Gabby

Dear Mr. Ken,
I was so happy when we went to the airport in July of 2011 to pick up my new dog Gabby. We couldn't wait to take her to our farm to meet all the other animals we had, including two other border collies. She has always been the sweetest dog I ever had.

 She used to just watch our bigger border collie, Gus, and I could tell she was learning so much from him at the farm. In October of that same year, my family and I decided to move to Indianapolis for my dad's work. It was very tough for me because I had to leave my horses, my barn cats, and my chickens all behind.

But we brought Gabby, Meg, and two of my favorite barn cats. We wanted to keep Gabby with us and were able to get a house that had plenty of space for her to run. After we had moved here, I loved going outside and playing with her in our new yard, and she was my best friend during this time. As time went by, our other dog Meg was getting very anxious to be around other livestock again, so we had to do what was right for her and found her a new home on a sheep farm. We kept Gabby for a couple of months but could see that she needed more of a social life with other border collies to run and play with. We knew it would be hard to find a new home for her that we would be comfortable with, but we started looking. That is when we found you. The night before we drove to your place to see if it would be a good home for Gabby, I cried a lot and asked if we could keep her. We decided that we would come to see you and try to make a decision from there. We were so happy when we got to your place to see her immediately happy and running with the other border collies. She seemed to love the pond, the porch, and even your couch.

Gracie and Gabby

I am sad in my heart to not see her in my backyard but am happy to know she is now in your care. I can't wait to come to see her again soon. Thank you for recusing her and loving her as much as I do.

Gracie

Dear Gracie,

What a wise little person you are and to be so young. You have made a very important and wise decision that most adults cannot make. Last week when you arrived with Gabby and your parents at our farm, my heart skipped a beat. She is beautiful, and she seemed to fit right in with my dogs. You have done a wonderful job training her and making her a sweet and loving dog. I will tell you, most dogs don’t always know to be nice, it’s something that usually rubs off from their owner, and with Gabby, it truly has. You can take comfort in knowing that Gabby has been in the house and sleeps with us every night and she loves to cuddle. Every day, she runs with the big dogs and Meg has taken her under her wing, maybe because they are so close in color.

I am pleased you found us too. Sometimes, things have a way of working out, and we may never understand it, and I think it has with Gabby too. I know you are sad and I really do understand, you see, I had to give up my little “Shepp” a few years ago for almost the same reason, he needs something I couldn’t give him, and now he has it and is very happy. Maybe you found me because God knew I was sad, and someday there may be a new “Gabby” in your life too. Thank you so much for making a hard decision, and know it’s OK to cry because you're sad, and just between us, I still cry and miss Shepp too. They both will always live in our heart, and all we have to do is close our eyes, and they're here with us. Gabby will always remember you, and I know your parents will bring you to see her, and she will be so excited when you arrive, and until then I will give her a hug and kiss for you as she goes to sleep in our arms every night, Thank You...You're a very special little girl.

Your Friend,
Mr. Ken

The Dog's Facebook Page

A Busy Week

Wow, what a busy week, we had a few dogs that boarded with us and Maddie along with my son and daughter-in-law came up for the weekend. The weather was perfect and high spirits were all around. Maddie is getting along and doing so well, she is growing like a weed talking in sentences. One thing we have always liked to do is go to Nashville Indiana and go shopping, so off we went with credit cards in hand.

But the second highlight was going to the Columbus Scottish Festival. We have done this for years and it always has been a joy to see all the activities. We usually take a couple of our dogs and let them experience the activities too. This year it was Clancy and Meg. Both were a little stressed at first and Clancy was always on guard for something that needed correcting. This year we met up with one of our dog owners that have a working dog along with a new pup of ours. Nellie is a working dog that works sheep a few hours from us and she is the light of everyone’s eye along with her little sister Ruby

The bagpipes were wonderful and played many of my favorites such Amazing Grace and Scotland the Brave.  It it truly amazing to watch the people play and I have been told, this is a very hard musical instrument to work with, but these men and women did a wonderful job.

Nellie and Ruby watching the sheep,  Nellie was wanting to get out and show her talents so much, she could not hardly contain herself.

Meg, Clancy and Ruby and not seeing anything else, but the sheep.

