Adoptions Gallery

[These are the stories of our adopted Shelties in their new homes.
See additional portraits in the Forever Home Album and the Before and After page.]


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"When the Man waked up he said,
'What is Wild Dog doing here?'
And the Woman said,
'His name is not Wild Dog any more,
but the First Friend,
because he will be our friend
for always and always and always.'"
~ Rudyard Kipling

TAMMY -- Fall 2001.  From Montgomery County Shelter, she is a lovely, gentle 2-3yo Shaded S/W female who had recently had puppies. She tested positive for heartworms and hookworms but successfully completed treatments for both. The injections for heartworm treatments can be traumatic, but sweet Tammy kissed her doctor throughout the procedure. She loves her walks, and is beginning to do spins and happy jumps. Tammy's new family followed her progress on the web site and fell in love with her.  She now has mom, dad, brother and sister. She is, indeed, the queen of her home as she longed to be one day.  Tammy's mom reports that she is completely bonded to her family, playing with other dogs and the resident kitties and with her toys, which she gets out of the basket to enjoy on her own. Tammy is doing great, secure and dearly loved; she knows she is home after her long journey.
TAZ -- Winter 2003. from Texas City Shelter; a beautiful 2yo Sheltie-Keeshond X who was very scared in the shelter and thrilled to be rescued. At first we thought he was missing his left front foot, but our doctors say it is an apparent birth defect that does not slow him down: he is quite athletic and a great jumper; runs on the trails with his mom and is very fast. Taz (also affectionately dubbed Tripod) has the wonderful Sheltie spirit and can-do attitude despite his handicap. After clinical work-ups, Taz tested HW+, but he sailed through treatment with good cheer and no effects. He is perfectly house trained, very affectionate, always smiling, likes children, gets along with other pets. Though he had several adoption applications, Taz knew he was already home and was adopted by his foster mom, Cathy, who calls him a lovable sweetheart. He likes to play, gives hugs, does Sheltie spins and pats, and is the smartest dog at her house. Taz loves to be brushed and get as much attention as he can nudge his way in to claim. With the warmer weather, he is enjoying ice cubes in his water dish and loves to bob for them and then happily crunch them up. We all think he has one of the best personalities of any dog we've had in our program. 
TERRA -- Fall 2000. An owner relinquishment, unfortunately because her beloved mom passed away, Terra came into the program as a 6yo, 11" spayed sable female. Terra is a teeny little girl with blaze, socks, and almost full collar; house trained, affectionate; super cute, confident little girl who does Sheltie spins and pats, causing all who meet her to fall instantly in love. Terra has been adopted by relatives of HHS members and is living in Dallas now as a happy, healthy 9yo. She frequently returns for our anniversary picnics, where she is always the belle.
T.J. 1 (formerly Destry) -- Spring 2001. From Conroe: 1.5 yo neutered golden sable male with beautifully tipped ears and one blue eye evidencing some merle factoring; although he was heartworm negative; TJ did have to be treated for internal parasites. He was left at Montgomery County Shelter overnight in their outdoor pen without a note. We picked him up and brought him to our spring picnic, where he was named by his 'wrangler,' Jenny, he proved absolutely adorable, taking everything in stride and having a great time.  He is a sweet, gentle soul; gets along with other dogs, children, and adults. Affectionate and eager to please, TJ freely gives Sheltie kisses. He was apparently kept outdoors, so his coat was thin, but with care and good nutrition (he needs to gain a little weight), TJ has become a gorgeous, fully coated Sheltie. TJ has been adopted by a family, who loved him from the first time they saw his picture and have written glowingly about how much they are enjoying him. Like many of our rescued Shelties, TJ is enjoying obedience training with his new mom and dad who are so grateful this sweet boy has come into their lives. Now 3 1/2yo, happy little TJ came with his family  to the recent spring picnic along with TJ's new baby sister whom he adores.
T.J. 2 -- Winter 2003. TJ came into the program as a 5mo S/W pup with a severely broken leg. He had been passed from one family to another, and the story was that the pup's leg had been broken by the new family's Labrador. It was Christmas time, and the most recent owner didn't have the money for the open reduction surgery TJ's broken leg required -- both bones in the right front leg were snapped and out of alignment, requiring major surgery and weeks of recovery. Desperately, he suggested TJ would have to be euthanized, but the clinic and rescue would not allow that and talked the gentleman into relinquishing TJ; he was happy to find that assistance available to TJ. We gladly took over, ran an emergency fund drive to help pay the over $1000 in expenses even at rescue rates. Concerned animal lovers responded immediately, and we raised the entire amount within one week. TJ spent the next 8 weeks with five pins in his right leg and a cast. He went through two serious infections, and at one point there was concern for saving the leg. But two clinics persevered with a battery of antibiotics and hydrotherapy: the leg was saved, and after a great deal of pain for TJ and Herculean efforts to help him, his leg was healed. He was recently featured in a local newspaper article about HSS and became the most famous Sheltie puppy in the area as his story went out to a sympathetic readership. TJ was adopted on Valentine's Day by a wonderful family, friends of one of the coordinators and his foster mom. He fell in love with them, and he with them during weekly visits as he came to the foster mom's office before clinic re-checks. Eventually, he became the "office dog" as everyone came under his spell, but he always knew who is family is, whom he had personally chosen. TJ is now a year old (his family threw him a birthday party), has his full growth, and is working on growing his coat, becoming the gorgeous young male he was always meant to be. He is happily cozy with his family in their new home, and his leg is doing so well that he can race up and down the stairs and around his big back yard with blinding speed. After the pain and difficult times he went through, TJ will never want for loving folks who have this valiant boy's best interests at heart.
