Midwest Aussie Rescue

Introducing Handsome Blitz (ARPH #12210). Blitz is a 3 year old black-bi male Aussie with one blue eye and one brown eye. He is one good looking boy, with a full thick coat: he does look a little bit like a Panda Bear.

Blitz had a fairly hard life before being brought into rescue, as he was running free on his own for a while in Missouri. Blitz has learned many wonderful new things, like how great it is to snuggle with someone on one of the human beds.

Blitz is a bit of a collector with toys and treats, but who can blame him as these are all very precious after living on the streets. He has no problem sharing them with his human friends though, so no worries there. Blitz has shared his foster life with other dogs and does fairly well as long as
they don’t mind him snatching those toys. We think that he may be best with a non-alpha dog, or perhaps as an only dog; he would be happy either way.

Blitz has learned many new things and is doing great in his training classes. He is eager to learn and quite the thinker. Blitz has also done a great job of learning the boundaries of his invisible fence and is enjoying doggie day care 3 to 4 times a week while foster mom is at work. He is getting very good reports from both trainer and day care.

Blitz has been working with some separation problems and has come a very long way. He will now crate for half days and does not need to be crated when his foster family is home. He is allowed full access to the home and is not crated at night. He has adjusted to living inside very nicely and seems to like the perks that come along with it.

Blitz really likes his treats and loves to take the stuffing out of any toy for fun. He has learned some wonderful leash manners and enjoys going for rides in the car. With a little encouragement, exercise and most of all love Blitz will give you a lifetime of fun.

Blitz is up to date with his vaccinations, has been neutered, microchipped and is housebroken and crate trained. We feel that Blitz would best be placed in a home with teens and up because of his normal Aussie energy and love of toys. As he loves human company he would love a home where someone is home a lot, but this is by no means a requirement for him.

Blitz is being fostered in Fox River Grove. If you might be interested in adopting Blitz, please contact Wynne at w.ton@comcast.net. If you have not yet filled out an adoption, application you can find it at www.aussierescue.org. (listed 08/07/10)

Adopted 08/11/10!

Meet Shelby (ARPH #12211), a 2 year old red-tri female weighing about 43 lbs. The red in her coat is a deep red liver color and she is beautiful. She came into our program in pretty rough shape. She was heartworm positive (and has been treated), and she was a pretty sick little girl. She is feeling much better now, deemed healthy, has been spayed and is ready for adoption.

Shelby's foster mom says she is the smartest Aussie she has known to date. It took a very small amount of time to learn the family routine in her foster home, she adapted quickly. She has been working on obedience through clicker training and knows "sit"' , "lay down",  and hasn't quite mastered the "stay" but is working on it. She is house trained, leash trained and crate trained and even considers her crate her safe place.

Shelby loves food and is very food motivated. She is OK with cats and with other dogs, but like most dogs does not like an overly rambunctious "in your face" dog. She does not get aggressive, just backs away and removes herself from the place and situation with a grumble. She gets along fine with her Aussie foster family.

Shelby is well-behaved, not overly energetic, and is content to lay on the floor next to your feet when she is not busy doing some other more exciting activity.   As great as she is, she does have one fear she has not been able to overcome yet. She is fearful of men of stature. She is fine with her foster dad, allows him to pet her and will accept treats from him ... as long as he is sitting or in a reclined position. However when he stands up it's off in the other direction she goes! No aggression, just run and hide. We are sad to think about her past and what was in it that brought about this behavior. We know she would do great in an all female household because she LOVES her foster mom.She greets her by wiggling her little Aussie behind and doing her happy noises.

She is descibed by her foster home as being one awesome girl who will make a great companion. If she doesn't go to an all female household, she should go to a family with the patience and willingness to help her work thorugh her fears.

Shelby is being fostered in  Creve Coeur. Contact Georganne at annaverv@yahoo.com to learn more about this dog. (listed 05/27/10)

My name is Roo (ARPH #12139). Roo is a 4 year old red-tri male Aussie.

Thanks to his previous family, Roo is wonderfully well-trained and obedient. He knows come, sit, down, stay and shake paw. He is crate trained, housebroken and loves to play fetch.

Roo is very intelligent and is a great watchdog. His foster mom says she feels very safe at home with Roo on watch! Roo is the typical “Velcro dog” and, though he does need to be walked and exercised everyday, he is content to lie at your feet or cuddle with you on the couch as well.

Now that he's used to his foster home, he seeks out his foster parents for head rubs and hugs. This dog loves to travel. Whether it's a day trip or errands around town, he's ready to go!

