move fast, like balls.   I think I’d probably do pretty well herding sheep, if I knew where any of them were.     I’m also interested in trying new things, as long as I have time to watch and investigate, and don’t get pushed into stuff.   Don’t you hate it when you get pushed into doing something you don’t’ know how to do?   I do, for sure!  

                  This winter when it was pretty cold to go outside, the other dogs here got to exercise on something called a treadmill.   It’s like a moving sidewalk that doesn’t go anywhere, if you can imagine that.   Well, I watched for a while, and no one got hurt and I was getting happy vibes from the other dogs, so I took a closer look.    After a while, I put my paws on it, and then I started walking, but I wasn’t going anywhere!    I felt good, and I was thinking about some happy walks I’ve had in my life—it was ok!   But then I remembered that I wasn’t walking, and the sidewalk was moving underneath me, and I got a little scared.  My Foster Mom let me get right off it and she told me I did real well.  I think I might like to try it again someday—but slowly! 

               I also would really, really like a home where I could go for walks outside.  My Foster Mom has talked to me about not pulling her when we walk, and I usually remember, although you might have to remind me a few times, if I came to live at your house.     
                 Guess what!    I’m allowed to be off lead with my roomies, and I’m doing pretty good remembering to stay close to where the other dogs are, and I always come right back when I’m called.   The truth is, I’d really like it if I had my own walking person all to myself, but don’t tell my foster mom I said that, ok?

                I’ve heard my Foster Mom talking about this condition I have called Addison’s.    I’m not sure how I got it, but FM says that forever homes are a little afraid that I’ll be too hard to take care of.    I guess I understand that, because it’s no fun to be sick—I know!    But I really would like a home of my very own.  So if someone would give me a chance, I think I could make it up to them by being the best dog ever—I wouldn’t cause trouble and I’d always stay close to my family—if I had a family of my very own.

               My Foster Mom says to tell you I’m a wonderful boy <blush> who would provide so much love to a relaxed family that would love me and help me out with my doggie needs.   If you’d like to talk with my FM, please email comebyebcr@hotmail.com and they'll set it all up for you to talk with her.   I can't wait! Look for ”Come Bye Border Collie Rescue” on Facebook!

Champ

January 24, 2010

Champ is a beautiful, docile 2 ½ year old Border Collie.  Champ is living with 11 other dogs and has adapted well.  He is learning what it means to play.  He has taken a liking to a little terrier mix who, at times, has some dog aggression.  The terrier mix has been patient and is teaching Champ how to play chase.  

Champ has even discovered that he can pick up a tennis ball and play with it.  This is new for him and he isn’t quite sure what to do when I throw it.  Champ has herding instinct and loves to practice this with another dog who is a ball chaser. 

Champ is a very gentle dog who can be a bit skittish with noises and movements he is not familiar with.  So, he is being challenged in these areas.  Champ is house broken and crate trained.  He does have Addison’s disease and requires a monthly injection.  This does not slow him down at all.  Champ loves his walks and loves attention. 

Champ would do well in a quiet, relaxed family.  He would do will with another gentle dog or two in the house.  Because of his startle issues, a family would have to be careful that Champ does not develop separation anxiety.     

Oct. 13, 2009

Champ is a black and white, full coated Border Collie with prick ears.  He is approximately 2.5 years old.  He is laid back and low energy FOR A BORDER COLLIE—this is not to say as a dog, in general.  He does like a daily walk, and benefits from working for his food: either clicker training or working on a food-dispensing puzzle.

              Although he can be withdrawn when first placed in new circumstances, he is very affectionate, particularly with walking partners.  He does appreciate having a space of his own that he can retreat into when he gets overwhelmed.  We’ve set up a covered crate that we always leave open for that; he often “puts himself to bed” away from the other dogs. 

            We don’t know too much about what kinds of socialization Champ received as a puppy, but he behaves as if there wasn’t much attention paid to that aspect of his growth— we think this is why he sometimes chooses to avoid meeting new people.  We have been working hard on getting him comfortable going into new situations.  We are at the point now where we will be starting group obedience classes very soon.

            Champ is a good passenger in the car.  He quietly looks out the windows or sleeps.

            He is mostly submissive to dogs, even small ones such as Rat Terriers, and is alarmed and awed by cats.  Champ is not much interested in retrieving toys so far, but is very interested in herding dogs that are, themselves, interested in retrieving toys.  This behavior has been noticed in both of his foster homes, and, in fact, he has abraded wounds in his feet and continued to herd the dogs, he was so driven to herd.  It is unknown how well this would transfer to livestock, but he was using a lot of eye while doing it (I wouldn’t have thought that would work on dogs!) 

            Champ has Addison’s disease, caused by an underfunction of the adrenal glands.  For treatment, he receives an injection in his leg muscle every 4 weeks, which doesn’t require a vet visit.  The medicine costs $40-45 a month, but treats the disease fairly well.  He may tend to get tired on walks a little faster, or be a little more clumsy, than he might otherwise, but it’s hard to tell there’s anything wrong with him.

            It sounds like he has a lot of problems, but he is a very loyal, loving, and intelligent dog looking for a stable, consistent forever home.

            Champ is neutered, microchipped, up to date on shots and on heartworm and flea/tick preventative.  He is being fostered in St. Louis.  For more information on Champ please email  comebyebcr@hotmail.com or go to our website at www.comebyebcrescue.rescuegroups.org for an online application to adopt Champ.

July 18, 2009

Champ is a beautiful, docile 2 year old border collie.  He was relinquished by his owners and has since been living with 10 other dogs of various shapes and sizes.  He has acclimated well with the pack, playing with 3 specific dogs.  This was a bit tough for him since he is a very gentle dog and he prefers to play with the rough and tumble dog.   Champ would rather play chase than to play fight.  He is still a bit unsure where his place is in the pack and prefers to sleep away from the others.

Champ has a strong herding instinct.  He loves to follow one of the dogs who is constantly chasing balls.  Although Champ’s goal is not the retrieve the ball, his goal is to herd the dog that does.

Champ is an intelligent dog.  He learned quickly to use the doggie door and loves to be outside.  He does have a startle reflex even with common noises so Champ may not have had a lot of experience in the real world.   Champ is house-broken and crate-trained.  He suffers from Addison’s disease and requires a monthly injection to keep this in check.  Champ would do great as a single dog or perhaps with another gentle dog.  He would love to just snuggle next to you on the couch.