Just when I think…

Just when I think I've seen it all, the dogs will surprise me again.  I have seen each one do things that were strange, funny, witty and even odd at times.  Usually it’s about Dutchess, but this week it’s about someone I would never suspect.  I’m talking about Annie Belle. 

If you have made a visit to the farm, you have seen her play ball first hand or I mean carry a ball while everyone else plays and she just runs around following the other dogs with a ball in her mouth.  But today was different.

As we were preparing to go for a walk and we were gathering things that we would need, I got my camera, coat, gloves,  Dutchess got her Frisbee, Abby got her ball, Annie got her food bowl....WHAT!

 Actually, it’s not her food bowl, its Errin and Tucker's bowl who are staying with us for a few days and the bowls were brought with them when they were dropped off for their stay.  Annie got excited that we were going because she had waited all day to go and play, so at 8:30 am, off we went into the wild blue wonder.  Here she came running down the driveway as fast as she could with the food bowl in her mouth.  

She had run a pretty good distance and I told her she had to take it all the way, no giving up or dropping it and I certainly was not going to carry her new toy for her.  So off we went, all the dogs and Annie and her dog bowl.  At first, she did pretty good and was maneuvering it pretty well.  She would carry it by the lip and then change position and carry it another way.  She was so excited, she had another toy and no one else had one, but I know that no one wanted one so everyone left her alone to carry her treasure as freely as she wanted.  There was no snarling, growling or trying to steal the bowl and she could run as happily as she wanted.

The first encounter was when she ran into a tree and knocked it out of her mouth and as fast as she could, she snatched it up like it was a juicy bone and off she went on another adventure.  She seemed so proud of her bowl and displayed it proudly.  

The second encounter was when she flipped it up and the bottom was covering her eyes again.  I sensed she knew she was getting into trouble so she dropped it and changed positions, holding the bottom toward the ground.  I know we would be in trouble if she lost it and at one time I thought she would.  She observed the other dogs playing with something that "she" wanted to carry so she dropped the bowl and took off.  “ANNIE, come back here”, pick your bowl up and carry it back and surprisingly she did. 

She picked it up and off she went, carrying it all the way back to the house, where it was put up out of her reach...Poor Annie.

While I’m not surprised she carried something around, I am surprised she got Errin and Tucker’s food bowl.  I just glad she didn't try to bring both of them.  Annie, you’re so cute….

Give Them a Chance

We had a wonderful few days this week.  We had a couple board their dog for two days and we got the privilege to watch their 5 month old, part Border Collie, part "something" puppy.  Her name was “Scout” and she was a wonderful dog and we enjoyed her stay very much. 

  She was very well behaved and had the run of the house and did not have ANY issues with anything, including getting along with all of our dogs.  When they arrived on Friday, they also brought their other two dogs too.  They were also great dogs and at times I was envious because of their beauty and nature.  One was an “Aussie” and the other’s were full or part Border Collies.  When we settled down and enjoyed some good conversation, Elaine and I learned that all three were dogs were rescued.  All three were a pleasure to be around, and were beautiful and well mannered.  

As I thought about this, I remembered that one of the best dogs we ever had was a  “Free to a good home”.  He was a wonderful pet and added so much to our family.  This week, I have had 3 different calls where people wanted dogs that did not need a puppy.  One was a student in college, one was a senior citizen and one did not have the space.  All three wanted a border collie for several reasons and in my heart, I knew it was a bad idea.  With all three, I talked them out of getting a Border Collie puppy, something most breeders would never think of doing, but I knew it was a bad idea at "this" time in their life and my concerns was the well being of the dog.

But what are the alternatives? The senior citizen, who was 82 had always had Border Collies, and wanted another one which I can understand, but a puppy?  My first thought, God forbid if he passes before the dog, who will take care of the dog.  Would the dog go to a neighbor or friend who really didn't want it and then relinquished it to a shelter?  This could mean certain death in some cases. I suggested that he find a BC rescue and adopt one that is also a little order and they can both spend their twilight time together and besides, you don’t have to house break them and go through the puppy stage.  The other two people also wanted a pup and I suggested the same thing.  There are many BC’s given up for many reasons.  The biggest being activity or lack of it from the owner but others reasons play a part in this too.  We once re-homed a BC because the owner died unexpectedly and no-one in the family wanted the responsibility of a Collie.  There are a lot of wonderful dogs that are out there looking for good homes, just waiting to shower you with kisses and waiting for you to get home.