There were about 140 dogs that competing in five different classes and the handlers are competing for prize money and for qualification points for the USBCHA National Finals.  It was a wonderful day and we all enjoy watching the dogs work and do the things they are bred to do.  Who knows someday we might just get sheep, Clancy's great grandfather was the 2004 International Supreme Champion.  If you have never attended one of these events, I suggest you do, it will truly amaze you what the dogs and handlers can do and maybe next year, we'll can watch you.... 

No Place Like Home, Part 2

'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there 's no place like home;
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which sought through the world is ne'er met with elsewhere.

JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, Home, Sweet Home


As we were driving home from vacation and as we were getting close to the house, I called our house guest at home and told them we were about 30 minutes from arriving.  They said, “Do you want us to put the dogs up?” because they will rush to the car.   I thought for just a second and said “no, but thanks, we’ll see you soon” In my mind’s eye, I just wanted to sit in the driveway when we arrived and let them lick and jump on me, and they did.  It was a joyous occurrence. Jumps, spins and barks were everywhere to be seen when we arrived and even the guest dogs Hope, Sofe and Gunny joined in too which made it even better.  The prodigal parents have come home and even Dutchess was in on the act. Mad no more because she didn’t get to go, but, all is forgiven.  After the hugs and licks, they wanted to play ball but what the dogs didn’t tell me was they were playing ball before we got there only to want to play even more.  What we didn’t actually count on was getting wet and dirty because they had been in the lake too, but we welcomed it and it was glorious. All is at peace, Mom and Dad are home…

I do want to mention our house guest and friends that devoted part of their vacation to watching our dogs, Daniel and Chrystal Tingley along with their dogs, Hope, Sofe and Gunny.  All three dogs are products of our dogs and are always welcome.  Daniel and Chrystal have been a wonderful part of our family and will bring their dogs over for a play day often which we always look forward to.

On the first full day of vacation, I got the “phone call” from home.  Of course, you panic because you, or at least “I” think the worst.  As it turned out the electricity was out and I was sure I had paid the bill, but it turned out, a transformer had blown out and the power returned several hours later.  Christal and Daniel did a wonderful job for us and the dogs love them so.  I had all the confidence in both of them and knew they would do a great job, which they did, Thank you for taking care of our babies.

Just like a new parent, I wanted to call everyday but it was $1.99 a minute from the ship so I didn’t.  At one point, from Freeport, I found a hotspot Internet connection from a little dive just off the ship and got a connection.  I checked my email first and then Facebook just to see if there was a problem.  The only thing I found were photos from Chrystal on Facebook of MY dogs having fun without me.  They looked so happy and seemed to be having a ball.  Chrystal is a wonder photographer and I enjoy her work and the flair she puts into the shots, they were wonderful. All in all I think it worked out for both of us, and it is always nice to see Hope, Sofe and Gunny when Chrystal and Daniel go on vacation, and it was nice for them to see our dogs when we’re not here too, just to see a different side, which they did.  You learn a lot about the dogs when the dog human parents are not around.

Daniel and Chrystal ask if they could fish while we were here.  I didn’t know how they would do, but I never mind.  I don’t fish, but as we were going through Chrystal’s photos, Daniel had caught quite a few 16 to 18 inch largemouth bass and just as many 10 to 12 inch ones too and I know the size was right because he had a ruler next to the fish in the photo.  He also caught many channel cats and blue gills, but the strange thing, the large lake had never been stocked; only transferred from fishing the small lake, 40 to fifty fish at best.  To my knowledge, only one 3 inch bass was ever transferred.  I was more shocked than Daniel, but was glad he had good luck.  Chrystal even had a few break her line.

After everyone settled in, there were hugs for everyone.  At one point, each dog took turns getting as close as they could as we sat on the couch.  Even today, they just hovered around us and want to at least be in touching distance, which we do.  At one point, Abbie found a ball and brought it to me while I was sitting in the recliner.  With all six dogs inside, it is usually difficult to do this, but I found a way.  With all six staring at me with saucer eyes and hanging tongues, I found a way.  As I called their name, it was their time to catch the ball which they did and the only snafu was if they missed it or the ball took a bad bounce, then it was game on…Dutchess still had her grass skirt on...Mom & Dad are home, all it at peace, for now... Ken

Check out Chrystal's "Tingley's Tails" for photos

Shuck's Border Collie Facebook Page

Wonder What The Dogs Are Doing?

