My name is Cameron!

Cameron is an 8 yr old male border collie/retriever mix that came into our program a few months ago. His owner had died, and no other family members were able to take him in – so Cameron lived outside for 2 months on a tieout, and a kind neighbor fed him until a rescue could be found.
When Cameron first came, he did not want to come in the house and he was leery of the cat. He now gladly comes in the house, but always checks to see where the cat is. Cameron gets along well with the resident dog and the two older dogs that visited. The dogs like to be in the front yard where they can watch people and dogs walk by. Cameron would enjoy the companionship of another mature medium-size dog. Cameron and the cat usually ignore each other. Any children in the home should be at least 12 yr old - younger kids might play too rough with him, and toddlers might climb on him.
Cameron has been invited up on the couch and bed - he has only been on the bed two times – just to check it out - he seems to prefer sleeping on the hard wood floor where it is cooler or on a throw rug. He has also only been on the couch twice, so if you are looking for a dog that doesn’t go up on the furniture, Cameron could be your match. He is good meeting new people, and likes attention.
He got out of the yard once when the gate was not securely closed. He went for a brisk walk down the block, eventually going into the fenced play ground area of the neighborhood school. When he saw the leash in his foster’s hand, he gladly came and was walked home. He had ignored any calling of his name, probably because he hadn’t learned his new name yet. The dogs are in and out of the house many times during the day as the yard is fenced in and safe for them. When Cameron is asked if he wants to go “outside” he sort of excitedly barks and wags his tail and heads for the door (otherwise he is a relatively quiet dog) and he does ask to go out by coming to you and whimpering.
He rides in the car nicely (needs an assist to get in), although it is probably a new experience for him. Cameron was very aware of the Fourth of July fireworks sounds, but didn’t seem to be overly upset or nervous. He was very happy to be inside with the other animals.
Cameron has one unique habit. He is fascinated with shadows and reflections of shiny things. It could be that he had been tied up most of his life, so that was one thing he used to amuse himself. He has spent a fair amount of his life on a tie-out, so now we would like him to have a fenced yard to move around in.

Cameron is neutered and vaccinated. In March of this year he had routine blood chemistries done that were clinically normal, and in that same month had a dental cleaning with one extraction. In May , he had a lump on his left back foot removed - pathology wasn't cancer - it was a bunch of hair, skin, & other miscellaneous tissue they couldn't really identify (this is all healed up). His microchip is registered to Second Chance. He has some muscular atrophy over the left hip area- likely osteoarthritis, and is on fish oil and glucosamine supplements (and should continue on these). Also, he should not gain any weight – he weighs 52#, which the vet says is about the maximum weight for him. Arthritic hips make it difficult for him to negotiate the steps – he just doesn’t have the strength in his back end – so he needs a single level home with only 1 or 2 entry steps. He can’t jump up on furniture, or into the car. If there is another dog in the home, it should not rough-house or jump on him to play. Low impact exercise – such as walking or swimming, is encouraged. His adoption fee is $225. Call 651-771-5662 if you would like to meet Cameron. He is a gentle, mellow, well behaved dog.