Sammie

Sammie (formerly SamL) is almost 9 year old smooth coat Border Collie who came into rescue after the death of his elderly owner.  The owner’s family took Sammy in and reached out to NEBCR for help in finding him a great Border Collie savvy home.

While with the owner’s family, Sammie attended doggie day camp Monday through Friday where he engaged with 20 other dogs, which he apparently loved.  Since coming into his foster home, he gets along great with the two resident laid back Border Collies, both senior males.

Sammie is a little spitfire!  He is curious, very athletic, and can read the cues of his foster brothers.   Due to the massive snowstorm just prior to coming into rescue, Sammy is being walked 4 miles daily on rural dirt roads, with only light traffic.  He does show interest when vehicles pass, especially large noisy trucks, but is very responsive to sitting and receiving a treat.  With the melting snow, we’ve since been able to get his several daily hikes through woods and fields which he absolutely loves. He regularly patrols his large fenced in yard and has shown a strong prey drive for small creatures (think squirrels, chipmunks and woodchucks). For this reason, he likely would benefit from a home without small children.  On his on-road walks, he does walk past several neighboring cows with barely a glance.

Sammie is very athletic and is moderately high energy, which he easily turns off in the house. While we were told he enjoyed playing ball and frisbee in his prior home, he has shown no interest in this whatsoever.  He settles very nicely in the household routine and will find his space. He has been good on leash, which we use with a harness. He moves along at a brisk pace, and he is responsive to direction, a gentle tug on the leash and treats.  He walked/jogged several times with his foster mom and would be a fabulous hiking companion for anyone.

Sammie is very social and while he would be fine as an only dog with someone around most of the day, he really seems to enjoy another dog in the household.  If he was a solo dog, regular interactions with other friendly dogs would make this pup’s life complete.  Given his interest in vehicles on the roads, he would do well in a more rural area with a hard fence. That said, his interest in cars or critters is easily redirected: he responds immediately to his name!  His ideal home seems to be rural, active, with another dog in the home and someone home a good portion of the day.  Sammie has been so adaptable in his foster home that I think he would thrive in a variety of settings.

He knows his basic commands, and within the fenced in yard, immediately comes to call.  We’ve tried brief off leash trials in the field and he did great: came immediately to call.  Sammie loves a good meal, a good nap and will curl up next to you in the evening for a gentle pat. He needs only a few days to warm up to his new owners.  Within four days of arrival to his foster home, Sammie would lie next to his foster mom sitting on the floor, back against her leg enjoying petting.

He eats meals in his crate but prefers to sleep on his dog bed in a separate bedroom from the resident dogs.  He has not climbed on furniture and has shown no counter surfing. 

Reportedly Sammie loved riding in the car though this is something we are working on. He rides in a crate or with a seat belt tether, but the stimulation of vehicles passing by outside the window creates enthusiasm exhibited by a whine or a bark.  He will need continued work on this and does great with high value treats.

Sammie is a lovely dog who, once he (quickly) settles into his new home, will bring years of joy to any family.  He is currently being fostered in Vermont.

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