9/27/09
 
Ava came into foster care on 9/25/09. The first thing her foster mom did was get this girl to the vet because she was in pretty rough shape. Ava was miserable with an itchy skin condition that we suspected might be mites. This has caused considerable hair loss all over her body. We had a skin scraping done and it is not mites. Probably an allergic reaction to the fleas she was infested with. She is on steroids and 2 prescription medicated shampoos. She is already experiencing some relief. Ava also had a growth on her front elbow which was making it almost impossible for her to walk. The vet determined it was not a growth or tumer, but is an abcess that formed as a result of a traumatic injury to her elbow such as banging it on concrete. It was filled with fluid and bood. The vet aspirated it to relieve the pressure and took a sample of the fluid to test it. She will be on an antibiotic for six weeks to get rid of any infection from it.  
 
Ava's story is a puzzle to us and she is a dog that has contradictary characteristics. Ava was an owner surrender to the shelter. The story given to the shelter was the family was moving out of state and could not take her with. However given the condition that Ava was in it is obvious she was not a well cared for beloved family pet of 7 years that they had to leave behind. Her outward physical appearance suggests she was neglected. She has the skin condition that caused the awful hair loss and terrible itchiness. She was infested with fleas. She had the untreated injury to her elbow. All her elbow joints are heavily calloused which is suggestive of her living in a concrete kennel. She was spayed by the shelter and it is obvious that she has had puppies.  
 
The flip side of Ava is she is a good weight for her size at 29 pounds. Her eyes are clear. Her teeth are in excellent shape and very clean. She likes people and will greet you calmly for petting. She will stand and allow you to handle her all over. She responds to collar pressure and walks very well on the leash. She will respond to a kiss and come to you. She is housebroke. She has a good food drive and takes treats VERY gently. She is a beautiful classic border collie with a great temperament despite all she has been through.  
 
Based on our experience and the facts-here is Ava's story that makes sense. Ava was groomed to be a conformation show dog. She may have competed in her younger days. She was then used for breeding and had at least one litter. With her advancing age now that she is 7 she was getting too old for breeding. She no longer was useful and was dumped at a kill shelter.  
 
Poor Ava wants nothing more than a soft bed to lay on and a gentle hand to stroke her. She will make someone a wonderful companion for many years to come. She is a sweetheart with a lot of potential who just wants to be loved.  
 
We will be posting updates on Ava's progress. For more information on Ava please email her foster mom at Riverwoods1@msn.com Ava is fostered in NE Illinois. If you would like to make a donation to help with Ava's medical care please do so on the home page by clicking on the donate button.

She has intense focus. When she was focused on the cat-was able to get a good picture. Her intense stare was more suggestive of a herding desire and not a "I want to kill the cat" desire. I believe she would make a great herding dog.

Hi Cheryl,  
 
 
Thank you for the photo's and your e-mails today.  Ralph and Ava and I have had a busy couple of days.  We just came in from outside about 30 minutes ago and Ava and Ralph had their dinner.  They are both snoozing on their cushions right now.  They are great playmates and have had a wonderful time playing chase in the back yard.  Ava and the kitties are still trying to figure each other out.  The two older cats understand how to relate to her, but the youngster (Porter) is still not sure what to think.  Ava has met a few of the neighbors and the two girls that come over to let Ralph out when I'm at work.  They both were very excited to meet her and Ava loved meeting both of them.   She had a bath this morning and didn't seem to mind that at all.  We have an appointment this Friday to meet my vet so she will be checked over again.  
 
 
I introduced Ava to a contractor that has been doing some masonry work on the house here.  He has had Labs and Border Collies over the years too and has a farm.  When I told him about Ava he couldn't believe that someone would just dump a dog like her.  He is hoping to find a smooth coat BC sometime in the future, so I will keep looking on the website to see what dogs are available.  He and his wife live on a farm and are in their early 60's.  Maybe we can get a few Border Collies adopted out here in the Washtenaw County area!  
 
 
Hope you are doing well.  (Especially after Ralph pulled you over!)  It was very nice meeting you on Saturday.  I'll keep you posted on Ava and send a few pictures sometime soon.  
 
 
All the best,
 
 
Bonnie