NEWS! WHAT NEWS!!
(Rescued brothers – Brody and River)
DID YOU HEAR????
LILY ADOPTED!
When little Elsa arrived at Maine Sheltie Rescue, she was just 4–5 months old and weighing a petite 12 pounds, with a tiny nub tail that wagged furiously anytime she felt happy. But happiness wasn’t always easy to come by at first.
She was shy in new situations, often unsure of her name, and slow to adjust to house training. But underneath that uncertainty was a bold, clever little spark.
As the days passed, her personality started to shine through. Elsa adored snuggling on her foster parents’ laps, barking joyfully at her foster siblings, and racing through the yard with the happiest zoomies you’ve ever seen. She loved playing tug and chase, barking at the vacuum (how dare it exist!), and enthusiastically chewing squeaky toys. Her sass was unmatched, her kisses were plentiful, and she knew exactly how to charm anyone who met her.
So when Josh and Haley — who had previously adopted Chance and Dunkin from MSR — reached out about adopting her, it felt like fate. Elsa was about to become part of a family she already had a connection with, and we knew she’d thrive with two big brothers to show her the ropes.
Now named Lily, she’s claimed her spot as the adorable little sister. Whether she’s following her brothers around, barking with joy, or curling up for cuddles, she’s right where she’s meant to be.
We are beyond thankful to Josh and Haley for once again opening their hearts and home to one of our Shelties. Lily’s story reminds us of how patience, love, and a little Sheltie sass can lead to the perfect happily ever after.
Welcome home, Lily Daisy – you were always meant to be part of this pack.
To see Sky in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
SKYLAR BLU ADOPTED!
Skylar Blu (Sky) is a 5 year old sable merle, who came our way because her owner passed away. Her foster mom made sure she was groomed and vetted before she would be ready for her adoption. She also was successful at getting 3.5 pounds off Sky with a healthier diet. Yay!
We had the perfect application waiting. Jane, Jim and their little Sheltie, Flo. When they met Sky, it all fell into place!
Happy Adoption Day Skylar Blu. We are so happy for you and your new family!
To see Sky in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
WILLOW ADOPTED!
Willow has the sweetest new home! She will be going to work with her Mom, she’ll be learning agility and will have all sorts of fun hiking adventures. She going to have a Sheltie sister to play with, too!
All of us are so happy for Willow and her new family. Happy Adoption Day, Callie & Willow!!
To see Willow in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
BELLE ADOPTED!
Little did we know when Belle came to us, just how sick this little 3 month old pup really was. Over the weeks to come, we would question her ability to adapt and thrive. Withdrawn, paralyzed by anxiety, and with a tail so constantly tucked between her legs, her posture distorted in a near fetal hunch- she would not move from her corner on the couch, remaining completely passive as her sibling tried to play and roughhouse. Markedly underweight, and refusing to eat or drink anything but the bare minimum, with the onset of GI symptoms we quickly realized she needed emergency intervention. Belle was eventually diagnosed with intestinal parasites (giardia, hookworm), clostridium perfringens, and a canine version of intestinal coronavirus.
After a few days of inpatient stay and a regiment of medications, supportive treatments and follow up visits, Belle made a complete medical recovery. Unfortunately, her psychological issues continued; Belle should have been playing, exploring and living her best puppy life, but just could not get past her fear. It was heartbreaking to watch, and despite several weeks of all the love and compassion her foster family could give her, she still seemed to be making little or no progress.
Paradoxically, she would sleep snuggled to her foster dad all night, moving to him for protection when scared, but as soon as he began moving around the house, she would show signs of extreme anxiety. She would either cower in the corner, or pace from one end of the couch to the next. Fortunately, she began to show signs of opening up with her foster mom, especially when out of the house for potty breaks, chasing a rock for her and even trying to get her foster sisters to play. To see her relax her tail, and even run and prance was amazing progress.
The real breakthrough came, however, when Belle was first introduced to her soon-to-become step sister, Kai. Kai, a shy girl with a gentle and sensitive soul had recently lost her guiding light, Cherokee. Their connection was immediate and profound. As if sensing a shared need they instantly hit it off, racing around and playing without a care in the world. Just as remarkably, Belle was not fearful of either Kathy or Duane, perhaps understanding their vulnerability after having so recently lost Cherokee. And while it was still too soon for them to consider adoption while still processing their loss, Belle and Kai had other plans. Slowly but surely Belle worked her way into their hearts and it was not long before the die was cast – Belle would have her loving forever home.
