I did some research on the Internet and located the Collie Rescue of Austin. I e-mailed Sheryl McDonald, the rescue coordinator and sent her a picture of Laddie. Sheryl replied back that she had room to take Laddie in and he would be going to work with a trainer involved in training Service Dogs for the physically challenged. It would be several days before Sheryl could make the trip from Austin. Several times in the meantime I asked that Laddie be brought up to the reception area to visit since he seemed so sad and no one had shown any interest in adopting him. Needless to say, I grew increasingly attached to the big guy. It was discovered that one of the reasons why he hadn't been eating well, was because he had a broken bottom canine.
Laddie's picture taken at the shelter.
    The day that Sheryl was to come get him, I had convinced myself that if she didn't make it he would be going home with me. Sheryl did make it to pick Laddie up that afternoon on November 5, 2001, and even though she offered to just go back to Austin and let me adopt him, I declined. I thought that the chance of being a Service Dog was too good of an opportunity for Laddie to miss.

    I continued to think about him and I wondered how he was doing with his training. I really missed him. Then in the latter part of December I received an e-mail from Sheryl McDonald saying that Laddie did not pass his evaluation for being a Service Dog since he was afraid of loud noises and also would rather be petted than work. She wanted to know if I had any of Laddie's pictures left since she was going to make him available for adoption. As soon as I read the e-mail I called Sheryl and told her not to put him up for adoption because Wyatt and I would drive out the next day and pick him. I was so excited to have my Laddie back. We picked him up at the trainer's the next evening.

Little by little Laddie has bloomed into a wonderful dog. We DID have that broken canine extracted which helped a lot.

Pictures of Laddie with his new four legged friends. Penny, the red Australian Shepherd is also a Rescue Dog.

Zoee, Cookie and Dorsey (Shelter Pomeranian)

Appleby and Bandana, 2 shelter cats that learned to love each other.

Penny, our Aussie Agility Star.

This past July 2002 we began private obedience training with Laddie. After successfully completing an eight-week course we enrolled him in a group agility class. He did wonderfully, being his cool collected self and always wagging his tail. Next he completed another eight-week agility class where he has learned to work well off leash.

Laddie goes over the A-Frame at Triple Crown.

Laddie has just recently completed a first level Rally Obedience training class where he graduated with a certificate. In May 2003 we earned our First Ribbon at a Rally O competion hosted by Waggin' Tails.

I entered Laddie in an agility fun match on February 15, 2003 and signed him up to be tested for AKC's Canine Good Citizen Certification. He had a lot of fun running the agility courses and I was proud of him for running the last one so well off leash. He was then tested for his Canine Good Citizen Certification, which is a 10-part test, evaluating obedience, behavior and social ability to strangers and other dogs. He passed with flying colors. So now Laddie has his first title and has a CGC after his name. This wonderful guy has really opened the door for doing fun things with your dog for my family and me.