Sassy’s Story – The Collie No One Wanted
by the Collie Rescue Network

Sassy was a 10-year-old girl who was abandoned at a small Ontario shelter and never claimed. When her name was added to the euthanasia list the shelter manager called Collie Rescue Network to see if we could take this old girl in and give her one more chance. We picked her up a few days later and were horrified to see that she was literally skin and bones at almost half her ideal body weight. Sassy had been physically abused and any quick movements towards her would see her drop to the floor and cower. When you tried to pat her head she would scrunch up her eyes and duck until she realized you were not going to hurt her. Loud noises would send her running and leave her shaking with fear. She was terrified of the broom, anyone raising their hands or arms or loud voices.

Sassy had ten whole years to learn that people mean to hurt her and living means pain. She’d lived a life where being hungry is normal, feeling sick is standard and being hurt is commonplace. Her teeth and gums were so infected that chewing much of anything made her gums bleed and she was so weak that she slept more than the laziest collie could ever dream of doing. Her legs gave out from under her in the middle of a walk some days because no one had ever cared enough about her to help ease the pain of her arthritic joints.

Sassy had ten years to know deep down in her heart that she was the collie that no one wanted.

And then everything changed. Sassy came to live in a foster home with Collie Rescue Network where she was given nutritious food, had her rotting teeth pulled and had her gums sewn where the infection was eating away at them. Her aches and pains were soothed, her coat was slowly brushed and cleaned and most importantly, she was loved. Every day Sassy was hugged and kissed and told that she was the prettiest girl in the world. When something frightened her there was someone to sit with her and quietly tell her that things will be okay; to tell her that no matter what else happens she will never be hurt again.

Sassy took almost nine weeks to recover and blossom into the happy and confident dog we knew she could be. At the end of her recovery there was a wonderful woman named Cindy who wanted to take Sassy home and love her for the rest of her life. Sassy now lives in Toronto with Cindy where she is loved, adored, and pampered, just like she has always dreamed. She has a backyard and a doggie pillow and her very own collar and leash. She goes for walks and car rides and she is part of the family. Sassy finally knows in her heart that she is the collie that someone wanted.