Aeon came to us as one of our "senior citizens" at the age of nine.  These wonderful older dogs can make absolutely satisfying pets for homes with big hearts.  And that was what we fortunately found for Aeon.  Aeon lost his home because his owners had a baby and the great dog that had lived happily with them since puppyhood "had to go."  Aeon was very depressed at first in foster care, but totally lit up when he met that "right" adopter.  He was a much loved and valued family companion until he passed on from a cancer-related condition (not from old age!) more than three years later.  His family has since generously adopted a second ARPH foster dog, Reese, who is a very lucky girl to be also sharing this great home.

Angel came to us from a situation where her owners no longer had time for her.  We found after bringing her into foster that she did not tolerate other dogs well and that she would need a home where she could be the only pet.  It wasn't easy to find that for Angel,  but her foster home was very patient and finally we did have a family apply that had just recently lost a much-loved Aussie with the same issues.  So they understood her needs.  Angel settled in fine to her new home and has continued to be an "Angel."

Bella was purchased not as a pet, but for for-profit backyard breeding -of a breed that the owners had no experience with.  She was said to be "hard to manage" and to "not get along with other dogs."  After the very difficult delivery of her first litter of puppies, her owners realized that this was not an easy way to make money and fortunately signed her over to us.  After spaying, what we found was an unusually sweet girl that got along great with all other animals - and with every person she met.  Bella is now living happily in Nova Scotia with the nicest of families and a beautiful border collie "brother."

Beau was surrendered to a shelter at 5 years old for the "crime" of ripping a child's snowsuit while chasing sleds down the hill.  Beau is rather obsessed with chasing spraying snow, splashing water, Frisbees, squirrels, shovels and occasionally the family cat; nothing that can’t be handled safely with a bit of mindfulness and a leash when it is needed.  Beau lucked into an active family, and is now a master hiking dog.  He has climbed some of the tallest peaks in New England! Beau has completed 2 levels of obedience training, achieved his Canine Good Citizen Certificate, loves to learn agility, and regularly demonstrates beginner obedience and agility at local canine educational events. These days he is learning cani-cross and skijoring.

Amos--For the first year of his life, Amos lived in a puppy mill.  He was sold to a backyard breeder at the age of one, and sired a litter shortly thereafter.  His new owners decided that this unsocialized Aussie had too many issues, and turned him over to ARPH at age 2.  In his foster home he was initially scared of everything, had no muscle tone, and had the manners of an overgrown puppy.  He is now in his second level of obedience class with his new home, working on achieving his Canine Good Citizen Certificate.  He will be a hiking dog and is learning cani-cross and skijoring.

Banjo's first home was at a children's day care and when he had to leave because of insurance issues, he was hugged by a group of toddlers who were very sad to see him go and decorated him with Mardi Gras beads for the occasion.  Banjo came to us with a great disposition, but very overweight and underexercised.  His new owner trimmed him down and he quickly earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate.  Banjo continues to work on obedience and has been the star of rescue parades at dog shows.  His hobbies include running on the beach and dressing up in silly costumes for Halloween.

Dudley is a big high-energy boy that spent most of the first three years of his life tied out on a short chain in a small backyard with no attention and no shelter even during the worst of Maine winters.  But what Dudley proved was that, though socialization is unquestionably important for young dogs, handicaps can be overcome when a dog with a sound temperament is given that second chance.  Dudley has since become one of the most impressively well-behaved and trained dogs you could ever meet - and one of the friendliest and most outgoing.  No one would ever guess what Dudley's start in life was like.

Clancy was a high-energy adolescent from strong herding lines who came to us after his naïve owners left him in their new SUV for six hours and reported that "he ate our car."  When left alone & loose in their house for eight hours he also ate a coffee table, dining table legs, a couch, and "everything."  What a surprise!  Clancy is now living on a large farm in New Brunswick with lots of goats, cats, horses, and other Aussies.  Getting loads of exercise - and no longer lunching on furniture. 

