[Lonewolfblue]

Well, I've been looking on and off for a home that would be a perfect home for Betty. And I was contacted today by a couple who had lost their cattle dog to old age, and is currently looking for another cattle dog. They live on a huge ranch, 400+ acres, 150 head of cattle, 8 horses, and more. And they are more than willing to train Betty on the cattle, as well as have her as part of their family and not be caged up, with full access to the home, etc. It will be a single dog family, all the kids have grown and moved out, and be able to work the cattle once she's trained. I'm supposed to contact them tomorrow to see if we can set up a meeting on Sunday, as they will be coming to the area to deliver some horses in Yakima, WA. They are from Montana. So if it goes through and I do meet with them, they would need to take her Sunday, as they would be heading back home.

Even though I'm a little excited to possibly find the perfect home for her, I'm also going to miss her dearly if the meeting goes well and they are the type of people they described in the email. I've really contemplated doing this, and sometimes wonder if it really is right to keep her where she always has to be managed (city life), and to always have to leave her home when I take the other 2 out, and then leave the other 2 home when I take her out. I know she's happy with me here, and we've done a ton of things together, but if this new home is going to be a place where she can really truely blossom, I don't want to hold her back from it.

During this search that I've done on and off, I've had some people say they could give her a good home, and that they have large back yards, etc, but that is not what I want for her and have turned them down. And there's also been a few odd people that wanted her as well, and I had to say no to them as well. If I do rehome her, it has to be a place where I feel she would be able to blossom, and have a happy, long life. And I think she would do very well in training on Cattle. Will let you all know how it turns out. It is something that just came out of the blue today, and not someone that I've been talking to for several days. They emailed me this evening. I'm supposed to call them tomorrow and find out the details on where to meet on Sunday. I may have to drive to Yakima, or they may drive up here on the way back home. It's a little out of the way, but not too bad.

Just wanted to let you know.... It will be hard to let her go if it works out, but I think it would be the best for her. And if it doesn't work out, then we'll continue working on her issues and managing her the best I can. It wouldn't break my heart at all if it doesn't work out. She's only going to get what's best for her, she deserves the best.

So, its kind of short notice and Sunday is not far off, but if anyone has any advice on possible questions to ask, etc, I'd appreciate it. Or just your thoughts on the topic.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Wow. I didn't even know you were rehoming her. Well... as long as you're sure this is the best place for her, I hope all goes smoothly. Do remember to keep in touch with her new owners.

 

[Renoman]

Well good luck. Keep us posted.

As for questions to ask, how about vet references?

 

[agility collie mom]

LBW I know that this a difficult decision on your part but, you are doing the right thing. My daughter has a cattle dog mix. Mel is very happy because my daughter's job takes her into the wilderness a lot. Mel would not be happy in a city situation so this lifestyle is perfect for her. Sounds like a wonderful home for Betty. Plus it would be really cool for her to be able to do the job she was bred for!
Here is a picture of Heather and Mel hiking in the mountains of Southern California. I'm so proud of both of them!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Wow. I didn't even know you were rehoming her. Well... as long as you're sure this is the best place for her, I hope all goes smoothly. Do remember to keep in touch with her new owners.

Not exactly actively looking to rehoming her, but if I came across a place where I think she would be happier and they are looking for a good working dog, then I would consider it, just like I'm considering these people. Will let you know how it goes, if we do meet up. I'll be calling soon.

New update, I called the guy and he is very, very interested, and it sounds like the perfect home for her. Not only did I have a few questions for him, he really had a lot of questions for me as well. He is looking for a good, working dog. He also asked if she's an indoor/outdoor dog or strictly and outdoor dog as well, and I told him she's indoor/out door, prefers to be where her person is, and is housebroken. And also let him know of all her issues and her protectiveness, and he said that's not an issue, as his other cattle dog was the same way, and just wanted to work, work, work. He said she would also have a road trip now and then with him, but for the most part, will be working his cattle at home with him. So I get to meet him tomorrow. Will be meeting him in Ellensburg at the Perkins parking area. That way it makes it an easy place to meet, as I don't have a cell phone. And it's a large enough area for his rigs as well, and it's right next to I-90. Will let you know how the meet goes tomorrow.

 

[Pepper]

Good luck!! Keep us updated!