While I certainly understand everyone wanting a Border Collie, not all matches are made in heaven, but the timing might be bad or you might want to wait for the right fit.  Everyone needs a home and if you can, look at some alternatives for a dog.  It might be the best thing you could every do for yourself and for the dog.

While we do raise Border Collies here on the farm, in my heart, I do feel that there is more to being just a “breeder”.  It is also my responsibility to be an advocate for the breed.  While I want everyone to feel the love for the breed, there is more, and while we usually don’t have pups to sell.  There is always a need to instruct, advise and provide a place where dogs can socialize and board that is BC friendly and where people can come for help.  I have never looks at having or selling dogs as a business or in competition with other breeders.  All breeders should be in for the dog, nothing else and if I can help, just call.

On another note, Dutchess is doing well, she is ready to play and wants her stitches out, which will be today...Good Girl.  It was nice to see her in the house and lay in my lap, just relaxing and sleeping.  Her only issue was during a walk, she got on the ice and fell through in 8 feet of water.  Luckily, our guest was with her, walking his dog.  He jumped into the frigid water over his head and saved my girl.  Thank you...Bad girl... only Dutchess... 

To the Vet...

Well here it is Saturday night and I don’t have anything to write about.  I've thought about this all week and I even had a few good ideas of things that happened this week that, I thought was great.  The only problem is I forgot what they were.  I even said to myself, “write them down, there good, No, I’ll remember” Well guess what, I’m sitting here looking at the keyboard thinking…at least it’s not Sunday morning and I’m looking at the clock.

The big event this week was going to the Vet with Dutchess and Doc this week.  Well…here we are taking up her food and water up the night before, no problem.  I let her sleep with us and we can watch her.  She did great, until morning.  Before I knew it, she had the toilet seat up and her head was in the toilet getting a long cool drink of water until I caught her and put the lid back down (we always flush).   Bad Girl Dutchess.  As we were getting ready, she found a 10” rawhide somewhere in the house and ate the whole thing because she did not get her food and she was hungry….Crap.  I got the hydrogen peroxide out and gave her 5cc and waited and waited.  Don’t make me give you more, now throw up we gotta go! and up it came with the water and the rawhide.  I will tell you, I hate throw-up more than anything.  Did I say I hate throw-up….After gagging several times, Elaine took the towels from my hand because she felt sorry for me and finished what I had started.  So off we went to the Vet, we went to Louisville this time where I use to work at the Vet’s office to see our friends and do a few other things that needed to be done.  Doc curled up and went to sleep and was a good boy and didn't make a sound except when he wanted to sit in my lap, which he tried several times.  Dutchess claim to fame on the trip going down was she threw up (Oh crap…not again).  After the surgery, and while we waiting for Dutchess to wake up, we went out to eat and to meet up with my cousin Peg and after lunch, it was back to the Vet to get Dutchess.  She was ready to go, except she was a little woozy but off we went, back home to Indiana.  Things went well until all of a sudden, Dutchess stood up and decided to pee while we were traveling at 70 MPH.   “OMG, what is the world is she doing?” (Not my exact words).  She sat back down and went back to sleep.  I guess that was from having her head in the toilet that morning.  Note to self: Put Dutchess in a cage before any other surgery.  If there is a good thing about this trip, I had prepared the ode puke-mobile for such things and it was easily cleaned up, and I’m sure Elaine didn't mind.

All in all, everything went well, Dutchess had a little trouble with some bleeding but I re-wrapped the bandage and she cleared up shortly after because of the added pressure. 

Dutchess has been staying with us since her surgery and has enjoyed the added attention, but no ball playing or jumping on the bed.  In just a short time, Dutchess will be back to normal doing the things she always does, except one…No more puppies.   

