Greetings from Oregon!

S

shelties4me

Forums Novice
I haven't known about SheltieNation for very long, only about a week or so. I've been lurking to see if I fit in. I sort of do, and don't... but you are MY KINDA PEEPS!

Okay, here's the skinny (and the only thing skinny about me!)... I have been owned by one sheltie or another for nearly all my life. That being said, in the past 2 years, I have lost two too many. First was my precious "bestus buddy ever", my Paul, who had an inoperable brain tumor, and was very senior, but stlll... it HURT SO BAD, but he isn't hurting any more. He's off at the Rainbow Bridge, trying to herd the others waiting for us.

I have pretty severe panic/anxiety disorder, and some other issues. The shelties deal with that pretty well. I had gotten a girl who had had a hard life, prior to coming to me at the age of 7, and we bonded nearly instantly. She took very quickly to therapy dog training, and she went everywhere with me. She left suddenly, a host of issues, lots of tests, and we were ready to do exploratory surgery, but it was looking like 4 or 5 surgeries spread out over weeks and weeks, and she was nearly 10, we couldn't get her diarrhea under control, the prednisone and antibiotics were doing a number on her, and the short story is, she's gone, 4 weeks now. I have her ashes with me, but my heart us broken.

My husband's dog (of course, another sheltie! is here) but he isn't the same personality and temperament as my kids. He is a beautiful mahogany sable. All my kids over the years have been tri's and blues/merles.

I miss my kids! I thought I had a new baby coming, was gonna fly her from Ohio to Oregon, but today I was told that some new regulations will stop that from happening... I'm really SAD, guys.

I know it's really early to get another, but I am having panic attacks without the furkids to keep me balanced... drag me out for walks, distract with with love and kisses and goofball antics. And there is a hole in my heart you can drive a semi through...

I've checked in Oregon and Washington, so far have not found any tri's or blues available. I've had both males and females, but I think I really want another girl. Is there any reason NOT to look up in British Columbia? I know there are some good breeders there. I am planning on moving back to Washington soon, so I'll be close to the border.

All I want for Christmas (or sooner!) is a lovely smartypants sheltie kid with attitude!

So, right now, I am not actually owned by any furkids, but I have several waiting on me at the Rainbow Bridge... and since i am new here, I don't know how to do all the signature stuff yet, but I will, and add pix later.

Waving hello to everyone new and established here,

Elaine
 
Hey there Elaine, welcome to Sheltie Nation. I've got the AAD (Acute Anxiety Disorder) thing going on, too but mine manifests in heart-attack-like symptoms, but this isn't "Psychiatric Nation" so let's talk about Shelties. :biggrin2:

We lost our blue merle Winston in January, but even before he was gone we knew there will always be a Sheltie in our future. I had hoped to find another blue but when I met our boys at the breeder, it was sable time for us.

Their personalities are completely different from Winston, but I can't imagine our household without them now.

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Hiya, Lunatic59,

Are you really ruled by the moon? Doubtful, LOL, but cute name. Your puppies are adorable! My sympathies on losing Winston. I did try to be open-minded about the color thing, really...:biggrin2: but so far, it didn't take. I love and appreciate other people's sables, and hubby's boy is gorgeously mahogany.

I visited a breeder who is in the process of moving down my way, near Eugene, who had two sable girls for love, and I got a good "puppy love" fix from one of them. She ALMOST had me ready to take her home, but I just felt more like "auntie Elaine" than "mommy". We were told when we took Arty, that even though he was neutered, he would probably mark in the house with another male, so, while I think that can be corrected (none of my others ever did it, but they all have their own personality "highlights", we are not gonna go there right now!). Arty has other issues we want to address first, which I will take up in another thread.

I am thinking of trying rally competition, but not in a "traveling across the country" sort of way; I really admire those who have the stamina for the show life. Just mostly local. I will definitely be doing CGC and obedience, and finding out what my new friend wants to spend time doing. Boy, do I know the idiocy of letting a bright brain devise their own "interesting fun", LOL!

I am also a spinner, knitter and weaver, and beautiful Sheltie fur (especially clean undercoat) often finds a way into the yarn. I have had a serious interest in having a small spinner's flock of sheep, and take special interest in the herding abilities of our favorite dogs. Just wonder if I am getting too old to take on "herding" and shepherding as a further slip down the slope of fiber addiction. But, on the other hand, what a great way to develop a further bond with my dog(s), eh? I find that spinning, especially, is a great way to soothe the anxiety in my neurosystem. It can do the exact opposite to a fur ball, who sees it as a "new toy" with interesting possibilities!:lol:

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!
 
I don't think it's too early as you clearly are missing having a dog of your own in your life.

My pet Pom Dawson, died suddenly in July from mushroom poisoning - he was only 6 months old but had already wrapped himself into our hearts. I still miss his spunky little presence, but we got our sable merle sheltie, Hanna, only a few short weeks later and it was the best decision ever. One dog does not replace another - they are so completely different - but they help to fill that emptiness afeter a loss.
 
Welcome, Elaine! We're happy to have you here at Sheltie Nation. It sure sounds like you have earned your Sheltie Stripes, with as many as you've owned!

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. It doesn't matter how old they are, they do leave a giant hole in our hearts. And no, another furkid won't take their place, but there's nothing like a Sheltie puppy to distract you, and who can't smile when you watch their antics? So you go for it, and find your dream doggie. It is not too soon.

I'd look wherever you know there are good, responsible breeders, and if that's British Colombia, why not? Also, have you checked the ASSA breeders' list? You may find names on there near you that you aren't aware of.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted on your search! We're happy to have you in the group. :smile2:
 
welcome:smile2:
I love all the colors and currently have a sable merle boy, sable girl and a biblack boy who was supposed to be blue....

I have discovered that I cannot go long without a new dog after losing one.
I lost my first dog as an adult (not a sheltie- a basset mix) and within a month had adopted another hound boy (beagle mix) who I eventually got my first sheltie to keep company...
as they got older, I got a puppy (sable merle boy) so that when the inevitable happened, there would be someone to keep the other dog company. but my older sheltie girl did not appreciate the young energetic pup and so after losing the beagle boy, I got another sheltie girl.
so after losing the older sheltie girl, I started looking for a blue puppy but ended up with a biblack instead

here's a pic of the current three
 
Hi from Arizona! As the proud new mama of a pup and his dad, I say go for it! It took 6 months to get my baby Fillion, and silence in the house was deafening for those months. That is no longer an issue :biggrin2:
 
Hi Elaine and welcome to SN Forums. Big big hugs :hugs. I haven't lost a pup yet, but my oldest is 15 and well, going downhill. I know I'm going to be a mess, so I can only imagine what you're going through.

I just moved to Portland from CA. I think my dogs probably hate the rain, but I'm loving it. Okay, maybe not this storm, however, love the cooler weather.

Have you thought of checking out northern CA breeders? Also, Akadia Shelties is expecting a litter (if they haven't had it already). They're in ID, but hey, you go where the pups are. Maybe give them a call. They're expecting blues and blacks.

In all honesty, if you want a pup, you have to go find one. If you have to go to BC, go there. Just find a reputable breeder and you'll be good to go.

Again, welcome. And I hope you find a pup who can help heel the big hole and help with your anxiety.
 
Hi Elaine, welcome to SN. I live in New Zealand but am an American. Shelties are hard to find over here, and not too popular, so, I consider mine a rare jewel.

I use to live in Washington state, I had a sheltie there many years ago, I got mine from Yakima, I think the Seattle area may have some as well.

I can relate to the panic disorder, I have high anxiety, it is no fun, taking walks with Laddie helps however.
 
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