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Our Special Australian Cattle Dogs

"James Dean (Deaf)" Meet James Dean in Lansing, MI 8-13-09 James Dean (J.D.) arrives in rescue from an Indiana shelter. We were told that he had arrived at the shelter in September 2008, was adopted out and then returned back to the shelter after months with the family and they realized he was deaf. They had told the shelter that when they pulled into the driveway, they had honked the horn, and he did not move. James Dean did arrive in Lansing, MI on a Thursday night transport with a limp on his hind leg. We are monitoring if he was sore from the transport or if there is something else going on with his leg. James Dean is great with people, he is dog friendly, and will be tested with cats (and doing well). His teeth are nice and clean, and the shelter aged him at 1-1/2 years old. 8-19-09 Update from his foster Mom: We have only had James Dean for less than a week, but so far he's a great guy. He's super friendly with every person and dog that he meets. He absolutely LOVES physical affection. He's not treat motivated but he still wants to please so we are already working on hand signals and good eye contact. He doesn't like his crate and will protest, but does go in without a fight and keeps it clean all day and night. I think he would rather be with us than in his crate, but as he needs a safe place, we are going to keep working on showing him it's a good place to be. He's still dragging a leash in and out of the house. He gets very excited and acts like a clown at times but in general is a respectful boy; even at meal times. A baby gate will not hold this agile little leaper, but he doesn't go over the back yard fence even where it's only 4ft. He likes dog toys and hasn't *yet* picked up anything that he shouldn't. If I ask, he will give me the toys without trouble. Good boy. He walks very nicely on a leash with me and the pack. The one or two times that I accidentally dropped the leash or he got into the unfenced front yard, he didn't take off running. I still will be more careful until I know I can trust him! He is interested in the cat. I'm sure if she gave him a reason, he'd love to chase her. However, she doesn't run and because of this I trust him enough for him to be alone indoors or out with her and not to bother her. We are enjoying his stay for now and will continue to work on helping him be a well-adjusted pet. He already has a great start. I have to share a few more things about Mr. Delightful. Yesterday the 8 year-old down the street stopped by to say hi. She knows me from walking all the dogs, and because each one of the kids in the family has her own dog; hers is an Aust. Shepherd. We went into the back yard and she sat on the wooden spools that we have back there. JD jumped up behind her and sat with her. He was so polite and gentle. He sat and sniffed her shirt and licked her. He is just such a beautiful soul that dog! I knew he'd be good with kids, but this was exceptional. Then last night I was painting my toes when JD kept sniffing and sniffing and trying to lick. Then he'd paw at me a little. He was trying to figure out the 'game'! So I stopped and grabbed his foot like I was going to paint his toes. He just flopped over on his side and acted like he was going to snooze. Goof! Later he came over and I had him sit next to me. I put my arm around him and he LEANED on me. Then he leaned his head over and gave me a full-on hug. I'm mean a big, strong, HUG! I've never had a dog actually HUG me before! Of course, then he collapsed into my lap, belly with me holding him like a big baby. Mike comes out and says 'what a spoiled boy!' Well, yeah, but he was being so cuddly, how could I resist! ~Jenifer (Foster Mom) Click on James Dean's photo to see his photo album.

"Miley" is Deaf Meet Miley in Remus, MI Update 5-14-09: Miley is making her way from Ohio to Michigan to join the pack. Miley is new to rescue on 4-19-09 from a southern Ohio owner surrender. Miley is a deaf, 10 month old, 31#, female who is happy and sweet. She has had way to many homes in her short life and we will be very careful with her next and final placement. Miley has been good with the new dogs, children and people she has met. She was a great pup on her transport and took it all in stride. We will get her scheduled for her vetting and start crate training, housebreaking, and learning general obedience. Since Miley is deaf we will have extra requirements for her adoptive home. Australian Cattle Dog experience will be a must and deaf dog experience a plus. Check back for updates. UPDATE 5/1/09: Miley has impressed us with her adapting skills. She has come into rescue and fit right in. She is housebroken, but doesn't signal to go out yet. She crates all night from 10pm-6am keeping it dry and being quiet. She happily follows me everywhere. Outside in the fenced in yard, she checks in with me and is learning the sign for "come", "sit", and "down". She loves to play with the other dogs, but plays a bit rough, since she can't hear a yelp, so we are helping her to understand when the other dog has had enough. She is catching on well. Miley is content to lay at my feet, touching me so she knows when I move, or go for a walk. Whatever you are doing Miley wants to help. We have discovered she can hear deep clapping when she is asleep. Miley is a normal teenage ACD - everyone who has met her has no idea she is deaf. She is a joy to have around! Click on Miley's photo to see her photo album.