In a way, I regret not having anymore of her pups, they were somewhat like Dutchess and always got into everything, but in a good way.  As expected, Dutchess was the initiator of the “act” and would hunt Clancy and find him when she was ready.  

I will tell you this has been a trying 5 months for trips to the Vet.  While I like the people, I am getting tired of financing their vacations, but they all are good and have always been there when I needed them, Thank you...

I do want to mention something that is dear to my heart and I hope yours too.  It is a Border Collie Rescue in New York called Glen Highland Farm.  

What Glen Highland Did in 2012

It has 175 acres of rolling hillside that tends to the needs of border collies and was started by Lilly Goodrich, the President and CEO of Goodrich Tires and John Anderson President/CEO, Genesis Counselling.  Both Lilly Goodrich and John Anderson walked away from their fortunes and started this farm because it is what they believe in.

Glen Highland Farm

They are in it for the dogs,  Thanks, Ken

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We Did It Again

Several months ago, my son Brad told me “if you get one more dog, I calling the Animal Hoarders TV show and I’ll watch you on TV”……..Well, I guess I should expect the TV trucks to pull up any day now.  I only hope I get some money for it.   A friend of mine in Kentucky was downsizing her kennel and posted a notice on Facebook that she had a few dogs available to good homes.  I turned to Elaine and ask, “do we have a good home”?  She jumped at the answer and eagerly said “NO” I said not us, do we provide a good home for our dogs?  She laughed and said she could resist and said “of course we do” Dutchess over heard this and I swear she shook her head no and I’m sure it’s because she did not get her fill of Frisbee that afternoon and I refused to play in the house with her anymore because she knocked over the easy chair, diving after a Frisbee several weeks ago and if you know Dutchess, you know it’s true…

“Doc” is short for his new name of “Doc Holiday”.  He is a little over two years old and is a Sable color with traditional border color markings.  He is a beautiful boy and is one of the friendliest dogs I have ever had, including some of mine. He is very loving and gentle and loves to run to me and jump up in my arms and just hold on, squeezing me as we stand still and looking at me with those big amber eyes.  He has been with us for about 3 weeks and everything seems to be working well with all of the other dogs.  He Challenged Clancy once and was very quickly put in his place in short order and learned that Clancy is King of this domain, but maybe it’s because Clancy has twenty pounds on him too, Doc wagged his tail and puttered off in another directions and I swear Clancy smiled and said “I’m da Man”, which he is.

The first day he was here, we were trying to make him feel comfortable and after feeding him we let him out of the kennel and wanted to love on him and see what boundaries he had.  We found out in a few moments, he had none.  He came right up to Elaine and sat in front of her and sat down with her.  She had a slicker brush and thought she might brush him or at least see if he would let her.  He curled up between her legs and put his head on her leg and went to sleep while she brushed him.  She said he’s a keeper and I agreed.

The only thing missing is his name on his own kennel stall which I will order next week.  Doc is originally from Texas but has deep roots from England, Wales and Scotland.  His Great Grandfather won the 2005 World Trials and his Great Great Grandfather was the International Shepherd Champion 1985, Scottish Shepherds´ Champion in 1979 & 1986 and has won over 100 Open trials in Wales and Scotland. 

Doc is still finding his niche; he wants to play, but will only run after the other dogs not really knowing what to do.  He will run up and down the hills and will watch the others play or stand with what appears to be a big smile.  He has fit right into our family and our hearts for several reasons.  The first is when he jumps on me and as I stroke his face, he reminds me of another dog we had and had to give up, a decision I often regret.  The second is his personality and the big heart he has.  As I have always said it'n not the paperwork that makes the dog, it's what you put into the dog, so he'll know what to do and how to act.  Someone in his first two years spent a great deal of time making Doc who he is and it certainly shows.  Thanks Wendy...

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The Journey

It was Tuesday, the second week of February of 2006.  My cousin Peg and I were in route to Smiths Grove, Kentucky to check out some dogs and possibly purchase a puppy.  We went to a farm house that had a barn behind it where two litters of border collies with a total of eighteen puppies were running and scampering in the straw.  Just after a few moments, I spied the pup I wanted.  There was no reason, color or markings that made her stick out for any special reason. I just wanted her and I don’t know why.  

