Maggie

Congrats to Maggie, adopted by Nic & Julie on 10/9/13

Maizy

For us she is a perfect match and speaking for Lucy, and I think I can do that as you will see, we were a perfect match for her. Given that she is a Border Collie and therefore very smart, she did extremely well and learned the lessons quickly, but she worked best when I would take her to the park, and also the backyard, and work her off leash. She was, and is, focused and she wants to please. What a treat to work and play with her. The following Sunday, the trainer evaluated Lucy as a possible herding dog and would you believe she encourage us to get her started in a training program. It may be hard to believe, but after the session, I couldn’t agree more. (HA!) That session and there were two, one separated by a “time out to think” for Lucy, was a “hoot”. We found out in a big way Lucy is a motion sensitive BC. We entered the round pen with the trainer and four sheep and because the sheep were dead still, Lucy was quiet and calm and no problem. The trainer moved to the other side of the pen with the sheep and then told me to drop the leash and walk to her. Well, I did and the sheep started to more, then Lucy started to move. They both moved faster and faster until the race was on. I never knew sheep could jump so high. Twice Lucy caught one and ended up with a mouth full of wool. This all happened toward the end of the first session and after we got her under control thing started to get better. The trainer then had me isolate her in the car so she could “rethink what had just happened”. The next time, maybe 30-45 minutes later, she was a completely different “herding dog”, and yes you could see the herding instinct begin to appear. She has a lot to learn, but I have the time and as long as Lucy and I are having fun we will continue the training. Starting in November we will start training at the center one day per week and now I am taking her back to the park in the evening for more play and training. This time using the BC commands. Long story, but the pictures should give you a feel for the fun, at least for Lucy, Linda and me, that day. Not so much for the sheep. For Lucy is the perfect BC for us. As Sue said she is very sweet and has the two most important traits any BC could have, namely; intelligence and the instinct to herd. Congrats to Lucy (formerly Maizy), Adopted by John & Linda on 4/20/2013

Magic

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Murphy

12/27/12

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We adopted Murphy in August of 2012. He is a wonderful addition to our family, and is in his forever home.
He is a bit scared of unknown noises and unfamiliar people and sounds, but is getting better daily.
He loves his morning runs at the dog path, and his am walks. He has adjusted well to our daughter's black lab, molly, and my mothers westie... they are partners in crime.
Murph has a new nick name.....Murph the Mouser. He catches mice on the dog path. He is pretty fun to watch this process.
We continue to work on training and he responds well. He is smart!
Thank you!
Debbie and Dan Shanahan

Mick

8/22/12 UPDATE on Mickey!! Mickey found his forever home in September of 2009. Mick's Mom writes:

Here is Mickey now – what a great dog! He and his buddy Sophie are inseparable! They do everything together. We picked up Mickey when he was around a year old. He was painfully shy and didn’t know much about socializing. He is the sweetest boy and just loves everyone. He is very special.

9/2010 UPDATE

Mickey has been with us close to a year – he is a gentle soul. Mickey is the happiest dog we have ever had and is a joy to have as ours. His buddy Sophie (a rescue herself who is three years old) welcomed him with open paws they are the best of friends and are we like to say are “tight”…one has to know where the other is. Mickey came to us painfully shy and underweight. He now weighs 35 lbs and has a great appetite for food and life. He loves his car rides and loves his back yard. Loves to ride in the car. He still plays ball but now he can bring it back but still maintains that BC herding stance while he is waiting. Mickey has also taken to our cat and will go give her kisses. Mickey is and always will be a cuddlier – he waits for me to put the blanket on the couch for TV time relaxing and will stay there all night with you just to be close. Mickey just completed his obedience training last night so it was graduation for him (which is the picture I am attaching) and of course in the BC way passed with flying colors. He is a happy guy and has managed to win our hearts. Thanks to Maggie for nursing him and his brother through their Parvo illness when they were little, he is quit the survivor. Ed & Judy