Australian Cattle Dog Blue Heeler and Mixed Breed Dogs Available for Adoption in Wheeling, Illinois

Alpha and Omega are at our shelter. Please submit an application from our website or just come in to meet them during open hours!

Scroll through each of their pictures to see their cute videos!

Alpha and Omega have been here before. Back in 2022, they were young pups (then known as Zach and Cody!) who spent a few weeks at our shelter. Our staff loved them then, just as we do now! These boys were adopted into a nice home together, but sadly their adopter passed away suddenly and recently, and Alpha and Omega were left without a home. They wound up with Northbrook Animal Control, who thankfully traced their microchips back to us, and reached out.

As you can see from their videos, the boys have adjusted very well to their new reality. They are a testament to the resilience of dogs! We are sure the transition has been easier because they have each other, just as they always have.

Though littermates can have their share of issues when kept together for so long (you may have heard of "Littermate Syndrome"), these two are *such* well-adjusted and happy pups! While some bonded pairs of dogs can have an "us vs the world" mentality, these two are happy to socialize with all of the dogs and vacillate between co-existing and throwing play bows during play group, which is just so adorable to see!

And of course, Alpha and Omega each have their own unique personalities! While we were not initially fans of these names (and some of us still call them Zach and Cody!), we can see why their adopter named them as such: Alpha is bigger in size and is the more independent and serious of the two, while Omega has that "I'm just happy to be here" energy and is always wagging, wiggling, joyful and smiling! Alpha doesn't beg for attention but he likes to come right beside you and present his hind quarters for scratching, which is his favorite thing! Omega has the fluffy, wavy coat of an un-sheared sheep and he loves pets and full body scratches!

There are SO many great things about these two in particular, and about dogs their age in general! Alpha and Omega have been living in a home the last few years and that shows, by which we mean they are housebroken, not destructive, social, polite, well-mannered, and overall so easy-peasy! They were so good for their baths, nail trims, and vet exams.

Best of all, these two walk GREAT on a leash together. Walking both of these boys is way easier than walking one of some our other dogs, ha.

We love that they still have some playfulness, too. Not just with the other dogs, but with each other and especially with their stuffies! They love a new stuffy, and get so excited when we toss them a new one. They never rip them up, just carry them around and put them in their beds.

We know that getting one larger dog adopted is a challenge these days, let alone two. And while we are not sure that they are totally bonded, meaning neither of them will panic if the other is out of sight, we feel we owe it to them for now to try to keep them together.

We hope that someone is out there and willing to take on two amazing pups who are going to ease into their new lives so seamlessly.

***We are open to a foster or a foster to adopt arrangement for these boys! Anything to get them back in a home where they belong!

Their adoption fee is $300. They are neutered, up to date on core vaccines, and Heartworm negative.

The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler, is a hardworking and intelligent breed originally developed in Australia for herding cattle. Renowned for their endurance and agility, these medium sized dogs have a striking blue or red speckled coat and alert, curious expression. With a strong herding instinct and boundless energy, they require mental stimulation and physical activity to thrive. Blue Heelers are loyal, protective, and make excellent companions for active individuals or families willing to provide the engagement and exercise they need.

The mixed breed dogs, often referred to as mutts, are a diverse and unique group with a blend of different characteristics from various purebred dog breeds. These dogs come from a mixture of lineages, resulting in a wide range of sizes, coat types, and temperaments. While each mixed breed dog is distinct in its own right, they are known for their resilience, adaptability, and often have fewer health issues compared to purebred dogs due to their genetic diversity. Mixed breed dogs make wonderful companions for families looking for a loyal and one-of-a-kind pet.

Heartland Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter and a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.  We depend on your donations in order to...