StillTerry

Oops cut of some of the infamous and numerous excuses: Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 30 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 32 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 33 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 35 if you went through all these 'presses' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog who is missing his family.

Just got this in an email and thought that I would pass it along...a sad and depressing commentary but needs to be read if only to stop one or two people from impulsively and irresponsibly buying that cute puppy. Animal Rescue answering machine message: Hello, You have reached 123-4567, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation: Press 1 if you think we are veterinarians and want free medical advice. Press 2 if you know we are a rescue organization on but want to save money and want to have us give you free, untrained medical advice anyway. Press 3 if you make $200,000 a year but still want us to pay to spay the "stray" in your yard (house). Press 4 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away Press 5 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 6 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 7 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 8 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 11 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old, unneutured, aggressive dog. Press 12 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home today and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 13 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because we can't get to your house in the next hour. Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 19 if you want one of our perfectly trained, housebroken, kid- and cat-friendly purebred tiny dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion. Press 26 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 28 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered yet and want new home for him.

A., The only reason that I could not run Beau with the stitches in was because of the location. He was ripped right behind the front leg and down the side. When he ran, he pulled on it. (Actually, I may have ran him anyway but the last time I worked him before the accident, he didn't listen at all. It was a good excuse for us!) He pulled his stitches out anyway and had to be stapled which was not a big deal. What trial are you entered in? You are going to a trial without me? I am crushed. Just started lurking on the boards again. Read a loooong 90 + thread on dog behavior with lots and lots of big words on dog behavior. (It started with an aggressive rescue dog.)

I am home from Canada and back on the boards. Got lots of pictures of Tux to chose from. Thinking about papering a room with all of them? Also a great one of Merc putting sheep through the panels...... These pictures are GREAT but look at the great subjects that he had.

Cute story. Wonder how much he weighs under all that wool? Interesting that he is still alive at the ripe old age of 10 with all that wool which had to hinder his ability to move freely.

Cute story. Wonder how much he weighs under all that wool? Interesting that he is still alive at the ripe old age of 10 with all that wool which had to hinder his ability to move freely.

Gibber, I hate to throw cold water on your idea of putting money into your children's college fund from your litters but you may well be living in a dream world. 1. There is a HUGE difference between farmers "showing interest" and a definite "Yes, I want a pup and I will pay X amount. Farmers are notorious for NEVER wanting to pay any money for a pup. I am also curious why they would "love" a dog that has not proven her ability. Apparently, they have not owned working dogs before. 2. There are many great stud dogs and bitches in Virginia. The people that will pay money for the pups will not purchase a pup from a bitch that is not a proven worker....just showing potential will not influence them at all. There are too many great dogs in Virginia. Although the stud has a great pedigree, there are dogs with great pedigrees that can't work and they are a dime a dozen. What are the previous litters of the stud like. Are there any dogs trialing or at least working on farms? 3. Any responsible buyer who has any knowledge of the border collie breed will also want to know if the damn and stud of the pups have had their eyes and hips certified. That will cost you a minimum of $200 per dog. Additionally, since you will be a responsible breeder, the puppies will need to have their eyes checked which will cost about $25 per head before they are sold. Don't forget the cost of puppy food, vaccines, etc. Generally and hopefully, your bitch would have no birthing problems however if she has trouble, you are talking at least $200 in vet bills. 5. Since you want your children to see the wonder of birth, to be fair, they should also see the horror of dog pounds and euthanasia. Or just take them around and show them what happens to pups that are just sold to anyone. It is not a pretty picture. I know this post probably sounds harsh to you but it is the real world. I am not a hard person, just the opposite. Just worried about more the lives that the pups will have. Just giving you some food for thought.

