Success Stories!

After our beloved German-Shepherd mix Teri died at the age of 14, our family seemed lost without the love and companionship a wonderful dog provides.  We spent several months researching different breeds of dogs, and finally decided that an Australian Shepherd was the right fit for us.  We also decided that going through a rescue foundation was the only way to go.  Giving a second chance to a beautiful and loving animal felt like the right thing to do.  After extensive looking on the internet, we happened upon the website for Wyoming Australian Shepherd Rescue.  Seeing all the beautiful dogs there made our choice difficult, but we knew we were in the right place.

 In approximately September of 2002, we contacted Annette regarding one of the dogs on her website.  A couple of weeks later Molly (red-tri) came to live with us.  Molly had been through some hard times, and was extremely shy and underweight when we got her.  After some initial “settling in” issues, she realized that she was finally in her forever home, and that no one would love her like our family could.  She started putting on weight and her true playful and dedicated personality came shining through.  She even loved our cats!  Our sons (then 11 and 1) doted on Molly and they became the best of friends.  It was if she had been with us always.

 Soon, mom was back on the internet and spotted Sadie (blue merle) on Wyoming Australian Shepherd Rescue website.  Of course, it was decided that Molly needed a playmate, and we contacted Annette again.  Within days, Sadie became a part of our family.  Again, Sadie was a dog that had faced neglect and abuse, and had not been given the love and care she so desperately needs and deserves.  With 2 active boys and a stay-at-home mom at home, there was no danger of her missing out on anything!  She is a beautiful dog with a gentle and loving nature that has made her an integral part of our everyday lives.

How anyone could neglect or abuse these beautiful animals will always be a mystery to us, but in a way I’m almost thankful, because it has given our family the unique opportunity to have them in our lives and show them how life should be.  We will be forever grateful to all that Annette and those who work so tirelessly with her do for these amazing dogs.  Aussies are the best family dogs and will return all the love they receive.  If ever again in the future we are looking to add to our little zoo (now 2 dogs, 3 cats, a turtle, and 2 hamsters), you can be guaranteed that Annette will be our first call! 

THIS IS TRULY A SUCCESS STORY!!!

The Garrett Family, Thornton, CO

After loosing our 11 year old Border Collie "Cody" to cancer last February, my wife and I were lost.  We knew we would eventually want to get another Border Collie but were afraid there wasn't another dog that would measure up to the experience we had with Cody.  We began looking but just couldn't find a dog that was right for us.  We were afraid that if we took on a rescue dog we might get a dog with too many problems.  This thinking was sort of silly considering that Cody was a rescue from an animal shelter.  Annette called me one day and suggested I take a look at a dog that I had previously discounted based on its picture and description on her web site.  Her name was "Lucy" and she was being fostered locally.  I called the foster person and arranged to "borrow" Lucy for the weekend.  I figured it would be nice to have Lucy's company for the weekend and then return her Sunday evening.  Well, I picked Lucy up and immediately noticed she was a much more beautiful dog than her pictures had revealed.  She was a delight to be around and within 24 hours there was no way this dog was going back.  She fit in with us like she had been with us her whole life.  She was everything we wanted in a dog.  She is affectionate, playful, and gets along great with our cat.  We take her everywhere with us, she loves to go and is always well behaved.  Thanks Annette for helping to bring this sweet girl into our lives.  Our Veterinarian says she's extremely healthy and we look forward to many years with her by our side.

~Scott & Peggy Tomsovic

After losing his 14 year old poodle last fall, my father had a lonely winter without her.  In the spring he felt ready to get a new companion and asked me to help him find another dog.  He wanted one that had good house manners to please my mother who was a bit apprehensive about committing to another dog.  He also wanted a dog that would be at his side giving him companionship all day long.

I knew that Wyoming Australian Shepherd Rescue was the place to find him the perfect canine friend since Annette had found us our wonderful dog just months before.  I noticed Faye on the web site and emailed Annette to ask if she thought it would be a good match.

A week later Faye was united with my parents.  She is the perfect dog for them! She follows my father everywhere, is obedient, and doesn’t need a leash.  She loves to play frisbee and ball and came to them totally house trained.  Thanks Annette for bringing Faye into our family.  My parents love Faye and could never have found her without you.

~Joy Benson

Rio is doing absolutely wonderfully. He settled into ranch life immediately with his friend "Jake," a border collie. They are the happiest dogs on earth!  Turned out that Rio has excellent herding skills, he is a total natural, and even though our two Aussies were bred specifically for ranch life, Rio has surpassed them easily. He LOVES to ride the four wheeler with Grandma and won't get off if it's parked in the yard in case she tries to sneak away without him.  He loves to ride in the feed truck also, he is very well behaved and just lays down and naps.  Both Jake and Rio have brought new life down at the ranch, the Grandparents get them involved in everything, even when the boys are really in the way, but they are very loved and well cared for. We were so lucky to find Rio, Grandma has decided he's really a "llamadile" half llama and half crocodile, due to his desire to touch everything with his mouth. We also think he has the butt of a llama....Any way, I still have pictures to send, his coat looks beautiful and fluffy. I'll try to get on that. Take care and thanks again.

~Gill Sears
4W Ranch.

I just wanted to give you an update on Ray (we call him Rio). We have had him a year now. He is such a great dog and we couldn't be any happier with him. I ride and he hikes 3 or 4 times a week from the ranch in the foothills of the San Fernando Valley. He was the super star of his obedience class and we start agility in a couple of weeks. The class instructor said he already does things even her dogs won't do. He loves the water and he will wade in his little pool or a horse water for hours. We have a little cocker that loves to swim in the big pool and Rio jumps in on the stairs and chases him around the pool until they are both exhausted. Once again thank you for saving him from the shelter and bringing him into our lives. I thought I would never find another dog to love as much as my beloved Flash, but Rio is such a special dog and he is finding his own special place in my heart!!

Have a wonderful summer,
Trudy Wolfe

Timmy (now known as "Sparky") was deemed unadoptable by an animal shelter because of his shyness and the fact that he was black and plain.  Following is a letter and photo from his new, happy family...

I hope the Holiday Season is being good to you.  Wow!!!  Our Family is so busy. I must apologize for not getting back to you sooner.  I'll keep this short.  Sparky is doing great!  I promised you some photos and have attached them.  I'll write again when things slow down a bit.  Keep up the very important work you're doing.  I for one can say you made one dog, and one family, very happy.
Todd, Donna, Katie and Sparky