 

[foxthegoldfish]

ask lots of hard questions, i had so many problems rehoming Zephyr it was a mission and a half, try things like getting them to walk/ hold onto her when you first meet. see how they react to her, even when you want to help just dont to start with. you need to know they can handle her compleatly on their own.

ask aboout training methods, food, where she will sleep etc without giving them the answer eg not ' i feed her this brand will you feed the same one?' instead try ' what brand of dog food will you be feeding her?'

just some ideas, also try to exadurate the problems, you need to know they are really willing to train her/ work with her. and it also helps so that if they do take her they expect the worst.

this is how i found Zephyr the home of her dreams. hope they work out

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Another update, Betty will be staying with me for another week. The guy had something come up and had to cancel his run to Yakima with the horses, and will be doing it next weekend. So he's going to be meeting me next weekend in Moses Lake. Looks like I'm going to have to take Betty to the Agility Trials with me, along with the other girls. I really didn't want to do that, but these things happen. And we had another good talk tonight, sounds like they are going to be the perfect home for Betty. And he knows his cattle dogs, has been around them all his life working on the ranch. And he said another reason he's really interested in her is because of all the time and effort I've been giving her. And he also knows it's going to be tough for me as well, but knowing where she's going, it makes it a little easier knowing she's going to have a good life ahead of her.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Well, it's almost here. Tomorrow morning at 6:00am I'm meeting the guy, and he'll be taking Betty. It's really tough for me, but with knowing where she's going and the ability to actually reach her full potential, I'm happy for her. Even with all her issues, and the stress involved, she'll alway be in my heart. And I know she's going to a great home. The guy sounds terrific. Tomorrow when we meet, we'll be meeting his convoy of large trucks and horse trailers. When he picks her up, they will be heading to Yakima to drop off some horses, then on to Portland to drop more off, and then up to the Bellingham area to drop the rest off, then it's back to Montana. They have a convoy of 5 trucks and horse trailers. He says he can't wait to begin her training when he gets back. And I'm sure she'll be an extremely quick learner as well, it's just how she is. I've never had a dog that can learn things as fast as she can. Then after dropping her off, it's off to the Agility Trials where I'll be helping out. I'll have my other 2 with me as well, and have their crates with me. Going to be an interesting day.

 

[reynosa_k9's]

Wow, I know it must be so very difficult to place her with someone else but when you have the option to place her with a guy like that, well, there's just no saying "no". It sounds like Cattle Dog heaven.
I hope everyone is happy in the end.

Jihad
and the pound puppy crew.

 

[mostlymutts]

Look forward to hearing how the meeting went.
I hope it goes well for you both.

 

[MissMutt]

Hope it went well, LWB.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Well, I'm home now. 4am comes too early, lol. The meet went really well. Betty tried to get at his boots a couple times, but then with some treats, her eyes were all on him, lol. We walked around a bit as well, and showed him some of her tricks. He was totally amazed, said he's never had a dog before that could do so many tricks. He was really happy with her, and she drove off with him in his nice big luxury truck and horse trailer, lol. She's going to have an awsome life now, Cattle Heaven.

Oh, and forgot about the rest, we then went to the Agility Trials. It was a lot of fun. My first job was as the scribe runner. It was ok, lol. Then for the next 3 classes, I was a jump setter. Had a lot of fun with that. Got to see the dogs run the course, watch the handlers, as well as watched the judge. I learned a lot today. Not quite ready to be a score keeper yet though, lol. I also brought my camera, so I'll have some pics shortly, after I download them from the camera.

Once we got home, Nell went straight to the door. I opened it, and Nell searched the entire house for Betty. Then I went out to get more stuff out of the trunk, and she came out in the yard looking some more, then back into the house and searched the whole house again. I think she's really missing her. It's going to be a tough week for us, but it was for the best. She's going to be where she'll be very happy.

 

[MissMutt]

Glad it worked out. Will you keep in touch with the guy to get updates/pictures? That would be awesome.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Yup, he said he would stay in contact and send pics. I can't wait.

 

[melgrj7]

Sounds like she will be happy. Post updates when you get them.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I just got an email from him. He said their trip went well and took longer than he expected. But they are now home and she is settling in just fine. Good to hear they are doing really good.

 

[Thracian]

I'm glad she's settling in and that he's sending updates. I definitely want to hear how she's doing in future.

 

[Love's_Sophie]

I haven't been on in a while, but I am glad Betty found a new place; I bet she will have a blast out on that big ol' ranch!!!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I have a feeling that she's going to be a natural. She did well with the few classes she had with sheep, and he's going to be working with her on his cattle, and she's going to have work now for the rest of her life. She's going to be one happy cattle dog.