Roo is currently working on not barking at strangers and other dogs while he's being walked and while he's at home in the yard. He probably would do best in a country home with no small children and not much company coming and going. With lots of patience and positive reinforcement he is showing improvement. He is just now beginning to adjust to all of the new sights and sounds in and around his foster home, where he has been for about 3 weeks. A prospective adoptive family
will want to be patient for awhile to give him time to adjust. He's a sweetheart and well worth the time!

Just an aside: Roo has a birth defect in one eye which makes it look partly closed. He doesn't let that slow him down and he's still a very good looking boy! Roo is located in Carthage. Contact Georganne at annaverv@yahoo.com with questions or if you might be interested in adopting Roo. (listed 02/14/10; updated 05/02/10)

Senior Lady Needs Your Help

This is Cookie (ARPH #11847).

There I was, a 14 ½ year old girl…losing my home and traveling north with my two pups to find a NEW forever home.  Our family had lost their house, and though mom was very sad to say goodbye there was nothing more they could do.  A sad story?  Yes, but unfortunately for me the bad news was not over.

Probably due to my age, I am not only deaf and have trouble seeing, but small cancers were found throughout my body.  And while ARPH was trying to decide how best to help me, I was attacked by another dog at my temporary foster home.

But then these amazing longtime volunteers with ARPH stepped forward. They knew I needed a place to go and they couldn’t say no. I swear, these people at ARPH have hearts twice the size of a normal human! Now I am doing much better here, I eat well and have a great appetite, and I enjoy small rawhides and watching the other 6 dogs and the cats play all day.

I spend a big part of my day sleeping on a special bed they have made for me. They say I am quite the snorer—that I am louder than any human could ever be! And when I am not sleeping I am enjoying the sound and smell of the two cats here, licking them, pushing and nibbling them and doing my best to play ‘chase’. I also enjoy the trail of treats that my foster parents lay out for me from one end of the house to the other. I work hard with my nose and when they get home all of the treats are gone!

I know this is my last stop on my travels…and while I can, I want to thank all of the wonderful people at ARPH. They have made my last six months enjoyable and as easy and pain-free as they can. I know my vet bills must be astronomical…I am sorry about that. But thank you for helping, and thank you for not listening to that vet who thought I should just be ‘put to sleep’. My journey ends knowing the love and warmth of the humans all around me.

Would you like to donate a small amount of money to help dogs like Cookie? Please contact Missy at missycramer@gmail.com if you can help in any way. (listed 04/07/10)

New Spirit Rescue Dogs

At just over 20 lbs, Chuman (NS #0576) is either a larger mini-Aussie or an Aussie mix. Chuman has a beautiful blue merle coat, which will require attention to keep that handsome look he so deserves.

He loves walks, riding in the car, wiggling on the bed, and playing. He is house trained and crates voluntarily at night.

Sounds perfect, right? Unfortunately, Chuman came to us fearful of people. Time and patience has made him learn to trust people one at a time. He is still leery of strangers and will not let anyone he doesn't know touch him. He would be perfect in a home with another dog to help him feel confident and where there aren't a lot of new people coming and going. For this reason, we don't recommend him for a house with children. For the right people with a little patience, Chuman will be a wonderful companion and playmate.

To learn more about Chuman please complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 09/05/10)

Abbie (NS #0630) is a 9 year old black-tri Australian Shepherd mini. She was found as a stray on the side of the road, she was horribly matted and very skinny. She is a perfect lady, she rides perfectly in a car, walks wonderfully on a leash, and is housebroken.

Abbie gets along with other dogs just fine and couldn't care less about cats. She is probably a little deaf, but her vision is fine.

Abbie would be the perfect Aussie for someone who is retired, lives alone and is looking for that perfect, dedicated, devoted companion. She would be fine anywhere, we just think she deserves to be the star of the house and get all the attention she can handle, as she has lived a long time and is now without that forever home, plus she needs someone who will never let her out of their sight so she knows she is loved.

Abbie is being fostered in the Peoria area. To take this gracious lady home and give her the world, complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Contact David at david.e.thuman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 09/05/10)

Meet Azel (NS #0755), a 2 year old blue merle Australian Shepherd with a tail. Azel cam to us from Ottawa after a local rescue saved his life. Azel was the victim of a car accident, he was hit and left for dead on the side of the road.

Azel loves to ride in the car and sleeps well in his crate for his foster mom and dad. Azel is housebroken, loving and doesn't bark hardly at all. Azel gets along well with other dogs and even cats.

