Beautiful, untrained, Sheltie boy Bridger is under a year with lots of sugar for a human companion.

Bridger, who we were told was often called Jimmy, (he seems to respond to both names) was turned over to us by his owners who, to their credit, realized he needed more time, training, and attention than they could give him.  These owners had gotten Bridger in August, from another family.  Nobody worked with Bridger and he is rightfully worried that he doesn't know what to do that will make us happy with him --- because he's not trained.  He needs our help and yours, to help him learn.  My guess is that he's about 10 months old.  Bridger is a gentle boy who will need a gentle touch.  It appears that someone may have either been rough with him or yelled a lot at him - probably out of frustration.  That's what happens when you expect dogs to just automatically become trained without any work or commitment on your part.  We say that humans are more intelligent than dogs and yet we ask dogs to learn English --- they have to learn what SIT, DOWN, WAIT, HERE, and lots of other words, mean.  We don't learn how to bark these commands at them or even how to talk to them in their own language, do we?

Bridger has a very sweet temperament to go along with that sweet face.  Although he can race around like a banshee (or puppy - which he is) he is very happy, ecstatic even, to lay next to you on the couch, quietly.  He was fed Purina.  It's possible that he needed a higher quality diet along with attention to training to help him become the handsome, well-behaved, Sheltie-boy that he will certainly be one day.  He has all the potential to be this well behaved boy in the near future if someone puts in the time and gives him the attention he needs.  Sheltie Rescue puts up the funds to feed Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, Wellness, Nature's Variety, and other premiium brands like these to help these canine kids recover from their pasts and continue on to live a long, healthy, life.

The day that Bridger arrived at Sheltie Rescue I noticed, within hours, that he started coughing.  We had him in a crate, in my husband's office where my husband was working and keeping an eye on Bridger.  We do this to give him a chance to watch and get to know the other dogs here and to give us a chance to watch him and see how he's doing before moving on to another step.  This was an extremely fortunate situation in the case of Bridger because shortly after noticing that he was coughing (kennel cough was a very low probability because he came from a home where he lived inside with just one other, older dog) I noticed a red spot on the pad in his crate.  It couldn't be anything other than blood.  Within 30 minutes there was another spot of blood.  Luckily I already had an appointment at Cottonwood Animal Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT for two other Shelties.  I brought Bridger with us and he was seen first.  While in the waiting area he threw up a large amount of very red blood.

When they took Bridger to take blood for a panel, to see if it would show an infection or what was going on with him, they couldn't get him to stop bleeding after they removed the needle (for extracting blood)!  As they worked to stop the bleeding they began to suspect that he might've gotten into some D-Con or other mouse poison or rat poison.  I called his owners who had dropped him off at our home only hours earlier.  Some people were suspicious that they knew he was having some sort of medical problem but couldn't deal with it.  I don't believe that.  As I talked to them through several calls we discussed what was going on, how he might have ingested mouse poison or rat poison, and how they should be checking on their other dog to be sure she didn't eat the same stuff.  Debbie Cartisano, our vet, came into the exam room and told me that they were going to treat him for rat poisoning and were starting with what would be the first of two transfusions of plasma.  She told me she wasn't sure if we were in time to save him, or not.  What a rough night that was for us.  Thankfully, he made it and based on his response to the treatment we were able to deduce that somehow he had gotten into and eaten the mouse or rat poison. 

Bridger is now home and on Vitamin K to continue his recuperation.  He will be re-tested to make sure his clotting factors remain normal.  He's certainly an active puppy and acting very healthy with no signs of any illness. If we hadn't noticed the symptoms and gotten him to the vet as quickly as we did he would have died.  If he had been dropped off at a shelter, he would have died, without a doubt.

Right now we're working on housetraining with Bridger although if we had the time, we'd try to work on some basic commands.  He does know SIT a little bit.  He now knows that if he goes into his crate when I call him to "Go to Your Room" that he will get a YUMMY treat!  He is not a difficult to train puppy at all.  He's a sweetie who needs some sweet, patient people to love him and spoil him with gentle affection and training.

Bridger sleeps in a crate in our bedroom right next to my side of the bed.  He can easily see me.  At first he protested about this a bit.  One day, when he's completely trustworthy on his housetraining, he'll be wonderful to cuddle in bed with and he will be in heaven to be there with you.  So far, Bridger has not been much of a chewer but --- beware and never forget that he did somehow get into some poison and ate it. 

As soon as we're sure that Bridger's blood is clotting normally we will schedule a neuter for this handsome Sheltie-boy.  Once neutered, he will be available for adoption.

If you'd like more information on Bridger or are interested in adopting him please go to the Sheltie Rescue of Utah website at http://SheltieRescueUT.org and register and fill out our 3 part Application for Adoption.  Bridger's adoption fee is $400.00.  One day Bridger is going to be the best friend you always wished for...a very precious gift that life brought your way.  If you'd like to call, you can reach us at 801-942-4762.  Video of Bridger is coming soon.

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Is Not Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Somewhat vocal, Does Good in the Car, Cratetrained, Likes to play with toys, Likes to be in your lap, Obedient, Playful, Affectionate, Eager To Please, Intelligent, Gentle