HSS Special Needs and Long-Term Foster Care Senior Dogs 

"We all just need a place to lay our heads."

Like most breed rescue programs, we are committed to seniors (over age 9); thus we usually have many seniors in our program.  With only a few exceptions, they are healthy and adoptable, but older than many adoptive homes wish, and they often remain in our program.  We are also committed to our special needs Shelties whose illnesses are serious enough that they are not adoptable and will remain in our program. Since we want to be able to afford both our seniors and our special needs dogs that kind of safety and care, but not strain the resources of our normal foster network for the new dogs coming in every week, we have set up a Special Needs and Senior Foster Care program to take care of these beauties who just need a place to lay their heads and gentle arms to comfort them.  We need families willing to take in these terrific dogs (no adoption fee) and provide them with safety, comfort, good nutrition, exercise, and lots of love.  In return, HSS will cover all vet bills for annual work-ups, vaccinations, heartworm medication, and any illnesses that may develop---though foster homes would need to clear those trips to clinics with us first.  In essence, our dog would remain with you while the program takes care of his or her medical needs, and you enjoy the special blessings of your precious special needs or senior dog, but remain responsible to the program in regularly letting us know how the dog is doing.  If you live in the Greater Houston/Central Texas area and would like to help us with this mission, becoming a valued member of our rescue program and family (including our picnics of course!), please complete the foster care application and send to us. 

HSS Coordinators

Houston Sheltie Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 840235
Houston, TX 77284-0235
 FAX: (281) 497-6895 or (281) 859-0146
SHELTIE LINE: (281)-859-0146
E-Mail: Connie / Linda / Joan

     
Sunshine



Sunshine is 10 years old, relinquished by her owner to the SPCA.  She's only 14 inches tall, but was VERY overweight when she came into our program at almost 45 pounds.  Sunshine is a very sweet girl and is being fostered in the perfect foster home for her, with Foster Mom already starting Sunshine's short walks to help her lose the extra weight.  Sunshine's foster Mom reported quickly back to us that she is thrilled to have another sheltie girl in the house. "We couldn’t say no. She is so overweight, probably about 15 pounds, that it hurts me to see her lift herself from a sitting position.  We have lots of work to do.  I’m attached!" Sunshine will stay in our program while we continue to love, nourish, and care for her in the way she so richly deserves.
 
Update:  Shortly after Sunshine came into our program in 12/06, she was diagnosed with a rupture of her thoracic duct which causes a severe cough due to excess fluid accumulating in her chest.  Since surgery for this condition is extremely risky, our clinic drains the excess fluid every 2 months.  Sunshine continues to be a delight to her foster Mom and Dad. 

LADY

Lady is a 14 yo Golden Sable who was turned in by the owner to TLAC in Austin--with skin infections. She is 14", 23#, spayed, now UTD and tested HW-. We are treating her obvious staph infection, which is not slowing her down a bit, and is healing nicely with coat coming in again. Lady is funny and sassy. Please check back on her progress in foster care. Senior Dogs are wonderful choices for adoption, and we know Lady's family is out there.

Her foster mom reports, "Lady is really a wonderful little girl, she's sweet, calm, and loves to play. She is very easy going and is just fine at home for several hours with no problems. She crates easily if I need her to be (but rarely is it needed).  She fine with other animals, and doesn't mind cats. She's only verbal when it comes to play, squirrels and when she is waiting to be fed. Just a great little girl!"
 

Darcy

This precious 12+yo, 15", 19# Tri girl was found on a busy Houston area street by a local rescuer who took her in and called us.  She had several medical problems, caused by neglect, which have been addressed.  Her teeth are her major sign of aging.  She had a dental and will need another in 6 months.  Though Darcy has obviously experienced neglect in her life, she is a wonderfully sweet girl who struck out to find help and got it with our program. The pictures reveal how happy she is to be off the streets, comfy and cared for at last.



Chance 2

Image courtesy of Unique Images Photography, www.uniqueimages.com, 281-812-3456

Chance was an OTI to area shelter; he is about 13+ yo, 16", 23#. From former owners' description, he is very friendly; gets along w/ other dogs and all people. He tested HW-, but had a tumor on his right front paw (which has been removed and was benign).  He has scars on his neck probably from a too-small collar and his teeth needed cleaning. His rescuer reports that Chance is a very sweet older boy, a bit shy, but warmly wags his tail when you speak to him. A few months later, Chance is now house-trained and loves to go for a stroll in the evening. Overall, he's such a sweet boy and a love sponge who just wants to be with his people. He's thrilled when his family comes home from work so he can snuggle up to them on the couch for a popcorn snack and a TV program or two.  Chance is an active and truly special man.

