A while back, commentor Dee Loralei asked me to put up a bleg:
I’m in desperate need of someone to rescue a great Border Collie, a three year old female, her name is Elliot and she’s a super terrific dog who needs a new loving home. She keeps picking fights with a female pit bull she lives with and she keeps losing those fights. Tonight for at least the third time in the last year she has picked a fight and has had to go to the ER Vets to get stitches…
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We’re in Memphis, and I’d be willing to drive say 700 miles to deliver this dog to a good, loving home. Can anyone here help? She’s a super dog… And she’s smart as a whip, mostly trained and mostly mellow. But she picks fights with the other female dog in her pack. She needs to be an only dog, or at least an only female.
Elliot’s still looking for a home that will appreciate her, and after yet another ER visit, she’s up on Craigslist:
I have sweet 3 year old border collie mix, female, spayed, up to date on shots. I rescued her when she was a puppy. She needs someone that can handle her energetic strong willed self. She has become more dog aggressive and food aggressive. She barks and gets excited easily outside but inside she is calm unless another dog is around. I want her to go to a home that someone can help her. She probably needs to be an only pet or on a farm with lots of room to run. She is okay with my cat until she comes near her food. I will screen all applicants. I want her to go to someone that knows what they are doing I will check vet references and home life. She needs so much time and training but she is worth it. No re-homing fee just a forever home please.
For the sake of non-dog-experienced eavedroppers, I will add: Elliot’s “issues” are just what you’d expect from a smart, strong-willed female dog with memories of being a rescue puppy. She wants things to be done correctly, she’s possessive about valuable resources like food and attention, and she’s not gonna take any lip from another alpha bitch just because she’s outweighed and outgunned. In a home where she can get the exercise & attention she craves, Elliot could end up as a star performer.
Please contact me at [email protected], or click on my name near the top of the right-hand column, if you want Dee’s email.
Libby's Person
Has Dee contacted Border Collie rescue? (I assume so, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.) This sounds like exactly the type of case that they take on. I know someone who fosters for BC rescue in central NC; this group is very active and has fostered and found good homes for a lot of great dogs with issues. And they do take BC mixes when the BC is obvious, like Elliot.
WaynersT
A friend listed a free dog on craigslist (similar situation as above) and got an earful (in a pleasant way) from a local rescue group about listing a dog on craigslist – apparently craigslist is notorious for dog fighters looking for dogs to train their champions against. The rescue group re-homed the dog for him to a family that was registered with them. Hopefully a border collie rescue can come through –
Jenn
I third the border collie rescue recommendtion. Also, you may want to expand on your description. For example, you say she’s dog aggressive, but is that simply resource guarding? I mean, if you take her for a walk, is she aggressive around other dogs? My household is full rigt now, but that would make a huge difference to me, whether the aggression is resource-based or more general. Good luck! Give eliot a treat from another bc lover!
Dee Loralei
Elliot is a friends dog, so I don’t know a bunch. She lives with a female pit bull mix and male something or other, I think hairless crested and beagle mix. She’s a love with the male. But gets aggressive with the Pitty, and loses.
Anne Laurie’s diagnosis seemed spot on to me. They have a house full of cats and she’s really good with them. And there is a 7 year old boy living there too.
In an attempt to keep the two females separated, Alex has taken to keeping Elliot locked up in her room, especially when she is at work. Alex has a de-clawed cat also locked up in her room (protecting him from the other household felines) and as she said in her note, Elliot’s good with the cat, except for food issues.
When I saw her Saturday night, Alex mentioned that Elliot seems to growl more at people and other animals on their walks. I really think it’s more a being cooped up and bored thing than anything wrong with the dog.
Elliot loves me unreservedly and I’ve never seen her act out. I wish I could keep her, but I have a female and a male, but my loyalty must be to my already family members.
Alex talked to some folks at a local pet store and they are the ones who put up the Craigslist ad, but Alex says they haven’t heard anything in a week or so. The local border collie rescue seems to be mostly defunct because it is over filled and maxed out. And Alex is getting desperate.
Anyway, I appreciate you putting this on the front page and all the suggestions . Hopefully we can get this sweet and smart girl a forever home.
Cincyanon
I’ve got a female dominant border collie / flat coat mix. She’s sweet, smart, mellow and a real bitch with other females and even some males. Thankfully, she’s all bluster with lots of teeth showing growling and aggressive movement but she’s never actually bitten another dog. She’s also a rescue and was 15 pounds under weight when I rescued her.
She’s amazing with people and even toddlers – loves the attention of kids but doesn’t rush up to them – and over the six years we’ve had great success socializing her with other dogs (mostly males though) in confined areas but open areas like parks where everyone’s running loose she’s happy to join the fun.
Point being, my dog is rarely on leash and is a great addition to our family. Someone’s going to be very happy with a beautiful, smart dog named Elliot.
Libby's Person
I agree that Craigslist is very dangerous for dog placement. Your friend should try other BC rescues if the local one isn’t operational. There’s an East TN BC rescue (http://www.bordercollierescuetn.com), and advice at least can be gotten from Appalachian Mtn. BC Rescue (http://www.ambcr.com/). Many of the rescue sites have pages where a dog in need can be listed (for example, http://cbcr.org/courtesy.html). If Alex is willing/able to ‘sponsor’ Elliot – to donate some money to cover costs – it might help a rescue organization decide to take on a new dog. (I’d donate!)
A long shot, but worth trying – post flyers at local Agility facilities. There are a couple in the Memphis area (for example, http://www.landbdogagility.com/ and http://www.hideawayfarmcanineacademy.com/). There’s always some border collie people hanging out at these facilities, and Elliot has the look of an agility prospect.
Good luck!!!
Jenn
I guess I would suggest revising the craigslist ad, since it seems to be overemphasizing her issues at the expense of her good qualities, which may be cutting down the list of potential applicants. Being upfront about Elliot’s needs is a good thing, but I think there may be more positive ways to state them. Does she love to snuggle? Is she a ball fiend who would be a good flyball candidate? Like to play at the dogpark? Taken agility (or other obedience) classes? Good luck!
Mary
Oh man….border collies, pit mixes, and really bitchy alpha bitches. It all sounds so familiar. Unfortunately, I can’t help. I have my own neurotic bc and bitchy pit to deal with.
The Spy Who Loved Me
I so wish I could take her, she is beautiful! But with another dog already happily ensconced in mi casa, it just wouldn’t work. I’ll ask around and see if anyone I know has space in their heart and their home for the lovely Elliott.
dann quinn
If she gets along w/cats kids,I’d get rid of the pit bull.But that’s just me.
Philip D Allen
Thanks for the post Ann and to Dee for asking. I live in eastern Oklahoma on a farm with another female border collie-mix who really doesn’t get along well with other dogs, coyotes, etc. She’s a bit older than Elliot, but if you think she could get along here she’s welcome. I’d meet them half-way, that way she could get to know me.
curiousleodog
@dann quinn
Why “get rid” of the dog that isn’t causing any of the problems? It’s the BC mix that’s starting the fights.
I second the suggestion of the current owner seeing if they can “sponsor” Elliot with a BC rescue. If she’s willing to pay some upkeep (less than repeated emergency vet bills), they might be more inclined to take her if they’re officially full.