TIFFANY -- Summer 2002. Tiffany is a beautiful 9yo Red S/W; very sweet and loving: she cannot sit closely enough to her humans and loves hugs. We had adopted her two years ago, but the owner had to return her due to personal illness. She came to the spring picnic and enjoyed herself very much; her foster dad worked her successfully on the agility course, which she had never seen before. Tiffany is a beautiful, sweet, sharp girl who has been adopted by her delighted new family and is enjoying being pampered and taken for pleasant walks with her mom.
TIMMY (formerly Rocky) --  Summer 2002. Beautiful 7mo male pup who came in with his mom, Xena, who has also been adopted. He is very sweet and cuddly, holds on tight to his human companion. Timmy loves plush toys and socks, and he is a cuddle bunny. Timmy's new family had a barbecue to welcome him home, and greeted him with tears of joy and lots of hugs.  He has settled in to much play with their resident Pom and is happily enjoying his new family, who call him their little cuddle bear. 
TIPPY -- Spring 2005.  Tippy was an OR due to family needing her to be re-homed for more attention. She is a lovely 10mo Tri with great markings. Like many Shelties, she is reserved at first and of course a little worried right now, but very friendly and sweet when she warms up. Former owner says she's good with kids. Tippy has now been spayed and is in foster care. She is a sweet girl, loving girl who loves to cuddle with her human. She likes to play with other dogs, but she is young and plays rough, wants to be the alpha in the pack and can be pushy. Her foster mom, who is an agility trainer, says Tippy would be a great agility dog: she is very bright, has already learned basic obedience commands, and she runs and leaps like a gazelle.  She needs to be in an active, dog knowledgeable home that will be both firm and kind with her as she matures. Her dad reports, "She is doing great!  She is very sweet.  She loves going outside to play ball in the backyard, as well as sitting in your lap." They are delighted with Tippy and have enrolled her in obedience classes to bring out her best qualities as she matures.
TOBY -- Summer 2004. From the SPCA--turned in due to owner's illness--adorable Toby is a small 4.5yo Tri boy. He had a mild eye infection we treated, and also had his teeth cleaned, but otherwise was in great shape. Toby came to the dog show and had a wonderful time as our "greeter," charming everyone who met him with his spunky, friendly manner. There was a lot of interest in his adoption, and he found the perfect family for him who fell in total love and want to work this active boy in obedience and agility classes. Toby is extremely happy in his new home, and he also has another Sheltie, Wyatt, to play with: they are enjoying their romps and stealing one another's toys.
TOBY 2 -- Winter 2005. Toby is an 8mo Tri with lovely markings. He and his brother Ice were OR's the family wanted new homes for. Though his brother is healthy, poor Toby was HW+ and at first was terrified by what had happened to him. He successfully completed his HW treatment with no ill effects. Toby is very sweet and affectionate. He has become quite lively, full of energy; he loves tug-o-war; plays chase and likes to wrestle with the resident Shelties. He flips over for tummy rubs at the drop of a hat. Though he may seem a bit unsure of new folks at first, he warms up quickly and is a very sociable companion. This adorable pup, like his brother, has been adopted into a loving home and is enjoying a wonderful new life.
TORI -- Summer 2004. From Brazoria County shelter, Tori is a golden sable, about 6yo. Her coat was thin, dry, and sparse as though she had been kept outside, but with good nutrition and lots of brushing in foster care, her coat is softening and growing back in. Her left foot is a bit splayed with a slight limp, our vet says from an old injury years ago, perhaps from being stepped on, but it doesn't slow her down a bit. She's a friendly, dancey girl--smiles happily and is a real little doll. Tori likes her crate at night for sleeping, is polite and adorable.  She loves to be close to her human, very sweet with gentle eyes and gives lots of kisses. She was adopted by her foster mom and is enjoying TLC, walks, and playtime with her new Doxie companion, Ghost.
TRACE -- Winter 2004.  This beautiful boy is from Austin Rescue. Trace is about 4yo, a stunning Tri with lovely markings. Trace battled an  URI for several weeks but recovered. He did so well in his foster home with mom and resident Sheltie, that everyone knew he was already home. He is now happily adopted and living the life of love and care he deserves.
TRACE 2 -- Summer 2004. Trace came into our program as a stray from the Woodlands.  He is a small 2yo, sable male who had obviously been out there on his own for quite a while as his coat was severely matted, and he had hookworms, though he was otherwise healthy. His kind rescuer fed him, treated for fleas, and tried to find the owners before contacting us. Trace came directly from the woods with one of our volunteers to our spring picnic for transport on to vet care afterwards: he handled all the activity with grace and seemed to assume the Sheltie-o-rama had been planned in his honor. After his foster care, cute little Trace was quickly adopted by his delighted family.
TRAVIS -- Spring 2004. This little cutie was found in Magnolia; extensive attempts were made to locate owners to no effect. Finder called us, and we brought him into the program. Travis is about 1 1/2yo, S/W, and blessedly healthy. However, he was covered in fleas, which we treated, and he was extremely sensitive to motion sickness. This little guy is healthy, happy, chipper, and lovable. Both his rescuer and the vet techs at our clinic found him simply delightful, and his foster mom says Travis is a cuddly delight, very sweet, funny, and playful. Travis has been joyously adopted, and his mom adores him. He happily accompanies her on car rides without any further motion sickness and loves his walks. He has visited her elementary school class who loved him, and she is planning to train him toward his CGC title so he can visit hospitals and nursing homes.

