Heartbreak and Hardtimes

The only picture of me and my two Border Collies: Rosie on the left, Blizzard on the right (when you look at the picture)

When I had Blizzard shipped to Bangor from Douglass, Kansas, I did so with the knowledge that I would have a place for him once he got here. There would be a foster period and then I would move into my friend's attic and take over his care. I wanted to direct his training and rehab so I knew what technique was tried and at the same time, love him like he should be. Poor Blizzard was here not even a week when my friend bailed out on me just before Christmas. Not only can you not live in our attic, Blizzard needs to go somewhere else. Mind you this is a Saturday before Christmas (09) which meant he needed to be out by Tuesday, two days before Christmas.

Blizzard posing for a picture for his breeder (about 5 months)

It isn't so much that I had no place to go I could afford, but Blizzard had no where to go either. He had no control over that and I had dragged a dog that already has a few issues into my life (adding yet one more issue to my own list). I felt left out in the cold with no real choices, and this let down angered me... with I ever totally forgive?

I found Blizzard a temporary foster home with a family from my church who I really had never had a chance to learn too much about. I hated doing this because for a family I know little about (pretty much) I was dumping a lot in their arms all at once. One downfall of his placement was that I saw him less frequently than I would have at my friend's house. I did my best to include him on any runs my friend and I did with the dogs, but that wasn't very many times.

Blizzard running with the other dogs (and Rosie)

So after about a month or so, I found him another placement with a friend in MA who trains service dogs. My friend and I did the trip together, with Rosie and Blizzard as the only animals allowed on board for the trip. We were to share expenses, and they were ridiculously high. I ended paying for not only gas but also supper at a not so cheap restaurant, (but it was very good!) Blizzard got along with the two main dogs very easily while I was there and the three of them were out running around in the yard (all fenced in and large) playing chase. Rosie was allowed to join in which she kind of did while at the same time letting all the dogs know that her personal space was about 5 or 6 feet around her.

Blizzard & Rosie on the Trip to MA

With this placement, I was hoping that Blizzard could get some consistent training, and maybe even some TLC too. I wasn't even aiming for a service dog status for him at this point. I just wanted him to be a good pet for an active family. So it is about 2 months now since he has been there and recently I have heard NOTHING of his progress and the training she is doing with him, and no pictures of him have been sent to me for quite a few weeks. What is going on with my dog? Is he getting any better or worse? Is he learning anything at all? Is he going out on walks on a leash (because he really needs that)? AND...

Blizzard in MA with Taffy (Standard Poodle) and Sophie (German Shepherd)

Did Blizzard knock up her Standard Poodle or not?? (I don't want this, and am not in support of overpriced "Designer Hybrids").

The problem is that this family (my own) was split thousands of miles apart from each other. My husband is in Oregon, and I should have been there by now, but once he got there, his funding to complete the move were pulled and I got left behind. Blizzard, Rosie and the 3 cats and I should be there with my husband living in a house together in Oregon.

Rosie & Blizzard

Right now I am going to again look at my options and see if there is something better I could be doing for that poor dog. All we need is money to move and that would take care of everything. Problem is, that costs a plane ticket (for my husband to fly back over here) and close to $3,000 to pack and load a truck which will be driven by professionals because my husband is just not safe driving stuff like that... and towing a Subaru Forester behind. Where would everyone sit even? To drive out I think we need another $1,200. That would have to be worked out. I am living beyond my means, though my husband is trying to help out which means not much is saved for a move. Blizzard costs $75 to be in MA, plus I send food, Frontline Plus and Interceptor on a regular basis. (I would pay for that anyway if he were here). We just need a loan or something and all the chaos could end.

My husband, Chris, Rosie, my service dog, and me at the beach 2009

Some options people might give me are not options for us. One is to get rid of Blizzard... Sell him (as a stud) and try to get my money back. Someone suggested. Give him up to a Border Collie Rescue. Not an option for me. First of all, he cost to damn much for me to just hand this guy over to strangers. Second, I want him, Third... even though they have never met, my husband wants this dog. He has fallen in love with a dog he has never met. Going to more foster homes isn't a different approach. Giving a pet away via humane sociely or rescues doesn't tend to look very good on a puppy application either (and leaves a sour taste in my mouth too).

Blizzard in his Crate in MA

I can only pray and beg that this move will take place very soon so I can just pick up Blizzard, put him in the car with all the other animals and drive off in to the sunset (literally).

But is there something better in the meantime for my boy??

Blizzard: Looks like fun!

The True Colors of Border Collie: A coat of many colors

So what color is Blizzard?

This is Blizzard playing in Saxl Park, Bangor, Maine USA

Well, lets find out...

THE FOLLOWING DOGS ARE DOGS IN FOSTER HOMES WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ADOPT THEM INTO FOREVER HOMES...

