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.]

[Search Archives by Dogs' Names]

A   B   C   D   E-G   H-J  K   L  M   N-O  P-Q  R  S  T      

"Recollect that the Almighty, who gave the dog to be companion of our pleasures and our toils,
hath invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit."
~ Sir Walter Scott

	VALENTINO, AKA Tino and Mr. T --  Summer 2005. This gorgeous mahogany S/W boy is 6.5yo.  He was born on Valentine's Day, hence his name. He is an OR because he is afraid of thunder storms and needs a family that is home during the day to comfort him during storms. Valentino was rescued the first day of the dog show and brought in to be with HSS members at the booth before he went to the clinic. Of course he was nervous and shy about the dramatic changes in his life all in one day, but he did beautifully on the car ride and in a noisy dog show environment; is gentle with people, including children who wanted to pet him, and with other dogs. His former family says he loves to go for walks, is housetrained, and enjoys his toys. He is doing just fine as he learns about his new life: has made friends with the resident dogs, follows his foster mom around, guards the home, and, though he has some anxiety during storms, cuddling and reassurance calm him down. He loves toys, tossing them in the air and fetching them when thrown for him: he catches them every time. He knows basic obedience commands and sits automatically for treats. Interestingly, Tino did just fine during Hurricane Rita, so it's only thunder that makes him a bit nervous, and he is cuddled until it passes. His mom says Tino is a complete joy: a cutie who is loads of fun and a pleasure to have around. In fact, everything worked out so well that Tino has been adopted by his wonderful foster parents. It was agreed that Tino and his canine sisters along with mom and dad knew he was already home.
	WALKER -- Spring 2004. This beautiful boy was an OR because his owner became ill and had to go into assisted living; she wanted him to have the best possible opportunity for a loving new home. He is 2yo, Mahogany S/W, a bit over-sized at 18". He loves people; is full of exuberant energy; a very happy, friendly boy, tail wagging all the time. He came to the Highland Games and the spring picnic and was a perfect gentleman. Walker's trainer is very happy with his progress: he responds beautifully to clicker training as he is extremely smart; already has learned sit, down, and come on call. He is starting to enjoy stuffed toys and playing tug games with the resident dogs. He loves walks and romping in the back yard; is eager to please, and he especially loves children. With his energy and responsiveness, his trainer thinks he would excel in obedience and agility classes. This happy, enthusiastic, joyous Sheltie now has a loving family with two kids and a Golden to play with.
	WENDY -- Spring 2003.  Beautiful 3.5yo bi-black, spayed female  with full collar and pencil blaze.  She was an OR from Missouri City; busy family wanted her to have more attention.  Wendy is easy going and active, loves to play with a tennis ball and Frisbee.  She needs to lose weight and already started losing on her new diet and walking program in foster care.  She is the perfect Sheltie: very smart, sweet, active, and happy.  She bonds easily and loves attention. After careful care in her foster home and lots of socializing, plus losing a bit of weight, Wendy was joyously adopted and is enjoying her new home, where she is playing tennis ball as long as her mom and dad can hold out.
	WHISPER -- Fall 2004.This little 5mo pup was turned into a clinic in Austin area, diagnosed with heart murmur; she also had a discharge from her left eye. We had her transported to us for further medical care to determine what we might be able to do to help her. The diagnosis was PDA--a serious congenital heart condition. After major surgery and our fund drive to help her, along with weeks of recovery period, we are thrilled to announce that our sweet girl's surgery has been a complete success: she is now well and has been adopted. She will still need rest and another sonogram in three months, but she is doing great. Our deepest gratitude to all the folks who sent donations and prayers to save her: Whisper now has a wonderful future in the loving care of her family thanks to so many people who wanted to help her.
	WILEY -- Fall 2002. From Austin, Wiley came into the program Oct. 2002 along with Tassie (now Jen-Jen) when the shelter asked our assistance. An adorable, two-year-old, itty-bitty blue merle with spunk and sass to accompany a loving personality, Wiley also had problems with too small kidneys and underlying medical issues causing him to be incontinent, plus a foot injury that didn't want to heal. But his foster mom and the program clinics moved heaven and earth over almost four months to discover the underlying kidney illness and heal his foot. After literally months of clinic work-ups, he is doing much better. Wiley has been adopted by his foster mom and dad, HSS volunteers Jeany and Alex, who have been through so much with him and loved him so much that they couldn't let him go. He is enjoying his cuddles, playing with his siblings, and snoozing on his pillow. His favorite place in the whole world is in his dad's arms, where he spends as much time as possible, to Alex's joy. After being abandoned to a shelter in another city, scared and confused; finding himself rescued and transported by HSS volunteers many miles to a strange place; then a months-long, heroic journey through medical interventions, pain, discomfort, sleepless nights and worry for his mom and dad, Wiley's sojourn has finally brought him to his very own forever home, where, as Wiley-Man knows, when angels intervene, dreams do come true.
