Happy news!

After 17 months in rescue, I finally have a forever home!!! And not just any home! I got myself the perfect home!!! Yup, that's right... it's all mine, I don't have to share it with anyone! And listen to this! It comes with a personal ball thrower, a personal ear scritcher, a personal walker and I even have my own fully fenced in yard to run in AND a piece of creek to cool down in on a sunny summer day! Life does not get any better!

Here is my new family!

Gotta go, I think there is an adventure waiting, I better catch up!
Love, Chip

Happy Valentine's Day from Chip!

Hi everyone!
It's me Chip here! And it's the Valentine's Day so I thought it was appropriate to bring up matters of the heart here. You see, just recently, my heart contained two things -- love and worms! But after a slow recovery at aunt Mo's house, all worms are gone. I didn't see them walk away, but the dog doc said they are gone and I like to believe her. After all, who likes to have worms in their hearts. Ewwwwww! Anywayz, I am worm free and so now I can run and romp and play again!

And listen to this! I have a new foster home to share my love with!!! And it's the bestest!!! Just imagine, I now live in a place called Vermont and I have my foster mom and dad all to myself! That means extra snuggles, extra belly rubs and most importantly, extra ball throws! The only thing missing is a forever home, but I bet there is one out there somewhere!

Anyhow, I've been keeping myself mightly busy. You see, I got myself a new job. My job is to teach my foster parents all about border collies. They have never lived with a border collie before, and so I have to explain them the basic border collie rules like "toys are more important than food" and "its easy to forget to pee when you are playing a ball" and "there is never enough dog toys in your lap at any one time". Teaching humans is hard work, let me tell ya!

After all the hard work, I needed a little vacation, so I decided to take the V day off and visit my friends Mollie and Murphy in New York. And it's been quite the adventure, let me tell you. Especially today. We woke up early and then we dogs got to go in the car while uncle Eric put these funny looking throwing sticks on the roof. They call them skis. And off we went to do this funny thing called skiing. I really liked it. At first I thought the sticks were for throwing but it turns out, the crazy humans put them on their feetz so they can slide better. Anyways, here I am skiing.



I think I am doing a better job than uncle Eric, don't you think? I tried to tell him that it would help if he took the funny looking sticks off his feetz but he wouldn't listen. Anyways, they said I did really well. The only time I started pulling to the side was when the other dogs that came along were wrestling and I wanted to join them -- it was so not fair that I had to be on a leash and Mollie and Murphy didn't! Anyways, I am feeling little tired now, so I think I will go and take a nap! Hope your Valentine's Day is as good as mine! And find me a forever home already!
Love, Chip xxxooo

Chip needs some good thoughts!

Chip came into rescue last year and went to the vet that November to be brought up to date on everything he needed. So, this November, he had to go back. It was time for another 4dx (heartworm, lyme, erlichiosis, anaplasmosis) and a kennel cough booster.

Chip was very happy to get to the vets office and to greet the technician and student helper. He loves spending time with people, even if they are doing odd things to him. He sat patiently for his exam and was cooperative as his blood was drawn. I sat with him reading a magazine waiting for the vet to come back in and read the test results.

This is all pretty routine. I work in the vets office one day a week, and we do many 4dx's. It takes 8 minutes to get the results. We see lots of lyme positive dogs, and lots of anaplasmosis positive dogs.

So, I was expecting the vet to come in and possibly say he tested positive for one of those nasty tick borne diseases. I wasn't prepared for her to look at the test and say something to the effect of, "uh oh, I don't know what this one is. I know it's not lyme or anaplasmosis though. Which leaves heartworm or erlichia." As she sent a tech to get the info that would give us an answer, my heart sank.

We don't have erlichia around here. We had it a lot in FL where I worked at a limited admission shelter. We could call the poor erlichia positive dogs as their sad excuses for owners walked them through our door, hoping to be rid of them. Emaciated and barely putting one foot in front of the other, the looked like the walking dead. Which in a way, I guess they were, as they would be turned away, with the request that the owner treat them and then they could bring them back. But we knew, 999 times out of 1,000 they would drive down the road to the open admission shelter. The last ride that dog would ever have. But I digress.

So, though we waited, I knew. The vet asked me where Chip was from. Chip came from NH, via VT. Once a cherished pet, he was cast aside when the daughter left for college. Given away through an online ad to a farm in VT. I'm sure they felt pleased with themselves about finding him such an ideal home. So Chip moved to Vermont, where he was left loose and unattended; a dangerous thing for any dog, for a high drive border collie, it can be and often is, disastrous. Bored, Chip found entertainment in chasing the passing cars, and in chasing the horses in the pasture. And so it was decided, Chip had to go. Another online ad placed. This time, however, fate stepped in. Chip's ad was spotted by a volunteer for New England Border Collie Rescue. A spot was found for him in a foster home, a volunteer went to evaluate him, and a network of volunteers helped to transport him from that dangerous living situation to a temporary home, where he would be cared for until he found his forever family.