"Levi" Meet Levi in Remus, MI Special Needs - Trusting People Thank You Corene, for Sponsoring Levi Levi is new to rescue on 6-9-08 from OH with his brother Sabastian. They were owner surrenders and have lived their entire lives of 8 months in a kennel. The owners stated they were in the kennel 23 hours a day. Well it shows, neither one knows what a collar, leash, or being petted is. Levi is eating very well and will accept treats from my hand. He is learning to walk on a leash in only 48 hours and loves to play with Red Winston. Levi is progressing quicker than his brother and seems more relaxed around myself and my family. He had all his vetting done on 6-3-08 but will not be ready for adoption until he can show us he is ready to live life as a normal puppy in a family. We have a slow road ahead of us but these pups are very worth the extra time. We will update as Levi progresses. Levi: UPDATE 6-21-08 - Levi has been in rescue for nearly 2 weeks now. He is walking on a leash and loves to go for his walks at my workplace with Red Winston. Poor Levi gets car sick on the way to work - we will work on this as he will go to work with me 5 days a week. He is scared and doesn't know what is going on. He is comfortable enough in the office to take treats, sleep in a crate, chew on toys and play with Winston. Levi is very alert, cautious, and leary of new situations and people. We will socialize him as much as he will tolerate on a good level. His crate training is going very well as he keeps a clean crate all night long. He still scares easily and is not comfortable being loved on very much. We are very pleased with the progress he is making! He's not ready to leave rescue yet but is making great strides. Levi will need a securely fenced in yard, and a person who will continue his confidence building and socialization. No children under 12yrs old please. Another very stable dog in the home would benefit him also. ACD experience will be an absolute must for Levi. UPDATE 7-4-08: Levi is progressing nicely and is ready for the next step into someone life as a forever companion. He is very alert and cautious about new situations and people. Levi is the first to come up and investigate something new and get a treat. He will not allow you to pet him unless you are holding the leash and he can't go anywhere. We are working on that. But while at work with me, if I say "want to go outside?" he is right there waiting for the leash to be attached. He walks good on a leash and is so happy about it. He has very good eye contact and watches your every move. He is crate trained and doing well with his house training. He LOVES to play with other dogs. Levi needs a person who understands he needs time to gain trust in you. Someone who will continue his confidence building and show him the sky is not falling. Food is the way into this pups trust. 10-17-08 Levi has been in Michigan rescue since August 1, 2008 and is making more progress. We are happy with his attitude and the fact that his eyes seldom leave ours. Levi WANTS to be your best buddy but doesn't know how to go about it. Levi LOVES to go for walks and checks in every couple of seconds. Levi LOVES to run along side the 4 wheeler and he doesn't have time to think about being afraid. Levi likes to jump in our vehicle and go for a ride. Levi likes his crate, and will go into it willingly at night. Levi likes a routine, and takes a bit of understanding while he gets comfortable with a new change. When Levi gives away his worries, his person will be blessed with a great young man. Levi spends an average of 6 hours inside our home with our 2 personal ACD's, 2 cats and an occasional rescue that needs extra one on one time. Levi especially LOVES our other red heeler males here. He gets really happy and when he thinks I'm not looking, will run and play and even wag his tail. Levi gets a goofy puppy expression on his face and we love to see this side of him. Levi has an under-bite, but does not seem affected by it. This boy is special because we understand why he is the way he is, but he has not turned into a fear biter, even though he has every reason to. What I see is a boy that was severely abused, and he is coping the best way he knows how. Levi is not a bad dog, just a product of his former environment. I admit it, I am attached to this boy. Levi goes up to my husbands recliner and silently wishes to have my husband pet him. This is a great stride as he did not trust anyone to touch him before. Click on Levi's photo to see his photo album.

"Shelley" ACD Mix Courtesy Listing Available in Lansing, MI Shelley is a year old, Beagle and Cattle Dog Mix. She is being fostered in Lansing, MI. Shelley has been fostered since she was a small puppy, and that means she has been homeless for over a year now. She has a Beagle looking head and ACD looking body. She has the ACD disposition by what her foster family tells me. She is a velcro girl. Her foster family has raised her since she was a pup, so she does not have the issues that some rescues might have. DOB: November 2005 Weight: 38 lbs. Shelley is a beautiful, sweet, loyal dog. She was abandoned as a tiny puppy and has spent her young life in APB's foster care system. She has grown into a marvelous dog. Shelley is very smart and learns commands easily. She gets along with other dogs but may be too much for cats, unless they are accustomed to active dogs. Shelley's foster home is one without children, but she should be fine around kids over 10 years in age. Shelley is crate trained, too. Since she is half beagle, and beagles are "all nose", we would strongly prefer she go to a home with a fenced yard. Shelley is healthy but does need weekly medication and daily supplements to control nighttime urinary incontinence. She is accident free with the medication, but it helps to keep her on a regular potty schedule, too. We can't believe Shelley is still in foster care - she is a really wonderful dog and should have been snatched up by a good family by now! Click on Shelley's photo to see her photo album.