about Shimmer

Sometimes the dogs who shine the brightest just need a little time to realize it themselves.

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Shimmer showed up on a rural Minnesota farm after apparently being dumped, following the family’s dogs home and settling herself onto their front porch. With nearby shelters unable to help, the family reached out to someone they knew through SEPR. On the day of the Pride Parade in June, her future foster family made the drive to pick up one very tiny, very timid, very sweet brindle girl.

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And that’s where Shimmer’s story with us began.

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Once safely settled into her foster home, it didn’t take long to discover that behind all that uncertainty is one wicked-smart little dog. Shimmer learns incredibly quickly and already knows sit, down, up, wait, stay and leave it. She is house trained and kennel trained and is working on walking beautifully with her Gentle Leader headcollar.

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Because that brain of hers is always working, Shimmer does best when she has appropriate ways to use it. Slow feeders, training exercises, soft toys, playing with her canine foster siblings, running around the backyard and settling onto the couch with a good bone are all right up her alley.

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Shimmer currently shares her foster home with two female dogs, one male dog, two adult cats and three kittens and has done wonderfully. While she currently lives with teenagers, her adoptive home will need to be a quiet, adult-only home without children.

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The most important thing to understand about Shimmer is that she isn't going to meet a stranger and immediately decide they're her new best friend. She is shy with unfamiliar people, and trust has to be earned. Her family will need to give her the space and time to observe, process and decide when she's ready. But she's becoming braver every single day.

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Her foster family has been taking her on car rides, giving her opportunities to quietly watch people from parking lots and exposing her to the world at a pace she can handle. Shimmer is also working with SEPR's trainers to continue building her confidence around new people, places and experiences. Her adopter will need to be committed to continuing that training journey with her.

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This isn't about forcing Shimmer to become a social butterfly. It's about showing her, one successful experience at a time, that the world doesn't have to be scary.

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Once you're one of Shimmer's people, though, you're IN. She loves her people fiercely, is learning the fine art of snuggling and genuinely wants to please the humans she trusts. That combination of intelligence, loyalty and eagerness to learn makes her an incredibly rewarding dog to work with.

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And can we talk about that coat? Shimmer's beautiful brindle coloring seems to change every time the light hits her...dark and dramatic one minute, warm and glowing the next. Shimmer really is the perfect name for this little girl who is slowly learning how to let herself shine. ✨

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Physically, Shimmer is a healthy girl with no current medical concerns or medications. What she needs isn't fixing. She needs patience, consistency, continued training and humans who understand that the best relationships aren't always instantaneous.

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Shimmer may take a little longer to choose you. But when she does, she'll choose you with her whole heart.

Could you be the safe place where Shimmer finally gets to shine?

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SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO SHIMMER'S FOSTER FAMILY FOR THEIR TIME AND DONATIONS: 

Heather & Todd

SHIMMER HAS A SPONSOR!​​

Good Samaritan: Michelle Smith ​

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Click here to find out how you can sponsor an SEPR dog.