Hello, I’m Midge! Since I was rescued from a commercial breeding facility in 2019, I have been learning how to live the good life with my foster family, and I am ready to find my forever family. In the spirit of MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This”, I prefer to receive your love from a comfortable distance. :) I’m eligible for the MNSR Special Needs Longterm Care Program with a local senior person interested in fostering me permanently. Midge is looking for a Twin Cities placement due to her unique needs and for continuity of care. Please submit the adoption/foster form after reading her full bio:

Age: 12 years

Size: I’m what you would call a Small but Mighty Sheltie of the football shape variety, and I am working hard to stay fit and trim. My ideal weight is around 14 lbs. My differently-formed feet can get sore with too much activity, so I work really hard to find that work-life balance.  I don’t have any teeth left so I eat special food to make sure I get the nutrition I need.

Temperament: I am shy but curious. I like to stand back and observe, but I am getting braver every day. As cute as I am, I do not like to cuddle. It is very important that my future family understands and respects that so that I can have a happy life with you. My definition of snuggling means being in the same room with you. I really appreciate having space to figure out how close I want to get to humans. I have the best eye contact, and love to watch what my foster family is up to at all times. I will need my adopters to be extra patient with me while I adjust to life in a new home, and understand that I may be scared to do some things that dogs typically do, like go though different types of doorways or walk on a new surface. I am a resilient girl and once I figure the new scary stuff out I conquer it in my own way.

Fence Required: A secure, fully fenced yard with direct access from the house is a must for me. I do not like wearing a leash. Even though my feet look different than other Shelties, I can move really quickly when I want or need to. I am an extremely high flight risk dog. MNSR will provide educational information on safety precautions to keep me safe.

Dogs: I have gained confidence by being around my Sheltie foster siblings and I am learning from them. While a home with another dog would be ideal, I may be open to being an only dog as long as there is no pressure for me to tolerate petting or being held. Please do not try, or think that I will get used to it. I secretly enjoy gentle play with my Sheltie sibling when I think no one is watching.

Cats: Unknown. There are no cats in my foster home. I think I would be fine with a cat as long as the cat leaves me alone.  

Kids: Unknown. There are no children in my foster home and I have not been around children. An adult home would be safest for me because of my flight risk and personal space needs. I may be ok with older kids who understand and respect my wish to not to be pet or picked up or chased.  

Crate Trained: I will go into my crate for transport to the vet and groomer, but I require some gentle coaxing. I have free rein of my foster home and I choose not to do stairs.  

Housetrained: My house-training is excellent as long as we stay on a schedule.  I may have an accident if we deviate from the schedule. I started successfully using piddle pads inside last winter when it was very cold. The extreme cold, and/or icy conditions bother my feet.  

Obedience Training: I respond to my name, and enjoy being verbally praised. I have not begun learning other basic cues because I am concerned about being in close proximity to people. At mealtime I come close to the dog group and to my people while they are preparing food.

Leash Manners: I do not enjoy my leash. I can drag it around the house and at vet clinic without issue. Walks are not in my future due to my feet and flight risk. My foster family is thinking of trying to wheel me around in a super duper secure stroller to see if I may enjoy that.

Car Rides: I ride in a crate in the car for my safety. I was carsick just a few times on longer trips but shorter trips are not a problem. Due to my flight risk, I must be transported in a secure crate from inside the home to the car, from the car to the vet, and vice versa after my appointment.

Activity Level: Super low, but I love to explore outside and chase a frisbee (without retrieving it. That’s what humans are for!)

Barking: Really, really low! I bark when my people come in and out the back door, and will peep once or twice during meal prep. If you want a super quiet Sheltie, I’m your girl!

Health: My teeth were very infected and after a number of dentals, I do not have any teeth left. My feet are differently-formed and I have inter-digital cysts that flare up every once and awhile. I had a mast-cell tumor removed with clean margins in 2021. My people will need to keep an eye out for any lumps and bumps. My hearing is a little limited. I had significant pain issues when I came to rescue. That is now controlled by daily prescription medicine which I will need to stay on for the rest of my life, and people and doctor will need to observe and assess me for any pain signals. Fluoxetine has really helped my anxiety and my doctor thinks this is a medicine I should be on for life.

Experienced Home: While an experienced home is the best fit for me, I am open to meeting someone who understands and is committed to following my needs and preferences. A home with fewer stairs would be easier for me, so I can be in the same room with you wherever you are in the house.  

I bring a smile to my foster family many times a day! They give me the space I need to feel safe, to trust, and to gain confidence. I am adorable but they work hard to resist the urge to pet or hold me because they know that would cause me distress. In return, I show them my fun, spunky personality. The rewards are great! I am the epitome of a “Netflix and Chill” dog. I don’t require much - yummy food, time outside, a good frisbee chase or two, comfy spots for resting throughout the house, and in return you have the cutest little girl who gazes at you and who says “thank you” in my special Midge sign language.