ZUKO STATS
Date of Birth: October 7, 2012
Color: Black & White
Coat: Rough/Long
Height: 21"
Weight: 45 lbs
Working Lines
HEALTH
Embark: Clear
I was just 21 years old when I got Zuko. I couldn't tell you what his pedigree looks like, or who his parents even were. I couldn't tell you if they ever had their OFAs done or if they were ever health tested. Zuko was never registered with the AKC or even the ABCA - because neither were his parents, as far as I know. He was the very definition of a working dog and was purchased from a farmer who bred them for his own farm. I never intended for him to be a breeding dog. He was simply just a companion. He is my OG BC.
Now, I knew this breed had a lot of energy; I knew they needed a job; I knew that they were super intelligent; I knew that a Border Collie was going to be a lot of dog. So when I brought Zuko home in 2012 at 7.5 weeks old, I was ready. Except he was 10 times more than I ever expected. That didn't change anything, though. I quickly adjusted to make sure he got everything he needed, and we grew and learned together. And Zuko learned quickly - which was perfect because I taught fast. He was biddable and happy to take on any task I gave him. He was a rough-and-tumble dog, and a great hiking partner, and he was incredibly gentle with my toddler. He noticed things you wouldn't think a dog would, and he was amazingly intuitive.
In 2014, he was fully task-trained and began work as a psychiatric service dog, which he did for many years. Unfortunately, retirement came early when, one day, he was attacked by a fake service dog. He didn't recover well from this, and it caused him to become too leash reactive to continue working. But that hasn't stopped him from living his happiest life.
Zuko now spends his days playing with toys, running around with the other dogs, playing with the kids, and "herding" the ducks from outside of the pen (he's unfortunately a little overzealous with them and needs bigger livestock). He is the sweetest, gentlest, friendliest, most playful, most intuitive dog in our household - and despite his age, he is a puppy at heart. You would never in your life guess that this dog was almost 14 years old.
And I know our days with him are limited, so I don't take a single one for granted.💜
