Burn My Time
~Josh Houghtelin
Welcome Alley home.
Weighing in at 38.2lbs this is the latest addition to the family. Alley, our new sheepdog friend. I’ve been interested in getting a Collie for a while since we are settling down on property rather than living in a cramped apartment. I wanted a Shetland or Collie because my fondest memories of dogs are with a Sheltie (or) Collie my late grandma Houghtelin got when I was pretty young. It’s name was Dusty or Dustin if I remember correctly. Alley is actually a Border Collie/Aussie Sheep Hound Mix although you can never really be 100% sure what mix a non-purebred is.
We saved Alley (previously Annie) from the Human Society in Springfield, Missouri last Sunday (May 27th, 2007). Zippy, Stubby, Tori and I went together to the rescue to see if they had any collies when we found Alley. We were all a little reserved about bringing her home because she didn’t pay much attention to us and quickly ‘got away’ the first time we had her out. She was VERY VERY fast and immediately jumped a fence about three and a half feet tall. Fortunately she was respectful of our space and very pretty so I took her home anyway. Her attitude changed gears 180 degrees when we got her away from the rescue.
Already Alley is everything I remember in Dusty. A little flighty, LOVES to run and play but doesn’t like to be left alone much. She loves being around us at all times. She quickly chewed her first lead up to free herself from the tree she was attached to in Paul’s back yard today at work. She is much more content sitting next to Zippy in her office. Alley already knows a few basic commands like ‘come’, ’sit’, ’stay’, and she is quickly learning ‘lay down’. There are a few things we have to work on such as her unwillingness to go anywhere near a car and the fact that when she gets too excited out running around with me she will start barking and nipping at my legs. I’m not a sheep Alley! ^_^ She also seems to forget I exist when something moves and gets her attention. I’m not entirely sure how to break that habit but for now I just carry good treats in my pocket so she has more incentive to pay attention at times. I would hate to be the squirrel she spots though seeing as she can run faster than anything I’ve seen in a long time.
Since I haven’t had a dog for at least 5 years and rescued this 1 year old non-purebred I am more than open to suggestions & comments. Please feel free to start with the tips.
5 comments
i have no suggestions, but i just wanted to comment on how adorable she is! she kind of reminds me of my old collie mix…
anyway, if she is part border collie, beware! she’s probably really intelligent… as in, she’ll figure out how to open doors and cupboards soon. and, of course, figure out how to get her way most of the time.
i can only imagine the energy level a mix like that has… borders and aussies get bored really fast, just as an fyi. no ideas how to remedy that, but figured i might as well let you know. 
Sounds like your doing the right thing by her. Good job. Call again when you get the chance. Last time I was looking for some place and it was hard talking to you and looking and driving.
Posted by mhoughtelin, on May 31st, 2007, às 9:51 am. #.
Alley has a LOT of energy when we are outside running around but she is really good at putting the energy away when we come inside at home or at the office.
She is also very smart. It’ll be a test to see who can learn about the other faster between Alley and us. hehe.
Posted by Josh Houghtelin, on May 31st, 2007, às 9:54 am. #.
Aw! I want one.
Posted by jackie, on June 9th, 2007, às 1:56 pm. #.
