Mike Neary

Karen, I know you mean well, but you’re wearing everyone out with all these questions. The HEF is a volunteer board. Completely volunteer, concerned breeders, like yourself. Questions are fine, but there is a limit where answering every little question becomes burdensome. We all have the same goal, we just need to breathe a little.

Wyatt and Thad Fleming. They raise, train, handle good working dogs.

His contributions to the working Border Collie breed have been immeasurable. Plus, he was a delightful human being! I'll miss him.

i can assure you that no one from the ABCA or the ABCA HEF has spoken to the BCSA about any topic, let alone one that has been funded by the working Border Collie community. I suspect they got their information off this site, and probably more specifically this thread. Mike Neary

So sorry to hear this, Donald. It seems like only last week Dana and I rode the train with you from Blair Atholl down to London after the international. It was our honeymoon, and the latest September 3rd made 29 years for us. Time does get by. I always enjoyed seeing you at the Bluegrass each year, and next year won't seem the same without you there. Thanks for being a champion for the working Border Collie all these years. Mike Neary

All of us owe a big debt to Nathan. He did so many things to advance the working dog in this country. Without his and Bud Boudreaus vision there wouldn't be a Nursery program. At a time when most of the best dogs were imported, the start of this program gave a huge incentive for folks to go out and train their own dogs. This has had an untold positive effect on training, handling, and breeding of working dogs in this country. Nathan and Bud really brought this program up from the ground level. Also, the National Finals were changed immensely by his efforts. He encouraged and cajoled the handlers association to take the finals from Bellevue, IL and move it around the country. This opened things up for folks all over the continent. When he was President of the USBCHA there was a strong sentiment for the ABCA to hold their own finals. Nathan worked tirelessly with ABCA Directors and USBCHA Directors to hold a single, unified finals. The long range positive effect of this was immense. As Donald noted, he was also an accomplished handler. His most well known dog was Max, but he also imported many other fine dogs that added to our gene pool in this country. I was fortunate to call him a friend, as were many other folks. His outgoing personality, warm smile, hearty laugh and wit attracted people. He was a good man and although I didn't see him much the last number of years,as he curtailed his trialing, I still thought of him often. He always made it to the finals in VA and spent a couple of days catching up with old friends. I was so looking forward to seeing him this year. I'll think of him fondly.

We had a board meeting last night and the majority of the meeting was spent on this topic. We will have a formal joint statement between the ABCA and the ABCA Health and Education Foundation coming out early next week. I know many people are anxious to hear the stance of both organizations on the test. However, this is a complicated subject and we have carefully looked into the issue going back a number of years. Combine that with fact that the ABCA is a democratic registry and the logistics of getting information to all the directors, discussing it frankly, and making a reasoned and as accurate decision as possible takes some time. We feel we owe it to the members to be as thorough and responsible as possible in regards to our official position on this test. This is a big consideration and an emotional one for many. Couple that with social media and people get impatient. That's understandable. Please be patient, we will have a very detailed statement on this topic. The statement will appear on the ABCA website when ready next week. The final statement will be voted on by the full board and until that vote occurs, it would be premature to discuss the statement now. I believe the statement will be clear enough that a healthy discussion can be had once the statement is released. Thank you for your patience- Mike Neary

Why don't people use their real names when posting? Never understood this. Here a person comes onto this site, posts very inflammatory comments, has 2 posts total and goes by the name "stardew". If one is going to post things like this, then have the fortitude to sign with a real name. I can't say I know Norm and Vicki extremely well, but I do know them well enough to be very suspicious of this claim. They are both highly regarded in the working dog world. I imagine they'd sign their name to a posting. Mike Neary

Unanimous action by the board of directors of the ABCA at a board conference call on May 19, 2015 resulted in the following disciplinary action: The ABCA has permanently barred Bill and Gloria Barnes (Barnes Border Collies) of Braxton, MS from ABCA membership for submitting false registration documents to the ABCA. Effective May 19, 2015, their registration and certification privileges are revoked. As of that same date, Lady (ABCA #344534) and Buddy (ABCA #398685) are de-registered, and littermates Bella Ishee (ABCA #344534), Oreo Cookie (ABCA #344535), Lucy (ABCA #344536), Sketch (ABCA #398680), Toby (ABCA #398681), Chief (ABCA #398682), Rusty (ABCA #398683) and Tuff (ABCA #398685) are placed on non-breeding status. Mike Neary, 2015 President American Border Collie Association

The biggest problem with the international shed at the first two Sturgis finals was the placement of the shedding ring. It was too far into the corner of the field and too close to the exhaust. The third year it was placed further up into the field giving more room for the shed sheep to move off. All three years fine wool sheep were used.