Azel is very easy going and laid back, and even goes with his foster mom every day to work at the animal hospital. He is a great greeter.

Azel is currently being foster in the Libertyville area. To meet Azel please complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Reference. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 09/05/10)

Berachah (NS #0660) is a 10+ year old senior Australian Shepherd who is currently working on gaining weight as she was found abandoned and severely underweight. She is a very smart girl and loves rides in a car, short walks and will get along well with other dogs. She hasn't been tested with cats, but we expect she will be okay. (We are looking for test cats for evaluating Aussies and Catness, please apply.)

Berachah has many years of love left to give and receive, so if you are willing to open your home to this seasoned girl, show her that we 2-leggers will give back as much as she gives in devotion.

Barachah is being fostered in the Central Illinois area. To adopt this wise girl, please complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 09/05/10)

Adopted 08/28/10!
Special needs dog

Meet Zarah (NS #0659). Her name means Sunrise, or rising light. She is a 6 week old blue merle Australian Shepherd who is the result of a merle to merle breeding; she is deaf, but that doesn't stop her enthusiasm for life. Zarah is working on learning what Aussies do: play with cat, chase the guinea pig, and follow her other foster step brothers when out and about. She will be getting all her puppy shots, and will be learning her sign language lessons in the coming weeks.

Zarah is being fostered in the Bloomington area. Complete an application at New Spirit. Reference NS #0659 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com. (listed 07/24/10)

Meet Hamul (NS #0639) -- his name means "spared", a 3 year old blue merle Australian Shepherd who is currently on the New Spirit Weight-Off program. He weighs around 72 pounds and we will get him ready for the next Aussie Triathlon, the bike thing might be a little tough but we are working that out.

Hamul enjoys humans as a friend (not food) and he is okay with cats. He is good with other dogs and loves to ride in a car. He will also eventually be one super walker after all his training.

Hamul was given a shave this year so his coat will come back, and here is proof of just how "Aussome" he will look.

Hamul is in the Chicago area and is looking for his forever home. Complete an application today at New Spirit. Reference NS #0639 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 04/24/10)

Adopted 08/16/10!

Kernel (NS #0625) is a red merle male Australian Shepherd, around 1 year old, who came into rescue with his sister Epoc, and both must have had excellent socialization. Kernel will politely greet strangers and expect a pat on the head, he then runs back to his foster pack of three other Aussies. So Kernel is learning all the right things about what is expected of an Australian Shepherd.

Kernel enjoys other dogs, ignores cats, and is good with children. He loves car rides, crates well, and walks on a leash just fine.

He does have a strange protrusion that sticks out from his Aussie rear-end, we are told it's a tail, something common in those other breeds, he seems fine with it and actually will wave it from side to side to show just how happy and secure he is.

Kernel is being fostered in the Chicago area. To adopt this unique red merle Aussie, complete an application at New Spirit today. Reference NS #0625 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/24/10)

Jager (NS #0618) is a healthy young 50 lb male red-bi Australian Shepherd who is around 2 years old. He is loves being close to his person. He has been trained to sit, lie, and knows the meaning of words such as "no" and "down". He does well in a crate and is not food aggressive (food is out all day for him, no issues with the other dog in the home). He walks well on a leash and does not pull or try to "take off" after other dogs.

He has had no problems with other family dogs, he plays with the Border Collie in his foster home and ignores a Pomeranian. He pays little attention to cats unless they frighten him, then he barks at them. He is well-behaved at the dog park and has shown no evidence of aggression beyond normal play wrestling with other dogs.

Jager rides well in cars with a reminder that he cannot sit in the front seat. He does not like being approached by strange males with objects in their hands, and does not like fireworks or loud booming sounds.

Jager is being fostered in the Peoria area. Complete an application at New Spirit today. Reference NS #0618 when inquring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/24/10)

Adopted 08/29/10!

Meet Sundown (NS #627), a very happy, active almost 2 year old female black-tri Australian Shepherd. She is great with kids, though she will try to herd them. She is good in a car and walks well on a leash. She knows some commands and is okay with other dogs, in a neutral area (for instance, at the dog park), but probably should be the only dog in the home.

Sundown is ready for the forever home she so deserves. She will play with toys all day and is eager to please. She is a bit velcro so expect her to follow you everywhere you go.

