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Happy Beginnings

 

 

Emma
 Emma (Baby) and Max (Trooper) were turned in to the Roanoke County Shelter when their owner went into a nursing home. We first got Emma, then, with the help of a Virginia State Trooper, we were also able to get Max. We were delighted to be able to place these two together with a family in Warrenton. Their new mom writes: Emma is a beautiful lady, somehow both dignified and fun loving. Max, on the other hand, is a gooch. A gooch, by my definition, is a goofy, loving, free-spirited, nut. I think they're both terrific.

 

Max

 
 Petey is definitely a people dog. He enjoys playing with our other dogs but really prefers to lie at my feet. Whenever I am using computer he is under the desk, protecting me. It really is going to be nice this winter to have my own personal foot warmer when I am sitting at computer. He is really a momma's boy and lets everyone else know that they are not to get between him and me. Whenever he sees me he gets really excited and starts running around and hopping. No matter how bad a day I have had when I get home his welcome home always cheers me up.

Allie is a loving slightly shy girl who originally came from a puppy mill on the WV/VA border. We received this from her new family: Allie is doing fantastic. She already seems like a different dog. She sleeps with Nicole and follows her everywhere. Allie is fascinated with the cat and the cat follows her around (at a safe distance) and watches her! Everything fascinates Allie and she doesn't miss anything. She doesn't bark much - I heard her barking this morning and looked out to see the cat on the window sill meowing for me to help her and Allie standing up on the brick wall by the window - barking at her! It was very comical. Nicole has taught her to sit, lay down and shake hands. She also taught her to jump up on your legs when you pat them twice! I wish you could see her running around wagging her tail, tossing her head and playing with us! Everyday seems to bring her further out of her shell. Even my mom fell in love with her and she doesn't care for animals! Thanks so much for bringing Allie to us. I was thinking "what in the world are we doing getting a dog?" And tonight I was thinking "what in the world would we do without her?" Isn't life funny?

Beau had four owners in under a year before he reached NVSR. He found his forever home just before his first birthday. Read about the safe landing he finally made (in his own words!) and hear from his new Mom: Stories

Fancy was adopted by a couple in Richmond, VA. She writes: My Dad and I have become best friends. I have learned to almost talk, and if you talk to me I will definitely try my best to answer you. I no longer sleep in my cage and Mom and Dad no longer give me drugs for the storms. I got to help wrap Christmas presents, and guess what--I never bothered the tree. One of my Christmas presents is we're getting our yard fenced in so Lady and I can run with Daddy. I can't wait!! I will always crave the love and affection, but my family is willing to give me as much as possible.

Cindy's new family writes: We went to NY for
X-mas and North Carolina she travels well. What can I
say? She is great!!!! She is a good companion and has
lots of love to offer. Thank you soooo much for entrusting this wonderful, beautiful Sheltie in my care!!!! Cindy is the best!!!!!

Quinton's new Dad writes: "Quinton is a wonderful dog. His dynamic personality speaks well for his first family who must have been heartbroken to give him up. Our 7 year old German Shepherd has been rejuvenated by Quinton's playful spirit. Quinton made himself at home almost right away. Now he and Cokie chase around the house and yard like a couple of youngsters. Quinton seems as happy with us as we are with him."

 Buster
 Buster loves anyone, any size, any age. He was chained outside before coming to NVSR, but learned to like (and behave) inside. His new Mom writes: Buster has become part of our family so quickly. He finds it very nice to be in the house with us. He is a wonderful dog and we all adore him here, especially our 20 month old daughter, Hannah. For anyone considering going through the adoption, I recommend adopting a Sheltie. Buster acts like he has always lived here and we are happy to have him!

Patton's Mom writes: Patton, despite his martial moniker and military parade dress appearance (are those epaulets on his shoulders?), is actually a very sweet-natured, laid-back big boy who seems to fit in anywhere. Immediately after he joined up with us, he went on meds for a previously undiagnosed thyroid problem. He's now trimmed down and is sporting a glossy coat with all kinds of impressive feathers, flourishes, and furbelows. His house manners are impeccable, but he's always up for a lively round of Slime Ball Catch, Frisbee, or tug-o'-war. He's learned to walk nicely on a leash and he gets along fine with Gucci, the feline member of our interspecies household.

It's hard for me to imagine what circumstances could have forced his previous family to part with him, but I'm grateful every day that they contacted NVSR, which, in turn, matched Patton up with me. This truly is, as the saying goes, a match made in Heaven!