Hello board members, Just want to announce our annual Lambing School to be held on February 8, 2014. It also has value to goat producers. The workshop will be held at the Purdue University Animal Sciences Research and Education Center at the sheep unit. Purdue University is about 70 miles north of Indianapolis and about 100 miles south of Chicago. The deadline for entries is January 29 and 40 people are allowed on a first entered basis. A flier and registration form can be obtained at the following url; http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/SH/ under upcoming events. There have been a number of attendees from the boards through the years and the feedback we get is always positive. It is designed as a hands on activity and allows plenty of time for informal questions and discussion. Hope you can make it. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Mike Neary, PhD Extension Small Ruminant Specialist Purdue University 765-494-4849 mneary@purdue.edu

http://www.lolbca.com/ is the website for the Land of Lincoln Border Collie Association. It is an active club that sponsors 2 trials per year, the first being in early May. I'm about 3 hours or so from Springfield, so not close by. LOLBCA also has a facebook page I believe, I'm not on facebook so not positive about that. She/he should be able to find someone to help closer than I. Good luck- mn

Linda Fogt has a litter right now. She's in Ohio. mn

With all due respect, this does not seem like the type of sale where a beginner should buy sheep to work their dog on. This is a consignment sale and show. Prices will probably be pretty stiff, and being a new person to sheep, you will be fresh meat for some of those seasoned consignors. Sorry to be so blunt, but speaking the truth. Are you a member of NEBCA? I imagine there are members with excess dog broke sheep this time of year that they would be willing to sell. This would be a good place to start with dog broke sheep, even if they aren't exactly the breed or type you desire at this exact point in time. You can learn a lot from the first purchase of sheep, then expand your horizons as you get more experience. I would also encourage you to contact or particpate in Cornell's sheep educational programs. You can contact them direct or go through your county extension office. They can be a valuable resource. Good luck- mn

That's what I was thinking, Julie, but wasn't sure and couldn't find any info on it. mn

When does the time between heat cycles begin with a bitch that was bred, but did not settle? does it begin at the end of the previous heat cycle or at the time she should have whelped? Thanks for any info! mn

Thanks Candy and Julie. Yes, I hate to take a dog to the Vet when it's something simple. I hate worse having to call, ask about getting something and having to be screened and then explain. Thanks for the info- mn

Okay, really dumb question, but am just trying to figure this out. Has anyone ordered any of the other antibiotics from this site? For instances- Amoxicillin? I see there are 2 different strength levels (250 vs 500 mg) which is no big deal to figure a dosage there. What I'm wondering is are the pills they come in similar to what you'd get from the Vet? I know metronidazole is, but not the others. Thanks- mn

I'm very sorry to hear this, didn't even realize she was sick. I'll miss seeing and talking to her at the trials. I really enjoyed her and she was one of the WI crew that is such givers to the dogs and handlers. Thanks for letting us know Laura. mn

Judy Thayer is very good with dogs. So is Terri Kirk who is also from Lafayette. Lisa Greene lives about 40 to 50 miles south of Lafayette, she is also good. They are all friends, i don't know if any of them give lessons. As far as me giving lessons, I have on occasion, but the dog needs to be at least started enough to be out of a round pen. I don't have a round pen and don't have the desire to chase other peoples dogs around a field. If the dog is started enough to come off stock and keep itself reasonably under control, I can work with you. Erin is right though, my schedule is very full with work, family and farm obligations. If you are really serious about this, then you should join one of the regional clubs in the area. The one closest to you would be the Land of Lincoln club. It has people from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin primarily in it. I belong to it, as do the aformentioned ladies. You should also get to a quality training clinic. The clinician should be a USBCHA handler that trains their own dogs to a high level (by high level I mean someone that runs open and is a threat to win or place high). The person should have a good livestock background also, not just a "dog person". Denice Rackley has sponsored a couple of high quality clinics in the last year. She is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours south of here near Cincy. I think she is on these boards. Do I understand your pup is only 5 months old? If so, she's probably too young to get meaningful good out of lessons. Closer to a year would be better. Save your lesson money each month until your pup gets older. Use it to go as a spectator to attend a weekend training clinic. One last thing, take lessons from someone that will be brutually honest with you about your dog and your propensity to make a handler. If you actually get into this you'll find there are a number of people that hang out a training shingle that will tell you what you want to hear and not the truth (this includes some USBCHA folks). This usually means repeat customers. Everyone wants their ego stroked, and people get weird about their dogs, but what they usually need are honest answers. Every dog has strengths and weaknesses, one needs accurate information to get the best out of each dog. I don't believe 5 months is old enough to have a high level of accuracy on the merits and weaknesses of a young pup. BTW, where did you get your pup and what is the breeding? Best- mneary

I have no idea what this topic is about but the reference to Selenium caught my eye. You'd better be very careful supplementing selenium, it can be toxic. It is required by animals, but it is regulated by FDA, primarily because of the potential toxicity. Mike Neary

Oh yeah, sure, just like you to rub it in!!