Cooper--Cooper started his life on a working farm where an unwanted litter was produced by accident.The farmers were wise enough to realize they did not have the time or energy to find the right homes for these herding pups, but that ARPH would be quite able to find homes for them. Shy, skinny, and dull-coated, these pups had a host of problems, not limited to massive tapeworm loads, hook worm, and mange. The litter first went to a veterinarian for evaluation where one was kept due to an incurable
and overwhelming case of irresistible. The remaining three, including Cooper, left by private jet heading to the Aussie Nationals event where they would find a ride to Maine and be fostered by ARPH volunteers. After his adoption, Cooper spent the next couple of months working on his nutrition and attending obedience classes. He continued to become stronger and even cuter! Now Cooper is a well-loved, healthy, happy, shiny, very funny and cute agility dog in training. And he sleeps right next to his owner's bed – that is, when he is not in it.

Dexter This adorable little red merle came to us at six years of age when, again, his owners couldn't manage their toddler, jobs, a new house, and an Aussie.  Common story.  Dexter was one of those Aussies that just gets along with everyone and everything with a more modest level of exercise than most, and who was suitable for placement in a more urban environment.  He is now living happily in Portland and goes everywhere with his loving owner.  Dog parks, running with groups of college students, shopping - Dexter has a busy social schedule and charms everyone he meets.

Flick is a beautiful, almost show quality, classic blue merle Aussie boy.  He had been given as a puppy by a breeder to a young girl involved in agility.  Unfortunately the teenaged owner's family had to sell their house due to financial problems and move into a "no pets allowed" apartment.  So we took Flick in, changed his name, and found him a great home.  Flick now accompanies his ARPH-volunteer owner on home visits with people applying to adopt an Aussie from us.  He has also been "Mr. January" on a fund-raising calendar.  Even though temperament is always more important than looks, this is an example of what a rescue dog can look like! 

Rocket--We will never understand why Rocket was found as a stray.  This was a lovely young dog that any breeder would have been proud to have produced, with a spectacular flashy red coat, and the most outgoing & friendly of temperaments.  Both the shelter that first took Rocket in, then our group, tried hard to find the original owner but no one claimed this beautiful guy.  This should demonstrate the fundamental importance of microchipping.  After neutering, we found a great home for Rocket where he is running every day with his very proud new owner who is interested in learning freestyle obedience (dancing with dogs) with his flashy new boy.

Zico,once Rocket, but now named very appropriately after a Brazilian soccer star, arrived in rescue at ten months of age after being in three different homes due to his overwhelming energy level and exuberance.  His owner loved him - and it showed in his sunny attitude - but lived in a city with many children, a job with long hours, and had no time and no resources to deal with an out-of-control over-the-top adolescent herding dog.  Zico had to be one of the bounciest boys we've ever seen - but also one of the most good natured.  And what a face!  Irresistable to anyone with a sense of humor.  Zico is now living on a big farm in Vermont with loads of room to run and with an owner who has a lot of experience with, and tolerance for, entertaining young Aussies.

Roo started life in a puppy mill, was owned by someone who apparently - from evidence of the permanent damage to his throat and larynx - tied him out on a choke collar, and was then dumped in a shelter where this very shy little guy could not cope.  The shelter called us immediately and we rushed over to pick up a very frightened little dog who was shivering nonstop from fear and stress.  After time to calm down with quiet and patient foster care, Roo turned out to be just the sweetest little guy.  Roo now lives in a beautiful oceanfront house in Nova Scotia and visits frequently with his best buddy, Clancy, in New Brunswick.

Rosie came to us in the worst condition of any dog we have ever taken in - and that covers a lot of sad cases.  She had no hair from shoulders to rear legs and her skin was thick with crusted flea eczema.  Rosie was covered with fleas outside, parasites inside, was pathetically skinny, and was of unknown age.  But she was also heartbreakingly sweet and just so anxious to be loved.  This lovely red tri started her life as a breeding dog in a puppy mill and had been the mom of litter after litter.  During her journey back to health we also found that she had very bad hips.  But, again, about the sweetest of dispositions.  We were committed to just keeping her for life but then we had an adopter with a big heart who applied specifically for "a handicapped dog that no one else wants."  Wow!  So Rosie found that special home.  Her coat is now full and shiny, she is happy & bouncy, and Rosie runs three miles every morning with the most loving of owners - and her beautiful muscle tone is helping those hips.  She's one lively little handful of an Aussie - and her wonderful owners are being rewarded for their generosity by one totally dedicated and focused girl!  This is the kind of success story that keeps all of us going.