Zero
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Zero is a beautiful white 2.5 year old border collie mix. He is gentle and loving, and plays constantly with other dogs. He has anxiety issues regarding the sounds of cars and too many strangers nearby. He was a wonderful, happy dog when we lived on several acres on a lake. It was very quiet and he loves to swim and run. However, we recently moved to a new city and now live in a subdivision that backs up to a high school. We chose the biggest lot and most private setting we could, but unfortunately it is too much for Zizi. The constant sound of kids coming and going from the high school along with the buses, cars, honks, and revving engines (these are teenagers!), is simply too much for him. When we first moved here, he plastered himself to the back door and drooled in fear. Recently, though, he has decided he simply can't stay in the yard. He digs violently at the wooden gate to get out when left outside, even for only a few minutes. He has injured his paws and legs scratching at the wood and taken off several inches of the bottom of the gate. He has gotten out, but once out, he cowers under our truck. He is simply terrified of our new surroundings.
We've tried working with him, positive reinforcements (treats when the kids are outside, etc), even medication, but nothing is working. Now we are at the point that he can essentially never be outside by himself, which is challenging given we both work full-time jobs. We are leaving him inside or in the garage all the time now, which is not ideal for him but we have no choice. We can't let him continue to destroy not only the house but himself. Many children walk by our home on their way to school each day and we are worried that in his anxious state he might have a run-in with one of them that would be devastating for all involved.
Zizi was rescued by us as a puppy and we love him with all our heart and soul. The move has been hard on all of us, but while we will adjust, we don't believe he will. He has always been a little high-strung and fearful of new people and places, but there is simply no way to shield him from the traffic and noise at our new house. Unfortunately moving is not an option as we own, not rent. We are devastated at the thought of finding Zizi a new home but if it keeps him safe and alive, we will do it. It is better for him to be in a place where he can be happy than miserable with us, leading the life of a prisoner.
Zero loves to play with other dogs. He adores his family and is gentle, sweet and loving. He lives with a 1-year old boy and while he generally doesn't play with kids, he simply gets up and moves if he doesn't feel like being bothered. He has never snapped or growled at a child, regardless of the circumstances.
Ideally, Zero would live on a quiet farm or large piece of land with other dogs. He is very, very smart and would probably be great at agility or even some type of herding. He used to chase geese at his old house and even caught one or two! However, he had no desire to kill the birds, instead he simply brought them back to his master and dropped them at his feet, waiting for praise.
It breaks our heart to lose him, but the alternatives are grim. We would appreciate any help. We fostered border collies for years and know how hard it is to find homes for all the dogs needing them. We would be willing to adopt another dog from a rescue if it would help find Zizi his happy home.
(p.s. the geese were fine--played dead and then waddled away after we got Zizi away from them)
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information about this dog, please contact Braden by email or phone at 615-473-0344.
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Please note that as a policy ETBCR does not place puppies in families with children under 6 years of age, as border collies and border collie mixes can be very reactive to the movements of small children.
Prior to or upon adoption, all dogs in our rescue program are spayed/neutered (there are NO exceptions), fully vaccinated, heartworm negative, started on heartworm prevention, treated with flea and tick preventive, microchipped, and temperament tested. We also strive to crate and house train each dog before placement.