"News Update on the Little Female Deaf Puppy"

Although I had success finding a home for "Lilly" the deaf Border Collie puppy, Lilly's brother Oscar was not quite so fortunate. Now named Oscar (Lilly's brother, named Oscar for reasons that will become clear by the end of this article) did not get out in time. Oscar, pictured in upper left corner when he was found and pictured again under a desk, doing MUCH BETTER! Oscar is one special pup!

I received an e-mail updating me on how "Lily" was doing (now nicknamed "Crash") about a week ago. Rosie's and my Dogster.com pals found Crash a home and had planned on picking Crash up from the breeder and shipping her out to her new home in Chicago after Thanksgiving. And so, as planned, the pup was picked up. Born 7/11/2006, Crash was five months old when she was picked up from the breeder. The photos accompanying this post were taken soon after picking her up from the breeder... and after she returned from spending a little time at the vets as well. When they picked her up, she weighed only 7 and 1/2 pounds, and as you can see, looks more like how big Rowena was at 8 weeks (but weighing less). When reading this, I was indeed shocked at the extent of the neglect of this little puppy. If I had decided and was able to adopt this little pup, I would not have been able to ship her by air until she was healthy enough to do so, which she was not. So our Dogster pals got her home from the vet and had her for a day before having to send her off to her new loving home. My e[mail said: "She was extremely sweet and loving, and full of puppy energy." They did fall in love with her quickly. Her new family also fell in love with her and Lily has been described by her new mom as being "the best puppy ever." Crash's best friend is her mini-Aussie sister, and Crash is now up to 17 pounds (in less than a month)... closer to her healthy weight. At the end of the e-mail my Dogster pal stated that because of my help, Crash was removed from a bad situation. I felt good until I got to the next sentence that stated that Crash's brother, Oscar was not as lucky.
Apparently, Crash's brother has epilepsy which is one of those health problems that CAN be common in Border Collies. "Someone" allegedly beat the puppy and threw him in a dumpster for dead. When ACO got to him, he had been buried in piles of trash and bottles and was indeed near death. He is now in Foster care and is doing much better. The ACO of Butte, Montana area is trying to find out (beyond a doubt) who did this to this little pup. I have called the ACO over in the Butte area myself and they are very motivated to find out who did this to him and to prosecute.
I will keep my blog informed on this case as it is close to my heart.

These 2 pups are my special Christmas miracles!

If you would like to read more about Oscar, click on the links below:
http://www.montanapets.org/bas/pictures/06-D0424.html
http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2006/12/16/newsbutte/hjjdihidjiiegf.txt
http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2006/12/21/newsbutte/hjjdihhijiigff.txt

Thank you Dogster family of Avi for helping to rescue this little puppy for me! I am so happy and grateful! Through this rescue of Crash, we will get justice for poor Oscar!

Pictures of Oscar are from the Chelsea, Bailey, Butte-Silver Bow Animal Shelter in Butte, Montana.

If you would like to view Rowena's Dogster.com page (lots of pictures that change regularly) and check out Dogster for yourself, click on this link:

http://www.dogster.com/?246121

Rowena Plans to Relocate!

What is considered now to be "Daddy's apartment" will soon be Rosie's and my new home as well. It is a small apartment above a double car garage in a wooded, rather secluded area of southern Maine, near the coast. It is surrounded by marshland and is on an "island". There are trails around the property along the marsh and will provide a contrast in living for both Rosie and myself. So far we have only spent a night there and I have taken no outdoor photos as of yet. Rosie has made fast friends with the 2 young children downstairs, and met a Shepherd/Husky looking mix from up the hill. She will have to learn the boundaries as right now she travels as far as she wants which isn't good because there is a road up the hill through some woods. We are closer to busy roads here, but they are well lit and in plain, open view. The view is obstructed by trees at the new place, so I am a bit wary. Also the lighting around the house is rather poor so she may need to be leashed when out at night. Right now however, I am staying put in a rather disasterous looking apartment that still retains about 99% of its original items. My husband stays down in the new place as he has begun a new job and cannot make a 2 hour commute after 12 hour shifts. He is a chef at a very nice restaurant in that area. Preparations have been made for our 2 felines to join us in this move, but the rats must all find new homes before I take off. I will help them with that of course. Rosie has done well in her service dog classes, has finished not only her beginner's classes, but basic and advanced obedience... is task trained and knows how to behave in public. I am very proud of my girl and hope that she can tolerate a more secluded lifestyle. We will have to travel by car to all of my appointments, and I will not be able to run any errands on my own as I do not have a license. It will be very hard for me and I hope she is ready for all this because I am not.

Home Wanted for a Deaf, Female White Border Collie Puppy:

Hi everyone... normally I wouldn't do this, but recently I had been looking into getting a new Border Collie puppy as it looked as if my living situation might change to allow that addition. However, though my living situation changed, it didn't change to allow me to get a puppy yet.

One of the pups I checked into was this little white charmer pictured above. I unofficially called her Lily. Lily was born about 5 months ago from a litter of pups of mostly white parents. Lily, however is deaf. The breeder breeds Border Collies in Butte, Montana... called Tanimara Border Collies. The breeder is selling the pups... all but Lily who is purchasable for free... not including any shipping costs (usually runs about $250 or so). You will have to set up shipping on your end should you choose to purchase Lily. Lily has been raised under foot in the breeder's home, is not potty trained, but is kennel trained. I doubt she has a name or that she has had any type of training... obedience or otherwise.

Deaf dogs are very trainable, they only need to be trained a different way. A person must train a deaf dog by using hand signs and by touch and body language. I believe training Lily would be a very rewarding experience and I am sorry I will miss it. She should learn fast and should be eager to win your approval. She will be a greatful and loving addition to any family who is ready to take on this little white extra challenge. There are very helpful websites that with guide you in the decision of getting Lily and support you once you have her. Dogster.com has groups of dogs who are deaf and/or deaf and blind. They are sweet, smart and loving dogs... just a little more special!

Please do not rush into the decision of purchasing Lily. Make sure you understand some of the needs of Border Collies, and that you understand the special needs Lily will have.

Should you be interested, send me an e-mail at helgerquest@msn.com and I will send you the info for you to contact the breeder. You will find this breeder's other pups on PuppyFind.com.