  Ginger came into our lives almost one month ago. When visiting her at her foster mom's home, she was quite apprehensive of someone new, at first. After looking at her sweet face, I just couldn't leave without her. She has slowly acclimated to her new home and to her new brother, a fuzzy cream colored cat named Casey. She enjoys chasing him around the apartment and showing him who's boss. She has become more vocal since I've brought her home. She has won the hearts of everyone she has met and traveled well to see my parents in Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, my parents and brother competed over who got to take her out for a walk. She travels very well in her own doggie seat for protection and likes to look out the window at the sites. At home, she loves chasing her new frisbee and playing tug-o-war with her stuffed school bus. All in all, she's doing
well in her new home and her new family is loving every minute of it.

Susie came to us as an extremely shy and timid little girl, with fear in her eyes. She has found the home she always wanted and is regaining her trust of humans. She acts like she's always been there, going on walks, running in the yard and responding to her new parents' every word. She will be starting obedience classes soon.

 

 

Letter from Ickabod: I bet you thought I forgot about you and NVSR, but I didn't. I just have taken awhile to learn how to use my Human's computer so I could send you this message (my paws keep hitting the wrong keys). Anyway, it's been about four and a half months since I adopted my new sister, the Keeshond Misty, and my new Human. Misty was very glad to welcome me and we bonded immediately. She was surprised to meet a Sheltie who likes to run, jump and play, we have been having a great time together. I also bonded immediately with my Human. Maybe it's because she obviously loves me, but it is also because she spoils me. After I was groomed on the day after I went to my new home, she allowed me to sleep on her bed, although I am not allowed up on any other furniture. I love sprawling all over the bed so that there is hardly enough room for either my Human, or my sister Misty. Misty and I also like to make a "doggie sandwich" where we are the bread and our Human is the filling! All in all, I have adjusted pretty well to my new home. At the first thunderstorm, I hid under the bed, but I am gradually becoming less afraid of that type of noise, since my Human assures me that nothing is going to hurt me. Love (and thanks for finding me this new home),

Ickabod "Ic ky"

Beau is an extremely shy little boy who needed a special home. That home came when a couple and their Sheltie, Wiley, came down from Rochester, NY. Beau took an instant liking to his new mom and was quite comfortable with them all. Pictured are Beau (in the lap) with new mom and new brother (Wiley). A happy beginning to an unfortunate start in life.  

  His Dad writes: Bear is adjusting extremely well. This past weekend we took him to a local dog park to play fetch. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. We are lucky to have such a well-tempered, fun-loving, and intelligent Sheltie. Not only that, he forces us to be more active which is something we both need. Will e-mail you a picture of him when I get my film developed. I think we took about two rolls of him playing the other day. Yes, we're proud parents!

Toby is in heaven. He has 4 canine siblings and a couple of cat siblings as well. A huge old farm house to roam and cattle, a turkey, a rabbit, and many wild animals to bark at to his hearts content from the fenced-in yard. He made himself at home and they just love him to death. Being on a cattle farm will be great for him.

 
 Lucky is a gem, a gentle, yet opinionated character as befits his age. He is a bit slow moving and may take a minute to make up his mind but he is a loving shadow to his new Mom. His Mom rented a car and drove cross-country so that he wouldn't have to fly to his new home in California.

His new Mom writes: Mocha was welcomed into our family with open arms. He is such a fine addition to our 4-legged family and he's a good mannered boy too. He and Lucy get along fabulously. We couldn't have wished for a dog with a better personality! He's made himself at home and Lucy even lets him sleep in her bed when he wants to. His main goal whenever he's in our yard is to scan the horizon for birds flying by. Then he hops like a deer across the yard (as if chasing them) until they're out of view! It is so funny to watch. He gets a lot of exercise "chasing" those birds from view and he's gotten Lucy to run with him, which is a good thing. We love him and we're happy he chose us as his forever family.

 

Sunny's Mom writes: He is such a gentleman, he always lets me go in front of him and he insists on walking on the left side of me. I truly believe that he had obedience training. When I got home tonight he was waiting for me at the door and put out his paw to shake without me even asking. We have really gotten attached to him and him to us. He just seems so at ease here, like he has always lived with us. I am so thankful for that! My co-workers at work just don't believe how easily he has adjusted to his new home.

