Tracy is a 14lb blue merle Sheltie female who at 6 years old has the energy of a 3 year old!
About Tracy |
- Status: Adopted!
- Adoption Fee: $300.00
- Species: Dog
- Rescue ID: SRU 0530
- Color: Blue Merle
- Current Size: 14 Pounds
- Current Age: 19 Years 8 Months (born on 4/21/2005)
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- Location: 84093
- Microchipped: Yes
- Fence Required: Yes
- Exercise Needs: Moderate
- Grooming Needs: Moderate
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Tracy came from a family that no longer wanted to keep her. She had been bred as often as possible for all of her six years of life. She was living outside when we met her.
We immediately moved her inside and into our bedroom at night to sleep. Tracy currently sleeps in a crate overnight because we're still working on her housetraining. But Tracy is so small, soft, and cuddly, that she will easily fit into your bed when she's completely trustworthy overnight.
We also immediately took her to Cottonwood Animal Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT for a senior wellness exam which includes a urinalysis, thyroid test, and comprehensive blood panel. We found she had a urinary tract infection which we suspected, because she was pee'ing in little amounts very frequently, in our house. That no longer happens. All her other tests came out great! We also tested her for heartworm and put her on Interceptor, which is the monthly heartworm medication we REQUIRE for all of our adopted dogs. We waited until Tracy was over her urinary infection and then we had her spayed. She is now recovered from her spay and ready to find that special forever home that will spoil her for the rest of her life.
We are continuously working on housetraining with Tracy. She may actually have it about 90% learned, although I wouldn't trust her overnight just yet and I wouldn't trust her with the run of the house when nobody's at home or even when you are at home, just yet. We have 2 youngsters in the house who arrived not housetrained, that's Molly and Bridger and we can't always tell who a particular puddle of pee belongs too!
We have been working with Tracy since she arrived here a few weeks ago. She is anxious about hands. But we can see that she will overcome that pretty easily with lots of love and patience. Tracy would benefit greatly, and so will anyone who adopts her, from basic training classes. Tracy does not have any basic training at all and there are times when it would be nice for her, if she knew how to respond to a SIT command, so she doesn't have to worry about what you want from her. Tracy spent a lot of time on her own outside of the house (in a dog run) and learned to be afraid of hands, somewhere in her life. This means she hasn't had the socialization with people that would help her to be less anxious around people. When I look at her and talk to her I can see that she's a bit anxious because she doesn't know what my chit chat is all about. You can see that half of her is worried and not sure what to do and the other half wants to run to you and get cuddled. She just needs a little bit of help learning that running to you will only result in something wonderful. Training will help her with that. Baby-talk also helps dogs tremendously to understand that your intentions are sweet and gentle. Her anxiety and indecision in these situations cause her to behave a bit hyperactive. I think with love this will go away fairly easily.
Tracy is probably going to be a "love at first sight" girl. She's cute, petite, pretty, and is full of personality. But be sure to factor in the work you'll need to do on her housetraining and basic training. Without basic training in a home, Tracy could easily bolt out of a front door, if not protected with baby gates or something else, and get hit by a car. A horror that we always worry about because we hear about it happening so often.
Tracy is practically exploding with personality. She is a joy to have around because she is a very happy girl. She does not chew on inappropriate things although she may have chewed on bits of paper or magazines when she first got here. Anxiety is often expressed in more chewing than what would be normal for Tracy. Tracy has a great appetite! You'll have to make sure that she doesn't become overweight even though she LOVES treats! If you allow her to become overweight you'll shorten her life significantly --- almost like giving her a death sentence. So love her in a healthy way and keep her in your life for a long time. A small Sheltie like Tracy could live to 17 or older.
If you'd like more information about Tracy or are considering adopting her please go to our website at http://SheltieRescueUT.org and register and fill out our 3 part online Application for Adoption. Feel free to call me at 801-942-4762. The cost of adopting this bundle of love who is sure to change your life forever, for the better is $300.00. The human - canine connection is a special gift to those of us who are lucky enough to adopt these special canine kids. Video of Tracy is coming soon!