Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
*Adoption fee sponsored by Jordan Thompson.*Unfortunately, Cassia is back at FFAA. This sweet young Border Collie mix was found as a stray and brought here a few months ago. Due to her shy nature and how shut down she was in the shelter environment, we were relieved when she was adopted fairly rapidly. The nature of rescue work - receiving animals with mystery backgrounds or completely unknown histories of trauma - means that when we take in an animal as well as adopt them out, often the only information we have about that animal is what we personally have observed in our time at the shelter with them. This, alongside the weeks-to-months that it can take a dog who is as shut down and terrified as Cassia was to decompress and become comfortable in a new environment, means that sometimes a dog's behavior can be more complex than it appeared at surface level or that the dog they become once they are secure is no longer a match for the family who chose them. To everyone's sorrow, including the family that loves her but was unable to meet her needs, this was the case with Cassia. Cassia's interpersonal skills when she is with her own family are stellar. She adored the 3 children that she lived with (ages 4-7) and gladly wrestled and romped with them. Her love for her kiddos, her family, and her space is fierce. She's learned so much in her time away: Sit, Lay down, Leave it, Come, Shake, Touch, Heel, and Fetch. She enjoys everything from balls, stuffed animals, and chew toys, and she's a big fan of games that include rolling around, chasing toys, and getting to practice her natural herding talents. Water - specifically time at the creek - is one of her favorite locations and activities. Cassia's life before she joined the FFAA family is a mystery. However, because of the way she reacts to sudden movements, reaching hands, and her extreme timidity overall, it is safe to assume that whatever happened to her in her past left her with emotional and mental scars even if she is healthy physically. It takes her so long to feel safe in a new environment that once she feels at home, she guards that territory with her life, not understanding that strangers can be friends too. When searching for her next placement, a household that's busy or sees a lot of vistors is likely not going to be the best placement for this sensitive soul. Our ideal placement would have someone that is well acquainted in working with dogs that are insecure, uncertain, afraid, and that have tendencies to react negatively to outside stimulus that may trigger those buried traumas. Cassia has a very difficult time at the shelter. She shuts down to the degree that even basic tenets of animal care are a struggle - she loses interest in food and she sometimes is so afraid she cannot walk. Even if we don't find her future perfect fit immediately, we'd love to find a short or longterm foster placement for her so that she can continue to work on her social skills, gain confidence, and be far away from the hustle, bustle, and volume of the kennels. Volunteers who will come and sit with her and help her feel safer and loved are also appreciated.If you'd like to discuss Cassia's needs, shoot adopt.ffaa@gmail.com an email or call the shelter at (417) 592-2512 - if we don't pick up or are closed, just leave a voicemail and we'll respond to you as soon as someone is available.Our hours: Closed Monday-Tuesday. Open Wednesday-Friday 12-7, Saturday-Sunday 10-4.
