Michigan Sheltie Rescue

03/07/2025

Adopting a pet? Congrats! You've just picked someone up in your car who isn't great at communicating, just got out of a tough situation, and isn't sure if they trust you yet. Sound familiar? That's because the first three days with a new pet are basically a 72-hour first date.

It's exciting, it's awkward, and it's definitely not the time to start planning your holiday cards or giving them a bubble bath.

No judgment, but some of y'all might need a quick refresher on first-date etiquette. So here's your official guide to early red flags (from you, not them).

🚩 Leaving them unattended like it's no big deal
Imagine showing up to a blind date and immediately getting ditched at a party where you know no one. That's how your pet feels when they're left alone right away.

Bottom line: Don't ghost your new pet. It's day one. Stick close.

🚩 Being too handsy
They're cute. You're smitten. But this isn't the moment for kisses, cuddles, or TikToks with voiceovers. You just met. They don't know your intentions yet.

This isn't a fling; it's the start of something real. Let them come to you. (Consent matters, even in pet parenting.)

🚩 Introducing them to your entire cast of characters
You ever meet someone and they immediately want you to meet their mom? Yikes.

Your pet doesn't need to meet your whole social circle (or animal crew) right away. Let them settle in, one face at a time. Save the group hangs for later.

🚩 Giving them a bath
You wouldn't give someone you just met a bath, and if you would… we don't want to talk about this anymore.

Yes, shelter pets can be a little stinky. But baths are a lot. They're wet, stressful, and weirdly intimate for a pet who doesn't even know your hobbies yet. Spritz some pet-safe essential oils around the house and give them time to decompress before sudsing them up.

🚩 Taking them on a spontaneous adventure
You are not on The Bachelor. No one wants a surprise helicopter ride on day one.

Keep things calm and close to home. No breweries, dog parks, or road trips. Your pet's just trying to figure out which room has the snacks, don't make them learn a whole new location yet.

🚩 Expecting instant love
Some folks swipe right, go on one date, and expect sparks to fly immediately. The same energy applies to new pet parents who expect instant attachment.

Sometimes it does happen, but more often, it's a slow burn. They might hide under the bed, bark at the fridge, or side-eye you for three days straight. It doesn't mean it's not working. It just means you're still getting to know each other.

💘 The Bottom Line: Love doesn't always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it starts with awkward silences, side-eyes, and mutually agreeing that you won't make any sudden moves. But give it time, stay patient, and keep showing up, and you just might find yourself in the best relationship of your life.

24/06/2025

10/06/2025

Our newest girl to enter rescue is eagerly waiting for her new home. She is not quite two years old, so still a puppy, very loving, with a high energy level, and needs a job to occupy her mind. The best we can tell she is a Mini Assie and Border Collie mix. We are hoping for a performance home for her that will help her to reach her full potential. She would make a great agility dog. Gia truly is a gem waiting to be discovered.

An application can be found on our website at www.michigansheltierescue.net

23/05/2025

It has been a very busy few weeks in Rescue. Our young, small male, Baxter, has been adopted by a lovely couple. He is in for many new adventures. Shelby, the little, bi-black, female is now living with her special person as an only dog and loving all the attention. Bella, our sable girl, who did not have the best start in life, was adopted by a couple where one is home all day with her. She also has a sheltie friend in her new home to play with. Bonnie puppy (special needs) has also recently been adopted.

Bitsy, a 6 yr. old, sable merle,11-pound female is now waiting for her special home. She is shy with strangers, but food motivated. Not a lap dog despite her size. Bitsy needs a quiet home where she is an only dog. She also needs a person willing to go outside with her to potty every time. Enjoys the yard as long as you are with her. Walks well on a lead so short walks would be great for her. Bitsy thinks she is a princess and wants to sleep in bed with you. As with any princess, she has a few quirks but nothing that bad. Actually, she is just darn cute!

Simba is a recent addition to Rescue. A larger, sable, 7 yr. old boy at about 35 pounds. From what we know, his past life was not the greatest. He seems to be doing well in his foster home and getting along well with the other dogs there. Housetrained, crate trained, sits and comes. A bit shy and insecure yet. He was just neutered so we will know more in a couple of weeks.

Timmy, a tri-color, boy, estimated age of 7 yrs. He came from a puppy mill out of state. VERY shy and needs to learn what this world is all about outside of a cage. He is going to be a "project dog" here in rescue.

As of this writing, we expect to be taking in an almost 2 yr. old tri-color female. More will be posted about her later.

Our 14+ year old boy is still enjoying life in his foster home. Of course, Robby, Oliver and Lily are here too.

An application can be found on our website at www.michigansheltierescue.net

06/04/2025

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/HHP3SHA3AFY4N

06/04/2025

UPDATE: Our little sable girl from the previous post is now available for adoption. She is shy with strangers and will do best as an only pet in a quiet home with no children. She needs someone who can go outside with her to potty, take her for some walks, and a fenced yard. Her name is "Bitsy". She is not a fan of sitting on laps. It will take her awhile to build trust in her new owner so patience will be required.

We also have a sable and white, 2-year-old, female available. She is also shy with strangers but a great, lovable dog in her foster home. Her name is Bella. She will do best in a home with another submissive dog to play with. A beginning obedience class will be highly recommended for socialization purposes. A fenced yard is required.

Special needs puppy: Bonnie is a beautiful, 11-month-old, sable, female. She is very anxious and a small degree of separation anxiety. Loves to sit on laps and know where her people are. She is on Prozac and will need to stay on this drug.