My god I wish I knew how to do that little quote thing when the goddess of goose dogs starts to refer to me as "Michael, dearest", "man of experience", and "have my admiration". Actually, I suspect you'd rather kick my ass, but you're too nice and sweet to say it in public. How can someone be against mom and Apple pie? There is nothing wrong with trying to improve communication throughout the organization. It would be great. But that is not how this started, not at all. It all started because a couple of members wanted to be able to read the postings on the private sections of this board dedicated to the directors of the HA. Hence, that's why it was thought a brand new forum was needed. That is how it started, and I don't care what kind of "mission creep" is occurring, that was the original intent. And as I've discussed ad naseum, that part of the proposal is bad news. Yes, it is simple, post current topics and motions under discussion on the HA website which is located here http://www.usbcha.com/sheepdog.htm, so those members that are interested can contact directors. It doesn't take a "special" (I wish they had an Austin Powers icon for that "special") website to do that. The existing site could work just fine. I need to talk to you sometime Wendy, dearest. I'll call you, unless you think we need our own private forum(insert stupid smiley face thing here)? mn

Amy wrote (I can't figure out how to do the fancy little quote thing....) <Folks, We've said over and over....if the BOD wishes, they can have their private, not readable by anyone but themselves, space on the new forum, just as they have here. They can do their business there. Other spots on the new forum would provide places to post agenda items, news, questions to the members....and so forth. What on earth is so dangerous about that? It seems so logical to keep discussions of HA 'things' under one roof, so to speak.> When has it been said over and over, Amy? I've never seen that anywhere. Not on this forum, not on sheepdog-l. The original proposal was that any member or associate member could monitor discussion of the board without being able to participate. That is my main objection. It's bad policy for all the reasons I have stated earlier. It seems like a good idea to have a place to post agenda items, current business, etc. But that is not how this started, not even close. The HA already has a site, actually a useful site, with minutes and such. Why can't that site be used or modified? Because the original intent of this proposal was for folks to be able to "eavesdrop" onto the directors as they hash out the business they were elected to conduct. Actually, I think Herbert has done a very good job the last couple of years participating in the public forums when business that may be pseudocontroversial is before the board. This whole business of starting a new forum to discuss this topic I find objectionable. It is not a forum sanctioned by the HA, just a few members. I don't know what was wrong with discussing this in existing public forums frequented by the working dog people. Then, when all current directors don't sign up for a non-official forum, they are lambasted. I want to keep reminding everyone, the current directors are uncompensated peers. You will find all of them here http://www.usbcha.com/Officers_&_Directors.htm, with phone numbers and e-mail addresses. mneary

This discussion is starting to play itself out here just as I predict things will work if this proposal passes. 1.) A handful of people are being very vocal about this proposal 2.) the biggest majority of members (is there really 750? I'd have predicted 400) have remained publicly silent and 3.) the current directors are being mildly trashed for not participating in a HA forum that has not even been approved as a vehicle for conducting association business. I just came off as a director for the HA. Let me assure you, there is some spirited discussion that goes on in regards to association business. Often, business was brought up by specific directors that came from the membership. I agree with Herbert, "I cannot speak for al the directors but in my case,I do not want to debate my ideas and thoughts on a subject with up to 750 people. It takes all the energy a person needs to expend debating with the 20 other directors". What a mess that would be. It's no way to run an organization. It's not sensical. Communication with the membership is always a challenge. This proposal is not the way to solve that challenge. I'm not sure what the best method is, but I do know it is not this method. I have now posted twice on this subject, which is a personal record. That's how much I think this idea will make for bad policy. It will drive away otherwise good directors that don't want to be lambasted on a regular basis. Good reasonable directors that are our peers, not some mysterious person that can be trashed around if they don't agree with a vocal minority. There is a very clear process to change the HA if it is so desired. Each district has 2 directors, there are 3 at large directors, a President, a vice-president and a secretary. At least half of the directorships are up each year for election. Any member in good standing can be nominated to run as a director. You can even nominate yourself. Directors are voted on by their peers, other members, fellow handlers. It is a democracy, with day to day business run by those elected representatives, not by propositions and a small committee that says they speak for 750 members. I guess I'm not very keen to change a pure democratic process unless I can be sure it will be improved upon. mneary