Five years ago we found ourselves in a situation where our two aging dogs had both developed symptoms of old age. Leica, our younger dog, was diagnosed with ingesting something which on exploratory surgery was found to be a growth which upon removal caused internal bleeding. That took her far too early for us. In looking for solutions to replace her, we found on the internet a little border collie in West Virgina.
We drove two hours to make our first visit to the shelter in Sisterville WV. Waiting in the visiting area, we saw a little black and white girl come in the door and slowly make her way around the room looking for attention. Our first thoughts were how adorable she was. But where was the rest of her? She was half the size of any other border collie we had ever seen. Her calm behavior and loving characteristics were critical in our choosing her.
The trip home was an uneventful evening with her sleeping on Sharon’s lap the entire two hours. Never a peep or need to poddy. She slept the entire way home. Once home she was quick to make the house her home.
She was a surrogate for our other ailing dog, Karenna. Whom had to be carried on walks or pushed in her wagon for long walks.
On a trip to Washington DC, we learned of Lorelia’s ability to talk. Wild as it might seem. I awoke early to take Karenna out to poddy. While dressing and preparing to take her out, I turned to Lorelia and told her that she was not going with us. To which she replied NO! I looked back at her sitting on the edge of the bed and repeated the statement. To which she replied NO, again. So yes, she went with us.
She started her dog training and progressed up through the Therapy Dog International certification. She continued her training to complete the public access training. She also trained in competition class and did well with it. We then took on two paths with her training a sports class and her public access training. The competition was not her thing, but she did do very well in the class.
Her second trip was to be again to West Virgina and Stonewall Resort. She was fun traveling around the lake. She even learned to swim with her mom. It was more of a wade out into the shallow and float. But it was a start. Her mom then went to set her up for swimming lessons. She, of course, did well, but her mom insisted on getting her a swimming vest and more classes.
The swimming lessons were for a trip to Maine where we traveled the length of the state and found a love for Lobster. Now when she celebrates a holiday, she gets Lobster too eat.
She managed to visit Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Mystic, and Lyme that Summer.
She has met several tv stars, Betty White, Gary Cole, Wendie Malick, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Tim Kane. She has been to some plays and concerts as well. Peter Gaberial and Sting, Hamilton, Kinky Boots, “The Spoils” by Jesse Eisenberg, with Kunal Nayyar, and ‘An Act of God,’ With Jim Parsons.
She is quite active with her mom. Aiding her in traveling and general getting around. She has flown across the country six times and once to St Thomas.