An application can be found on our website at www.michigansheltierescue.net

27/02/2025

UPDATE: We have taken in two females this last week. A bi-black about 4 yrs. old and a sable about 6 years old. Both are very small at about 10/11 lbs. More will be posted after evaluation and medical needs are completed.

18/01/2025

A long article but contains a lot of information.

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18/10/2024

UPDATE FOR OCTOBER:

Unfortunately, none of the applications for our lovely, sweet Smores have been the right home for this girl. Unbelievable to me!!! She is wonderful with no problems whatsoever. A little shy at first but that is the proper sheltie temperament. Is fine with other dogs but, as I mentioned, does not run and play with them. She has so much love to give and is so smart and very food motivated to learn too. A fun, loving dog. We all thought she would be adopted quickly. Application can be found at www.michigansheltierescue.net

Bella is a two-year-old female who came from a kennel situation with another sheltie. Both extremely shy and scared. Her kennel mate, Minnie, was ready earlier than Bella and was adopted and doing very well in her new home. Bella's foster home is still working with Bella. She will need a home with another dog to continue to teach her how to be a fun-loving dog and that the world and people mean her no harm. At this time, she is still very shy but starting to trust her foster home. She will need someone who is knowledgeable of dog behavior, a lot of patience and willing to give her the time needed. She is a high flight risk!

Beckum is our 14-year-old boy who is a complete love. Full of life, runs in the yard, does steps like a trooper, everyone is his best friend immediately. Other than a grey muzzle, you would never guess his age. After repeated blood work, urinalysis and prescription food he continues to have protein in his urine indicating some kidney failure. After long discussions about the best for Beckum adjusting to a new home and a new owner who would fall in love with him, we decided to classify Beckum as one of our hospice dogs.

Chloe, a ten-year-old girl was adopted by her foster home. She fell in love with her while caring for her thru her medical needs until we were ready to list her.

Angel, a six-year-old girl was also adopted recently and is doing great in her new home.

At this time, we also have three other dogs in rescue. Probably not adoptable for different reasons. One of them, Robby, went thru so much abuse before he arrived here. He is now quite happy in HIS house and HIS yard but could never be taken out for a walk on a lead. Another one, Lily, we suspect was used as a bait dog for fighting rings. Am working with Lily but it will be a long, long time for her. The third one, Ollie, was obviously treated and disciplined very roughly. He will defend himself at a perceived threat. Much, much better than when he first came but not really adoptable despite a sweet nature. Besides, he barks a lot in the house! Not the yard. Most people would not tolerate it.

Michigan Sheltie Rescue Home page

30/08/2024

REMINDER: Our lovely, blue merle girl, Smores, is still available and patiently waiting for her permanent new home. She is 4 years old. A bit shy with strangers but warms up quickly with treats. LOVES her toys and tennis balls and playing in the water. She will bring her own swimming pool. Smores, however, is not fond of sharing so would be best as an only dog. Knows basic commands, likes her crate but would benefit from some additional classes and a bit more socialization outside the home. A fenced yard is required for Smores. An application can be found on our website at www.michigansheltierescue.net

21/08/2024

WARNING:
This page has been recently hit by many scammers. They will reply to your post asking you to join another group about shelties. DO NOT reply or click on the link! I spend a lot of time reporting and deleting these things.

Send a message to learn more

18/08/2024

UPDATES:
My sincere apologies to the followers of this page for not posting sooner. I had surgery and was also very busy with new intakes, medical appointments, etc.

As promised, I will begin with the update on our pretty blue merle girl, Smores. She is now ready for adoption but must go to a home as an only dog with a fenced yard. This is not a dog who likes to share. She is very active. A bit shy at first with strangers but will warm up. Smores is toy and especially tennis ball obsessed, well mannered, likes her crate, wants to please and certainly is food motivated. Likes water and has her own swimming pool that will go with her. She would benefit from some classes. Could be a good performance prospect for dance, rally, scent work. Her birthdate is 2-16-2020.

Another senior came to us when his former owner had a medical emergency. His name is Beckum, and birthdate is 11-01-2010. This is a lovely, well mannered, tri color male, who loves attention and will be your shadow around the house. Enjoys his short walks on lead too. Does not act his age. When we did his blood panel, it was discovered that he has protein in his urine. This will be checked again when he goes for his dental cleaning September 5th. We have started him on a prescription food for now while we await results in September. If he follows the lead of another senior, Emma, who we have here, he might need some medication for life. Emma is taking Telmisartin daily and has been doing well, with no symptoms, for two years.

In addition to the two above, we took in two young females, both just under two years old, from a kennel situation. They both need medical completed and additional socialization as they adjust to living inside a home. Minnie seems to be adjusting a bit better than her roommate, Bella. Bella originally came from an Amish breeder then to this kennel. As young as she is, she has already had one litter. So far, they have tested negative for heartworm, been wormed and the vet did an exam. They will be spayed and vaccinated in September. I will post when they are ready for adoption.

Angel, yet another rescue dog here, is waiting to meet her possible permanent home next week with a smooth collie to play with. She is a sable/white, 6+ year old, who is VERY overweight and on prescription diet food. She weighed 42 lbs. when she came and should weigh around 23 lbs.

Lily came to us a few months ago. Not much is known about her background for sure. Based on many things, we feel she might have possibly been used as a bait dog. We continue to work with Lily.

These are just the new additions. We have three others who may never be adoptable as they each need VERY specialized homes.

Our application can be found at our website

Michigan Sheltie Rescue Home page