MWBCR Alumni Updates
 TannerPosted March 2010 Tanner is doing great and is an absolute joy to have in our family. He is getting along well with Sam and Levi and has learned to play with toys and my dogs. He is so funny to watch when he is playing by himself. He is very puppy like throwing toys in the air and running all over the place. He has a clumsy way about him that is very funny to watch. All three dogs have the house unrestricted while we are working and we have had no problems. He still does not like going outside without Jean or myself going with him but we are working on it and he is getting better. His fear issues are few and far between but I don't have the heart to take his crate away because all three dogs love it so much. Thunderstorms make it a very popular place and yes all three try to squeeze into it. Tanner and his brothers are all doing well, and getting along just fine. Every day that goes by a little piece of Tanners shell falls away exposing a wonderful, happy, playful, loving dog that has been hiding inside. He loves the snow and a good game of chase with Sammy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Prince
(formerly Grady)Posted March 2010
Thought that you might enjoy a
few Christmas photos with Prince. He is doing
fantastic. Prince loves to go to "manners" class as
well as agility (he is a natural). He is like a Rock
Star there, as everyone just loves him and calls him by
name as soon as he walks in the door. He is well known
for his "hugs" at Clever K9. Teri and I can't thank you enough for everything that
you have done to help bring Prince into our home.
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Annie
Posted February 2010 Annie is doing well and she is fitting into a routine great. She got to sleep with me last weekend when Shane was gone. We continue to walk her each day which is so great. Looking forward to spring and summer and hopefully getting my rear end in gear and running more with her. She got to one of Seth's stuffed animals. I was waiting for that day and was actually pleased to see it, I think she is feeling comfortable here and feeling less sad her foster family. It probably is an adjustment to go from having other dogs around to being the only dog. However, I think she'll like being the solo dog and queen bee with all of the attention. We got her a squeaky squirrel toy which is hilarious and which she loves. I think we're going to go to an obedience class and just get comfortable with the whole training idea. I can't wait to do agility with Annie. The Caiola Family
|  RustyPosted February 2010 He's doing great! He's doing very well in obedience classes. He knows a fair amount of commands and we're really trying to work on 'come'. Hopefully if we master come by the summer he can run off leash on some hikes, we'll see. The obedience instructor said he could graduate next week to intermediate classes! So proud! We'll have to get an extra large bone or something to celebrate! He's becoming more like a rascal and enjoying life. This morning we were out for an early stroll and he did about 10 turns and flips in front of me as if to say hurry up! hurry up! Guess I'll need coffee before the walks from now on. Jen and Craig
|  TobyTreasured Alumni Posted February 2010 Missed by MWBCR volunteers, her foster family and forever family.
|  ChuckPosted February 2010 Hello! My wife and I adopted Chuck from MWBCR and she is doing well. We have moved to Tennessee. Chuck now has two acres of land she can run on. T. Staddler
|  OreoTreasured Alumni Posted February 2010 Missed by MWBCR volunteers, her foster family and forever family. We adopted Oreo in October 2009, here in MN. He was the BEST dog, loyal and loving till the end. He died last Saturday, he went blind suddenly, and confused, we found out he was full of cancer in his abdomen and lungs, and cancer was also causing the blindness. He was a trooper until the end, and was not showing signs of being sick, he only wanted to greet us as we came home and to play with the toys Santa Paws gave to such a good boy. He is now in his forever home, and we are trying to regroup and go on without him. He was well loved by us. He even had his own Facebook page. Jennie H. and family
|  Teddy Posted November 2009 Hope you like the picture of Ted He continues to be a wonderful dog and we have all truly fallen in love with him. Teddy has been swimming in the lake today and played on the beach. He is so happy. Hoping you are well, Michelle & Ted
|  Roxi Posted November 2009 Thought that I would send in a quick update on Roxi (Tipsi). All is going really well. My Dad just loves her. Who knew that he could get so attached so quickly? My mom and sister are having a blast with her too. She is quite the character from their reports. We visited a couple weekends ago and she has grown so much and has learned a lot. Taylor (my BC) and Roxi had fun chasing each other for hours outside while we raked leaves. She got Brandi (my BC) to play tug but that was about it. He still has no interest in geese chasing. Maybe I need to take Taylor for more visits. I get to see Roxi again this weekend as we are staying with my sister in the city. My sister is taking Roxi for the weekend so she can "play with her cousins". This will be her second Chicago adventure. I think it calls for a trip to Three Dog Bakery on Halstead! Jackie and family
