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    Dogs available for adoption

    On this web site you will find Borders available for adoption. We hope you will consider adopting one of these special little dogs that are in need of a loving home

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    Information
    January 28, 2010
    Sky-Ber
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    Sky-Ber, who is learning to answer to just Sky, is a lanky, one-year-old teenage, grizzle and tan boy. He is neutered and microchipped, all shots current. Sky started life in a Missouri commercial breeding operation, and was about 10 months old when the owner left 13 older puppies of various breeds with a retired vet. From there, they went to a local lady who does some rescue. The lady placed Sky in a really terrfic home several states away, but once his adoptive mom got him home, her older dog announced that no new dogs were allowed. The original rescue lady was travelling outside the US, so for his safety, Sky came to us. (We'd been talking with the lady already.)

    This is a busy youngster who loves to play with toys, and like most adolescent Border Terriers, to chew on them.... and lots of other things, some of them "legal". He is comfortable with his foster mom's three dogs, and encourages them to play with him. Sky, however, does not accept any bullying from the older female in his foster home. He is crate-trained, and a good little traveler. Endless curiosity, and some general silliness, add spice to his growing personality, so he's a real entertainer. It's almost as if he is trying to make up for a lost puppyhood!

    At this point, Sky is just starting on house training, and learning to walk on a leash without tripping Mom and tangling another dog. He is also learning, but slowly, that humans who are moving or reaching toward him are not to be feared.... yet he seems to enjoy lap time and massages, and doesn't argue about having his nails trimmed or ears cleaned. When Sky leaves his foster home to visit the wide world, he's initially very worried, but once he's been in a place for a few minutes, curiosity overcomes his worries, and he even will tentatively approach humans who smell of their own dogs, if they are sitting or standing still.

    Sky has not been around children yet, but at this point would be easily overwhelmed by them. Like many canine teenagers, he can be defensive about a toy he has picked up, but this is an issue being worked on. He should do well with another, fairly submissive, dog. He has seen cats from a distance, but has not joined the foster home dogs in chasing them along he fenceline... yet. The older dogs are not very interested in the squirrels, so Sky hasn't gotten excited about them, either.... yet.

    He will need intensive socialization to the real world, continuing housetraining, and at least a basic obedience class with his new people to assist in teaching him to trust and respect, as well as to master the necessary manners. He needs lots of high-speed exercise to burn off energy, and to help put on some muscle mass. He might enjoy some agility, once he can work off leash in a securely fenced area; he's very agile in hopping up and climbing on things. A secure, visibly fenced yard is critical for this boy. In many respects, Sky is much like an unsocialized, unhousetrained 6 month-old. But he is very bright and can learn with a gentle but firm approach with lots of praise and rewards.

    Sky arrived with an ear infection, which has been treated. The vet recommended a top quality dry food, with no grain, concerned that the ear infection might be related to a grain allergy (probably wheat or corn). He is getting a no grain food at present. It will be helpful in preventing further possible food allergies to change his food every 3-4 months.

    Sky is visiting with Jo Wolf near Atlanta GA. Email: wolfje@webtv.net Phone (cell): 706-814-3947
    (Eastern time zone; afternoons except Sundays, or after 9 PM until midnight all days)