I'm so sorry, Audrey. Youre a really good person for helping out your sister so much, as clueless as she sounds with dogs -_-... I really think your Mom needs to take this pup in, as soon as possible. It's only a matter of time before she develops serious neurotic issues, being a BC. Have you tried talking some sense into her husband? He seems a lot more sensible than she is. Maybe try compromising with her, tell her she does not have the time to care for a dog, as that's like having another 2 year-old. Maybe she could get a hamster or a much less high-maintanence, small animal that she can handle and that might cheer up the kids? Or maybe some sea monkeys?
Being a BC owner, I can think of LOTS of thinks BC's require, hehe.
*Training - without mental stimulation, intellegent dogs will find ways to take entertain themselves, and will develop neurotic behaviors.
*Interaction with other dogs - she's obviously social, it's unfair to keep her either in a crate or in a small yard away from any dogs she knows and enjoys playing with. What kind of life is that for a dog? How would your kids feel if they could not interact or play with peers, ever?
*Structure/Activities - Border Collies are high drive, working dogs. They need a job in their lives to be happy. Your Mom has much more time and resources to put into giving this dog a happy, well-balanced life where she gets all of the time she deserves, and maybe even start a Flyball or Agility career
*Exercise - just to emphasize this, to be really happy and in good shape, the average BC needs 1-4 hours of solid exercise a day. That's jogging on-leash, playing ball or frisbee, or trips to the park to run with other dogs. If this is not given daily, many high energy dogs will become hyper and neurotic because of all of the cooped up enthusiasm.
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