Molly

We paid the farmer his money and started our journey back home to Indiana.  Little did I know how much that trip would change my life and how instrumental Peg and Molly would be intertwined in my life's Journey. I didn't want another dog but “Max” was a dog we had and seemed to need a friend and companion.  

Molly & Max

“Max” was an outside dog and never came in, so another dog would probably stay outside too, or so I thought.   The dog I picked out was a party color and wasn't marked like a standard border collie but a little different, she was cute and I named her “Molly Mae”.

On the way home Peg and I talked about the new dog and wondered if she would like Max and would they get along.  I've never had a dog, much less two.   As you can imagine, Molly stayed in the house the first few nights and melted out heart but Max still wanted to stay out.   Molly became the house dog and the rest is history, our Journey had officially started and we were going down the path at full speed and I didn't know it yet.

 Today the last pup that Molly will ever have went home and last night, I sang to them for the last time, we played together and I rubbed their head and held them one last time before they went to their new home.

Molly's Last Litter

 I sat down in the kennel and thought about the Journey we have had and how fast time flies.  It just seemed like yesterday that we went to that old barn in Smith’s Grove and it’s sad that I won’t be able to hold any more of her pups, but I take solace in knowing that many other people can hold part of her, and take that Journey with us.   Molly will enjoy sitting in my lap and being with us in the house and I think she deserves it.

We all are traveling down that road and taking a journey.  Some of us know it and some of us don't, but we  are.  I just wonder where I'd  be if I didn't find that old farmhouse or picked that pup for no reason, because she was a little different.   Maybe it was fate, maybe it was destiny, but I did, and my life changed in so many ways.  I often wonder how the lives of our pup owners have changed because of that little fuzzy pup that entered their life and turned it upside down.  Life is a Journey but we do hold the map, some can read it, some can't.  Hopefully that little pup can help make your Journey just a little smoother.  My  life has changed so much because of a Journey that Peg and I took together on that snowy day in 2006.  On Wednesday of this week, Peg made her annual trip from Louisville to cuddle and hold each one and send them off with her blessing, as she has with all of our pups.

Here are a few of the pups that Molly had with a unique color pattern.

Thanks Molly Mae, for giving many of us a Journey that has changed our life, I know it has with me...Dad

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The "Thaw"

Last week, we had a wonderful time playing in the snow but as all good things come to an end, the weather got warmer, the sun came out, but our walks and dog runs continued, I started seeing the dreaded time of year that I fear.  The “Thaw” not to be confused with “The Thaw” horror movie but it has the same effect.

 I noticed it and decided to put it out of my mind hoping it would go away and I was sure I was just making things up in my mind, seeing things that weren't there, but the next sunny day the feelings came back and were even stronger and I felt the effects, some I could even see.  NO  NO  NO… Am I losing my mind, I must be, I’m going crazy…It can’t be.  For the love of God, ...not… THE THAW……..Please spare me this year I screamed.  Just as the locust invades the fields at harvest time, the bears come to the stream as the salmon spawn, the “Thaw” invades Dogwood Ridge... once again.

See How They Change

Here I was standing right in the middle of it and I could see the effects almost immediately.  Although it didn't affect me in a horrible way, I did notice what it did to the dogs.

Notice The Growl

Lock Your Doors....Don't Let Them IN

We have all heard of the dreaded plagues of Egypt, but one that was always omitted because it was too forbidden was “The Thaw”.  Here is a photo of the original plagues that was found by a researcher in an ancient tomb with "The Thaw" written in blood......

 Plague of Lice

Plague of Flies

Plague of Murrain or Pestilence

Plague of Boils

Plague of Hail

Plague of Locusts

Plague of Darkness

Plague of the Death  

Most Dreaded Plague of The Thaw

Right before my eyes they changed, In a flash the were not the dogs that I knew.  Like zombies, bodies without a soul, walking frames of fur that once held a beautiful creature that I held and cuddled, gone forever and ever and evermore....

