Rescue Journal

Breed Standards

Carol  ·  Feb. 19, 2014

Post by Erin. Not Carol. Me again.

I am not at work yet so I have no morning updates. I have no idea how any of the Saints are doing right now. Oh wait, yes I do, theres one sleeping right beside be. I took Cece home as a permanent foster last November. On a vet visit the staff noticed she had a breeders tattoo. They shaved her so I could read the tattoo and trace it if I wanted. So I did. How does a purebred Shetland Sheepdog end up at a shelter? Cece came to Saints after she was rescued by the SPCA, her owners had packed up and moved away without her. The cruelty officer found her waiting in an upstairs bedroom, alone. These people had had numerous complaints placed against them over the years, mostly for inadequate conditions for the dogs. Anyways, at 14 years old, deaf little Cece was not a great candidate for adoption from the SPCA. Enter Saints. Cece lived at Saints for nearly a year before I brought her home. I promoted her on petfinder, shared her on facebook, nothing. No interest. Why didnt I take her home earlier? Because I had my beloved Bear then. More on him later. After Bear passed I got involved with a paraplegic pitbull named Frankie, who was going to be surrendered to Saints (then fostered by me) but his owner ended up just needing some support. A paralyzed 70lb dog is a LOT of work, especially if you are caring for him alone. Frankie is doing awesome btw, I am always in touch with them. I dog-sat Frankie for most of November, the week he went home I asked Carol for Cece. The breeders tattoo is from a highly regarded, award winning kennel. This kennel kicks ass and takes names in every competition they enter, year after year. Her name when she came to Saints was CC. Turns out, those are her initials, shes really Celestial Comet. So I wondered why my little Sheltie was sold as a pet, instead of winning ribbons. Sold to assholes no less. I looked up the CKC Breed Standards. And I quote "the deep, well-developed underjaw, rounded at chin, should extend to the base of the nostril. Lips tight. Upper and lower lips must fit smoothly together all the way around." Cece has a perpetual smile. So ok, she will never win a pretty blue ribbon. But it was her smile that captured my heart.

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(Shameless self-promotion. Sorry guys, Carol said to blog about whatever I want.)

Comments

heidi

Awesome!! Thanks!! Let me know if you need anything for the stroller. Good for you for helping Frankie and his owner!!!!!...Its a very hard and lonely haul on your own...but worth it in the end...I know my neighbors who could look after Trev made all the difference to us...it helped me keep my sanity.

erin

Heidi, yes we have used Trevors stroller, Christine had Max in it for the morning run, it works great! And yes, Frankie has walkin wheels :)

Debra now in Malaysia

So good to hear Cece is doing well. My daughters favorite at Saints

Mo

Such a sweetie is CeCe.. I too was thinking about Frankie the other day & was hoping I would remember to ask Erin about him... I love the fact that he is still with his family & Erin is so kind & generous to be his back up support..rescue at it's finest :-)

Lenore Henry

I often wondered why Cece was never adopted with such a sweet and gentle personality - thank you Erin for opening up your home and heart to such a derserving dog.....

suzanne

I have had multiple shelties at all times since the mid 80's. they are absolutely wonderful dogs. a whole lot of them wind up in rescue because pet owners don't do their homework on the breed. Shelties are smart, readily trained, loyal and thus are perfect for apartment/condo living but for one major issue... they are huge barkers. so the pet owner gets a sheltie and 6 months later is being harassed/fined by the Kondo Kommandos so if they are CARING they send the dog to rescue. if not the dog goes to the local shelter. a REPUTABLE sheltie breeder will ALWAYS take their dogs back so maybe these fools never contacted the breeder.

penny

CC is a rule beauty, and such a sweet girl. Lucky her, and lucky you, Erin. Interesting to hear about Frankie - I wondered what happened to him. So glad he's being properly cared for and is still loved. CC's history is really interesting as well - makes you wonder what the background is of some other Saints animals.