Sounds like you are not in a rural, ranching or farming area.  In the area 
that I live in there are lots of farm collie types languishing in the 
shelters.
I would say however, that sable dogs with blazes or flashy blue merils are 
the most likely to get a wide audience of would be adopters.  Such dogs, if 
taken from a kill shelter and put in some of the no kill private shelters 
will find homes.  So many people have the lassie love that they will pick 
those dogs first.  The flashy aussie fits the rancher western look that some 
people like, just as they want their gaits to have an antique wagon wheel 
implant. So maybe there is a waiting list in your area for that kind of 
"look'.
However if you could find some distant kill shelters in a rural county and 
go there at the right time you might just find what you are looking for. 
The kill shelters, though have less time to discribe dogs and deal with 
adopters on the phone and do not screen the dogs as much as some rescues so 
you have to take your chances and do your own leg work. Put your name in 
everywhere.
You probably should bring it to the attention of the higher management in 
the shelters you have already applied with and let them know your 
frustration and that you are going to have to consider buying from a 
breeder.....horror of horrors to the animal worker!  Public enemy number 
one! LOL.  Maybe your applications have been lost or there is something on 
them that makes you less of an ideal adopter that you are unaware of.  Let 
the management explain.
Do consider going to American Working Farm Collie Association on the 
internet and get just what you are looking for.
Judy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessica Pelletier" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 7:12 AM
Subject: [FARMCOLLIE] I don't know what to do


> Hello,
>
>     I feel as though I've hit a wall and I didn't know if anyone could
> help. My family has owned collie mixes from rescues since I was a baby.
> After we lost our last dog, Lucky, to lymphoma, we made the decision to
> adopt another dog from a rescue.
>     Here's the problem: I've applied on 4 separate occasions for 4
> different collie mix puppies from different area rescues, given vet phone
> numbers as references and puppy proofed my home for any volunteer
> inspections. Each of these dogs has been adopted to other families and no
> one from any rescues has called my vet for references or inspected my 
> home.
>     We've never left any of our dogs alone for long periods of time or
> abused them; and they all get regular exercise and socialization with 
> other
> dogs.
>     Am I doing something wrong? Has this process gotten more intense over
> the years? The last time we adopted was in 1992. If anyone has any
> suggestions, it would be really helpful.
>
> Thanks,
>      Jess
>