The Story of Cassandra Sally

My Mom is old, well, not real old like my grandma, but old enough to have had dogs before I came to live with her. All of the dogs who have ever lived with Mom were rescued.  Most of us found her when we were babies.  I was only 11 weeks old and the two dogs who lived here before me were 12 weeks old and her first dog was also really young when Mom took her home.

The only dog Mom adopted who wasn't a baby was Cassandra Sally, better known as Cassie.  Mom found Cassie in a newspaper ad (I told you Mom was old.  They didn't even have the internet yet).  Anyway, Mom adopted Cassie when she was about seven months old.  They weren't sure exactly how old she was but Mom found out she was rescued wondering around, half starved.  The rescue people who found her  think she was also physically abused because she was very afraid of everything.

Mom and Dad loved Cassie and took her home.  They loved her even after she tore the curtains off of the kitchen windows and chewed them to ribbons.  They loved her even after she scratched all of the paint off of the kitchen door and even after she ate the collection of pewter bowls Mom got for her wedding and  ate a HUGE chunk out of the kitchen floor. Mom thought of giving Cassie back to the shelter but couldn't abandon her like the other humans did.

They tried everything they knew to make Cassie feel loved and safe even when she was destructive and wouldn't listen to commands.  When a neighbor lady FINALLY told Mom that Cassie cried from the time Mom left the house in the morning until she got back from work,  it was time to take action. Mom felt horrible that Cassie was so unhappy.  It was time to call in an expert.  Back in the olden days, there weren't as many people who were trained in animal psychology and stuff as there are today.  Luckily, there was a really good woman who lived in the next town.

She taught Mom and Dad how to work with Cassie to help her become a great dog.  One of the biggest things Mom and Dad learned was that not all dogs are the same.  You see, Cassie was part Border Collie.  Yup, just like me.  Border Collies have a lot of traits that make them great dogs as long as you understand them and work with them.  Border Collies are super hyper. They need lots of exercise and socialization and don't do well being left alone for 10 hours a day. After working with the trainer, every one got along just fine.  Cassie lived with Mom and Dad for 12 years and after that first year or so, they got along great.

October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.  Adopting a Shelter or Rescue Dog is wonderful but humans have to realize what they are getting into.  Living with a pet is a HUGE responsibilty.  We are not fashion accessories or lawn fixtures.  We are living beings.  I want every dog living in a shelter today to have a loving home like I have so please adopt. But before you take home your new best friend, make sure he or she is the right fit for your household.

Over the next month I will be posting some of the things you should be aware of before you adopt a shelter dog  (or bring any pet into your life).

Your friend,

Zeva
P.S. Shameless self promotion  Good Dog Spot Gift Basket because every dog is a good dog.