|  WileyPosted November 2009 Wiley is doing just fine and the two dogs are getting along and enjoying each others company. We took him to stay at my parents for the weekend, and of course they loved him. My mom moved a planter out of the family room window sill area because he decided that was a nice place to hang out (see photo). They had an old soccer ball with some of the panels coming off and my dad got him playing with it and it is now his favorite toy. He chases after it, pushes it around a bit when he catches up with it, and then tries to pick it up by the loose panels. When he succeeds in picking it up, he shakes his head and throws it. Today he spent the whole afternoon outside with me while I was working. He did very well when two of the neighbor dogs came over. When they were leaving, he dropped his shyness completely and acted like he wanted to follow them. All in all, his adjustment is going better than I would have ever expected. Best regards, Lew and Guadalupe
|  Annie Treasured Alumni Posted October 2009 Missed by MWBCR volunteers, her foster family and forever family.
|  Paris Posted October 2009 Paris is doing great in our home. We have had her about 2 months and she fits right in. She loves her family of seven humans and her big sister Annabelle (border collie/beagle). She likes her cat sisters but they are not sure of her just yet. Paris is high energy but gentle to everyone. She has been learning commands quickly and seems to understand more than we realize. Paris recently reach a new level in the household. She no longer sleeps in a crate but rather on the bed with Annabelle and our oldest daughter. She is very happy about it. Paris rarely spends time in her crate anymore because she and Annabelle go to work with Mom and Dad. At home Paris enjoys playing out in the yard and when she is inside, she likes to wrestle with her big sis. She has been a great addition to our family and become a great companion to Annabelle. The cats even like her a little. Thank you for the great work you do and we will keep in touch and send pictures. Ava
|  Daisy Mae Posted October 2009 Daisy Mae wanted to thank you for remembering her on the 2010 MWBCR calendar. It made her happier than a car ride to a tennis ball factory. William
|  MiloPosted August 2009 Milo was found as a stray in southern Illinois and tested positive for both heartworm and whipworm. He is now heartworm negative, and the doctors say he has a normal life expectancy. I adopted Milo in Minneapolis and we moved to a nice house in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It has a big back yard, and a huge park in the back to run and play every day. There are trees, tall grass, and fields to play Frisbee often. Milo is well-behaved off leash and always comes when he called. He’s met all the neighborhood kids who like to come over and pet him. Milo loves to go to the nearby dog park and is getting much better with his social skills. He loves to sit in laps and be hugged – that is when he’s not running and chasing a ball or Frisbee. He’s very happy in his crate too. We hope to start agility classes soon. Thanks to the MWBCR people for giving Milo a new lease on life. He has lots of love, lots of play time and a great best friend. Steve and Milo
|  SophiePosted August 2009 Sophie has learned to trust most of our friends and, as long as she is on a leash, most strangers. Sophie travels with us and her brother, Mikey the cat, from our home in Illinois to our home in Georgia. She likes to watch the squirrels and deer. My wife and Sophie take walks almost every day. We live on a lake in Georgia, so she has become a "boat babe". Dog parks have offered great socialization opportunities for Sophie. She is getting more comfortable meeting new dogs, and she loves to run. Although it took nearly a year, Sophie now shows some of the Border Collie instincts especially herding Sophie's weight, a concern when she was initially rescued, is holding at the recommended level. She is considered a healthy and well adjusted dog. Last year we had the opportunity to attend the MWBCR picnic. We were impressed with the commitment of the volunteers and delighted to meet the dogs and share stories with their adoptive families. Sophie is a most welcome, loving addition to our family. We are grateful to everyone who helped rescue our wonderful dog. Jan & John
|  ShelbyPosted August 2009 Shelby has been with us for 2 1/2 years now and has been an absolute joy. She has traveled the entire United States, swam in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, the Sea of Cortez and been in over 25 states. We told Shelby's foster Mom that we have a Pit-Collie-Duck because she is a typical Border Collie that swims like a duck and will latch on to a stick or rope and never let go. She is an excellent tug of war dog with a rope but still very gentle with smaller dogs that want to play. About a year and a half ago, we added a Border Collie mix to the family. Shelby has a new friend that keeps her fit by tossing and tumbling whenever they get the space and opportunity to do so. She and Silas are best of friends and go and do everything together. Two dogs are just perfect! I have had dogs all of my life and it is clear now that a dog with a dog buddy is a much better animal, well balanced, happy and exercised. One last thing that most of you may not know, Border Collies LOVE apples, especially when you are feeding them to someone else, like a llama ! Happy Tails and face kisses to you all......Reid S. & Angel J.
