With a squeak, squeak, squeak and a shake of his shaggy “loofa” toy, Blu is off – trotting in a circular path around his foster home, urging the other resident doggies to join him in a gentle game of chase and tag! When the snow flies and the temperatures plummet, a clever, inventive dog like Blu takes his activities indoors and creates his own entertainment. And if the other doggies don’t want to join in Blu’s gleeful game, he is content to amuse himself by trotting around his imaginary race track on his own or by tossing toys in the air and catching them.

But life has not always been one happy game for Blu. For two months he amiably shared a kennel with two other dogs in a small shelter in northern Wisconsin. In spite of his charm, no one seemed to want him. This sweet, easy-going collie mix was a real favorite with the shelter staff, however, and they decided that he would do better in a rescue setting where he could enjoy the comforts of a foster home, and where a wider audience could learn about all of his wonderful qualities. The shelter was so determined to help Blu find the future he deserves that the director drove most of the day to bring him to his MWCR foster mom.

On Blu’s first day in his foster home, a vet visit revealed some potentially troubling news. Blu seemed stiff and painful in his hips, and he moved gingerly and slowly. Blood work and x-rays were completed and fears that Blu might have hip dysplasia were allayed when the x-rays showed his hips, legs, knees and spine were in perfect condition. The blood-work, however, indicated that although Blu did not have heartworms, he did have Lyme disease. He was immediately put on a six week course of antibiotics which he is tolerating well. Rest, high quality food, supplements and medication quickly turned the tide for Blu, who now runs, prances, jumps and wrestles with the other dogs in his foster home. Blu will fully recover from the Lyme disease, but it will be important to use preventatives for tick borne illnesses as well as for heartworm for the rest of his life.

Blu’s history and exact breed background are a mystery since he was a stray, but Blu has many of the classic attributes of the smooth coated collie, including the tipped ears, the blaze on his nose, the dense double coat and many of the markings of a tri-color. His fur is velvety, with a lovely sheen. His merle markings and huge, expressive eyes give him an exotic, hand painted look that always turns heads. Blu is 24 inches tall, the standard height for a collie, and he weighs 60 pounds.

Blu also has a classic collie personality: kind, gentle, sociable, affectionate, very eager to please and intelligent. He does not exhibit herding behavior or any sort of prey drive at this time. He enjoys leisurely leash walks and also loves to run after and retrieve toys and balls. He is submissive to people, other dogs and even bossy cats, and one can see that he feels badly if he even thinks he has made a mistake! He rarely barks, but when he does, he makes a hoarse, rasping sound.

Blu is very fond of his crate and will go into it readily during the day for naps and down time. He is house trained and demonstrates good manners inside and out. He is very friendly toward the four, dog-savvy, resident cats and will occasionally groom them or try to gently play with them. If his attentions are unwelcome, he can easily be called away from the kitties with a single word.

Though his exact DNA is unknown, there is definitely a rocket scientist somewhere in Blu’s ancestry, as he learns everything with lightening speed. In only two weeks Blu has learned: come, sit, down, stay (to a count of 20), wait for food and at the door, in/out, shake (with both paws), stand up on two feet (and even take a step), drop it, leave it, go get the toy, walk easy, heel off leash in the house, watch and target. He is working on: spin, roll over, come find me/hide and seek, and some obstacle course work. Blu adores training and is eager to show what he can do. He could do very well with advanced training in obedience, rally obedience or agility – perhaps even in competitive settings. He loves to jog and run and might also do well as a running partner.

This soft tempered, playful, intelligent dog is eagerly waiting for a forever home that will offer him the companionship of adults, children (over the age of eight), another playful canine or even some dog tolerant kitties. Because of his youth, it would be best if his forever home included a fenced yard. Blu is one very special boy looking for an equally special family to love him.

Blu is being fostered in Madison, WI.