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~ Sashi ~
Story of a Rescue Sheltie
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I adopted Sashi in December 2001 from Shetland Sheepdog Placement Services of New Jersey (Aneita Frey). She had been turned over to an all-breed shelter because her original family couldn't deal with her "excessive herding instinct". Thankfully, SSPSNJ took Sashi from the shelter and kept her safe while interviewing applicants for her "forever home".
Shelties were bred in the Shetland Islands [north of Scotland] to herd sheep. They make a wonderful companion dog ~ funny, loving, full of zest ~ and extremely intelligent !! They love to please their owners and are easily trained in obedience, herding and agility. Because of their breeding, they are very vocal (barky) and are hard-wired to chase anything that moves (running children, joggers, bikes, of course sheep and, unfortunately, cars). Obedience training can help them control these urges when directed at less desirable objects.
In Sashi's case, her first 2-1/2 years of life weren't happy. She had never been socialized as a puppy or exposed to much of anything that could be considered positive. She came home with me as a terrified bundle of fur ~ wouldn't let me near her for petting or cuddling. I soon realized that she didn't know how to play or go up/down stairs, was terrified of trashcans and other objects on the sidewalk, even decorative flags flapping in the wind would cause her to bark and cringe. Anything she considered new or strange in the house would send her running to the safety of whatever she could hide behind. It was very stressful to walk her because she'd lunge and bark at people, animals, and cars. She is extremely afraid of being petted by anyone she doesn't know REALLY well.... backing away from the 'open palm' even when approached slowly, down on her level and with a treat. This is the result of being hit during her 'previous life'.
Time, patience and most of all love have helped her conquer a number of these problems. As of January 2004 she has successfully completed two basic obedience classes plus three sessions of AKC Novice level. She still "snarks" when startled ~ but is much better on walks and has turned into a well-mannered little lady.
Sashi came a long way in her first 18 months ... learning to trust, gaining the self confidence to try new things. It can take 2+ yrs to rehabilitate a rescue dog, depending on the degree of physical and/or emotional trauma they've gone through. And my little angel has had more than her share.
Please ~ Do research on a breed before buying that cute little ball of fluff. Know what to expect in terms of temperament, energy level, size, amount of coat care for any breed you select. Sashi's first family didn't like her "excessive herding instinct". That's like getting upset with your golden retriever for retrieving ... or your blood hound for following a scent !!
.... and PLEASE don't buy your puppy from a pet store .... they come from "puppy mills". For information on what a "puppy mill" is all about, go to Lucy Blue's page .
For information on sheltie personality traits, click on the sidebar link ~ Is A Sheltie For You?
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| Our 1st Christmas, 2001 |
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| Rainy Day ... The Princess doesn't like to get wet |
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| Indoor agility lessons |
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| our backyard agility course |
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| Summer 2002 ~ looking happy and confident !! |
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| summer 2002 ~ Visiting mom at work ~ lots of fun ~ LOTS of cookies |
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As you can see from the various photos, Sashi puts up with a lot from her mom .... dressing up for each holiday goes with the territory when you are just SO CUTE !!! Aside from learning to sit/stay for the camera, Sashi also became more confident as she was exposed to new situations. What would send her into an anxious barking frenzy the winter of 2002, for example, might cause a raised/stiffened tail ~ but nothing more by the time September rolled around. It was a slow, sometimes painstaking process ~ and other times it would seem that she'd leaped ahead to a new level of maturity.
Attending the rescue picnic in late September 2003 was an amazing experience. The terrified/untrained sheltie of December 2001 won 2nd place in a Sit-Stay contest that started with over 25 dogs !! The barking/lunging maniac of winter/spring 2002 was able to tolerate a venue with 60+ people and probably over 100 shelties.
Were there times that it was so frustrating that her mom would be on the phone with Sheltie Rescue begging for advice ? Absolutely !!!!!
Knowing what she knows "now", would Sashi's mom still have adopted her vs. an "easier" dog? In a heartbeat !!!
Has it been worth the effort, the dollars spent for one-on-one, as well as group obedience lessons? Totally !!!
Is her mom proud of Princess Sashi ~ you bet !!
This is what it means to adopt a rescue ..... patience, commitment, and most of all .... LOVE.
So, before you consider buying a fresh, brand new puppy that is guaranteed a home .... please ~ consider a rescue :)
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| St. Patrick's Day 2003 |
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| July 4, 2003 |
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| Our 1st Sheltie Rescue Picnic |
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Sashi a.k.a. THE Princess
[and don't you be furgetting it] 
Has 'hosted' a number of fosters since February 2003.
She adopted Buddy in January 2004 to be her forever brother.
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2003 - 2005
Charlie, Brooke, Laddie, Sammie,
BIG Jake, Buddy, Lucky,
Charlie Blue, Lady, Casey, Zippy,
Jude, Rocky, Cheyenne
& Jake [aussie-sheltie mix]
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Miscellaneous Pictures from 2004 to 2010
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| Duncan [weekend visitor] and Sashi [telling him the rules ... SHE rules] |
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| As you see from the cap, Duncan came to visit on St. Patty's Day weekend ~ so was [of course] included in the holiday accessories |
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| Sometimes even "non-shelties" come to visit :) This is Rascal, our VP of Student Morale at work. He's a "jug" jack russel/pug mix |
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| Tuckered out after long picnic afternoon |
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This picture was taken on January 24, 2011 .... a few weeks after Sashi had her teeth cleaned and a large lipoma removed from the top of her head. Her blood tests were all normal and there was no indication that she had anything "brewing" in terms of health problems.
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| January 24, 2011 ~ Sashi, Daisy and Buddy |
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Then, suddenly, Sashi stopped playing, went off her food [very unusual] and wanted to just lay in her bed most of the time. A quickly scheduled visit to the Vet on February 3rd and my insistance that a chest x-ray be done revealed a large mass in the mediastinal region of Sashi's chest. With a presumed diagnosis of cancer, but unknown prognosis, we were given a referral to canine cardiologist in Delaware for the following Friday.
We never made it to that appointment.......
In the wee hours of the morning, Wednesday February 9th, Sashi suffered an acute vestibular event. It was a most upsetting and frightening episode for all concerned.
Later that morning, I took my precious Sashi to Dr. Jack Gruber of Chews Landing Veterinary Hospital in Clementon, where I knew I could count on sound advice from an extraordinarily compassionate, old fashioned doctor who is well known for his love of the animals in his care. Dr. Gruber repeated Sashi's x-ray of chest & abdomen ~ the cancer had spread unbelievably in just 6 days. And the vestibular event was most likely caused by a metastasized lesion in the brain.
It was decided that the kindest, most loving thing to do would be to help my Princess go the Bridge rather than let her suffer a moment longer.
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| February 7, 2011 |
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| January 24, 2011 |
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| January 28, 2011 |
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Play with your friends at the Rainbow Bridge, my beloved Sashi ..... my Princess, my Snickerdoodle ~ mommy loves you forever and always.
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