Mitch is ready to go home! In just a few short weeks, Mitch has been transformed from Mitch-the-tentative, Mitch-the-wary, Mitch-the-hormonal into Mitch-the-confident, Mitch-the-playful, Mitch-the-affectionate. The dog who wouldn’t play with toys is now tossing around his stuffed toys with glee. He loves playing with his canine foster sisters and no longer treats them like sex objects. He is sweet, eager to please and confident.

Mitch loves to play in the water and has a great time splashing around in the lake with his foster sisters. On a recent riverside walk, he surprised his foster mom by jumping into the river. He seemed to think the river bank would have the same gradual slope as the lake and once in he wasn’t sure how to get out. Then, one of his canine sisters leaped in to show him how, and Mitch was very pleased with himself and his new experience.

Mitch is nothing like the nervous, uncertain collie that arrived at his foster home. He has learned much from the other dogs there and is now ready to strike out on his own. He would love to have a new canine pal at his forever home, but he is also confident enough to live as an “only” dog. He is a loving, happy boy who will make a wonderful lifelong companion. He is ready when you are!

Update, September 8, 2007

Mitch continues to be more and more comfortable in his new surroundings and lifestyle. He has begun playing with toys – chewing on his Nylabone and even tossing around a stuffed teddy bear, and he has also decided that doggy treats are pretty tasty tidbits. He loves to snuggle up with his foster mom in the evening, and during the day he likes to go on walks and meet new dogs and humans. He is always very sweet and gentle with everyone – not a hint of pushiness or aggression.

Physically, Mitch is also making great progress. In just a short time, his coat has begun to grow back in those spots where the burs and mats had been cut out.

Mitch is well on his way to becoming a handsome, confident collie boy!

Update, September 4, 2007

Well Mitch’s neuter is officially a success! He spent Labor Day weekend at the lake with his two collie sisters and his behavior was far more gentlemanly. He still gave them a somewhat unbrotherly look now and then, but generally he played well with them and he has completely stopped marking in the house. As time goes by and the residual testosterone disappears from his system, he should become as respectful and well behaved a collie sibling as any sister could want.

During his visit to the lake, Mitch discovered that he loves playing in the water. He was initially a little apprehensive, but soon he was cavorting with his collie sisters and having a great time. Mitch has obviously never been given any toys, since he has no clue about how to play with them, but he does enjoy watching the resident collies play and seems to wonder what all the fuss is about. He would definitely benefit by having another dog to learn from in his forever home.

Mitch is a very gentle, loving boy and although he has not been around small children, he seems to really love older kids. He is still a little wary of loud noises and sudden movements, so little kids might frighten him. He is also afraid of ceiling fans (okay, we all have a phobia or two) and if there is a ceiling fan running, Mitch won’t enter that room and tends to go to his crate for security. It takes him a little time to relax with strangers, but he soon acclimates and comes to them for petting and hugs. He is a very quiet dog and his foster mom has only heard him bark once.

When Mitch’s Collie Samaritan first found him, he was covered with mats and burrs that needed to be cut out of his fur. This has left poor Mitch with some bad hair days, but once his beautiful, thick fur grows back he will be gorgeous. He could also afford to gain some additional weight, another left-over from his days on the mean streets of Bloomington.

Mitch is looking for a forever family that will help him develop into the confident collie that he wants to be. Older children would be fine and another playful dog would be great. Most importantly, Mitch is looking for someone to love, who will teach him the joy and security of a loving, forever home.

New to Rescue!

Mitch came to us from the Twin Cities where a former collie owner found him lost and confused, walking down the middle of a busy street. This collie Good Samaritan took Mitch in and cared for him until he could be surrendered (along with a generous donation) to MWCR.

During his first few days at his foster home, it was just Mitch and his foster mom, since his foster dad and the two resident collie females were at the lake. Mitch showed himself to be a sweet, playful, well behaved collie boy. Then the collie girls returned and the un-neutered Mitch was transformed into a furry, four-legged Don Juan. He stalked the spayed (and distinctly outraged) females relentlessly, quit eating and even began marking in the house. All of this was totally out of character for the previously well behaved Mitch, but then love makes you do crazy things!

When the girl collies returned to the lake, Mitch resumed his lovable, easy going ways. His foster mom immediately took him to the vet for neutering and is hoping that this will curb Mitch’s enthusiasm for collies of the female persuasion. Check back for updates once the girl collies return.

Aside from his amorous interest in the ladies, Mitch has been a delightful houseguest. He is about two to three years old, gentle, sweet and playful. He was initially a little cautious about certain household noises, but he is learning quickly and becoming more comfortable. He doesn’t seem to have experience with toys, chew bones or doggie treats and tends to prefer people food. He does know how to sit and shake hands, but his new name is still unfamiliar to him.

Mitch is a very loving boy who likes to stay close to his people. He also enjoys meeting other dogs and always approaches in a gentle, friendly manner. If the other dog is not interested, Mitch immediately backs off.

Mitch is a friendly, affectionate boy who will make a wonderful addition to any family. His foster family is not sure yet if his neutering will make him more “brotherly” to the lady collies when they return home. If not, he will need a forever home that includes only boy dogs.

Mitch is being fostered in Marshall, MN.