TUCKER --  Summer 2005 Tucker and Lexi are 5mo bi-black siblings who came into the program as OR's when the family decided they didn't want the pups. They are UTD, neutered, and HW-. Tucker is small at 7.2#, very kissy and sweet. His photo collage was done by his talented foster mom, Vickey. Since they are so young and small, preference will be given to homes with puppy experience and who are either home during the day or who can come home at lunch to assist with the housetraining; for these youngsters, we will place in homes with children at least 10yo. Tucker came to the dog show and stirred a lot of interest because he was just too cute for himself. Tucker's new mom writes, "I realize it has only been a couple of days since Tucker has become part of the family but he and the rest of his siblings are doing great.  When he arrived at his new home, Ed waited across the street with Tucker while I got his siblings to meet.  After a couple of barks and sniffs by his new brother and sister we all went on a short walk.  After the walk, everyone got some treats for being so good on their walk.  Within an hour of being in the house Tucker was giving Cleo, the border collie kisses on the lips.  Tucker has become Cleo's shadow.   Spinnaker, the sheltie,  make sure his younger siblings stay in line.  (probably more of tattle tail) .  Everyone is learning their roles and things are going so well.   Tucker is such  alittle cutie.  His personality can't be beat.  He gets along with cat even.  What more could you ask for.  I feel so luck to have gotten Tucker and want to thank all of you.  Lynn."  Tucker and his family are busily involved in agility and flyball work, and he is thriving in his loving home.

Before Adoption, all HSS Shelties are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and treated for initial ailments as possible within the scope of our rescue program.