Meet Rescue Dog Callie And Owner Glenn Shuck!
Thanks for your time Callie. How old are you and where do you live on the First Coast?
I’m not really sure how old I am, but I live in Atlantic Beach, near some really cool parks and close to the beach. I’m digging this!
What breed are you? Do you even know? Best Guess?
Everyone says I have some Heeler and/or Cattle Dog. All I know is I have a TON of energy!
So how did you come to the Shuck family?
My Dad saw a post for me and replied interested. He now tells me it was love at first site! I was dropped off at a shelter when I was one year old, on my birthday Christmas Day in Tennessee. After 2 weeks in that place, a nice man came to get me (Luke Rudd Pet Rescue) and drove me to Florida for my temporary home for a few weeks. That’s where I met Glenn and we hit it off, even though I didn’t know my name. He kept the original name though to make it simple. After 2 weeks with Jessica and Luke Rudd my foster parents, Dad came and got me in January 2022, to live in my new fur-ever home!
Describe your pawfect day.
Wake up and howl. Dad just taught this to me. It’s so much fun. Then a walk to the beach, or Howell Park. Then hit the front yard and bark at all the loud golf carts and motorcycle cops driving by. Nap in the afternoon. Evening either a trip to the AB dog park (with water hose for jumping), or Dad lets me pull him on his bike, and man do I run! After dinner, we move to bubbles to get that final energy out of me. I just love to jump! Then to sleep in my crate downstairs. It’s like a little man cave!
What things don’t you like?
Loud noises. I trigger on motorcycles and loud cars. And there’s this one German Shepard that walks by every day that doesn’t smell right 🙂 And thunderstorms too. The sound makes me nervous.
Are you ever naughty?
No way. But I have figured out a cute way to get my Dad’s attention by grabbing the kitchen towels from the rack and dropping them in front of him to get his attention. Then he asks … what? And then I get my way.
Favorite walk?
Howell Park any time. Man, I love the sniffs. It’s cool to see the turtles jump in the water when I come by too
Any little pups?
Nope. I’m not a fan of the inconsiderate littles!
What do your Pawparents do?
Dad’s a photographer and publisher of First Coast Life. He takes me on almost all of his sunset shoots too. I’m learning to be better when we go not to bother him
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
The ocean for sure. My happy moments are long walks and getting in the waves. I like to chase birds too but Dad says no.
Anything else to tell the other dog families? Favorite charities? Favorite Veterinarians?
Well, my first favorite charity is Jessica Caplette and Luke Rudd and the foster network they’ve built to help other dogs like me find their new home here at the beaches. Kelly Krehbiel at Fursisters also does a great job of saving animals and getting them re-homed. My Vet Dr. Langford at Coral Reef Animal Hospital is just the best. It’s an old-school approach and so reasonable on my Dad’s wallet!
So Dad, who rescued who?
Without a doubt, Callie came to me at a time when I needed some companionship and missing Maddie who had passed 9 months earlier. We are forever partners now! When Callie started to sit in the same spot on the couch that Maddie would sit, I knew they were talking to each other!
What’s a lesson learned with the adoption process?
Patience, patience, patience!! It takes a while for the dog to learn a new routine and build that new bond with you. DO NOT expect to bring a rescue home and everything will be perfect. I hate to say this, but typically a rescue through no fault of their own, may have a few bad habits that you’ll need to work on. Callie was only one year old so she was basically a teenager when I got her, and she was in that rebellious stage for sure. I think with time, consistency in a daily routine, and lots of love, she’s become a great partner!
What advice would you give to folks who are thinking about adopting vs. buying a pup?
I get the puppy thing, and it makes sense a lot of times for sure, especially with little kids. But, being a Karma guy, I do think if you adopt a dog, they know it and the universe rewards the both of you. Just be open to visiting the shelters and seeing the opportunities!
Also, get professional help for training purposes. I learned there are pure trainers, sit-stay, etc. and there are behaviorists, who will help decipher your dog’s behaviors and possible reasons, as you might never know the full background of what they’ve been through. It’s money well spent in the early days!
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