The transformation in Belle has been both heartwarming and inspiring, renewing our faith in the work we love, and in the resiliency and promise within each and every rescued Sheltie. Blossoming is not a good enough word, she is like a different dog. We thank Duane, Kathy and Kai for loving this little princess and giving her the very best this world can offer.
To see Belle in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
WILLOW and ELSA AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
Willow and Elsa are both available adoption. These are two two fun loving dogs! They both are young, very active Shelties. They both need a fenced yard and a Sheltie playmate. Please read about their availability HERE.
BUY A SHIRT!!
A new way to support and promote Maine Sheltie Rescue. Buy a shirt or a sweatshirt! Links to do this are HERE and HERE!
Buys yours and wear it to the Bark BQ on June 7!
TROOPER ADOPTED!
Trooper’s former owner needed our assistance and we were happy to help.
Trooper is a sweet, friendly, four year old Sheltie. When he arrived in Maine Sheltie Rescue, we were able to get him right in to be neutered and vetted the next day! Even though he was only with his foster family a short time, he settled in quickly. He loved to be with them and their Shelties, and he loves to play ball!
We had an approved application (Bob) waiting. Bob was looking to add an adult Sheltie to play with his Sheltie, Brodie. It was love at first sight and it all fell into place! We are so happy for Bob, Brodie and Trooper and we look forward to pupdates!
To see Trooper in his forever home, click HERE and HERE!
SASHA ADOPTED!
Rich was so excited to adopt Sasha! It was like Christmas day on adoption day. He loves Shelties and seniors are his favorite. Sasha’s foster mom said that Rich and Steve visited for quite awhile and that Sasha went right up to them as if she knew they were there for her. So sweet! Rich has been in touch quite few times to share updates and to let us know how delighted he is with her.
Best wishes Rich, Steve & Sasha ~ we all are so happy for you!
To see Vivian in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
VIVIAN ADOPTED!
Ivy is a bright and spirited Sheltie puppy who came into Maine Sheltie Rescue at just 5-6 months old. She was part of a group of puppies that came to us after we stepped in to help an overwhelmed breeder. Despite her young age, Ivy has already shown incredible resilience – she arrived in rescue with a broken leg, which healed incorrectly, but that has never slowed her down!
From the moment she arrived, Ivy’s outgoing personality shone through. She loves people and other dogs alike, always ready to make a new friend. One of her favorite activities was romping through the snow with her foster siblings, playfully chasing and wrestling them as if she’d been with them forever. Whether zooming around the yard or snuggling up after a long day for fun, Ivy is full of love and enthusiasm for life.
After about a month in her first foster home, Ivy transitioned to another foster home in the hopes that it would be quieter and allow Ivy to continue her journey to recovery and finding her forever family.
Ivy fit in immediately with her new foster family. Ivy proved she was the happiest little girl no matter what she was faced with! It was easy to see that it was a perfect match when Chris and Joyce reached out to us. Chris being a vet tech, would be able to help Ivy heal from her leg surgery when she is closer to full grown.
When Chris and Joyce met Ivy, they knew her sweet outgoing personality would fit in with their 4 rescue cats and 5-year-old energetic Sheltie Ru, who they adopted from MSR in 2019. Ivy walked into her adoptive home and immediately felt at home! She was exploring and enthusiastic about meeting her forever family. We couldn’t be happy for Chris, Joyce, Ru & Ivy who is now called Vivian (She accepted her new name in a blink!)! We look forward to updates on her progress!
Poppy, an adorable 7 month-old Sheltie, came into Maine Sheltie Rescue at the first of January. Poppy needed time with her foster family, plus she needed vetting to be brought up to date on her vaccines. It didn’t take long before Poppy blossomed in her foster home. She showered them with affection and became a social girl who connected with everyone she met.
We had an application that we felt would be a perfect match for Poppy – one that would meet all of her needs.
When Christine & Adam met Poppy, it was love at first sight. They said their house has been so quiet without a Sheltie. They were beaming with joy on adoption day. They are so happy and their smiles said it all. We couldn’t be happier for them! We wish them many tail wags, Sheltie kisses and lots of love!
To see Poppy in her forever home, click HERE and HERE!
DUKE ADOPTED!
Duke, a gentle 10-year-old Sheltie with a heart full of love, came to Maine Sheltie Rescue looking for a home where he could be by his person’s side all the time. Friendly but a little shy when meeting new people, Duke quickly won over his foster family in central Maine with his even temperament, deep cuddly nature, and his signature gaze—two warm brown eyes, with one twinkling blue, always filled with devotion.
