bcherder

I just wanted to add a few things about Jack. He was born in my bedroom. I took him out of the sac and wiped him down with a towel. He fit into the palm of my hand and drew his first breath in my hands. I KNEW in that first instant that he and I would be best friends forever. Thirteen and a half years later, he would die with my hand on his rib cage feeling for a heart beat. I've had bcs for many many years but none that meant as much to me as Jack did. We were a team and I swear he could read my mind at times. My daughter called and asked if I remembered the time we were watching " The Shining" ( Steven King movie) and Jack .....at one of the suck your breath in moments , seemed to fly through the air to land up on the couch and huddled against me as if he understood the scarey part had arrived. He was a dog and I KNOW he didn't really understand but it sure seemed like he did sometimes. My grandaughter, at four years, was very sick once with a fever of 104. She was very lethargic and was on her way to the hospital. She wouldn't respond to us when we talked to her but Jack came to see what was wrong with her and she reached out her arms and clung to him. " Oh Jackie" she said with a smile. He brought that out in people. I know there won't be too many people interested in reading this but it will do me so much good to write about all the great things I experienced with Jack the wonder dog. I remember once at a herding clinic, Jack went and picked up the instuctors pop can to throw away. It wasn't empty yet and the instructor was not happy. I remember when he was a puppy. We were invited to a puppy class that was to be televised. All the women and their pups were sitting on the floor and the pups were allowed to approach any of us and get a dog biscuit for a reward. Jack went two or three people down getting treats at each person but when he saw another pup approaching me to get a treat.......he ran back and chased them off. I swear that he had a sense of humor. He didn't like other male dogs , especially if they were strangers but all I would have to do is whisper to him, " don't you even look at that dog" and he would avert his head and not look. Meanwhile his hair stood up on his shoulders until we were well past. He had so much respect for people. He loved everyone. He had his favorites and would greet them like he was over joyed they were back to see him. He was such a special dog. I never tried to teach him anything that he couldn't learn. He wasn't the greatest herding dog but it just didn't matter to me. He wouldn't put on the speed needed to do a good outrun and even with professional help, we just couldn't speed him up. Other than the speed issue........he was willing to do anything I asked of him. He had HEART ! He was gentle with lambs and never bit a sheep that didn't deserve it. And even then.........didn't do any damage to the sheep. He was such a patient, gentle boy. I wish I could paint a picture of how wonderful and unique a dog he was. I wish I was better with words. I wish I could have had another 13 yrs. with Jackie boy. His ashes are coming home tomorrow.

thank you Vicki. I can hardly write for the tears in my eyes. He really was a beautiful boy, both inside and out. He also had a tremendous sense of humor. I will miss him forever and ever. donna

Tibbie, you were loved and will be very missed. I remember HATING that your first US owner made you work tough ewes with new born lambs at their sides all the while knowing it was too hard for you. No wonder you didn't want to work anymore. Once you came to me, you learned to trust me and went back to work. You had so much heart,after all you'd been through, to trust again. You made me happy . Such a big mouth you had. Such a rabble rouser you could be....waiting till I left the house and then getting all the dogs barking. The other dogs adored you for this. You were the best eating dog I've ever known. Anything and everything were your two favorites. My heart broke a little with your passing. You will always own a piece of it. donna

Last winter my middle daughter and her one year old daughter, Kat, were staying with me. Vicki had me watch Chase while she was out of town. One afternoon Kat was crawling across the living room floor and Chase walked up and sniffed at her. He looked up and made eye contact with me and looked terrified. He ran to the front door and huddled down as if he were expecting to be beat ! My immediate reaction was that his past family must have not allowed him near a youngster and maybe came down too hard on him for it. I made a big fuss over him and reassured him that kids were not off limits in my household. From that moment on..............he NEVER left her side until Vicki came back for him. Currently............he has adopted Grace the child as his own. We call the duo " Grace N Chase " donna

The first set of pictures shows how depressed he had become . The last picture with the pink baby blanket looks like he's thinking........... WHAT have I gotten myself into???

Eileen, I think Katelyn meant member of the board of directors of IBCA. d.

Beth, you are SO right. It was very hard for Vicki and if this help was for her personally, you would NEVER have heard about it. BUT because it's for a dog, she will take any help out there and ask for more. I once saw Vicki almost beat someone up for not treating their dog very well. Thanks everyone for sending so much to help Puck and Vicki. donna

Kim, I don't think you have anything to apologize for. Were you going to post some pictures? donna

Melanie said: I fail to see anything ignorant about that post. If we cannot " learn" from the past, how are we to advance? If we cannot share our knowledge with others, how are they to learn? I wonder what personal issues caused this type of response from you? donna

AND in the end, after all is said and done, this question begs to be asked: Would YOU export one of your border collies to Asia? Pass the word please. www.dogsinasia.com donna

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Anda, No need to lick muzzle ! There is nothing wrong with wondering about something like this. It is big news in the border collie world and I for one am very curious about this and make NO apologies for being nosy. I understand why " details" cannot be published, due to lawsuits....possible misinformation and etc. but NOTHING wrong with wondering. Once it is posted that action has been taken against anyone...........who wouldn't wonder what this person did ??? My thoughts go to the owners of the pups this woman sold and I feel very bad for them. They may have been more careful of who they bought a pup from, but I'll bet they never thought their pup would have no registration privledges down the road. donna

So here is Maggie.......asking to be given a chance to learn about working border collies. She says that she wants to train them to herd sheep. should be the " magic" words on this board, but what happens? Not here long and someone is already jumping on her. Doesn't this board want to be an educational tool for border collie owners everywhere? So.........I'm asking............. Is this bulletin board going to give her a chance to ask questions and learn more about herding? donna

Personally I think destructo has many valid points and a very creative way of presenting them. Am I the only one who read his posts and could see , (through his eyes) how stupid most of these comments are? There was more " learning value" in his posts than 90 % of what I've read on these boards that were " supposed " to be all about educating in one venue or another. I feel that he is a breath of fresh air, who tells it like he sees it. If he makes us take a good, close, honest look at ourselves and our behavior on this board..........then......hurray for him! donna