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| Name: |
Zorro
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Age: |
Eight years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Rough Collie |
| Home: |
Woodside, California, USA |
Zorro
is a big furry
couch potato of a dog except when it comes to "doing his job." Until you
saw the speed generated by those mighty fur-hidden hocks in pursuit of a
potential intruder/dog walking neighbor, you'd think he was about 100
years old from his normal snail's pace walk. This "wind sprint" out to
our fence is always also accompanied by an unstoppable paroxysm of
barking. Collies are famous for taking their "jobs" to heart, and Zorro
is no exception. I so hate to trivialize this important job he's chosen,
but I'm not convinced it isn't just a good excuse for barking!
When Zorro is off-duty he continues to train as a Service Dog for his
owner, who has rheumatoid arthritis. Toward this end, he has obtained
his CGC and is currently enrolled in Advanced Obedience classes on the
way to a CD title. He has additionally learned many tricks helpful in
service to his owner, such as fetching things and bracing to help her
stand from a sitting position. A favorite party trick of Zorro's is
plucking a sheet of tissue out of a Kleenex box when someone sneezes. He
knows a lot of tricks and loves to perform -- especially if there's a
treat involved! Zorro's not much into games like "fetch." He'll do it if
he has to, but if there's no purpose, he's not interested.
Zorro is more of a people's dog than a dog's dog. He never gets tired of
meeting new people and absorbing his fair share of pets and hugs. He's
out in public a lot, and people always ooh and ahhh when they see him.
Not that he's show material or anything, but there's a commanding
presence which can't be ignored when Zorro struts through a room. We
sure hope you think so too.
Zorro wanted everyone to know about the Montana Collie rescue that
happened last fall because it has not been highly publicized and so
mostly only Collie people know. It was a very sad case.
Says Zorro "I'm not really a religious dog, but this spring I was
praying a lot for justice to be served in Montana. On October 31, 2002,
171 Collies were rescued from a semi-trailer trying to cross the
Canadian border from Alaska on its way to Arizona. Some of the Collies
were very ill and the rest were dehydrated and emaciated. I feel so
blessed to have a nice home with people who love me. Every day I pray
that the Montana Collies will be welcomed into homes like mine."
The American Working Collie Association
has a record of the case. There is a happy update.
Zorro wanted to do his part in building awareness. He is a very special dog.
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