Skyler's Mom writes: Skyler still doesn't like the camera, but every now and then I've snuck up on her and snapped a shot. They're not great since I don't have time to really focus (and I'm using a very old Nikon) but I wanted to send them off to you for "New Beginnings," altho it feels as if Skyler's always been with us. She's doing very well, has become a real "watchdog" with a very hearty bark. Loves to chase squirrels up trees and when she sees a kitty cat, we have to hold on for dear life or she'd take off in pursuit! And she's really very strong, but still very sweet and "lowdown." She also enjoys meeting other dogs. So, all in all, things are going very well and I just want to thank you both for bringing Skyler into our lives. We think she may've just been meant for us.  

I have been fostering Chelsea and Jebb for several months and the thought of having to part with them just was not setting well with me or the family. Both Chelsea and Jebb are seniors with special needs; Chelsea is a deaf girl who just tries her best to be young and frisky, and succeeds most of the time. Jebb is a laid back loving boy who has a heart murmur, arthritis and has had cancer surgery. He just wants a comfortable bed and lots of loving. Both have wormed their way into our hearts. They now have everything they could possibly want or need, including several 4-legged siblings (cats and dogs) and 2, 2-legged sisters. Pictured is Skippy (left), Chelsea (middle) and Jebb (right).

Chico, now Jeff, happy in his new home.

Maggie (on right) spent the first 6 years of her life with a breeder. She now has a wonderful new Mom and brother Tanner to play and run with.

Buster's (now Buddy) new parents say: He is a great friend and companion and full of fun. He also has a wonderful personality. It didn't take him very long to get into the routine with us. Those things mentioned by the former owners just aren't true as he had never done any of them. He just wants attention, love and to be played with.

Jake's (now Angus) new dad says "He is perfect, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this dog. I can not find any problems, he is well behaved, walks well for me on his leash, hardly ever barks except maybe at the horses at my country home and other dogs, and he was a perfect gentleman at my nephew's house with over 20 people present. He is wonderful. For my first dog ever, I could not ask for a more perfect dog."

My wife and I adopted Buddy about seven weeks ago. The entire process from selection through adoption and into acclimation went much better than I ever dreamed. Buddy is a good boy. He is sensitive, responsive and usually eager to please. He loves walks and physical attention, especially being brushed with a bristle brush. He loves to chase and bark at squirrels, but does not understand how to play with toys. His fear of loud noises, crowds and loud people is obvious, but he is getting better over time. My wife is socializing him several days each week and they start formal obedience school in a few weeks. We are learning more about Buddy everyday and I suspect he's learning twice as much about us. I never expected an adult rescue dog to be so well behaved and amenable. He is a fantastic personality on four legs. I am so happy that we were available to help such a wonderful animal.

We are very happy with Buddy and he appears to be happy in his new home. I can see him relaxing and feeling more and more at home everyday. We'd like to thank NVSR for being there to match us up with such a wonderful animal.

Like many people who apply to NVSR to adopt a Sheltie, I had very definite ideas about the kind of dog I was looking for. I already had a young female Sheltie named Faith who at the time was just over one year old. I felt that a suitable companion for her would be an older male dog to round out our little family. I submitted my application with these specifications and diligently began to screen through the available dogs on-line on a daily basis. One day a new female dog appeared on the list. I had been scrolling right past the females because I definitely wanted a male. This one stopped me in my tracks however, because her bio and picture presented a dog that was very similar in appearance and temperament to my own Faith. This Sheltie, named Eboni, had been found as a stray in West Virginia. She had been ultimately rescued from a shelter there. Like Faith, she is a tricolor, but her coat was bleached bright red from exposure to the sun while running loose. I couldn't imagine Faith as a stray dog. She is terrified of the dark and refuses to go outside once the sun goes down unless I go with her. Faith would be so bewildered if she were alone in the world. It broke my heart to think that Eboni, who was so much like her, had been fending for herself as a stray. Each day I found myself lingering longer and longer at Eboni's site until I just fell in love with her. She came home to be with us on July 25, 2001. Her name is now Evany and she fits in with us like a hand into a glove. She and Faith have rollicking wild games of chase every day and are such good friends they have yet to establish an Alpha. I don't think they ever will. As you can see, when the two dogs are together their appearance is striking. They look so much alike that people constantly ask me if they are litter mates. Faith and I are active in our local obedience club and smart little Evany is rapidly coming up to speed in her own training. She has by now largely shed away that ugly red coat. The new one is coming in a beautiful shining black. In spite of her ordeal, Evany is really not shy at all; her charismatic personality charms everyone she meets. Faith and I just love her and she seems to love us back. And sure enough, just as I expected.........she is terrified to be alone in the dark.

Evany (R) with Faith waiting to be buckled in.

Evany (R) with Faith.

 

Happy Beginnings page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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