Apollo

Why Apollo Needs a New Home

I have been Apollo’s primary caretaker since he was a puppy, and making the decision to rehome him is extremely difficult. I was a young teenager when he was trained, and as I have gotten older, school, work, and other responsibilities have made it increasingly difficult for me to consistently provide the amount of exercise, structure, training, and mental stimulation he needs. I recognize that I have not always been able to maintain his training as consistently as I should have, and I believe this has contributed to some of his ongoing behavioural challenges. Apollo has a very high level of energy and needs a lifestyle that I am no longer able to reliably provide. The most immediate concern is his relationship with our new kitten. Apollo initially got along well with the kitten for the first couple of months, but over the past few weeks there have been two incidents where play escalated and he snapped at the kitten. Both resulted in veterinary visits for minor injuries: one was a nip to the kitten’s back paw, and the other was a more recent scratch near the eye. Because of this, they are currently kept separated as much as possible, with Apollo muzzled when they need to be in the same area. Apollo has also had leash-related reactivity in the past. When he was younger, if he became highly reactive and someone interfered with or pulled him during an episode, he could turn around and nip at the person holding the leash. This has not happened in quite some time, but I believe it is important for any potential adopter to know his complete history. I do not believe rehoming him is the easiest option; I believe it is the safest and most responsible option for both Apollo and the kitten. Apollo deserves a home where his needs can consistently come first and where someone has the experience, time, and lifestyle to continue working with him. I am looking specifically for someone experienced with reactive or high-drive Border Collies who understands that Apollo will need patience, responsible management, continued training, and plenty of physical and mental stimulation. My goal is not simply to find him another home, but to find him the right home where he can thrive.