Sundown is being fostered in the Chicago area. Complete an application at New Spirit today. Reference NS #0627 when you inquire. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/24/10)

Adopted 08/16/10!
Special Needs Dog

Meet Topeka (NS #0622), a 2 year old red merle male who is deaf. Topeka is on the smaller side, but that just allows him to sit more comfortably in your lap. Topeka loves to cuddle.

Topeka weighs about 35 pounds, and is housebroken. He walks well on a leash, and even though he is deaf, he has learned hand signals such as come, sit, down, wait, shake and -- he just learned roll over. Topeka is a pleaser Aussie. Topeka also likes other dogs, tolerates cats and has met children in the neighborhood and has been great.

Topeka is being fostered in the Winthrop Harbor area, and is awaiting a family that wants to give this happy, special boy a forever home and teach him more hand signals. We would prefer you have a friendly dog in your home already as most deaf dogs do well with a companion who hears for them.

Complete an application at New Spirit. Reference NS 0622 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/10/10)

Holland (NS #0624), aka Holly, is a 1-1/2 year old black-bi female Australian Shepherd who is on the small side. She has lots of energy, she loves to meet people, she loves other dogs, she rides great in a car, and walks great on a leash.

Holland is also housebroken, and knows the basic commands, sit, down, stay, heel, come as she took obedience classes. Holland would make a great agility dog with some practice.

If you are interested in Holland please complete an application at New Spirit today. Reference NS #0624 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/10/10)

Adopted 08/16/10!

Maiya (NS 0621) is around 2 years old, she is a red merle female Aussie. Maiya is a little shy at first but warms up very quickly. She is crated during the day while her foster parents are at work and, for now, at night. She is quiet, calm and content in her crate and will enter the crate on the “in” command. She is a polite little lady in the car and will just sit and enjoy the scenery.

Maiya walks respectfully on a leash and understands basic obedience commands: sit, down, stay and come, although, come is still a bit intermittent. She stood and tolerated her bath like a trooper and loves to be brushed. You can pick up her feet, touch her tail, look in her ears and mouth without issue. She is a laid back eater, not greedy or possessive and takes treats very gently. She gets along well with both dogs and cats. She will play Frisbee and catch but doesn’t always bring them back. She sometimes runs by you hoping you will chase her instead.

Maiya is considerate of the house and will go potty outside, but she needs to be let out often as she doesn’t yet know how to tell you she has to go. Maiya is quick to learn and very willing to try anything for praise. She is a typical velcro Aussie who will follow you anywhere just to be near you. She hates thunder and really loud noises but doesn't get crazy just nervous and will pace. She would be in your lap if you let her. The foster family has a 2 paw rule when you are sitting - 2 paws on me 2 paws on the floor, which she is more than happy to respect. The vet estimates her at about 2 years old and she weighs 36 pounds.

Maiya is currently being treated for heartworm and will be ready to go to a forever home after she completes her treatmen plan. You are welcome to inquire about her and even meet her, as she loves people and would love to meet you. Complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Reference NS 0621 when inquiring. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions. (listed 07/05/10)

Elishia (NS #0617), Eli for short, is a 5 month old blue merle Aussie mix female. Eli is is being housebroken and is doing very well for a puppy, she is learning to tell you she has to go potty. She walks great on a leash, very close and does not pull away from the walker. She does AMAZING in the car, she just sits there quietly without a peep. She also does AMAZING in crates, she sleeps in there at night and does just fine. She plays great with other dogs. Eli will need to be taught to share her food and she is learning.

She likes kids, because she loves everyone, she is a very lovable dog and does have the "velcro" trait. She will follow her foster parents around the house and is always nearby. She has a wonderful upbeat personality and is very willing to learn and be a great friend.

Eli can be visited in the Chicagoland area. Complete an application at New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue. Reference NS #0617 when inquring. Direct questions about Elishia to David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com. (listed 07/05/10)

Adopted 08/29/10!

Meet Nero (NS #0585), aka Mick, a medium-sized red merle male, who once he gets his winter coat will be much darker then he is now; he is sun bleached from having been outdoors.

Nero is medium sized, and is on the more active side. He likes other dogs, gets along well with cats, walks well on a leash and lives for a ride in the car.

Nero is that Aussie who bends in half with excitement and loves to be near people. He is a little talkative, as he will whine from time to time when excited or worried you are not giving him your attention.

Nero is in the Chicagoland area.To adopt Nero please complete an application at New Spirit; reference NS #0585 in your inquiries. Contact David at david.e.thurman@gmail.com with questions or for additional information. (listed 06/10/10)

Privately Referred Dogs