My name is Mitzi. I am a rescue dog. I had many homes before I met my wonderful first foster mom, Linda. Everyone kept returning me to the shelter. I had too much energy! Linda would take care of me in between adoptions, but when Linda sustained an injury, I was too much for even her to handle.

I went to my new home, with Mommy Michele and Granny Fran, and a bunch of kitties! But I still had waaay too much energy and even I couldn’t control my behavior. Everything was just too much. And, I LOVED to run…Run away that is! But running away is not safe so my mommy wouldn’t let me.

One day Mommy figured out a way that I could run, but not run away! She attached a few leashes to me (it’s very complicated but I feel fine) and I could run beside her on her bicycle. Yeah!!! A way to get all of my energy out. Finally, my husky side that needs to run is satisfied.

I have to know a lot of special commands, like Gee (turn right), Haw (turn left), Watch (watch the bike), Leave It (ignore that squirrel, dog, bunny, etc), Slow, Stop, Straight, Pull Over, Don’t Eat Poison Ivy (don’t eat poison ivy when I am pulled over for a pee) and AHHH! (move quick because something’s about to happen!) It helps my border collie mind stay engaged, and builds the bond between myself and my mommy. Sometimes, I’m even smarter than my mom, making sure to look both ways for cars, looking away from things that are too exciting for me, and avoiding dogs that would get me in trouble.

Being able to run has helped me soooo much! I go on runs of 5-10 km every single day, rain or shine, even in winter! Running not only helps me spend all of my energy, but it makes it possible for me to focus in between runs, to control my emotions and excitement level, and to learn how to be a relaxed, calm, good girl. I have learned how not to jump up, how to see or hear exciting things without barking, how to live with kitties and give them my full respect, how to enjoy squirrels and bunnies without chasing, and to pay attention to my mommy. The best part is I can enjoy life now, because I can watch things without losing control of emotions or my behavior. And as for running away, I don’t even need a leash any more!

One of the most fun parts of my runs is sometimes we see kitties! I don’t bother them because I’m beside the bike of course, but they do make me run faster. They are so pretty and exciting. My mommy sometimes calls the kitties Street Cats if we see them near the road.

So I am very excited that now we support Street Cats Animal Rescue in Barrie, Ontario. They are a great group of volunteers that save homeless kitties, restore them to health and find them great homes.

Thank-you for visiting my web site, and I hope you will join me on FaceBook. I like to share about my progress, the kitties I am helping and inspiring animal stories.

Bittersweet update. Mitzi, after the most beautifully transformative life a dog could have, has crossed over after 14 years of life. We miss you so much Mitzi!