Rescue or Breeder?

Rescue? or Breeder? It is a personal choice. 

Recently there was a rescue of 200 dogs from a breeder in the midwest. A criminal case is pending but we choose to remain neutral on this part of this topic. What we want to discuss is the dogs. 

When something like this happens, everyone wants to help. Everyone wants to show that pup/adult dog what love is all about. So many have hearts of gold, and if they cannot help by rescuing a dog, they help with much needed supplies and monies for care of these dogs. This is amazing and wonderful. 

Do you know what you can expect when you rescue a dog who has never been inside a home? Sometimes the conditions are so bad they have no clean place to lay. They are matted and in their fur are burrs, fecal matter, and urine. Many when you reach out to pet and love them shy away and cower at your hand or approach. Some withdraw into themselves and retreat to a corner afraid of touch or any contact. A few do not want to know you or look at you. And a few fall to the ground and cry like you've injured them if you touch them. Some will not walk no matter how you coax them and need to be carried outside to potty. How do I know these responses? 

These are the responses we have overcome in our experience with rescue in past years. Because of doing this a few times, we know this is not something we could do every day and our hats are off to those that do this time and again. They have very special hearts and souls indeed. When I deal with this, I cry and my heart is crushed. I feel pain for these dogs, and it's very personal to me. Therefore. I can only do this as needed once in a while. Those are my limits. 

As breeders we work every day with our dogs. We groom all the time. Our dogs are housetrained, crate-trained, and live with us as family. We shovel a lot of poo. We are Master poo shovelers. haha We are very scheduled and structured here. We have to be or we would have unwanted litters, dogs fights and more. Our home is in constant rotation putting dogs into different groups to keep peace and happiness within for us all. We spend time with each of them in small groups, and we love them all. All our dogs are amicable and loving. Kind and big hearted. 

We have a waiting list. It's not long if you're flexible the time goes quickly. If you want a certain color or match, it can take longer. We do spam with puppy posts because we love sharing, and not because they need to be sold. :) If you watch, there is a big difference and our dogs place themselves. Every one of them is a perfect match for someone.  We get such awesome reports back. Oh and we love hearing how they are doing. Good or bad we are here to share this with you. 

Our puppies. Our puppies are raised next to my chair and computer in our living room. I can reach out and touch them at all times. So while I'm sitting here talking to you or writing something to share, I can reach out and play with the babies. This is what I love the very most! They are so interactive. Our current litter loves being spritzed with water. That is so funny! They bark at me begging for it. haha I share much of this with you as sharing makes me so happy and I hope it brightens your day. 

I guess the biggest point in all this I'm trying to make is when you choose where to get your collie... ask questions. Ask what to expect if you choose a rescue. If you choose or are looking at breeders, Ask them what they're doing to prepare these puppies to become a wonderful family or farmily member.  Ask Ask Ask. There are no silly questions. You need to know things about your puppy. ALL the things you can.  If that is us, please know that I am here for you through the good and not so good. Things happen. Life touches us with things we couldn't have planned for. When you become part of our extended collie family... we want to hear how you're doing. 

Much love from our home to yours,
Suzi, Marc, Brittany, Lilli, Andrew and our Wind Whispers Collies