had an interesting case at the clinic this week:

[davet]

i was there wed night and there was a 8 week old shelty puppie with a PDA, Patent ductus aorta--a failure of the duct between the heart and the aorta that keeps the blood from the you while in utero..ie when the puppy is born or the baby is born the first breath of air is supposed to shut this duct down so the blood then goes to the lungs...Anyway Wed night i was holding the puppy and giving it presurgical couns\ciling--like she knew what i was talking about---Anyway she was operated on Thursday , ie open chest surgery and i saw her last night--may have my days mixed up but i saw her the day after surgery and she was acting playfull and jumpy as if nothing had ever happened..it is just amazing what animals can take --you do that surgery to a human t=and they will moan and groan for days, be on fentynal patches , all sorts of medication etc...this pup was due to go to its new owners today...was eating, drinking, urinating , having bowell movements and tail wags like nothing ever happened..i think it was my pre surgical counciling that helped her through...the more i deal with animals the more amazed i am.

[davet]

this part---blood from the you while in utero---is supposed to read : keep the blood from the lungs while in utero-

[k9Karen]

Of course a sheltie pup would pull through - they are one of the biggest talkers, and if you took the time to explain it all, she knew exactly what was going to happen and that you wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. They are so trusting and lovable, it was in her nature to believe you, and with that inborn desire to please, she'd never let you know anything you said was wrong.

I'm so glad she is going to be OK. Animals are amazing, aren't they. I know I'd be one of the ones moaning and groaning, and would probably need at least 8 weeks off of work.

Is there anything cuter than a sheltie pup?

[JMM]

Puppies are pretty amazing. This is a problem in Maltese and they do the surgery on tiny 2 lb puppies. I'm always amazed at that. I'm glad the sheltie pup did so well!

[E's]

I want a sheltie sooo bad - for a long time now! Love what I hear about them, and think it might be the one kind of dog I could bring into my household without family throwing a big fit... I mean, they will disapprove anyway, no matter what, but I could say, well, I can walk a sheltie, and of course Winnie loves company - she would be happy and that would be good for her too.

So where do I start - what to look out for - et cetera... thanks for good info here.

Dot B

[Traci]

Excellent work, Davet, well done.

[davet]

i wouldnt really know where to look except news papers etc or rescues but why donp you post this question on the dog site or Kevins room and say what state you are from and you might get better leads there...
they are really cute puppies and nice dogs but ask everyone on the dog or kevins room...

[k9Karen]

E's - if you want a puppy, don't make the mistake I did and get one from a pet shop. I've had 2 pet shop dogs - both Mickey and Allie. I was very lucky - Mickey never had any health problems until he got old (normal things, like arthritis, due to aging), but he was dumb as a doorknob - although incredibly lovable and sweet. Allie, however, was deaf and they didn't even know it. Mickey was from a Kansas puppy mill (didn't know about those things back then). Allie was locally bred, not a puppy mill dog, but I'm sure it was a back-yard breeder. The only reason I bought her was because my daughter knew someone who worked in the pet shop where I got her, and one of their employees was her breeder. My daughter's friend assured us that she was a good breeder. Maybe she was (is?), and this was very unusual, but you'd think a breeder would notice that a puppy couldn't hear! Health-wise, she been fine as far as serious health problems go, but she does have luxating patellas in both knees. She is very small, and I know that can be a problem in small dogs - I really don't know if something like that has to do with breeding or not, but you'd think it would.

Since you're in New Orleans and not that far from Skeptic, he might be able to give you some leads. The internet (American Shetland Sheepdog Association) can lead you to quality breeders. A shearch on "Sheltie rescue" will likely give you a good breeder also, or at least a lead. Many rescuers are also breeders. Many breeders only have one or two litters a year, so be prepared to go onto a waiting list.

My last two dogs have been adults, and they've both adjusted very quickly to their new homes. I do miss the fact that I didn't have them as puppies. Looking at them now, I know that they both had to have been adorable puppies. If you're at all interesting in getting an adult dog, consider adopting a rescue.

I've had a total of 5 shelties, so far, in my life, and I think they're the greatest!

[Traci]

Just my 2¢ but there is bound to be a sheltie pup (or adult too) at your local animal shelter/humane socieity. Even a sheltie mix would be bound to give you excellent companionship and loyalty.

[k9Karen]

I certainly agree with Traci - I thought Skeptic might be able to help in that arena. I guess I didn't really come out and say it though. Around here, most of the shelters have agreements with rescue and they are notified when a sheltie comes into the shelter. In Pinellas county, an owner-surrendered dog isn't even processed into the shelter - rescue is called and they come get the dog. I was on a waiting list at the local ASPCA for over 6 months before I got a call. My daughter went to check out the dog because I had to work, and by the time she got there (less than 2 hours after the call), the dog had already been adopted! Shelties don't get into the shelters very often around here. I think when their owners need to give them up for some reason, they make sure they get a good home (that's how I got Foxy). Which makes me think - check with vet offices and pet daycares, people often post available dogs and puppies in those places - I found out about Foxy at my vet's.