Australian Cattle Dogs, also called Blue Heelers, are smart. Ten-month-old, spayed Starbucks is ready to demonstrate that. The spark in her eyes, her attentive expression, the way Starbucks watches and analyzes indicate her potential. That means that Starbucks needs to live with someone who appreciates and understands her.

Canine psychologist, Dr. Stanley Corin, says Heelers possess all three forms of canine intelligence. They’re obedient, learning new commands in five repetitions and obeying 95 % of the time. They have instinctive intelligence. They know to nip the heels of cattle they’re herding. And they have adaptive intelligence. They solve problems.

But brilliance brings challenges. Starbucks needs stimulation and attention. Even if she’s smart enough to operate a remote control, Starbucks could never be a couch potato.

Her original owners would be amazed to see Misfit. They expected her to die. When she was tiny, her people left Misfit and her brother Little Bit on a curb. The people probably didn’t even get out of their car. They dropped the kittens, who stayed where they landed. They were too helpless to move.

That was the first good luck in those kittens’ lives. They couldn’t toddle into the street, and they were where children, trained in kindness, spotted them. The children carried the dying kittens to their home.

There, with kids, cats, a dog, and guinea pigs, Misfit and Little Bit survived and thrived. Now the six-month-old, altered kittens are perfectly socialized. However, their interim house is overwhelmingly full. They need forever homes.

If someone meets Lady Bug now, she won’t look nearly as terrified as she does in this three-week-old photo.  Of course, Lady Bug, in her 10-month-old, intelligent, puppy mind, had reasons to show trepidation then.  She’d lived with her mother and eight other pups her whole life, in one place, meeting few people.

Then, with no reason that Lady Bug could fathom, she was scooped up and stashed in a small, in comparison to her previous range, kennel.  There were new people everywhere and there were former puppy companions missing.

The changes in Lady Bug show the pup’s amazing ability to adapt and to trust and love.  Now Lady Bug doesn’t cringe at people.  She endearingly wags, hoping her courage will win her a home.

Click here to read Part 1 of Lady Bug’s story.

At first, Harley, a bronze, two-year-old, neutered Miniature Pincher, was terrified.  The shelter was nothing like home, a place where he was his person’s beloved companion.  Harley was the companion who was there, even when he noticed his person’s abilities changing.  The pup would have helped more if he could, but Harley could only offer comforting.

Eventually, that wasn’t enough.  Harley’s person went to a care facility.  Harley went to a shelter kennel.  Appalled, Harley grieved.  But he’s intelligent and adaptable.  He had to be, as his person failed.  Now he’s applied that learning at the shelter.

The staff says, “He’s everyone’s new best friend. He’s great with other dogs, kids and cats.”  Harley can learn.  He already knows the core lesson:  how to love.

 

Arne meets every requirement to be the perfect pet kitten.  Of course, he’s cute and soft and funny and friendly.  But Arne has some other circumstances and qualities that make him a better choice than some other kittens.  Arne is five months old.  He’s still a baby, but Arne is old enough to show who he’ll be forever.

The kitten’s personality is formed and ready to be experienced.  Too often, people select a pet without knowing how that pet will behave, whether he’s calm and cuddly, a playful acrobat or a blend.  Any personality is perfect, with the right family.

Arne is also neutered.  The new rule is “feline fix by five [months]”.  That means Arne is prepared to be someone’s well-mannered baby boy forever.