It was taking a long time for Chip to find that home, however, which was why we were sitting in the vet's office, waiting to hear what I already knew was going to be dreadfully bad news. The door opened, the technician returned, and it was confirmed. Chip had tested positive for heartworm disease. Most people don't really think about heartworm disease in a real concrete way. If they are good owners, they try to listen to their vet and remember to give their monthly preventative, and get their pets tested yearly. But the whole concept of heartworm is a bit foreign here in the Northeast. I mean, how many dogs do you hear about that have heartworm around here, really? Oh sure, the odd dog brought up from the south. But local dogs? No, people don't really think of it as a very real threat. Yet it happens. And it was happening to Chip. The situation gave me a flashback. I was 21. I had just graduated college and adopted my first dog, and had taken him to the vet to be checked out. I was so excited. And then the vet came in and told me. My dog had tested positive for heartworm. The blood drained from my face and I had to sit down. The vet, concerned I was about to pass out, made me sit down while he called the rescue group. They would take care of the treatment. The outlook was good. My new dog would probably be ok. The treatment was tough, but it had been improved upon from the first generation of treatment. My dogs first family hadn't really thought about heartworm at all. In fact, they didn't even know what it was. Hadn't heard of it. That was in 1999, and that was in NH also. Here I was 10 years later, with another NH dog, getting another diagnosis of heartworm.

But what happened? Chip had been tested a year ago, and was not positive then. The problem is, that once a dog is infected with heartworm disease, it takes 6 months before the dog will test positive. Since Chip came into rescue in late October 2008, and was tested November 1st, any exposure to heartworm that may have happened since that May would not have been picked up. Unfortunately for Chip, he apparently was exposed to heartworm disease in that period of time.

Luckily for Chip, he is still in the care of NEBCR and will receive treatment shortly. A new volunteer has stepped forward foster him following the treatment, so that he can be kept as calm and as quiet as possible while expelling the deadly worms from his system. No, it's not an easy treatment or recovery, but Chip is a courageous, fun loving dog, and he has a fighting spirit. I know I'll be pulling for him to get rid of those nasty heartworms and to go on to find that perfect forever family once and for all. Won't you join me?

Chip is indeed lucky to have found NEBCR. In fact, he was the recipient of an amazing dog bed, lovingly handcrafted by one of our fantastic volunteers, Trisha. Please see below for some photos of Chip enjoying his new bed!
And here are a couple of pics of Chip enjoying the snow.

It's Chip's Anniversary! (But we're not sure that's a good thing.)

This is Chip. He just celebrated an anniversary. It's not really the best kind of anniversary to have, though. You see, it was Chip's 1 year anniversary of looking for a forever home. That's a long time, especially when you're a dog. Chip also celebrated an 9th birthday recently, in September. He had a pretty good celebration of his anniversaries with is foster family, but not nearly as good as he would have had celebrating anniversaries with his forever family. He really, really hopes that the next time one of his anniversaries rolls around, he has a real adoptive family to celebrate with. Maybe you can help him make that happen?
There is so much to love about this border collie. He is very sweet, and just loves getting attention. He is very, very playful and LOVES to play fetch, tug, and keep-away.
Chip has his border collie quirks, but really, who doesn't? He has a very strong chase drive, and so he cannot be off leash in an unfenced area. The temptation to chase cars is just too strong. However, he's smart, and he doesn't bother with trying to chase them when he is in the fenced yard.
He also cannot live with small furry critters - their quick movements are too much for him! He does live with three smart cats in his foster home. After initial interest in them, he completely ignores them. However, they never run. We do not know how he would do around cats that ran.
Much better to channel that chase drive to his toys! There's something he loves to do, and he can do it with you! What a great way to build a strong relationship.
Sometimes, Chip doesn't want to let go of the toy, but if you are patient, he does drop the toy for you. He's also doing much better about not diving in and snatching it back up before you have a chance to pick it up. He's pretty smart and he does catch onto routines quickly.
Chip is looking for a home where, ideally, he can be the only dog. For the most part, he gets along just fine with other dogs, but he sometimes gets very into his games of fetch, and is rather rude to the other dogs. He doesn't really like to share his toys with them.
He is quite happy to share his toys with his people though!! Nothing makes his day more than the chance to run and play! Then he is happy to come inside and snuggle with you. What more could you ask for from your best friend?
Chip also has some food allergies, so he needs to eat a diet that doesn't exacerbate those. He is currently doing wonderfully on a raw diet, his skin and coat look fantastic! However, if his new family cannot continue that diet, we can give other recommendations to keep him healthy and feeling great.
Since Chip is out of the crazy adolescent border collie stage, he doesn't require an immense amount of exercise. He'll happily play as much fetch as you like, but when you are done, whether it be after a few throws or a few dozen throws, he is happy to settle in wherever you are and just keep you company.
He also enjoys taking a walk with you. He has very good leash manners, although, if you have to walk where there are cars, he will show his interest in them. A gentle leader head halter will help redirect his attention back to you, though. He'll show similar interest in passing dogs. He really, really, wants to meet them, and the silly part is, once he does, he just ignores them (unless they are running, then he wants to chase, chase, chase!)
In honor of Chip's anniversary, he got upgraded to a leather collar. He is pretty proud of this fact, and posed for some pictures so you could admire his handsome self.
"Do you like my new collar?" He asks, "I sure do!"
Now he's all ready to begin his second year as a foster dog, but he surely hopes, that soon he'll be able to say he's an adopted dog!
Maybe you, or someone you know, is looking for a fun loving, mature best friend? Please note that border collies are a notoriously long lived breed, commonly living to be 14 or 15 years of age, and we often hear of border collies living to be 18+ years of age! Chip is really hoping his age isn't scaring you off. He's still an energetic, fun loving dog for many years left to provide you with love and companionship. Other than his allergies which are easily dealt with through a proper diet, he has no health concerns at all. His teeth are in great shape, and he is fully up to date on all his veterinary requirements.
Chip, posing here with his new toy, is looking forward to meeting his new family soon!
He's ready and waiting, although he does hope he doesn't have to wait too much longer.