Well here we are going on vacation, without the dogs, we tried to take them, but Dutchess didn't want to wear her "Service Dog Vest" even through her service would be to "keep 'em coming" to me, I'm on vacation, but no little umbrellas please,.  When we go, It's a real dilemma to find someone that is reliable that we can trust with the dogs.  If you think it's hard to find a kennel or someone with one or two dogs, try it with 6 dogs.  Some people will run when you mention it and if you board them at a kennel, then they are stuck in a small pin for 2 weeks while we're gone.  I have had a few success stories and it has worked out great, but I have had some disasters too.  I once found women's clothing in my bed and a young man was staying here and I don't want to even think about it.  Once when we got home, there was a phone message from a neighbor asking "Did you know your dogs are running in the road"  I ran to the kennel just to check, they were all there, Whew...but it seemed that the dog's had a lot of free time in our absence, maybe the women's clothi...  never mind lets not go there...

As we were pulling away today, I turned to Elaine and said, "wonder what the dogs are doing".  We always look at each other and a sign of panic comes across our faces and then we snicker and say, "Oh, they're fine".  If you have ever left your dog or dogs, you do worry about them, because no one can watch or love them as much as you can.  Trust me, I feel your pain, I have been there.  Many times we have been on a cruise and we were sitting on the fantail of the ship with a glass of wine and one of us will look at the other and say "wonder what the dogs are doing"  and then we will try to guess and I'm sure we're never right.  There are so many things that will go through your mind.  You worry if they will eat, get hurt, get cranky with each other or "run in the road"  just don't let Dutchess see the women's clothing...she'll have them on...
When we watch someone else's dog, we try to post info to their email or on our facebook.  That's why you will see a lot of photos of a guest dog that is at our house.  Most people have smart phones and can connect and check in, just to make sure.  I don't mind because I enjoy taking the photos and being with the dogs and it makes the owners feel better.

Come back soon...

This year, we were so fortunate that we found someone that knew us, our dogs and the layout of the land.  Daniel and Chrystal Tingley are taking a vacation from their job and home and are staying at our house.  They brought Hope, Sofe and Gunny.  I watch their dogs sometimes and they are dreamboats, they behave so well.  Their dogs know my dogs  and everyone gets along fine. 
I know we will still ask each other, "wonder what the dogs are doing", but at least we can take comfort in knowing they won't be in the road, or wearing strange clothing.  Thanks Daniel and Chrystal, your the best...Give them a hug, we miss them....Ken & Elaine

When It’s Yours, It’s Different...

As some of you may know, Last week I had to take Dutchess in for what could have been a serious surgery. Of course anytime any dog goes under the knife it can be serious from the anesthesia, the surgery itself or the post-op conditions and of course, I over think each one. About 10 days ago, Dutchess crawled up in my lap and rolled over for me to rub her belly. She has had trouble with one teat and had a lump on it for several years. Well on this night, it was about 3 times its normal size and had an abscess, all of this happening in just a few days. Well as we all do, I go to the internet and Googled some info and I might as well have signed her death certificate. The internet is always a bad place to find medical conditions because it is always giving the worst conditions possible. I called my friend and Vet in Louisville and he said he wanted to see soon but the only trouble, was he was going out of town the next morning and would not be back before the following Tuesday. Waiting, something I don’t do very well and never will. So here we are, Dutchess jumping around like a jack rabbit and me in the dumps. When I worked for this same Vet, I saw many situations come in and assisted in most of them, but when it’s yours, it’s always different.

