Please note that Nebraska Sheltie Rescue requires that a placement home has a completely fenced yard in order to be considered. There are too many horrible stories about dogs getting out and having bad things happen. (For more on NSR's fence policy, see here.)
Meet Athena!
Hi everyone, I am Athena. After a year and a half in rescue, I am rewriting my bio! I have improved SO. MUCH!!! I am better potty trained than most of the NSR resident dogs, unless someone goes too long without letting me out. Then I am potty pad trained. I am also crate trained. I walk very nice on a leash. When the foster home pulls the leash out, I know I need to sit so they can put the leash on! How smart am I??!!!
I am still leery of new people, but as long as I am around my foster family I get comfortable with guests. I go outside and inside like a regular dog. I no longer need a 30 foot lead to be caught. I'm like a real dog!!! This a HUGE improvement for me. My foster family is SO PROUD of me.
It takes a bit to earn my trust, but once you do, I really love to come up to you for pets and scratches. It might take some high value treats to gain my trust. Very very high value. I am not terribly treat motivated, so they have to be EXTRA yummy.
I have become kind of a diva about my food. I like wet food mixed with dry. And also some toppers. But maybe sometimes I don't want the toppers and just some kibble. And maybe some days just the wet food. But that is okay because I am now at my appropriate weight of 27 pounds. Don't worry that I will get too fat. I will just stop eating and scare you to death if I think I'm getting too chubby! It will only last a couple of days or so, then I will start eating again. Gotta keep my figure ya know.
I do like to run around the back yard a bit, but I have become kind of a pampered inside dog. I do not like WIND. It scares me. So if you open the back door and a gust of wind blows I might run back inside.
I do not get along well with other dogs. Unfortunately, I am reactive and I will bite them if we are in an enclosed area. I have never bitten a human though. Even though I wag my tail in the mornings when my crate is opened, I still make my humans reach in to put the leash on me. I think it's funny because they groan and complain about their knees and backs!
My foster home will miss me and worry about me, and I will miss them too, but I'm ready to move on to the next chapter in my life. I will come with some things that might ease my transition to a new home since it will be hard for me.
About Me
| General Color | Sable Merle |
|---|---|
| Current Size | 27 |
| Current Age | 4 |
| Microchipped | Yes |
| Neutered/Spayed | yes |
| Fence Required | Yes |
| Shyness Level | very at first |
| Will come when called | I know my name, and I will come if I'm not scared! |
| Will run from you | I startle easily and will run |
| Will let you catch me | sometimes |
| Will let you hold and cuddle me | yes |
| Housetrained | Yes |
| Obedience Training Needed | I walk well on a leash. I know sit. In home training will help me bond with my people |
| Exercise Needs | I love to run in the yard and bark at the neighbor kids. Walks still freak me out. |
| Grooming Needs | Moderate. My undercoat is not too thick |
| Shedding Amount | moderate |
| Reaction to New People | I am leary of new people |
| Owner Experience Needed | Prefer rescue experience |
| Good with Kids | no children under 10 |
| Good with Cats | I have ignored cats |
| Good with Other Dogs | I should be an only dog. |
| Adoption Fee | $300 |
Fill out the online application and let the NSR people know you are interested in me!
Adoption Application
If you are interested in adopting one of our Shelties—either an available one or one that may come in the future—please fill out our online application form. If you are interested in a particular dog, there is a place to enter the doggie's name. If you are interested in being considered for any of our dogs—either ones we don't have yet or because one you are interested in is no longer available—fill out an application anyway. We will try to let you know when new dogs that match your interest become available.
Adoption Contract
When people adopt a dog from Nebraska Sheltie Rescue, they are asked to sign our adoption contract. This is so we can feel comfortable that our dogs will be going to good homes, be safe, and treated well.
Even if you are not ready to adopt a dog yet, you can view this contract to find out and decide if this is something you are willing to do. (To be honest, if you really care about doggies, none of this will come as a surprise.)