But wait....

Angles Singing... 

Sun  Shining...

Birds Chirping...

Booster Bath...

When all hope was lost, out of nowhere, a miracle from U.P.S...appeared, and the rest was heaven...

When I was walking on my land

Let My Doggies go

Oppressed so hard they could not stand

Let my doggies go

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How Can I Help You?

Ring…Ring…Ring…

Veterinary Clinic, can I help you…

Oh, I’m sorry Mr. Shuck, I didn't recognize your voice… and to think we talked last week when you brought Dutchess in for stitches…She is Beautiful, How is she doing…and your other dogs?

Clancy…Have we seen him before?  I didn't think so, but we've seen your other 6 haven’t we…

What seems to be the problem?

He did what?

Yes, we can see him  right now, we’re closing, but you’re one of our best customers; In fact, your dogs might be on the cover of our calendar next year.

 we’ll wait for you….

As I made this call, I realized that I made one last week and several times before and I almost know the number without looking.

Here we were, walking through the woods while the dogs were whizzing by us like  flashes of lighting.  I looked down and saw a patch of fur and hair stuck on a stick that was protruding from a tree.  In my mind’s eye, I just knew it was one of our dogs. 

Everyone ran and scampered in the snow, having a good time, but I just knew there might be a problem.

After examining him, Elaine found it, the call was made, no question, he needs to go in and of course, its closing time on a Saturday.  Why can’t this stuff happen when the office is open?  Clancy had snagged his skin on that very branch that I saw and he needed stitches.

How active is a Border Collie…Here is an excerpt from a website about Border Collies…

 Question: What is the worst thing about Border Collies?

 Answer: Border Collies are extremely intelligent and active dogs. Intelligence and hyperactivity are not characteristics that most people are capable of handling.  Border Collies need constant attention and if they are not true working dogs, they need to be given "chores" and "tasks" around the home to serve as outlets for their boundless energy. If no outlet is given, they will find one on their own (generally one not desirable).  Being smart allows them to learn quickly, not only how to behave but also how to get into trouble.  It is not easy to "fool" a Border Collie into doing or not doing something.  You must always be one step ahead of them and sometimes it isn't so easy.  The hyperactivity is also something you must think long and hard about. Some individuals are certainly calmer and less active than others but the breed as a whole, because of their breeding goals, is highly active. If you live in a small apartment or have no place to run the dog in wide open spaces, I think another breed of dog would be better suited for your circumstances. If you want a dog that lies around the house most of the time, is rarely noticed, and is generally unobtrusive, then a Border Collie is not for you. They demand (literally demand) lots of attention and lots of activity. If you do not have the time or energy to devote to the dog, then there are better choices.

All in all, Clancy is fine and will heal nicely as will Dutchess.  The important thing, is to know when to call the Vet.  Remember, they are the Professionals and you can't beat a Professional at their own profession.  They are the experts.

Are Border Collies active?  Oh Yes! They will put their heart into anything they do even if it's licking your eyebrows off or putting their cold nose under your arm as you type or when they are sleeping in your lap.  Whatever they do, they do it with gusto and with all of their heart.  If you own a Border Collie, you know exactly know what I mean...
My dogs play hard, very hard and I can only assume that most border collies do too.  I have seen a bad Frisbee toss go into the woods and all of them head into the trees and I cringe, thinking that any one of them could hit a tree and cause a head injury, I've seen all of them charge into a thicket of briers like it wasn't even there, all because they wanted to go through it.  Border Collies are all action when they play, but are the sweetest of all dogs too.  I have found that as hard as they play, they love just as hard...and give all of themselves.  If you own a Border Collie or are wanting a Border Collie, just know they need a little more than other dogs and give me a call, I've got a number for a good Vet...

I say this as Dutchess puts her cold nose under my arm as I type this post and see the pretty blue stitches in her lip from playing so hard last week.....

Mr Shuck, just to let you know, we have already booked an appointment for you next week...
No it's not for a routine visit, it's for anything that may come up...Thank you for your visit today.
"Thanks"

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