Hi everyone, My name is Leia.
I am a very sweet and very timid girl who needs a lot of love and patience! I am seven years old and I am a retired breeder. That means I've spent my life up until this point being a mama dog. Now I'm done having and raising babies and it's time for me to live my own life and have fun.
But there's a little problem. I don't know who I am. I don't know what "fun" is. My whole identity was wrapped up in being a mama, and now I'm just kind of lost. My foster mom says I'm having a "midlife crisis." She said that happened to her too when her kids all left home. When I first got into foster care, I was scared of everything. It was all was new to me. TVs scared me. Opening drawers scared me. They looked like big mouths that would eat me! I had never been in a house before. I didn't even want to be petted because I didn't know that is how my people say they care and want me to fee good. It still takes me a while to warm up to new people but I'm definately getting used to the petting part. It's kinda nice and relaxing.
I didn't eat for days. The food was strange. It wasn't what I was used to, even though it smelled good. And then I got very sick with an infection. I almost died.
I was going to have surgery to have my lady parts removed since I am done having babies but it had to be done emergently (I think that means "really quick") due to my infection. I was very scared. I was on a lot of antibiotics for quite a while. I am now on a special diet for my sensitive stomach.
I like to eat in my special place at just the right times of the day. Getting me off schedule makes me very nervous. Right after I eat I use the potty pads and then I hold it until it's time to eat and potty again. I don't know much about pottying in the grass. The other dogs and the hoomans are telling me that's where I should go, but I don't even like the texture of the grass. It feels very strange to me.
I am on a medication for anxiety. Now that I've been on it for a few weeks, I have finally decided to get up and investigate the house a bit. I am braver. I get along fine with the other dogs and also with the cats. They come up and sniff me and I will sniff them back. I watch them play, but I don't really understand playing. My foster brother and sister run around and chase and tackle each other. It seems to make them happy. I guess it's just kind of weird to me that the dogs are allowed to move around the room -- and even go into other rooms too! I've been experimenting with that lately and everyone seems to be OK with it. Maybe some day I will understand what that's all about.
I would like to go to a home that is experienced in rescue dogs or Shelties. It took me months to get used to my foster home, and I think it will take me a long time to get used to my forever home. But that doesn't mean I don't have a lot of love to give! If you like snuggling on the couch, I'm your gal! (And my foster mom says I'm really soft!)
| General Color | Sable and white |
|---|---|
| Current Size | 22 pounds |
| Current Age | 7 years |
| Microchipped | Yes |
| Neutered/Spayed | Yes |
| Fence Required | Yes |
| Shyness Level | 10 |
| Will come when called | No |
| Will run from you | Yes |
| Will let you catch me | Yes |
| Will let you hold and cuddle me | I like to be scratched behind my ears and under my chin. I like to cuddle on the couch while watching TV. |
| Housetrained | No. Potty pad trained. |
| Obedience Training Needed | I have only been out in the real world for a few months so living with humans is new to me. |
| Exercise Needs | Low. I am more of a couch potato. |
| Grooming Needs | Moderate |
| Shedding Amount | Moderate |
| Reaction to New People | Very Cautious |
| Owner Experience Needed | I would like to be with someone who has experience with rescue dogs, or at least is a very patient person. It will take me a VERY long time to learn the household routine. |
| Good with Kids | Small children frighten me. Children should be ten and up. |
| Good with Cats | Yes, I ignore cats. They're just kind of weird. |
| Good with Other Dogs | I would like to have another dog around to continue to show me how to be a dog. |
| Adoption Fee | My people want me to tell you that they are asking for a donation of $450. I guess that's to help pay for all the great stuff they've done for me (and other Shelites) with the doctors and everything. |
Fill out the online application and let the NSR people know you are interested in me!
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.)
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.
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.)