Gibber, I hate to throw cold water on your idea of putting money into your children's college fund from your litters but you may well be living in a dream world. 1. There is a HUGE difference between farmers "showing interest" and a definite "Yes, I want a pup and I will pay X amount. Farmers are notorious for NEVER wanting to pay any money for a pup. I am also curious why they would "love" a dog that has not proven her ability. Apparently, they have not owned working dogs before. 2. There are many great stud dogs and bitches in Virginia. The people that will pay money for the pups will not purchase a pup from a bitch that is not a proven worker....just showing potential will not influence them at all. There are too many great dogs in Virginia. Although the stud has a great pedigree, there are dogs with great pedigrees that can't work and they are a dime a dozen. What are the previous litters of the stud like. Are there any dogs trialing or at least working on farms? 3. Any responsible buyer who has any knowledge of the border collie breed will also want to know if the damn and stud of the pups have had their eyes and hips certified. That will cost you a minimum of $200 per dog. Additionally, since you will be a responsible breeder, the puppies will need to have their eyes checked which will cost about $25 per head before they are sold. Don't forget the cost of puppy food, vaccines, etc. Generally and hopefully, your bitch would have no birthing problems however if she has trouble, you are talking at least $200 in vet bills. 5. Since you want your children to see the wonder of birth, to be fair, they should also see the horror of dog pounds and euthanasia. Or just take them around and show them what happens to pups that are just sold to anyone. It is not a pretty picture. I know this post probably sounds harsh to you but it is the real world. I am not a hard person, just the opposite. Just worried about more the lives that the pups will have. Just giving you some food for thought.

Addendum: i just read Mark's reply to you regarding breeding on another thread. His response is a much better response than mine. If any one has read it, it is worth re-reading again! Next time I will read new post before I write one.

Triple registered means nothing as does color in a working breed. It is how the dogs work livestock that makes them valuable. If you are not sure how this dog will work livestock at a fully trained level, why would you think about standing him at stud? There are breeders and there are breed multipliers. There is a big difference. Not meaning any disrespect, but owners of good bitches will always breed to a dog that has proved his worth. What I am trying to delicately say is that you probably will not have any worthwhile bitches come to breed to him. When you stated that you "took the dog" to stand at stud, does that mean that you were given the dog? If you were given the dog, what makes you think he would be valuable as a stud? As far as the aggression between the two dogs, if you do not want to wake up to a dog fight, don't leave them alone or unsupervised. It appears from your post that when you are in the picture, they do not act aggressive toward each other. If either dog postures, correct him immediately. Don't let it escalate. There are some males that will never get along. I think that it is too premature to say that about your males at this point.

Pat, Some of my dogs I can work from an ATV and some I cannot. One of my dogs is very obsessed with it. (She is many chapters in the obsessive/compulsion dog owner's manual.) When I first got my ATV, I had problems with the young dogs which were of my own making. I used it exclusively to run them and give them exercise. They were unsure if they should follow the ATV when I took off or bringing the sheep when I sent them and follow me with it. The problem is resolved. Guess what I am trying to say is it depends on the dog. I know that Lyle runs her dogs with an ATV for exercise so I bet that Rob is familiar with it. You may call her and ask her about it. Since you are going to be at Lyle's in May, she could probably get Rob used to working off an ATV at that time. Ask her. Gotta run. Beautiful day. Taxes done. Going to try my puppy on sheep for the first time today.

The news about Buddy is the best news that I have heard all day. I predict that you will be running after the running Buddy very soon.

Sent everyone an extra copy of my great post as I am sure that you will all want to keep it for eternity.

Charlie Apparently you haven't seen some of my runs or you would not be afraid of your incompetence. It's always hardest to make a fool of yourself the first time..........after awhile you get immune to embarrassment. To the rest of the Charlie Club.....I have just one question.............why is there only $11 in the fund..........we had $22........when were funds dispersed without full disclosure....or should we ask to whom? A. has been quiet on the boards all day, do you suppose that she has been out shopping with her ill begotten booty? Bet she didn't even save enough to buy her friend Sam a minute's worth of hohos.

Charlie Apparently you haven't seen some of my runs or you would not be afraid of your incompetence. It's always hardest to make a fool of yourself the first time..........after awhile you get immune to embarrassment. To the rest of the Charlie Club.....I have just one question.............why is there only $11 in the fund..........we had $22........when were funds dispersed without full disclosure....or should we ask to whom? A. has been quiet on the boards all day, do you suppose that she has been out shopping with her ill begotten booty? Bet she didn't even save enough to buy her friend Sam a minute's worth of hohos.