|  Callie Posted July 2009 (Callie, who is deaf, was adopted in March 2009.) Callie won her first gold ribbon as Narnia’s Top Dog at graduation night from her beginning obedience class. She had to go through a series of commands, (downs, sits, stands, stays etc.) on a timed basis. She finished in 22 seconds. The next closest dog was 32 seconds! Here is a picture of her with diploma and top dog award. The real highlight of the night was when they brought out all of the agility equipment for the dogs to try. The girl is a natural. There is nothing she won’t do for food. She went right for all of it, the tunnel, weave poles, jumps etc. She showed them what a deaf dog can do! Next up is an agility course. Our instructor found a woman who has two deaf boxer rescues and teaches agility in her backyard. We will start her out slow with no jumps or high impact stuff but at least get her use to the various equipment. Phil and Judi
|  CarliePosted July 2009 Carlie turned eight last month and she is doing well. She tore her tendon in her right shoulder about four months ago and is still not fully recovered. Complete rest of a tennis ball obsessed border collie is pretty tough to do. We did come up with new ways to play with the ball that required less running. She rarely barks and is content to relax in the backyard. She greets me every morning with a tennis ball near my head. I throw it for her, of course, without having to really wake up for awhile. She expects to go with me at all times and is really quiet in the car. She is so well behaved that I have no problems taking her to the local farmers market/art fair. She has become a pseudo therapy dog - hanging out at the nursing home where my Dad lives. Everyone there knows her and she just expects them all to pet her. I always tell people that say how nice she is, that she came to me that way. I cannot take credit because I have only had her about a year. She is such a sweet girl - I am so lucky to have her. Thanks to all her caretakers, you did a fine job - she is a perfect dog for me. Janice T.
|  LexiePosted July 2009
I just wanted to give you a long overdue update on a
special girl I adopted in 2006, Lexie. She is a
beautiful blue merle that came to you heartworm positive
and very timid. She's come a long way since then,
largely in part to your help, and is doing wonderfully.
She has her Canine Good Citizen designation and is a
registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International.
She loves her therapy work and is a natural at it. When
people find out I have a border collie that's a therapy
dog, those that know the breed, can't believe it. It's
true though. Lexie is proof positive that border
collie's can make excellent therapy dogs.
Amy R.
|  DashiellPosted June 2009 We've had Dashiell, formerly Checkers, since 2006 and every day we are delighted he is part of our family. He is a very gentle boy and loves to be part of the pack. He gets along great with his two older BC brothers. One of his favorite jobs is to be out on the fenced-in deck to patrol the yard below for squirrels or chipmunks. He finds it hilarious to scare them away from the bird feeders. Food is his favorite subject. He is a major mooch whenever it's around. All-in-all Dash is very sweet natured and loves to get a lot of affection. He's also very mellow and would rather sleep than play a lot of the time. A good game of chase with his brother Wesley is his preferred form of exercise. Everyone who meets him simply loves him immediately. I've had numerous people tell me he's one of the most handsome dogs they have ever seen. Of course, I think all my boys are handsome. We're so happy to have him and thank MWBCR for brining him into our lives. He constantly makes us laugh and smile with his goofiness. We are so lucky to have him with us. Thank you!