Zero is a totally white border collie that has dark eyes.  A totally white border collie is a rare sight, and to see  one that is healthy... can see and hear... is also rare.  (deafdogs.com) "Zero's" life situation has changed and she needs a new home with lots of space in the country.  Are you interested?  Check out the link to the left of the page for the Eastern Tennessee Border Collie Rescue.

Border collies actually come in colors other than the traditional black and white. Their coats have different patterns as well.  The white is not always on the collar, chest, down the head and nose, feet and tail tip though that is how most know border collies to look like.

Pete is in a Foster Home through the Pacific North West Border Collie Rescue.  He is in Klammath Falls, Oregon.  If you want to check out Pete and other border collies available in the Pacific North West US area, click on their link located on the left side of the page.

Pete actually is a tri-colored border collie.  His split face color pattern is not what people are used to seeing in a traditionally patterned border collie.  Pete's half face and freckles give him character!   

Gent is also at the Eastern Tennesse Rescue.  He is a blue merle.  Blue is what they call the grey area with the black blotches, creates a merle patterned dog.  When one breeds a merle pattern dog with another merle, the outcome can be sad.  There is a large chance of puppies born who cannot hear or see and have other related medical problems as well. (Deafdogs.com)

Bobbie is at a rescue in the UK called Wiccaweys.  They rescue Border Collies and working sheep dogs.  Bobbie is a rough coated (long haired) black tri-colored border collie.

Tipper is located at a foster home for the Pacific North West border collie rescue.  If you want to check him out or any other dog there looking for a new forever home, the link is on the left side of the page.

Tipper is a beautiful dog.  He is a red tri-colored border collie.  Looks like he has light brown or amber eyes to blend in with his fur too!

Micah is also with the Pacific North West rescue.  He is being fostered in Washington State.  Micah has been seeking his forever home for quite a while now.  Do you have room for a dog like Micah?  Read about him at the PNWBCR site.  Maybe you can give him the home he needs.

Micah is a stunning black border collie with brilliant fair eyes (can't tell if they are blue or amber) and I can't help but be attracted to this dog.  He has very little white on him.  As handsome as he is, he probably would not be able to be a conformation show dog.  That's okay because there are so many other fun things for border collies to do.

Eli is in a foster home through the North East Border Collie Rescue located in Vermont.  She is predominantly white with very light grey eyes.  It is hard to see, but she is a red merle.  If you are interested in adopting Eli or any of the other dogs being fostered thru NEBCR, click on their link on the far left of the page.

This dog WAS looking for a home through the Pacific North West Border Collie Rescue, but on last check, I no longer saw her listed.  I hope she is doing well in her new home.

The above dog is the same color as Blizzard is!  He was registered with the AKC as a Sable and White dog.  That is what the breeders told me he was.  HOWEVER, eventually I found out that a border collie CAN come in a brindle too!  I believe it was in the Border Collie Museum on the internet.  I will find and post that link for you on this page so you can check it out.  So the above newly adopted girl and Blizzard are Brindle and White border collies.  The two of them look like they could be littermates!

This cute pup is Mira.  She is believed to be an Australian Shepherd x Border collie.  Just a pup, she is being fostered through the Eastern Tennessee border collie rescue.  To check her out, feel free to click on the link on the far left of this page.

Mira is a real shaded sable and white dog.  Notice that on the brindle, the black is striped mixed in with the red hair.  On the shaded sable, the black is on the edges of the colored part of the dog's coat.  If  you look at Mira's picture, you can see the black shading around her mask.

This special boy is Roosevelt.  He is a chocolate and white... or brown and white border collie.  And look at his grey eyes!  What makes Roosevelt so special is that his two front legs are deformed.  He was born this way so he doesn't know anything is wrong.  The North East Border Collie Rescue is trying to get donations of money to help Roosevelt get surgery to hopefully get his legsworking better, and to get him a pair of WHEELS!  (I believe there is a link to the company making Roosevelt's wheels at the NEBCR site).These wheels with be custom made to fit Roosevelt so that he will be able to get around without putting extra stress on his back and hips (which in the long run could mean he would become even more disabled).  If you think you can donate some money to Roosevelt's cause, please click on the North East Border Collie Rescue link to the left of this page.  While your there, you can check out the other dogs looking for forever homes!

What I don't have yet is a good picture of a blue and white, and a gold and white border collie.  The gold is another form of sable.  It can be as light as cream colored, to as dark as a golden retriever's dark golden coat.  If you have a good example of any of these colors in your dogs, please feel free to email me and send me a photo.

Now, how can I change Blizzard's AKC registration papers so it reads Brindle and White??

Update:  It will not be cheap to change his color on his registration papers.  I think it is another $30.