Tuesday, April 14, 2009

to rescue a collie-ish dog named leroy...


It has been pointed out to me more than once that certain feline folks are over-reprented compared with their canine siblings. They're easier to photograph...particularly when they're a-snooze...which they are a good eighteen hours a day and change.


While the dogs are willing subjects (provided a TimBit, a Marrobone or one of those jazzy liver snacks from Barn and Fitz are being offered), they're a little trickier to settle...unless you have professional assistance. Shadow -- the biggest of the beasts -- is making his TV debut today on Animal House Calls. He is -- in the words of Seth the Linguistic from UCSD -- schtupping -- for his friends at Collie Rescue.


In truth, Shadow doesn't quite qualify as a rescue since he went from a fabulous first home to here. A serious illness in his original family meant a bunch of people moved home to help run a business and care for their family member. These kind people were worried that their friend was being neglected. They told some friends. Those friends told our GO train friends. He came to be Foster's pal.

Smart lad that he is, he figures helping out the folks who find homes for other collies is a smart move. It means there are fewer with the potential to become siblings. He makes a good point.
The Collie Rescue Network is a small group that's entirely volunteer. They put the roots in grass roots. They take in collies and collie crosses then find them homes. They need volunteers to drive, foster, fundraise -- pretty much everything.
Right now, they have a particularly tricky situation: a dog named Leroy. He's only two and he's a smooth collie cross. He has a condition called Osteochondritis Dissecans. In layman's terms -- very dodgy shoulders. He's cartilage is malformed so it hurts and it puts him at risk of losing his mobility. The good news...it can be fixed; the tricky news...it can be fixed for about $2,600. So Shadow is off to do a publicity spot...and he'll walk at Woofstock...and we'll see if we can get Leroy adjusted.
Animal House Calls is a fun show.
Amber did it last year -- and met lovely Monica Kim from E! Canada. Monica is a very elegant woman who loves dogs. Amber liked her. Stairs, however are a challenge for Amber so her more nimble associate is doing the 2009 tour.
Just as well.
He's got broader shoulders so he can carry some weight for Leroy.
To the Big Smoke!