Even if your home isn't the right one for our friend Chip, won't you pass the word along? Perhaps you can post a link on your facebook page, in your blog, to an online discussion group you might belong to, or simple send an email about him to your friends! Perhaps we could get Chip into his forever home for the Holidays. What a nice gift that would be for him.

Have you heard?

I am Chip and listen to this... I. AM. FAMOUS.! That's right! This month, my picture appeared in The Bark magazine! How very woofy cool is that?!

Check it out! This is The Bark:



And this is me Chip in The Bark:



Gotta go, I bet the ladies are lining up outside to get my autograph now that I am famous.

luv, Chip

I would really like a home!

Hey folks!
I'm Chip, and I'm the dog of the week. I have had some rather bad luck this past year, but I'm hoping my perfect family is reading this and will help me out.

You see, I lived with my first family for 8 whole years, but they put me up on craigslist when my person went to college. (I hope she never speaks to them again!)

I ended up going to this place where the people had running horses and driving cars, and I thought those were rather fun to chase, especially since the people didn't bother to keep me in a fence. For some reason, the people didn't like that and they said I had to go! So, they put me up on craigslist, too.
After that I came to New England Border Collie Rescue. I fit in ok in my foster home, even if they said I was tooo obsessed with the other dogs, they just made sure I got my own private playtime, which I quite liked.

I spent a week in another foster home when my first one went on vacation, and in that home, I was around cows and horses and I never gave them a second look! I never tried to chase them, not even once! So, since I am such a good dog around people of all shapes and sizes, they thought it was a good idea to have me live on a vegetable farm where lots of people came to visit. I thought it was great too . . . but especially when I found out that some cows also lived at that farm. Since there weren't other dogs for me to chase, I took to harassing the cows. Huh. Little did I know that would land me back at my foster home!

I don't really mind too much because my foster home is ok, but it's not my real forever home, you know? And there are a lot of other dogs there that I am not allowed to chase, because they don't like they way I nip at them. Huh, they are no fun! But I really do enjoy my private playtimes!
What I'd really, really like, is a home where I can get all the attention and playtime my people are willing to give me, and where there aren't any other animals for me to obsess over. (I like to obsess over them, but it seems to end up with the people unhappy.)
I'm really a very easy guy to live with, as long as you will devote some time to walking me, and playing with me. I love toys!!! I will return your love and care 100 fold! I really enjoy riding in the car, too. I walk nicely on a Gentle Leader or East Walk Harness, too.
Please say you are the family for me, and contact my foster home as soon as you can. I really want to go home soon! I am waiting for you to please find me!

Most sincerely,
Chip!
ps - my first family called me Dipstick. What kind of thing is that to do to a dog? I really like my new name better!

Chip

Hey folks! Thanks for stopping by to read all about me! My name is Chip and I'm about 8 years old. My foster mom says that's why no one has adopted me yet. She says, that sounds too old to the people who are looking for a young dog, but not old enough for the people looking to take in a senior dog. Huh?! So, that leaves me, stuck in the middle, and waiting for you!!

I think I'm the best qualities of each. I've got all the energy and enthusiasm of a youngster . . . check me out:

Chip from AmyB.H. on Vimeo.

However, once playtime is over, I am really good at curling up and settling in! Just like the sweetest low key senior dog might be!

So, how could anyone not want me to join their family? All sorts of fun and entertainment outdoors, and plenty of cuddle time indoors.

At least, as long as you don't have small intriguing critters for me to obsess over . . . if you do, you might find me staring at their enclosure like this:

<-----That's me, staring at the guinea pig enclosure in my foster home! I can't see them but I can hear them and they sound very interesting!


Plus, I'm really rather silly sometimes too, so if you need some cheering up, you just need to hang out with me! I mean really, how can this not make you smile?? I am having so much fun! Well, thanks for stopping by and reading . . . now hurry up and fill out an application and email my foster mom so I can get on with my new life with YOU!