Duke was doing wonderfully in his first foster home, but when Maine Sheltie Rescue got a call to help a group of puppies in need, his journey took a new turn. He went to stay with our MSR Treasurer, Anne and her Sheltie, Sunny, and something just felt right. From the start, Anne understood Duke’s gentle soul and gave him exactly what he needed—a person to be with all the time and a Sheltie brother. It was as if he was always meant to be theirs.
Now, in his forever home, Duke follows Anne everywhere, never wanting to be too far from her side. Their bond is undeniable, built on love, trust, and an unspoken understanding. And some things never change—Duke still absolutely loves rolling in the snow, just as he did in both of his foster homes!
We couldn’t be happier for Duke and Anne and Sunny. They were truly meant to find each other.
To see Duke in his forever home, click HERE and HERE!
JINGLE ADOPTED!
A foster home was needed for a 5 month old Mahogany Sable named Jingle. We reached out to our members, Sue & Sue, to see if they would be interested in helping us. They said, “Sure!” We connected them with our transport volunteers, and it all fell into place.
Their Biblue Sheltie, Logan, was excited to have a new friend. They said it was amazing, because Logan usually likes to be the only Sheltie. They absolutely loved Jingle, and said they’d like to adopt her. They couldn’t be happier and we are, too!
Thank you Sue & Sue for taking Jingle under your wings and giving her the best forever home sweet home!
To see Jingle with her new family, click HERE and HERE!
SASHA and ELSA AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
Sasha and Elsa are both available adoption. Sasha is an sweet natured elder dog who is a true joy to be with, and fun lovin’ Elsa, one of several young Shelties that recently came our way, is also available. Please read about their availability HERE.
ADDIE ADOPTED!
Addie, a sweet, 7 month old sable, came to Maine Sheltie Rescue as her former owner needed our help. Addie was shy at first, needing time to settle into her foster home. She needed to be brought up to date on her vaccines, and to be spayed before she would be ready for adoption. With time, Addie’s foster family and their Shelties helped bring her out of her shell by playing with her and loving her. She really blossomed!
Kim & Brett adopted Brody, their oversized bi/black in the Spring of 2023. Ever since then, they stayed in touch with Brody’s foster family by sending updates and fun photos. In return, they sent updates of their latest fosters with their stories. When Addie’s foster Mom shared Addie’s photo, Kim and Brett could not stop thinking of her and how she’d make a wonderful addition to their Sheltie family.
Once Addie recovered from her spay, Addie’s foster family brought her to Kim & Brett’s home. All of their Shelties welcomed her right in to their home. Addie has a new sister Onyx, and two brothers, Brody & Reggie.
We couldn’t be happier for Addie and her new family on how this all fell into place!
OCHO ADOPTED!
Ocho, came into Maine Sheltie Rescue December 15 from a home where they could no longer care for him. A sweet, playful boy, he was quickly vetted and neutered. Handsome Ocho’s leg-up is his smarts and understanding of body language. Ocho received a lot of adoption interests, but because Ocho is a male dominant dog, we needed to find just the right home for him.
With Ocho in rescue for most of a month, MSR received an application from Mary, who had previously owned four other shelties. She and her husband, Don, and Chris, her son who had been a dog handler, were very excited to meet Ocho. With a nice fenced yard and previous Sheltie experience, they were the perfect family for Ocho.
We are very happy for Mary and her family, but we are most excited for Ocho to find a family that will dote on him and give him the happiest life!
To see Ocho with his new family, click HERE and HERE!
ARIA ADOPTED!
Once Aria’s story was posted, almost immediately one of our MSR members fell in love with her. After meeting through FaceTime several times. They knew she was meant to be part of their family. The only problem was that they lived on an island in New Brunswick, Canada.
The trip is about 8 hours to the foster home, and with scheduling issues with the foster family and the adopting family, along with the unpredictable weather on the island it was difficult to coordinate. Since this past weekend’s forecast was a dry one, a quick decision was made to make the trip right away!
Wendy, Ron and Taz made the trip to New England to make it official returning home in a little over 72 hours. Now that’s some sheltie love.
Thank you Wendy, Ron and Taz for welcoming Aria to your family!
To see Aria with her new family, click HERE and HERE!
NEW ADOPTION VIDEO…
Josie Fay and Noah’s story on video, Here!