The wait for the day was long and hard. It was always on my mind and not far from my thoughts, always thinking the worst. Many people had talked of cancer and this is just something I didn’t want to face, nor did I want Dutchess to either. So off we were to the Vet and surgery in Louisville about 2 hours away. Traveling with Dutchess is always a treat because she wants to drive. She will try to sit with me and reach for stuff making it hard to watch for things I really need to watch for. Dutchess is one who always gets sick, so I prepared the car for this trip. It actually looked like a laundry truck with all the towels and sheets that covered everything. You see, I have learned my lesson traveling with the dogs before. Once, I was taking Meg to agility and I did prepare a little but just as we were pulling in the parking lot just 20 feet from our destitution, she puked not once but three times with the last one on the console of the car. She just looked at me with those sad eyes and how can you be upset. I even thought ahead by not feeding her that morning which didn’t work.

It didn’t take long for Dutchess to get sick even though I had not fed her for nearly 24 hours. It wasn’t much, but just enough to keep with traditions in the puke-mobile. She was restless and kept going from one side of the car to the other, but we made it.

Once at the Vet, she greeted everyone with jumps and licks and grabbed a new toy from their counter that are sold to pet owners to take home for their pet. She tossed it in the air and brought it to me to throw back to her, which we did. Sorry to the people who bought a used toy, but know it had the Dutchess seal of approval and she liked it.

After a short time, it was time to get started. Because this is where I had worked before we moved out of state, I was allowed to stay with her during the surgery and assist. This is where I feel comfortable and wanted to be and I’m sure Dutchess would have wanted me there too. After the Ketaset (ketamine hydrochloride) injection, it’s off to sleepy land and we’re off. It’s funny to see her jump and bounce around and right after the injection, she senses something is just not right and she comes to me. I get on the floor with her and go with her to that vast underworld, she puts her head in my lap and her eyes are trying to focus on me.  I was right there as she goes on her journey.  She was washed and scrubbed and the area shaved and disinfected.  Surgery packed opened and instruments in the ready with scalpel loaded. We’re off, I have seen this scenario a thousand times… but when it’s yours, it’s always different.  Everything went well… Prayers answered.

After the surgery, I carried her back to a pre-op observation area, I covered her up and went to lunch. She was in good hands and needed time to wake up. I returned in about two hours and checked on her and she was still very groggy but when she saw me, her tail went in circles even though she could not get up. After rubbing her face she went back to sleep for a few minutes, I'm right here... 

Dutchess was ready to come home and so was I, it had been a long day and one I was glad was over. She is recovering well and is in fact recovering too well. To her, she never had the surgery and wants to play all the time, it’s me who puts on the brakes.

 This is Dutchess wearing her "T-Shirt"  It's works much better than a lampshade or a collar and she likes to play "Dress-up".

It’s hard for anyone who has not gone through the worry to know how it affects you, but it does. You don’t want your pet to hurt or be in pain. Dutchess is a trooper, but when she was down and out, my heart broke. I have assisted in many surgeries, but when it’s yours, it’s always different. Ken

Slowing Down...Maybe

This has been a busy week, but it is getting a little better in as much, I am done with the chicken house, and my son’s deck.

 Just a few touch ups to make, and then it’s time to get the chickens, if only I knew what kind to get.

 Next week will also be a little busy and we even have a surgery scheduled for one of our dogs that just came up a few days ago. I am like a few of my dog friends and over think things and always think the worst, but I do worry about the dogs and their health and such. Let’s just hope for the best, hopefully I will know something soon. We have been lucky with the dogs and not had many problems except for Meg. She ran into a steel fence and impaled herself a year or so ago and could not get off, and she laid on the ground with the steel rod in her chest until I could help her. The bad part, I was right there to see the whole thing and I knew it was bad. Of course, it was 4:30 pm and the Vet closes at 5 pm and its 45 minutes away. I did call and said I was bringing her in and it was an emergence, and they waited for me. After all the prodding and fixing up, she was good to go home. I thought she took her last breath on the way in, when she gasp and her head fell to the seat, I thought it was her last, but it wasn’t. That’s a horrible feeling and one that you’ll not get over soon.

