Sadie is a very pretty light sable Sheltie whose arrival in rescue was more exciting than we’d like when she managed to push open her crate door and bolt out of the rescue transport vehicle! After 2 weeks of flyers and signs, and sighting reports from the dog loving community, she was finally trapped with the amazing help of The Retrievers. 
 

Age: 5 years (BD 11/09/2021)

Size: 24 lbs. - a healthy weight for her frame

Temperament: Sadie is a very loving dog in her familiar environment. Every morning she has a whole wiggle routine where she begs for attention and pets. She is VERY shy with strangers and fearful in new situations, and will quickly go into fear and flight mode in a new environment or if something changes in her familiar environment. She will adjust more readily with a consistent, predictable routine and when allowed to approach on her own terms. 

Fence: A secure, physical fence with direct access from the house (not via a garage door that could accidentally be left open) is required because Sadie is a flight risk and has demonstrated her skills at eluding people while on the run.

Dogs: Sadie gets along with the other dogs, but will often push her way in when someone else is getting attention and occasionally gets a little nosy or in the space of the other Shelties in her foster home. She will do well with a dog who is tolerant but won’t allow her to push them out of the way, or a person experienced with the nuances of a multi-dog household. While shy dogs generally benefit from another social dog in the new home, it is possible Sadie would do well as an only dog, as she seems to crave attention from her person(s). 

Cats: Unknown at this time. There are no cats in her foster home. 

Kids: Unknown at this time. Sadie has not lived with children and has not been exposed to children. She will need an adult only, quieter home.

Crate Use: Sadie is eager to run to her crate for a treat. She sleeps in her crate overnight, when I’m gone, and also eats in her crate. She is overall very good about being her crate, and sees it as a safe place, and her family will need to allow free access to her crate. She will bark while inside her crate if she hears activity elsewhere in the house – and when this happens I will temporarily cover her crate with a blanket which helps her settle down. 

Housetrained: Sadie is reliably housetrained.

Leash Walks: If regular walks on leash but outside a fenced area with your dog is essential for your lifestyle, Sadie is not the right Sheltie for you due to her fear and reactivity to noise and new situations. Sadie proved very skilled at eluding people while she was lost. 

Car Rides: Sadie rides well in a crate in the car for her safety. As noted, she pushed open her crate door and bolted from the car on her way into rescue, so extra precautions are necessary for any trips away from home (vet, groomer, etc.): going in her crate in a secure space, having the crate door secured with bungee cords to prevent it from popping open, and being carried in her crate between car and buildings instead of walking on a leash.  

Activity Level: Sadie’s activity level is moderate. She will take a few laps around the yard, request some attention, and then often lies down to watch the other dogs.  

Barking: Sadie is a fantastic alert dog, letting you know of neighborhood happenings she can see or hear outside of the home or yard, or of any human or dog activity in the home that she can’t be a part of. She is sensitive to noise and movement in and around her home and yard, and will bark in response, so a home in quieter surroundings is needed.

Health: No known health issues following veterinary examination, spay, vaccinations and 4DX. Sadie sustained a broken leg when she jumped from a bridge into a river while she was lost, and has a surgically placed metal plate in her right leg, which occasionally results in a minor limp. 

Experienced Home: Sadie will blossom with someone experienced in allowing a shy and fearful Sheltie to set the pace for interaction and building trust, and who understands the lifelong level of vigilance and precautions needed to keep her safe. With time and the right person for her needs, she will continue to grow in her confidence and be a very fun and loving companion! 
 

Adoption fee: $350

We adopt locally to the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. 
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