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Happy Thanksgiving to all our Sheltie Friends
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Shelties are very sensitive dogs, especially when events and people are unusual to them. They can be very timid and behave differently when their environment changes. Lots of new and different folks will be entering your home over the holidays, and not all of them know or appreciate pets. Prepare now to manage and protect your pets during the coming season.
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November is ...
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 ... Adopt a Senior Month.
No one likes to be alone during the holidays, including pets. Yet at this time of year many shelters and rescue groups overflow with needy pets who yearn for a home and someone to love. Although they're not young, consider this: overlooked older dogs and cats can be as good a pet or even better than those who haven't yet reached their first birthday. Senior pets really appreciate the love and comfort they receive when they're adopted late in life. Here are some reasons for adopting an older pet:
- They're emotionally and physically mature - no size or temperament surprises.
- It's very possible they're already housetrained.
- They're adaptable as well as adoptable.
- They're just your speed.
- Fur-covered sweetness and gratitude.
- It's a good thing - you've given a worthy pet a second chance at life.
NVSR frequently has senior dogs available either for adoption or permanent fostering. Check them out when you're ready to adopt. They will thank you with love and devotion.
Read more about adopting a senior pet.
Here's an article about "old dog etiquette."
And, one about senior lumps and bumps.
. .. National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. There are very interesting new advances in treating cancer in our pets. Read about some of the advances in treating osteosarcoma on Dr. Kay's Speaking for Spot website.
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Come and See Us
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Information about all our upcoming events is on our website "Events and News" page.  Saturday, December 7: Old Town (Alexandria) Scottish Walk Parade, 10am - 1pm. Bring your Sheltie(s) and walk with us as we join the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club in this annual celebration of all things Scottish. We will parade through Old Town Alexandria to the music of pipes and drums, along with many other Scottish dogs. (Especially lots of Westies, but they all look alike!) We love to hear the cries as we approach: "Here they come - the Shelteez!" If you'd like to walk with us, e-mail us for the location of the convening spot.  Friday, December 20, Gift-wrapping for donations at Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner Center, 10am - 10pm.
We need lots of folks to help with this effort. We have the potential to get a lot of $$$ from shoppers who ask us to wrap their gifts. It's a great thing for teenagers to do, if you have any of those around your house looking for some community service hours. We can use the help! To sign up for a couple of hours, click here.
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Help Your Sheltie Resist Those
Holiday Temptations
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News and Notes
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Looking for one of our e-newsletter articles or links from past issues? You can find them in the e-Spin archives.
Here's the link. 
We still have some of our 2014 NVSR Calendars left, so let us know if you want one or more. Purchasing is easy using our shop e-mail address: shop@nvsr.org. The price is $18 each + $1.50 shipping. If you order four or more, shipping is a flat $5.  We also have a new Sheltie blanket for sale - just in time for the holidays. Cozy up with your favorite Sheltie. Check it out on our website. Or ask about it at shop@nvsr.org. Check out the other Sheltie items on our Sheltie Shop page, too. We were remiss in not thanking two generous contributors to our picnic. In the goodie bags that each attendee received were treats and toys from Dominion Pet Center in Arlington and food samples from Honest Kitchen. Many thanks to these businesses for supporting NVSR.  Did you hear about the tornado survivor in Illinois who found his Sheltie alive in the rubble last week? "Maggie" is going to be fine. Here's the story.
Dr. Kay, wrote two wonderful books about pet health: Speaking for Spot and Your Dog's Best Health. She is having a two-for-one holiday sale. Here's a chance to get both her great books for one price. Note that some medications should NEVER be used for your pet.
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Dog Treat of the Month
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Crunchy Sweet Potato Treats
 We know how dangerous chocolate is for dogs - but there is no reason they should miss out on sweet treats during the holidays. Here's a recipe to encourage you to get out that little-used dehydrator. * 2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
* 2 cups quick oats
* ¾ cup black strap molasses (optional)
Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon mixture into quarter sized dollops and place in food dehydrator for 8-10 hours or until crunchy.
NOTE: If you don't have a food dehydrator you can make these in your oven. Place a cookie rack on a cookie sheet and place the dollops onto the rack. The rack will allow the air to circulate around the treats. Cook the treats at the lowest temperature possible with the oven door cracked open. The lowest temperature of ovens ranges from 140 to 175 degrees. (Do not exceed 175 degrees.) Use your oven's convection fan, if it has one, to keep the air flowing. Cooking time should take 4-5 hours, but don't leave your oven unattended.
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New Arrivals!
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These beautiful Sheltie newcomers are on our website. Check there for updates about them and when they'll be available for adoption.  Hope, F, 8yo  Lilly, F, 5yo  Magoo, M, 7yo  Renny, M, 5yo
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Tips to Keep Your Sheltie Slim and Trim
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Your Sheltie will live a longer, healthier life if you don't overfeed.
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Measure Buddy's or Lassie's kibble ration with a real measure, not just any can or scoop. Use a true 1/4 or 1/2 measure. (Kitchen stores have these single unit measuring cups.)
 Don't go by the feeding suggestions on the food bag. These are usually much too much food. A 20-pound Sheltie should probably eat 1/4 to 1/3 cup of kibble (or less) twice a day plus some veggies, a little yogurt, and some fish oil as suggested additives. You should be able to feel your Sheltie's ribs under a thin, smooth layer of muscle (no flab). There should be a definite waist under all that coat. Treats should be no bigger than your little finger nail and given very sparingly. And, make Buddy or Lassie work for that treat! Sit! Help your Sheltie live a long, healthy life by keeping him or her slim. Read more about feeding your Sheltie in our newsletters found on our website
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Donate to NVSR through CFC
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NVSR is a listed charity with the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). If you work for the Federal government, please consider signing up to give to NVSR through payroll deduction. Our designation number is on the logo above. Many thanks!
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Keep in Touch!
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We contact our adopters regularly for updates on how the NVSR alumni are doing. If you want to send us news and even photos, please do! Here's where to send them:
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Quick Links
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Check out The Whole Dog Journal for great tips on training, quality dog food, canine health and dog activities. No advertising, only solid, reliable information that really makes sense! The February issue includes their annual survey of dry dog foods. Don't miss it! WDJ has lots of excellent e-books, too.
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NVSR is on Facebook and LinkedIn!
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Check out our NVSR FB page and "Like" us, so that you'll receive the postings and news automatically.
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We're also on LinkedIn, so check in there, if you use that social network.  Thanks to our volunteers, Gregg Bender, Theresa Jackson, Kathy Hook, and John Winslow, for setting up and updating these sites.
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Donate to Help NVSR
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NVSR is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is fully deductible. Donate through PayPal or send a check (address below). We appreciate every dollar we receive - and every dollar goes to help our Shelties!
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Contact us ...
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703-912-4002
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With the holidays come holiday dinners and lots of special human foods, which can spell disaster for your pets if they ingest something that can be toxic or harmful to them. That turkey is so tempting, but it's full of cooked, splintery bones. Rich food is hard for a dog to digest, and 