	WILLOW (formerly Eve) -- Winter 2005.  Willow is a 3.5yo Blue Merle with gorgeous blue eyes. She and her brother Adam (now adopted), are OR's due to the family's relocation. She had been shaved before we brought her into the program, but once her coat comes in, she will be an even more beautiful, classy blue merle. Her foster mom and dad say she is adorable: very sweet, fit right in with the resident Shelties. Eve does floor pats and spins; she is an affectionate, happy girl, prancey and full of kisses. Willow was quickly adopted by one of our program volunteers and has her forever home to delight the rest of her life.
	WOODY (formerly Fargo)--Winter 2002. From Katy; owner relinquishment; 18mo S/W male with classic sable markings. He is very beautiful and sweet. At first he was shy and frightened, but in foster care he quickly started doing pats and spins; proved to be very affectionate and super gentle. Woody's delighted new family fell in love with him the minute he met them at the door. Woody is going for walks and car rides; he especially loves his cuddles and belly rubs. His mom reports that Woody thinks she is a wonderful cook and loves brown rice, chicken, garlic, and carrots.
	WRANGLER -- Summer 2002. Beautiful 5-7yo Tri from Montgomery County Service Center.  He has a mild heart murmur, which, like humans, dogs can live a full life with. He was apparently lost for quite while as he came into the program very dirty and covered in fleas and ticks: he needed lots of baths and days of grooming to get the mats out. He was a bit shy at first; however, he is very friendly and sweet; outgoing with all people; gets along with other dogs. Soon after he settled into foster care, he was starting to dance and do spins, and learned to walk on leash. Wrangler has been joyously adopted and is now the gorgeous, cherished Sheltie he was meant to be.
	YOGI (formerly Taylor)-- Summer 2003. Pretty oversized year old CHW male from Texas City Shelter. Taylor, nicknamed Yogi, is a Sheltie X, possibly with a white Spitz.  Understandably, he was very scared at first, but also is very sweet. He is extremely bonded to humans: in the clinic, he cried in his cage: when they let him out, he followed clinic workers on their rounds, happy as a clam as long as he could be close to people. They all love this gentle boy who adores people so much. His foster mom says he walks well on leash, gets along with the other dogs and loves to play; and is a wonderful boy who is a pleasure. He is also very exuberant and wants attention. That's exactly what he got when Yogi was adopted by mom & dad in Florida who had lost a dog very similar in looks and behavior. They drove to visit him, and all fell in instant love. As often happens and which we understand completely, he left his warm foster home with a polite thank you and not another backward glance because he knew his forever home had come for him. Since his adoption, we have received many pictures and updates on this wonderful match made in heaven.
	ZEKE (formerly Max 2) -- Summer 2002. From South Houston, precious 3-5yo bi-black.  He was shaved for mats; when the coat comes back in, these bi-black Shelties are very glamorous.  He has a long scar down his back which will be covered by his coat when it grows in.  Our clinic believes the scar is from an accident in his previous life.  Zekeis very friendly and cuddly; goes up to people for attention and petting; is doing well on leash; is friendly with other dogs. Unfortunately, this sweet boy had pneumonia, and was in emergency care for almost a week. But he recovered; has become a a friendly, loving boy who bonds quickly. Max has been adopted by a family in Austin who chose him from our web site and drove to meet him.  It was love at first sight, and they report he has moved in and taken over their hearts; they are totally smitten with their cutie-pie, who returns their love many times over.
	ZIGGY -- Fall 2005. This gorgeous boy now 4yo originally came into the program Summer 2003 as an OR and was returned because his family is now traveling. He is a beautiful Shaded S/W, 15", 26# (needs to lose weight). He is very sweet, wants to be close to his human and give lots of kisses. Gets along with dogs and kitties; loves kids and slept his first night with his foster sister. Ziggy is an adorable little boy who loves to snuggle; a great dog who warms up quickly; a very easy dog. He needs a home where he can be the center of attention, spoiled and doted on, with a strict diet and daily walks to take off the weight. He got that home in the Fall and is doing well.
	ZOE -- Fall 2002. 21/2yo red sable OR from Sugarland. We believe she is a Golden Retriever-Sheltie X.  Zoe is over-sized at 21" and 48#, but many people enjoy the larger Shelties who have the size of a small Collie and the personality of a Sheltie; Zoe apparently also has the best characteristics of the Golden. She is a beautiful, wonderfully friendly girl. She gets along well with other dogs and with cats, likes children. She is good on leash, knows basic obedience, and is crate-trained; loves plush toys, balls, and playing chase. She is filled with joy and in love with people; had a wonderful time at one of our recent picnics. Zoe has been joyously adopted by HSS members who also fostered her and decided she was already home.
	ZOE 2 -- Dec. 2003.  Adorable Zoe is one of the 4 pups Sierra gave birth to after coming into our program.  All four pups were adopted in Feb. 2004.
	ZOE 3 -- This gorgeous shaded 7-8yo, S/W girl is an OR. She had a ball in the clinic over Thanksgiving holiday and got the full spa treatment which she loved. She greeted all the ladies with lively antics, jumping up into their laps, and giving everyone lots of perfect sheltie smiles so wide she looked like she had pudgy, cute cheeks to pinch! She is in such good physical shape that she jumped up into the back seat of the rescue jeep on her own. This wonderful girl was happily adopted by her loving family along with Sammy 4.

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