|  Derby
Posted June 2009 I thought you may enjoy this cute picture. We took Derby to the sailboat this weekend. It's a 34' boat, so he has room to roam. He was great and took very well to sailing. Yes, he wears a doggy life vest when under sail. He also staked ownership of his boat, it is named Lucky Dog. He was wandering the deck of the boat when we were in the marina and he decided to "pop in" for a quick hello. Dave took this picture of the silly dog with his head poking through the side window. He won many other boat owners over and made two canine play friends while there. There are many others who bring their dogs to their boats for the weekend and they get in some good, social romp and chase time. Of course there is swim time too! Hope all is good! Jan R.
|  Milo
Posted June 2009 I adopted Milo (formally Hank) July 1st, 2008. He is such a good boy, his recall is the best I've ever experienced with a dog. On our daily walks he knows which neighbors may have a treat for him and is prepared to sit or lay down for the treat Milo is not much of a toy dog except for when a Frisbee appears. His leaping abilities are great but we need to work on his timing to catch the Frisbee. Around the house Milo settles in nicely, but makes the rounds from the kitchen to bathroom to bedroom to on the sofa for belly rubs and gives big sloppy kisses. Milo's antics around water are puzzling as he will run right up to the water but won't allow the water to touch his feet. He will even jump over or go around a mud puddle. He has no problems with getting wet in the rain or taking a bath but put a lake in front of him and he just wants to chase the waves and stay dry, go figure. I had him tested on sheep and ducks and he is a natural! I hope to get him more acquainted with sheep this summer as he sure does enjoy it Anyway, I sure am happy that Milo is in my life and suspect he is equally happy being here. Thanks to MWBCR and keep up the fine work ! Mark P.
|  Bandit
Posted June 2009 Bandit is truly a sweetheart and is doing just wonderful here in our home. Thank you for bringing so many new smiles in my life. Theo has found a good buddy and pal in Bandit. Bandit still is not very affectionate but that's okay. He is my sweetie and I tell him that numerous times throughout the day. Whenever I look his way he looks back at me and starts thumping his tail before he jumps up to put a ball in his mouth. Yes, he is still obsessed with balls and needs to have something in his mouth al the time! We spend time everyday throwing the ball outside and he is constantly game for a good round of catch. A ball is never more than a few inches from his nose at all times. Bandit never has accidents and is a great watch dog. Sometimes too good, as he tends to bark at everything. Even every once in awhile when everyone is quiet, he will let out a bark as if to say, "Hey - I'm still here, time to play?" Thanks! Kim R.
|  TobyPosted June 2009 Toby is doing great. We are having a lot of fun with him. He is such a social dog. We started taking him to doggy day care about a month ago. He goes one day a week and really loves it. He plays non-stop all day. Toby is doing great with Aidan (pictured at left) and he seems to really like Bailey. He keeps trying to cuddle with her in her bed. They are getting along just fine, but Bailey isn't crazy about cuddling with him yet. We just wanted you to know that he has settled in well and we absolutely love him. Thank you, Michelle and family
|  Reese
Posted May 2009 I have had Reese almost four months now and she has been a great addition to my life. She goes with me to work at the golf course everyday, except when pesticides are being used. At first she was hesitant about golf carts, but now she will jump right in no matter who is driving. She has taken to all of my employees, and is a great addition to the course. All of the members love her and always say how beautiful she is. Some of the members have even started carrying treats in their golf bags. They also can't believe how well she behaves. I have to admit, she is a fast learner and it didn't take much from me. She will sit in the cart, unless I say otherwise, and won't get down even if a squirrel is ten feet away. I thank you all again for everything. I am truly happy that Reese has become a part of my life. She brings a smile to my face constantly, whether from a look she gives me, or just something she does. Matt B.
