New Aussie Mama

by Rebecca Grider
(Iron Mountain, MI)

Well, we've just had our Aussies 2 days. 2 weeks ago, we had to have our 12/13 year old Border Collie, Shakespeare, put to sleep, and didn't plan to get another pet for a few months. Well, the Humane Society is on our drive home, and I decided to drop by for some pet "therapy"... And there were the 2 most beautiful Aussies... brother and sister. They were rescued from what I understand to be pretty filthy conditions. One of the shelter workers said that they believe that the brother was used as "training bait" to teach other dogs how to attack... makes me sick...

These two are the biggest loves! It's funny to watch them interact with one another... last night I think the brother (Tybalt - Shakespeare name) must've found a sore or something on his sister's (Ophelia) head, because he proceeded to lick and lick and drool all over the spot... she tolerated quite well. This morning Tybalt caught his reflection in a full-length mirror, and was growling at his reflection... I tried to stand next to him so maybe he'd get the idea, but he didn't... had to cover the mirror...

While they are not crazy about being crate-trained, and learning a few house manners, they are already a great addition to our family. I feel like we're honoring our Shakespeare's memory by adopting these two...