My heart breaks when my dogs or a guest dog gets hurt or tear up their pads running and trying to keep up with the farm dogs. The thing is, they always put their heart into whatever they do, it’s just in their spirit, something you’re not going to change…but some people try and that’s where the problems start, as we all know border collies are their own breed and think their own way.
As we slow down from the summer season, we can take a break and enjoy things getting back to normal, if there is such a thing. You might call it organized chaos but in a good way and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Everyone but Annie, she's chasing the cats

I have been in a funk since I talked to my Vet friend and scheduled the surgery. It’s just hard to accept what the worst outcome could be, something I don’t want to think about, but it’s always there floating in and out of my thoughts. I hate to wait, but I must. Good luck girl, my trust is spiritual. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, we’ll be traveling to a Vet in another state for the surgery. Sorry for the downer post, but this morning, my heart is just not into happy thoughts.   Ken

We Are So Blessed

And we are, in so many ways because of the dogs and the pups and the people we have met because of the dogs. Let me explain. Usually, when someone inquires about the dogs, we will invite them over even before the pup is born just so we can discuss our needs and wants for our pups to the new owners. We will invite them to sit in the family room and most of the time, we will have our dogs in too, just to let them the people get close and personal and to know what they are getting into.

If Clancy clime up on the couch with them and goes to sleep, that’s a pretty good sign they will get a pup, he’s a pretty good judge of character and usually hits the mark.  After their pup is born, most families will come and visit their little pup every week or so and we encourage this if possible because it helps them to socialize the dog.  During this time, we will usually meet their kids, parents and grandchildren if they bring them.  I have seen their kids grow up, watched their kids get married and been involved in some small part of their lives at times.

At times we have had some of our dog owners over for lunch or dinner and have great conversations sitting on the dock watching the dogs run and play.  One couple even became engaged on their pup’s first birthday. She arrived home from work and usually the first to greet her is a happy pup! Well this time there was no pup but her Bo with a card and flowers.  After a moment of confusion she asked where the dog was, the back room door opened and out ran the happiest Border Collie with a white box around his neck.  Her Bo got down on one knee, with the dog by his side and history was made! Some people will bring treats or gifts for my dogs and one young man knows I like Rice Krispie Treats and has brought several batches, I do hide them from Elaine. Sorry Elaine…but know even Dutchess doesn’t get any, there mine…

We are also blessed because when we board our pups, we get to see them again.  Some, several times a year.  Everyone has a hoot of a time, and we get to see our human friends again too.  Just this Friday, we had a dog come for a visit and his parents were going to Hawaii for their wedding anniversary. Yesterday, as they flew out, I got a photo from the plane saying they were on their way. “Ranger” their dog sent back licks and kisses, God speed Tom and Terry, congratulations.

One of the neat things we get to see, is their little pup grow up to a beautiful border collie.  I told Dutchess if she doesn’t get off the table today, I’m going to switch her and keep one of the boarding dogs, and I meant it… They change so much and I covet each one that comes back. Everyone has done such a great job with their dog, some a little better, but all are doing great. This week is the busiest we have ever had for dogs staying with us. It’s not a problem for them, but I want all my ducks and dogs in a row and border collies are hard to keep up with. I can’t imagine someone stopping back to get their dog and I say “sorry, your dog’s not hear” I always keep an extra eye on the guest and never leave them alone outside, but all in all they stay right on the porch and with me if they’re not playing ball or getting in the water or on my lap.  They are so amusing to watch. Just imagine trying to walk anywhere, all wanting attention and jumping trying to give you kisses.  Sometimes I just sit down and let them have their way with me. I’m surprised I have any eyebrows left. Just last night, while watching TV from the couch, I had one in my lap, one on the right and left and two at my feet.

 There is one down side to this and that’s when I get that horrible email. It always starts out the same “Ken, I am so sorry, our dog was killed today”.  It's the hardest email they have ever written and it's something I never want to hear, but have, at least five times and a pain shoots through my heart. I’ve often thought, do I want to know? and the answer is always “Yes”.  They are my pups too and will always be, and I want to know.  If possible I will send a puppy photo back to the owners that I have kept, and always try to comfort, but there is just no words to say.  In their letter, they usually mention of their tears as they write me, but I never mention mine as I write back, but they are always there.

You see we are really all a family and we are people who can help and depend on each other during the best of times and at the worst of times. Families are important and some people go through life and never know they have one, but I will tell you, I do, and there are many branches on my family tree and most have four legs the rest two.  We are truly blessed… Ken

Note;  The dogs in todays post are just a few guest dogs born from my dogs.  There is not enough room to have photos of all that stay...