Ak Doc, How is your little Buddy doing? You have helped so many on these boards, I wish that we could help you in some way. Just know that we are concerned and care about Buddy and you. Terry

A-Frame: I distinctly remember that the by-laws for the Charles Torre, Who Does He Resemble Non Profit Organization specifically forbid the treasurer (a position that you assumed since I do not recall voting) from being appointed to the Charles Torre, Who Does He Resemble Committee (of one)because it is a conflict of interest and definitely not an arm's length transaction. I also take exception to the fact that the considerable funds are being held in your PERSONAL trust account. Glad that S.J. is home. Isn't Kayto a side kick of some super hero? Or was it O.J. Simpson's guest house guest? Just what rock band is Mahlar? KA CHUNK UNK Since Charles knows what Sam looks like, the best way to stop the hidden digital camera photographer is to all wear t-shirts with ANDREA FROM CANADA conspicuously emblazoned across the front for our early morning walks.

For all of us in the States: There is one lone Canadian currently in our midst. She is definitely outnumbered. Dare I suggest that we play by US Rules? Only difference is IF you order your partner up when you have the deal, you do NOT have to go alone. (This would also eliminate some of the dreaded table talk) (However, it does not give one as much free time to sip and sigh) By the way Canada Rules Lady, I remember your US partner saving your Royal Canadian @#@# by going alone numerous times. I am soooo glad that my groveling time is over.

Denise, You can help Rob and Sam at Euchre at the Bluegrass. They need every bit of help that they can get. Anyone interested in the game: bring chair, table, cards and drinks at the Bluegrass. Honesty optional.

Mark, IF Pinochle is your game, contact Bev. She likes to use her brain and the rest of us don't have one. Just don't bend her cards. Where is that big dog from the North? Grrrr Quiet is not A. Do you think that we may all be actually working this morning? Coke with lime. Hot Damn. The Euchre Champion of the World.

I'm also using the hormone excuse for my runs. Hope it works. My sheep were so glad to get in the pen on my runs that they opened the gate!

I am finally home. Last one to get there and the last one to leave. Mark, I am a Bay Bridge survivor. It really was anti-climactic when I went over it for the first time. After you have visited the Capitol and George on Pennsylvania Ave. while searching for the bridge, it is not nearly as bad as Lost in D.C. A. and I started an addiction. We brought Euchre south of the Mason/Dixon Line. A good stock tip is to invest in companies that sell Euchre decks. It is going to bigger than moon pies or is it ho's? S.J. and Rob need to practice or at least review the rules before the Blue Grass. Kur Thump.....Kur Thump......Kur Thump And my bitch is still in season. Who has the money from the Charlie pool? Is the pot in Canada? Winner gets US funds! All I know that my money is looooonnng gooonnne.

I am going to run Pipenstein in full season. It seems a bunch of us are rushing in with our "little darlins" where wise (wo)men would fear to tread. I may miss an early run on Saturday but will be there some time with my whistle on. Using it is another question. Just got the motor home, have to pack it and we are having a big bad thunderstorm. Hope to get there early Saturday morning. Going off the bronchitus meds that make me drowsy so I can drive and drive and drive. (I know some of you believe that I drive as well in my sleep as I do when I am awake.!) So you guys can run dogs better than I can .....but I can always beat your #@%#@ in spades.

Sam, I may not be able to leave until Friday but I'm hoping to leave late Thursday night and get a few hours in of the haul. Pipinstein will be in full season for the clinic. The boys will not have their minds in learning mode or trialing mode. Dogs have not worked sheep since December. I may never complain about people who don't have their dogs under control again.....at least not audibly. I will give you all a monetary reward if someone can find me a respectable or at least a non-violent person to drive me across the BBBIIIIIGGGG Bay Bridge Thursday night. My last year's chauffeur refuses to come back and drive me over. How quickly they forget about you when you aren't getting a dog from them. See ya soon. Mark, Watch out I will be on 81 and 29 Friday afternoon. If you aren't hauling a big heavy rig, be careful. Unavoidable little bumps from my rig can do more damage than you would think possible to light weight vehicles.

By the way, I am not condoning some nit wit allowing their dog to get in your dog's face. You have every right to speak up when this happens.