CHAMP

 

This 9yo and 14" tall.  Although he came into our program at 35 pounds, with exercise and good nutrition, he has lost 10 pounds and is down to a sleek and handsome 25 pounds!   Champ is a neutered Tri and is a delightful boy; happy, sweet, and friendly to everyone including all pets. Champ is UTD and tested HW-.  His foster mom reports, "He is a little gentleman, getting along well w/shelties Jake & Max and the 3 cats. He pretty much ignored the kitties. We didn't crate him at all; I don't think he would have been comfortable in the crate; he likes to lay on his side on the tile floor (probably cooler) or on his towel in the bedroom, so he had free range of the house w/ the cats. After he started his thyroid pills (for his weight) and pain meds for his arthritis, we saw greatly improved mobility. He even joined the boys barking and running in the backyard. He slept on the floor in our bedroom, so he definitely was part of the pack. He is a happy little guy and loves to get belly rubs. He is a great face-licker, very wiggly and loves to be petted and hugged. He knows his name, but didn't know any commands except " let's go outside". He comes when you call him, tail wagging the whole way. He is completely house trained."

Champ has tested positive for Cushing's Disease, a relatively common condition for some of our adult shelties. This condition affects adrenal gland or pituitary activity and can be treated with medication. Dogs with Cushing's can and do live full and rewarding lives to the wonderful senior ages of 13-15. Champ is a sweetheart who will be a wonderful companion dog.

Parker
 

This beautiful boy was found as a stray in Brazoria County and quickly brought into our program. Parker is 10+yo; 13", 22#, neutered, S/W. He is a bit frightened right now but sweet and glad to be in rescue. He is now UTD, and though he had hooks we treated, he tested HW-. His foster mom says Parker is "dancy and adorable; absolutely charms everyone he meets. Parker immediately settled into his foster home as if he had lived with us all his life.  He is very friendly; happily greeting everyone he meets and loves kids.  Although Parker loves as much attention as you will give him, his favorite being back scratches, he is also low-key and is content just being in the same room with us and nuzzling his favorite toy.  He is tolerant of other dogs but chases cats.  He is completely housetrained, and therefore we have not had to crate him. Parker is very obedient, is excellent on a leash, and enjoys short walks, happily bouncing along with a precious skip to his step.  He is also a perfect passenger when riding in the car.  At nighttime he prefers to sleep on the floor next to our bed on a favorite rug and his tail starts wagging when I drop my hand down over the edge of the bed."

Update:  In the past few months Parker's eyesight seems to be diminishing as he has trouble seeing his bowl when it is right in front of him.  Despite supplements, his arthritis has gotten worse, and he has trouble getting to his feet in the morning.  But if he sees one of the resident cats, he does manage to get to his feet fairly quickly (!) and tries his best to give chase.

Wendy2

Wendy was found as a stray in east Houston.  She is 11+ years old, 15 inches, 25 pounds, spayed, HW+ and must go through the treatment.  Wendy is a very quiet, low key Sheltie.  She's very sweet!  Wendy's foster Mom has been brushing her daily and spending 30 minutes hugging Wendy each day to let her know just how much her humans can love her!  Her foster mom is also keeping a detailed daily diary of everything Wendy does; her likes and dislikes.  Let's just say that Wendy is finally getting the attention she deserves! 
 
Update:  In January 2008 Wendy was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in her head (near her left ear).  So far, she is alert and still enjoying her food.  One of Wendy's favorite activities continues to be her daily walks. When her foster Mom gets out the leash, Wendy grins and happily pulls Mom out the door.   

 

Brett

Brett was found as a stray and turned into HCAC. He is ~ 5 years old, 18 inches, 58 pounds (needs to lose a few), is now UTD, HW and fecal -. He was neutered on 10/18. He seems very friendly and was happily greeting all of the folks at the clinic. Brett's foster mom says he is very sweet and totally non-aggressive (unless you’re a stranger knocking at the door!). He likes to play with toys. He knows “sit”. He waits patiently while I fix the meals. Brett has had no problems with our dogs although Stewart feels compelled to let him know who’s boss. Brett just wants to stay out of Stewart’s way. He tries to shrink himself to look as small as possible to get past Stewart!

We have discovered Brett suffers from urinary incontinence due to neurological damage sustained in a long-ago injury that damaged his pelvis. His foster home has agreed to make the necessary adjustments to their home and lifestyle to accommodate his needs, so that this happy boy can share all the love he has to give.

Reed

 

Reed was found darting traffic on a cold rainy morning in central Houston. He is ~ 6-7 years old, 13 inches, 22 pounds, not neutered, fecal negative, and came to us heavily heartworm positive.  He is a very happy, loving boy who sits for treats. His personality fairly shouts, "Oooh, pick me, pick me!" as he bounces in happiness when you glance his way. He sorely wants to play, but his activity is restricted during treatment. Nonetheless, any attention is greeted by a quick flip for a tummy rub, because he loves, loves, loves to share his life with his human.

Reed, sadly, will not be able to recover fully from the horrible infestation of heartworms  The damage done to this poor boy's lungs will not improve.  The good news is that his heart is not impacted, but the best we can offer him is symptomatic relief via medication. We don't know what his path will be, how much time we will buy him, but as with our other babies on this page, we will keep Reed with us in our Program and care for him as long as we can.