Contact: Jean Threlkeld at sonomarosa@sonic.net (707) 525-0689
Northbay Canine Rescue and Placement: www.northbay-canine.org (707) 795-7575

Maggie

Maggie is a purebred Border Collie. She’s bright as all get up! She’s 8 years old and you would think she was under 2. She LIVES for the Frisbee…and wants to be active/pet/cuddled 24/7. She is a love pig and loves to eat. She loves everyone and everything. She’s fine with kids and cats. She is more the “agility/search and rescue” type of breeding vs. the herding type. I did agility with her a year ago and she took to it amazingly (the teacher told me to keep up with HER). However, with that and with Frisbee sessions she pushes herself and, like any middle-aged human weekend warrior, she gets a bit sore and a bit slower to get up afterwards. She is on fish oils and glucosamine and condroitin.
She is shy of being bathed and does NOT like being blown dry. She wants to be stimulated and aims to please. I have been home fulltime since I rescued her (as a student) and, as such, she has had almost constant company. Someone who stays home or is retired would probably be ideal for her. Note: IF you are concentrating on something, like working on the computer or watching TV, she very cutely will either nudge her head into your lap or under your arm, or take a ball, chew toy, squeaky toy (the noisier the better) and put it on your lap, let it roll off, put it in your lap, let it roll off until you either play with her or give her attention. She wants to be with you at all times. She loves car rides. She loves Freedom (the other border collie) and all other non-aggressive dogs.
She was with the lady/backyard breeder until she was 5 years old when she was rescued. The lady had her arms full with triplets and couldn’t give Maggie much attention; i.e. Maggie was pretty much relegated to the garage. Garages still make her nervous and she gets out of them as soon as possible.

Freedom was Maggie’s breeding partner (backyard breeder) for the first two years of their lives (they are both 8 years old). At 2 years old he was relegated to a goat farmer in El Dorado County and became isolated at that time. He was brought out of a coverless, cyclone pen only to herd the goats or mount a bitch. As a result of this treatment he is petrified of loud noises (probably due to exposure to lightening) and fireworks. Loud noises petrify him…even if they are way far off and he’ll look agitated and jump on your lap for comfort. Because he comes from strong herding stock (supposedly direct from Scotland one or two generations ago), and his isolation during formative years in El Dorado, he is less socialized than Maggie and would do well in a home that is active but aware of the idiosyncracies of this breed. He would not do well with small children as they typically move quickly and he will herd them. He is an excellent house and yard protection dog and can be intimidating with his size (55-60 pounds). He loves cats and will do the “border collie eye” for awhile and follow cats around, but warms quickly, wags his tail, and follows them around the house but never hurts them. They are in Palm Springs.

Contact: Kim at kim@norcalaussierescue.com

Ham is living at the Milo Sanctuary in Willits. He is a very smart and people oriented dog, however: Occasionally, he dislikes male humans and, when he does, he can bite. He is also slightly food aggressive, so he needs to be separated for feeding and does better with female dogs. Lastly, he is reactive to fast moving objects/vehicles as many herding breeds are. He needs a savvy owner with plenty of space for him to exercise and stay out of trouble. Handsome hunk in his big pantaloons! Tri color, docked tail, exuberant and happy but not overly active. He does have herding, nip habits and is not appropriate for heavily urban lifestyles or a home with small kids. (Bicycles, skateboards etc. can be problematic, though with proper caution - not a big issue).

Ham is very friendly, loves people and was happily sharing a large run in the forest with 2 other dogs, a male and a female up at the Milo sanctuary. He seems more interested in people than in other dogs. He is very smart and keeps eye contact with me whenever I am in the run. He tries to anticipate my commands and is always eager to please. He sits promptly for me and loves his treats. Overall, a happy, friendly dog that bonds easily and would make a great single pet. He tends to be territorial and can be very protective of the person he chooses. When I give him attention he does not let the other dogs interrupt us. He needs an owner that can establish a solid relationship with him, setting precise boundaries between work, play, love time. He responds extremely well to simple routines repeated day after day. He hangs out near a desk or goes to work well. Ham walks very well on leash . . .he is a charmer.Ham does have serious herding instincts when it comes to joggers, bicyclists, skate boarders, kids on swings etc. So, he will be best suited to a more rural living situation in the country.

He is great in the house - and loves carrying around toys and tossing them in the air and catching them . . . he is a lot of dog and a lot of fun! He is a young dog, and with some training will make an excellent companion for an active person or couple who are familiar with Aussies.