Shep is a four-year-old, sable and white collie boy who is every bit as sweet as he looks. Prior to coming to MWCR due to his owner’s health issues, Shep was primarily an outdoor dog; now that he has sampled the indoor life, however, he has decided that a warm fireplace and a cozy spot on the couch are doggie heaven.

Shep has quickly adjusted to living indoors and is completely housetrained. He was initially frightened of walking on the bare floors in his foster home, so the family’s sons dragged out all the throw rugs in the house and made a path for him. Now Shep happily prances around on his custom-made path, but still won’t tackle the uncarpeted stairs.

Shep has thoroughly endeared himself to everyone at his foster home. He is extremely gentle with children, and the family’s boys just love having him around. He plays well with the other dogs and even the family kitties like him because he doesn’t harass them the way some dogs might. Shep’s foster family describes him as the perfect house guest. He has great table manners (no snarfing up his food the way his foster brothers do), and unlike many collies he rarely barks. He does, periodically, feel the need to drive the invading garbage trucks from his alley, but usually he is a quiet boy.

Shep loves everyone he meets and in his previous home he liked to wander the neighborhood, visiting with the neighbors and anyone he met on the street. For this reason, his forever home should probably have a fenced yard, so he can limit his social interaction to a “chat” over the fence or a nice walk on his leash. He will make a wonderful family dog: well-behaved, great with children, easy going with other dogs and cats, and generally a real lover. Shep is ready to go from being the perfect house guest, to the perfect family member.

Shep I is being fostered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.