Couple find new pooch online

Over the Memorial Day weekend in May, our 15yearold Australian Shepherd, Amanda, succumbed to the afflictions of old age. She had had a full life of hiking, boating, swimming, running, traveling and generally living her life with us to the fullest. We were inconsolable.

Knowing there could be no replacement for Amanda, we nonetheless slowly began our search for a new companion. Through friends, family, acquaintances and the Internet, we combed through hundreds of possibilities. Ideally, we sought another Aussie or a border collie, looking as far east as Colorado, as far north as San Franciscoand as far south as San Diego and even Mexico.

We were rewarded one evening during an online search with a small, fuzzy photo of a oneyearold Australian Shepherd Miniature tricolor, female. No name, no history. But as we have discovered, she is beyond cute, intelligent, obedient (usually), runs like the wind and yet loves to snuggle. We call her Baylee.

No, Baylee's not a replacement for Amanda. She's our new, longterm companion with a zesty, unique personality all her own. Perhaps you'll meet the three of us one day as we hike the Santa Monica Mountains or chase the surf in Malibu.

The best part is Baylee was rescued by us July 6 from the SEAACA animal shelter in Downey, not purchased from a breeder. She is now micro-chipped, spayed and has been given a full physical by our friends at Agoura Animal Clinic.

After finding Baylee at an animal shelter, in the future all of our pets will be rescues.

Randy and Kathy Harvey of Calabasas sent in this story.