|  Posted May 2009 We adopted Bagger in March of 2006. We can't believe it's been three years! We've owned a lot of dogs, but Bagger is the best one we've ever had. He gets along great with his "big" sister, Mille, shown in the picture with him. (We actually have three small dogs and Bagger.) He's a very patient, kind dog with the "little ones". Bagger and I walk the neighborhood almost every night. I carry a leash but hardly use it, as he stays with me and minds like a pro. All we have to do is point in the direction we're going, and he knows to go that way. His only bad habit; he'll raid the trash if the opportunity presents itself and guess whose fault that would be! This we can live with. Other than that, he's perfect. We just wanted you to know he is doing well and has a good home. He's a great, loyal boy! Connie S.
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 Pili
(formerly Luv) Posted May 2009
We adopted Pili in December 2008, and she's been a
delight since the day we brought her home. She has
boundless energy and curiosity, makes friends with every
dog, person, and cat that she runs into on the street,
and has become a minor starlet amongst the neighborhood
riff-raff Pili loves string cheese, hates the vacuum, plays with
buckets, pounces on spiders, and is a dream with kids. She brings my husband and I joy every day. Thanks! Jessica
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 Reily
Posted May 2009 I adopted a three month old male Border Collie named Reily in December of 2007. I just wanted to say he's been an awesome dog, very hyper and loves to play. He loves playing with his buddies to my roommates dog Zero (Border Collie) and one of my best friends dog, Brooke (Australian Shepherd). He loves Frisbees and we just started flyball this past weekend hopefully we will have a team very soon. Thanks for everything, especially Karla and everyone else that helped with the home visits! Sincerely, Rick S.
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 LuluPosted April 2009 Lulu is doing fine! She's still working on her indoor voice but its getting much better. She's doing great with not barking when you play ball with her outside. We're working on having her bring the ball to us when she is lying down. She and Flash (in the picture with her) are doing great. Only one time where she nipped at him. Other than that things are going great. She loves to be outside and plays hard every time. At night she sleeps with Catherine or with Liza and I. Thanks, Chris, Liza, Catherine, Flash and Lulu
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 TatePosted April 2009 We adopted Tate from MWBCR in October of 2008. This little guy has brought so much joy into our home! My husband initially was reluctant to get a dog, and it took two months of discussion before he relented. But it wasn't long before "Tater" stole my husband's heart, as well as mine! Now, my husband even wants to go along for the veterinarian appointments. We live on a shallow river in south central Wisconsin, and Tate is a swimming fool! The picture shows him just out of the water, having retrieved a tennis ball, and he is waiting for me to "chuck it" into the water again. His job is to chase ducks out of our yard and squirrels off my bird feeder, and he is very serious about it! There is hardly a day that goes by that this dog doesn't make us laugh, whether it's going after a ball, a stick, plunging into our decorative ponds, or just being his goofy self. We are so grateful to MWBCR, and in particular Meredith who fostered him, for the wonderful work you did with Tate in particular, and border collies in general. Thank you! Susan R.
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 RileyPosted April 2009 Riley (formerly Bridget) was adopted from MWBCR in February 2009. Riley and her new brother, Jake are getting along just fine. Riley likes to play in the yard and tries to get Jake to play outside too. Jake's a toy boy and likes to check on all of the possible critters (squirrels) that might have come into the yard. Sometimes Riley wants to play so badly that she will block him from getting up on the deck and to the door. Jake then has to try to get around her. Riley just loves this! I took Jake to my daughter-in-law who is a groomer. When I picked him up she told me to be careful when I bring him back into the house. Riley may not recognize him and it could cause a problem. Good advice. I put Riley outside before I brought Jake in. I then let Riley in and she came in only halfway and looked Jake over for about thirty seconds. She then sniffed him out for another five minutes until she was sure it was him. Don't worry, Riley will soon have her turn at the groomer! Thanks, John, Jake and Riley |