After a year of looking at Petfinder and the prison training program dogs, I found a litter of pups I wanted to see, especially one they called "Zoey".... The website said their Mom was an Aussie and Dad was a Chocolate Lab. When I called about them, they said -- the website is wrong, if that makes any difference to you. Mom was not an Aussie. Mom was a Border Collie. Border Collies are my very favorite breed, so this was GOOD NEWS to me!
They were taken from a hoarder and, since no other room was available, the pups were put in a shelter that mainly houses cats. They stayed there till 9-10 weeks old, then went to a prison, where they entered a "Cell Dog" program. A prisoner took each of the puppies, and taught them manners, crate training, and basic obedience.
When I called about the pups, the trainer said these were some of the best dogs he had worked with. Very smart, yet very calm. I told the trainer that I had a lot of obedience training experience, and had herding dogs too. I wanted a dog that I could train to do light service dog work for me. Pick up things, help me off with my coat and sweaters by holding on to the sleeves, be taught to get the phone in case of me or my elderly Mom falling. I told him I was looking for a dog that might possibly need to go with me everywhere, depending on how my disease progresses... and he felt that Zoey, or her sister Chloe would be the best. I told him let me think on it a day or so and get back to him. By the time I did - Chloe and one other pup were adopted! But, Zoey was still there...
I went to see her a little over a week ago. She was playful, and a lovely pup. We saw her in the lobby of the prison, a busy place, and not the best place to do puppy testing. I could just tell, though, that she was going to be just fine. I've had several Border Collies and Australian Shepherds so was familiar with them, although I have not been around a Lab. We said we would take her!! I went from the prison to the shelter, signed on the dotted line, and started making arrangements for when I would pick her up on Friday.
I must say, they did a great job.
She did panic in the car -- she was only in the car going from hoarder to shelter, then shelter to prison -- so no wonder! But she quickly settled down. It was an hour and a half drive. Wouldn't you know it - less than 5 miles from home and she got sick all over the back seat of my car. (That has been the only time.) That day, we went from prison to the shelter, then home. Then to my groomer for a good bath. Then to a small town to sit for a half hour waiting till time to go to the vet appointment. She saw children, all kinds of people, squirrels, so many things! She must have had a rather sheltered life in prison... But she soaked everything in without being scared or alarmed at anything!
Then, we had a brief stop at the local humane society to get her dog license, then off to my vet, where she was a HUGE hit. They said she was NOT 4-1/2 months old though -- teeth say 5-1/2 months or maybe even closer to 6 months, so they said SPAY NOW! you don't want her coming in to heat! So we made an appointment. My vets wife is his head technician. She told me to drop her off on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and pick her up 12 years later, she liked her that much LOLOLOLOLOLOL
