New member

[Wasi]

Good morning everyone!

 

My name is Terri, and I'm the part-time mom to Wasi, an approximately 12 year old female BC. Technically Wasi is my parents' dog, but since I live next door and have two dogs of my own, I definitely see more of Wasi then they do!

 

Wasi is the perfect dog, as long as the weather is nice! She has done some considerable damage to my folks' home trying to get out during T-storms (if she's home alone). Once out, she runs. I guess she's trying to escape? We're trying some anti-anxiety meds to try to at least prevent her from hurting herself (you should see what she did to the wire crate we tried).

 

But other than that, she really is perfect. She was found on the side of the road (Wasi Road, hence the name) by my dad, half frozen in a snow bank, a little over 7 years ago. Since no one replied to the posters he put up, she stayed! We live out in the country in northern Ontario and Wasi spends most of her days starring at the ball, willing it to move! She's quite large for a BC (a pudgy 58lbs now, but normal normal is 53lbs), but she's all BC!

 

I have two pups of my own - a 3 year old American Eskimo and a 6 year old Samoyed/collie mix. All three love each other and play very well together. Wasi comes on our walks with us every day (we go at least 3 times each day) and on our hikes through the snowmobile trails. Wasi has a great life - when she's bored of my mom, she just cuts through the bush and ends up at my place!

 

Well, that's it! I just wanted to say "hi"! I've been snooping around for a few days and have really enjoyed reading about everyone's pups and all the crazy adventures! If I can figure out the picture posting, I'll try to post one! Though it's near impossible to get a photo of Wasi - she's terribly camera shy.

[Ms.DaisyDuke]

Welcome! She's a pretty old girl and bless your folks for saving her!!!

 

BTW, where in norther ontario are you from....I grew up there (as vast as it actually is)!

[Wasi]

I live just outside of North Bay, on 47 acres of bush! My parents are about 1/4 mile down the road.

[juliepoudrier]

Welcome! Yes, noise sensitivity/thunderphobia is fairly common in border collies (common enough that a genetic study is being funded to see if a genetic basis can be found for thunderphobia). Trying anti-anxiety meds is a good idea. Whatever you do, be sure that the vet (and a veterinary behaviorist would be your best choice if you can find one nearby) doesn't prescribe acepromazine. This does nothing to relieve a dog's anxiety during a storm and in fact might increase it because the dog will still sense everything that makes it afraid, but will be effectively "paralyzed" and so unable to react. Ask for something like prozac or diazepam. That way, you can work on altering her response to storm noises because the meds will make her feel more "mellow" during the event rather than just making her unable to move. If she breaks out of crates and there is someone generally at home anyway, then the best option (along with anti-anxiety meds) would be to keep her leashed and with you (or your mother) during storms. It's heartbreaking the number of times we see "lost dog" notices where the dog ran away during a storm.

 

She's a pretty girl!

 

J.

[Ms.DaisyDuke]

I live just outside of North Bay, on 47 acres of bush! My parents are about 1/4 mile down the road.

 

I'm from Dryden...my dad frequently goes to North Bay, his life long friends own a tourist camp around there somewhere.

[ShoresDog]

She sure is pretty! Lucky Wasi to be found by your parents and have you and your pups nearby. She can join the "Side of the Road" club along with Lady Belle, Scout, and Little Bit, who are DixiesDad's dogs.

 

There's a sticky at the beginning of the Gallery section describing how to post pictures. I think it's very convenient to upload them to Photobucket and then put them here by way of the picture link. I'd love to see pictures of your other dogs with Wasi too. My daughter has a Sammy -- Sibe cross who is a wonderful, wonderful dog, always smiling.

 

Alprazolam is a tranquilizer that can be prescribed for noise phobic dogs on Fourth of July or when a thunderstorm is imminent.

[Wasi]

My first dog, Cassie (the AED), was a street stray from Hamilton ON. She's still pretty nasty at times, but her good side has truly won me over! Buddy, the Samoyed/collie (best guess, anyways) mix is the happiest dog. So easy!

 

Well, only since someone asked! Here are a couple of pics of my dogs too...

 

Buddy:

 

Cassie:

 

Wasi:

 

I have plenty of pics of her with her head hiding behind something, or of her running away, but it's so hard to get her to look at a camera!