In October 2006 Houston Sheltie Sanctuary rescued a two-year-old small bi-blackSheltie that was on the schedule to be euthanized that same day at a local animal shelter. Because of his poor health and weighing only nine pounds with severe muscle atrophy, a large wound in his side, and an upper respiratory infection there was little chance he would ever be adopted. Having worked with malnourished Shelties before I then volunteered to foster Laird so he could begin his rehab and begin the road to recovery. During this time Laird Bear as I started calling him totally won my me over with his heart, personality and crazy antics and in November officially adopted him.
Fast forward four years and after an early retirement found me no longer traveling and working decided to see what K-9 agility was all about. At that time, I knew nothing about the sport or how it worked just knew this was something I wanted to do and that Laird would be perfect for it. Unfortunately, two different trainers explained it would be a waste of my time to continue working with Laird as he did not have drive and at six years of age he was just too old to start agility. Unconvinced and not ready to give up spent the next two years working with some truly great people on building his confidence, drive and agility skills. Something inside me kept telling me this little guy would be special.
On December 29th 2012 at eight-years-old Laird entered his first USDAA trail and with the coaching help of Giuliana Lund he blasted off the start line and has never looked back. He has been the perfect teammate as we have traveled all over the US competing and has a long list of accomplishments from podium finishes at regional events to being in the Performance Grand Prix finals at the Cynosport World Games. In 2015 he was in the Performance Top Ten for Master Challenge Jumpers and Standard and recently earned his Diamond Tournament Master title.
At 13 years young this will be his fifth and final Cynosports World Games as we look forward to his well deserved retirement. If I can add anything it is never give up just go with what’s in your heart. It’s never too late to start working with your dog and working with a rescue dog is the most rewarding experience. Laird had a second chance on life and I was the winner as he has taught me so much and taken us so far.
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Photo Credits: Great Dane Photos
Photo Credits: Great Dane Photos