We like to joke at Glen Highland, that we, the rescuers, are just pawns in this Border Collie ‘ballet’ of brilliance. The dogs come in and find exactly what they need and/or want whether we can predict the outcome or not.

Miss Prim has given us a glorious example of how this works. She found the life perfect for her, albeit unforeseen on arrival. First, she spent months healing with our full-time Caretaker, step by step resolving major dental issues and gaining strength. Next, she heads off to upstate NY to assess her horrible mobility issues which turn out to be congenital in origin so not to be touched. Then, we realize she has issues with men so our part-time Caretaker agrees to foster her with her family to see how we can help her. Then, the deterioration of her eyesight leads us to consider cataract surgery but in fact, she has Progressive Retinal Atrophy, not cataracts at all.

So, finally Prim is ready for adoption with four teeth left in her mouth; her wobbly gait and about to be fully blind! No matter her problems, everyone has fallen in love with her along the way. Well, we suspect this cheery, sweet Border Collie master-minded the whole thing! She found her person on the trip to upstate Ny when our Caretaker drove 18 hours roundtrip, spent the night in a hotel cuddling on the bed and then introduced her to her family of 2 dogs & 5 cats as a foster dog…ha ha ha…once she was in that home, there was no way she was going anywhere else!

Congratulations Prim - you did it! You ’saw’ exactly what you wanted and got it! Lots of love and patience and tons of fun exploring with your new canine pals. And, we’ll get to see her all the time, too!

From her new Fur-Mom:
"Truth be told, Prim spoke to me the first time I laid eyes on her.
I was just too hard headed to listen!"

PRIM'S HISTORY

A 10 year old Border Collie, Prim is one of the most lovely, gentle souls you’ll meet…just a sweetheart. Everyone who spends any time with her, falls in love.

She is a petite girl with lots of energy to explore and investigate the great outdoors, happy to sit in the sun or play some ball. Prim loves other Border Collies and would be a great canine friend, instigating some play as well as joining in whatever they want to do! She is comfortable in a dog pack and she is fine with cats, even if there are more than one.

Prim came to Glen Highland from the midwest where a dog lover had spotted her wandering down a busy road. Skinny and clearly a stray, Prim instantly went with her, in the car, happy to be with a person again. Turns out that this sweet girl loves to ride in a car!

Prim’s health has been restored and she is strong and now ready for a new life. However, she has a sight deficit which we discovered has now progressed. Originally thought to be cataracts, the vet has now diagnosed Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which means Prim is becoming blind.

PRA is genetic condition very common in Border Collies. Most of dogs with PRA do very well having a mentor ‘guide friend’ and they will quickly ‘map’ a new home and adjust well.

Prim now navigates everything well in bright light but has a harder time in the dark or dim light. She can be very cautious in new situations depending on the light levels and needs reassurance from her person and/or other dog(s). If she can be adopted soon, she will adjust to her new life with some sight left to make it easier.

Prim also has what is likely a congenital knee issue where one knee cap is out of the joint causing one side to be positioned oddly which then caused the other side of her frame to adjust. Mother nature worked its magic so Prim is very mobile albeit an unusual gait.

Prim catapults onto the couch and into the car and races around as if she is perfectly normal…she’s known nothing any different. She races and chases and enjoys life with great joy.

A big part of her health transformation was building muscle since she had been so underweight and had bad muscle atrophy… now that is all improved. We have Prim on Myos joint supplement to sustain her muscle development and gabapentin to support her back for pain relief at night. Like many seniors with compromised backends, she does need pain meds.

Prim is a light framed Border Collie, weighing 35 pounds so very mobile and easy to pick up. She has no worries being handled.

Whatever went on before that left her on the street…we will never know... but today... she is ready for someone special to love!

Special thanks to Paula Henry who stopped to help Prim and changed the course of her life, then reaching out to Glen Highland.

With love from Linda, Sky, Jim & Alice the cat

John & Bobby Streeter

Miraculous recovery TO YOU, PRIM! In loving memory of our dear COOPIE and GHF boy ASHER! Love always, Sandy, Mike, and Acey Boy

Doug & Dale Rutherford and GH alums Minna & Lewis

From GH angels Alfie, Morgan, Leo & Fletcher - Joy Moll

Healing love to Prim from the Skuse Family, including GH Alumni Keddy + his sister Pip

Herb Klitzner

Special angel help for extraordinary medical care:
Pete & Renate Goodloe, In memory of GH Alums Doc & Rosie