New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Inc.

Minnesota OES Rescue

We are happy to announce the addition of Zen to our household. Well, actually, John and I are happy, and Brie is still assessing the situation. After the last foster sheepdog left, she thought she had successfully trained us in her preference for siblings -- she must be treated as the "Princess of Everything" at all times.

Zen is a very big boy, 16 months old. His behavior was fine tuned by his foster mom, Nancy Hakala in Minnesota and he is a sweet and loving boy His journey from Minnesota to Connecticut was facilitated by Operation Roger, a volunteer organization of truckers, who pick up rescue dogs in one part of the country and take them to another (check
them out at www.operationroger.com <http://www.operationroger.com/ ). Zen traveled with Kathy and her personal two small dogs and got to stay in her living quarters on the truck. Kathy hauls giant loads of ice cream, Ben and Jerry's, Good Humor, Blue Bunny, Schwan's, YUM.

During his first week on the truck, Zen participated in a truckers jamboree in Iowa. Operation Roger had a display booth at the event and Zen was a "spokesmodel". He was very well behaved and was doted on by everyone who met him. Zen's transport East was dependent on what loads Kathy was assigned, after all, her job comes first. Kathy phoned Nancy and me every day with a status report on Zen. So about two weeks after
he left MN, Zen was due to arrive in southern NJ. Kathy thought she might get a load assigned that would take her closer to CT, but we were so anxious to meet Zen, we picked him up in Millville NJ.

So Zen has been here for two days. Unfortunately it has been raining almost constantly, so we haven't had the opportunity to show him the sights. We did lose power yesterday for 12 hrs. during a horrific thunder and lightning storm -- Zen didn't mind. So Zen and Brie (the resident Princess) are working out their positions in the family. Zen is already used to living with a deaf sheepie, so he may realize that Brie is bi-lateral deaf. Zen has met the 4 parrots and is interested but not in an obsessive way -- he did poke cranky Ali Macaw with his nose in a play gesture and he's lucky to have avoided a bite.

We are a very happy family and are delighted with Zen's personality andbehavior. Thanks to everyone involved in helping this adoption to happen!

I hope you can view and enjoy the collage below.

Fritzi Batchelor

        From Nancy Hakala in Minnesota   July 2006

Gertie

Nancy Sinatra -- Jessica Simpson -- Gertie

"These Boots Were Made for Walkin'!!"

 

'Ever seen a more bizarre "character cut"?!?!    I *do* have an *evil* foster mum!'  - Gertie

 

Maggie (hearing OES) laying her head on my lap.

 

Hey!  M' friend Gertie is fallin' asleep!  Will you give her a Red Bull, foster mum so we can plaaay?!?!

 

"You're m' best friend"  - Gertie and da' puppy

 

Puppy and the boy try Gertie's therapy pool.