Hello, we’re Patrick and Theresa Corcoran, and we’ve been involved with Sheltie Rescue since July of 1999.   Our love affair with Shelties began many years ago when we decided to add a dog to our family.  Whereas any dog would have been fine for Pat, I had to find “just the right dog”.  After researching several breeds, I decided that the Shetland Sheepdog was the breed for us.  In searching for our new family member, we learned of Sheltie Rescue, where we met and fell in love with Nikki.  We were so impressed with Nikki’s intelligence, devotion, and gentle nature we were hooked for life!!    A year later, my mother ask us to take her Sheltie, Lacey, as she could no longer keep her.  Patrick was not crazy about the idea at first; he did not want two dogs.  But Lacey would not be ignored.  She decided that he was to be her human weather he liked it or not!   Her determination and blind devotion quickly won him over and our family was complete.
Nikki
Lacey
When Nikki passed away in November of 1998, Patrick wrote a very touching letter to Sheltie Rescue to thank them for introducing us to Nikki and for making all of the wonderful years we had with our grand companion possible.  Some weeks later, when I felt ready for another dog, we didn’t hesitate to contact Sheltie Rescue once again, and soon after we adopted Shadow.
 
Shadow was a puppy mill rescue and was very traumatized by her past.  She would need a great deal of love, patience and understanding if she were to overcome the horror of her first 3 years of life.  Her need cried out to me.  Although I was still grieving deeply for Nikki, this little dog was scared to death and she needed me.  It was this need that grabbed my heart and never let go.  
 
Although Tracy Buck (shadow’s foster mom and director of Sheltie Rescue) had already made progress with her, I was overwhelmed with Shadow’s mental state.  She was afraid to come out of her crate and had to be physically removed from it to be taken out to potty.  She would only eat in the middle of the night and then only if the food was placed in the very back of the crate.  I must admit, I came close to giving up – thank goodness I didn’t!!   After months of patience and hard work, Shadow was enrolled in her first obedience class!  She was still afraid of things most “normal” dogs don’t even notice, but she had come such a long long way and I was so proud of her!   I emailed Tracy to tell her of Shadow’s progress and to let her know how much I had grown to love Shadow.   Tracy told me about Janice Mitchell and her Lucy Blue.  Lucy Blue was another female Sheltie rescued from the same puppy mill – at the same time - as my Shadow!!  Unfortunately, Lucy Blue was even more traumatized by her experience.  Lucy was basically catatonic when she came into rescue.  Janice was Lucy’s foster mom who soon became her “forever” mom. 
 
Janice and I started to talk via email and soon we were making plans to meet in person. Janice told me about an upcoming Breed Rescue day to be held at Queeny Park.  Sheltie Rescue would be there and she suggested that I bring Shadow by for a visit.  Well, I spent the entire day at that event.  I talked and talked to Marilyn Westermayer, Janice, and Tracy.  I was very intrigued by the idea of being a foster home for these wonderful animals.    For days after I attended the Breed Rescue Day, I could think of little else.   I realized that if Tracy, or someone like her, had not been willing to take Shadow in and help her to heal while searching for a good home for her – Shadow very probably would have been put down.  Because there aren’t many places for dogs that cannot be adopted out quickly and easily, foster homes are crucial.  Even “normal, easy to adopt” dogs are at risk due to pet overpopulation and overcrowded shelters.  Because I so loved the breed, and after meeting the volunteers of Sheltie Rescue, I knew I had to help.  So, I talked it over with Pat, and we decided to give it a shot!  I emailed Janice to ask more questions, and to tell her that we would like to become a foster home for Sheltie Rescue.   A few weeks later I was meeting Smokey – our first foster dog! 
 
These last four years have been very rewarding for me.   I have nursed these dogs back to health; groomed and trained them.  And yes, I have cried when delivering them to their new “forever homes.”  In return, they give me their trust and love. It is a wonderful arrangement!   There is nothing quite like the feeling I get when I receive a phone call, or a letter from a “parent” of one of my former foster dogs.  To listen to them speak of how great their dog is and how much an integral part of their lives he or she has become, to hear the love and joy in their voice, and to know that my foster dog, once abandoned and unwanted, is now loved and well cared for makes it all worth it.
Meet Our Furkids!!
Shadow spent the first three years of her life in a Missouri Puppy Mill.  We adopted her from Sheltie Rescue in December of 1998.  She has been through several Obedience and Agility classes, but is much happier carrying out her duties as “ Queen of the Couch!"
"Shadow"
Chance came to us as a foster dog in December of 1999.  Chance was rescued from an animal shelter where his time had all but run out.  Chance is epileptic and had some aggression issues when he first came to us.  We adopted him in March of 2000. He has since earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and CD (Companion Dog) title. His hobbies are eating and barking, barking and eating.
(Sadly, Chance went to the Rainbow Bridge 10/02/03 -- his smiling face is greatly missed by Pat and Theresa and the members of SCSR)
"Chance"
Vicki was a Puppy Mill Rescue.  She came to us in June of 2000 after spending her first two years in the puppy mill.  While she was afraid of pretty much everything and everyone, she bonded with me almost immediately.  In October of 2000, I realized that I could not part with her and we officially adopted her.  She is now our little “show off” girl and loves to do her tricks for people in return for treats
"Shadow" and "Vicki"
Rascal is a double merle Sheltie. We adopted him from Sheltie Rescue in September of 2002. and he turned a year old in April of 2003.  Rascal was born deaf and is sight impaired, but you sure couldn’t tell it to see him in action! Rascal loves people and other dogs.  He has that happy go lucky Golden Retriever personality and his zest for life is a joy to behold! My hopes are to some day, [in about 25 years:-)]  when he has matured, train Rascal to become a therapy dog.  
"Rascal"
Samson the day he arrived in rescue 8/10/03
10/2003 06/22/04
11/2003
Cyclone Sammy
 
Sammy is the product of puppy mill breeding.  Blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and missing part of his tail, he was destined to be "destroyed" by the Millers.  Fortunately for Sammy, a good samaritan rescued him and after a time, he made his way to Sheltie Rescue. 
 
Sammy was quite a sight when he came to us as a foster dog on 08/10/03.  He was 4 months old and suffering from demodex mange.  With no hair on his feet, legs, or head and a bald, scaley face, he was about the ugliest puppy I ever saw.  But what he lacked in looks he more than made up for in personality! 
 
Sammy made us laugh - all of the time!   When we lost our 9 year old Sheltie Chance unexpectedly, we were devastated.  Sammy's antics helped us through this rough time and won him a permanent place in our hearts and home.  We adopted him on November 23, 2003. 
 
Sammy is still working through some fear issues, but this little guy has a lot of heart and has already come such a long way both physically and mentally.  He has earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen Title) and is on his way to a Rally Novice Title.  We are very proud of him. 

Vicki, Sammy and Rascal (in back) 06/22/04
Sadly, little Vicki lost her battle with cancer May 22, 2007. She was such a wonderful little girl and is now waiting at the Bridge for her family. Two of Theresa's friends created the poem and grapic below. PJ Donovan is the author of this beautiful poem, and Ann Finer crated the picture of Vicki.

6/24/98 ~ 5/22/07