No horse friends anymore, and no stables nearby that I could ask. Good idea, though. When I had my horses my dogs loved hanging out while they got their feet trimmed. They always got a snack when the horse was put away.

http://oi43.tinypic.com/2h2m3i8.jpg
Cora relaxing and showing off her sausage shape.

Cora is still doing well. We've been working on some house manners and also training for the truck since her behavior is completely unacceptable in there (aggressive and trying to bite me and actually biting the door because she's overwhelmed).
She's integrated into my pack very well, everyone's being very polite to each other. She's staying on leash until I'm sure her joints aren't hurting her so that she doesn't accidentally get hurt and start a fight from it. It's hard to tell, but I do have her on joint supplements now.

Her air snapping is going away, mostly because I put my foot down and corrected her for it a few times, but probably because she's feeling more secure in her new home. She's still crate spinning and lunging at the bars whenever I leave the room, but at this point in time I don't really know what to do and it isn't a big deal. I'm picking my battles that I know I can win.

I've only had contact with three ACDs. One was a puppy, one was a young adult, and now Cora. All three screamed as if you were killing them if you did something to their body that they do not like or if you correct them physically no matter how small. Is that a breed thing, or a spoiled dog thing? How can I teach her to shut the hell up I need to do things to her she doesn't like (not painful, just things she needs to tolerate).
For example, because of the diet change she's had an upset stomach and some how she's getting it ALL over her anus and the fur around it. She comes in and rubs her ass on my carpet and I have to clean up smeared shit. I've taken to having a towel by the door to wipe her butt before she can do it, but she screams when I put my arm under her belly, screams when I touch her butt, screams, when I wipe her.

Cora is going in for her surgery and a chiropractic adjustment tomorrow. Found a vet that will do both for the same amount as my vet will do the mouth stuff.

I have found ACDs that I have known ( just 2 really well) to be absolutely paranoid about what might happen to their bodies. Fearless, many are, except for "procedures".

I don't think yours looks so awfully fat. They are sort of shaped that way.

She was 54 pounds her first vet visit. Today she weighed in at 46 and you still have to dig for her ribs, and there's a layer of fat behind her shoulder that you can grab a fist full of. I think 43 would be a good size for her. She's only 15 inches tall. River is 53 pounds and 22 inches tall.

I immediately fell in love with this vet. I think I'll be making the 40 minute drive to see him again. He walked in and was very charismatic, and was immediately in-tune with Cora. He watched her move and commented on things he's concerned about. He was eager to talk with me about what I know of her, what she's been doing since I got her. Instead of 'Oh just watch her and see if she might need pain pills' it was 'I don't like how stiff she is. We're going to take x-rays and see if we can fix it before medicating.'

I'm so glad you found the right vet!

What a difference that makes.