Each month TNT Training will be featuring the story of a dog currently being fostered in the Lower Mainland looking for a forever home. The dogs featured will be from different local rescue groups. Each dog that comes through rescue has his/her own unique story and we would like him/her a happy ending. Many of the dogs that walk through the TNT doors are rescues who have gotten a new lease on life and we are hoping that through this feature section we can help a new dog each month find a loving home.
Meet Aspen
Aspen is a Miniature Australian Shepherd currently being fostered by our TNT instructor Sophie Budin. She came into Mini Aussie Rescue and Support (MARS) in 2009 and finally came to live with Sophie three months ago. Her exact age is unknown but is estimated to be between 3-5 years old. She is a lovely blue merle, 15” at the withers, and 18lbs, mini with a tail. She is affectionate and playful when she is comfortable with her surroundings and the people in it.
That being said, Aspen has come a long way in the last three months. Friends are amazed that the dog they met first met three months is the dog they see today. When I first tookAspen into my house, she was spooked. Withdrawn and terrified, she wouldn’t eat out of fear and couldn’t do her business (due to fear of her environment) until she was ready to explode. She didn’t know her name let alone anything else. She had to be on a leash 24/7 because she was terrified of everyone and the risk of flight was too great.
I can honestly say, she has come a long ways andAspenis now looking for a forever home. She will need a special home with people who have lots of patience to continue to work with her on her fears (no children please). Aspenis a dog on the mend…but there is no guarantee on how long the mending process will take. Patience and perseverance will be needed.
Aspen thinks that the couch and the bed are the best places to be in the world. Of course in my house she sleeps and travels in a crate, but cuddle time in the bed is her favorite. Aspen is a great companion and easy to live with. She knows how to chill out in the house and is easy to live with, no counter surfing for this girl). She currently lives with another dog and cat. Aspen will bark (fear response) at strange noises (I live in an apartment with paper thin walls), but I have had much success counter conditioning this behaviour in my home.
Aspenis a beautiful dog that needs time to get to know you before she warms up to you. She is fearful of new people, but when she gets to know you, she will and does go crazy to receive your attention. And like my own Mini Aussie, Aspen has taken to smiling at the people she loves.
If you or someone you know is seriously interested in possibly adopting her, please email Cheryl at borderluver@shaw.ca or Sophie at sophie.budin@gmail.com and request an adoption form. There is an adoption fee forAspen and she comes, spayed, micro-chipped and up-to-date on her vaccines.
