08/16/07 New Leash on Life for Cowdogs

Cow dogs; drive through farming communities and you'll find them surfing a bale of hay in the pick-up bed or patiently waiting outside the local coffee shop. They are the unsung heroes of the range, the hired hands of herding. Yet Border Collies, Aussies and Heelers are flooding northwest shelters in droves simply because someone in the city thought they were cute puppies with no inkling about their need to work or energy level. Through the Pacific Northwest Border Collie Rescue I learned of a network of individuals that run an underground railroad of sorts, rescuing working dogs from shelters and placing them in foster homes until they find their "forever" family. Dogs are observed for temperament, tested on sheep and agility then matched with new owners throughout the US and Canada. After spending an afternoon with a passel of Border Collies needing a new leash on life adoption became the most rational option. Our new Border collie is already a devoted loving companion. To learn how you too can adopt or support the ongoing efforts to rescue working dogs visit Pacific Northwest Border Collie Rescue .org.