Online Dog Adoption Application

Online Cat Adoption Application

Lady came to us from the Southern Comfort Animal Rescue when it had a fire.  This pretty girl is very shy. She lived in a shelter before Southern Comfort for many years but was never socialized and engaged. She wants to be loved and give it in return but it takes some time for her to trust. Once she does, she is a lover! Won't you give her a chance?

Foster Update: Australian Shepherds are prone to attach themselves to 1 person in the family, and that person is me; LADY follows my every step. She is very stiff, who wouldn't be at her age, and is on Meloxicam every day. Dr. Wayne suggested aspirin, 81mg every day, for some of her 'old age' symptoms as well. It has taken her about 2 months to not shy away from my husband. I think she has been mistreated by men because she is very reserved around them. It took her a whole month to bark. We have found her to nip if we try to take a chew toy away or if we try to get her from the crate. She seems to have trouble getting out of the crate, and would suggest that new owners use a doggie bed or an area she can easily lie down and manuever. New owners will need continue working on taking chew toys from her, teaching her trust and gentleness.  Lady has a good amount of energy left in her! She tends to bolt through doors and can throw a person right off their feet if you are not looking. So, I'd say, she would do best in a home with owners who are looking for a senior dog who still has some 'umph' left in her.  LADY also really enjoys her extended walks and needs some good daily exercise. (She is an Australian Shepherd after all! :)   I love LADY already and she is a really great dog!  She is in her golden years and offers much to the person/family willing to put forth some patience and understanding.

Foster Update: Lady is doing great in our home. She particularly likes following me around the house. She will walk directly behind me so that when I stop her nose touches my leg. Other times, she will walk slightly in front pointed at an angle. I guess this is her way of herding us. She is shy around strangers, but is getting better. After she becomes accustomed to new people, she is sweet. She is very tolerant, only protesting when someone pulls forward on her collar. Lady is scared of the thunderstorms and will try to be close to her people. She is also camera shy, so getting pictures is tricky. Lady is older, so she's fine with laying around the house. However, she does enjoy going for bike rides in the evening. Lady will make a great addition to a family, preferably one with Aussie experience.

Lady qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors program!  If adopted by a senior (55+) her adoption fee is $50.

*** According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, despite the misleading name, the Australian Shepherd is not Australian at all, but was developed entirely in the U.S. to work as a herding dog on ranches. It is possible that the name was derived from one of the dog's ancestors. The breed's principal forebears were most likely Spanish dogs that accompanied the Basque shepherds and herds of fine Merino sheep exported to both America and Australia in the early days of the colonies. At some point it probably crossed with Collie stock. It has only recently gained recognition as a distinct breed. Its many talents include, retrieving, herding, watchdogging, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, search & rescue, agility, competitive obedience and performing tricks. Australian Shepherds are easy going, perpetual puppies that love to play. Courageous, loyal and affectionate, they are excellent children's companions that are great with active children. A devoted friend and guardian, for they are naturally protective. Very lively, agile and attentive - they are eager to please, with a sixth sense about what the owner wants. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Though aggressive when at work with livestock, the Aussie is gentle with human friends. Australian Shepherds needs lots of exercise and a job to do, as the breed is very intelligent, active and easily bored. They can become nervous and destructive if left alone too much without exercise. They are naturally suspicious of strangers, so they should be well socialized as puppies. Working lines of Australian Shepherds may be too energetic to be suitable pets. Some like to nip people's heals in an attempt to herd them. They are quiet workers, unlike some breeds, which are bred to bark constantly at livestock. This breed is not usually dog aggressive. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years. This breed is often sensitive to ivermectin; however, the dosage for heartworm preventive is considered safe. Be warned that higher doses of Ivermectin are also used to treat mange and caution should be taken.