Donald McCaig Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 She’s earned enough frequent flier miles for a free ticket anywhere in the continental United States; twice to California, Seattle, Texas and that long haul across the Atlantic: DIA/CDG before crossing the Channel by ferry. She’s swum in Puget Sound, Lake Ontario, San Fransisco Bay, the Gulf, Long Island Sound, the St Lawrence and Carmarthen Bay. On the 8th floor of the National Geographic Building in Washington Dc, she wore a stickon visitor’s badge. She’s been my literary dog: bookstores, readings, TV, reporters. She’s worked Rambouilettes, Scottish Blackfaces, Suffolks, Kathaden’s, St Croix, Dorsets, Tunis, Polypays, Welsh Mountain, Dorsets, Mules and Cheviot Sheep. She’s run in three National Finals and the World Trial. She’s a favorite with kindergarden kids and grownups. She can charm a preoccupied teenager. She hates to have her nails trimmed and worries she’ll be checked for ticks when you touch her ears. When she was young, she didn’t like getting in sheep’s faces and discovered when she buzzed them, they moved – a little trick she never forgot. She’ll do a shed but never enjoyed it. She had one litter. She was a good Mom. She got pyrometra and nearly died. She likes hunting moles. She whimpers for help if she gets a burr in her paw. She worked her first lambing at eighteen months. Her first trial, age two, was the Sonoma Wine Country. She’s won open trials. Handler error often snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. After her semi final run at Gettysburg, a Scot commented: “She’s patient with them isn’t she?” June never gripped off. But this spring, at the big Dakota trials, June found her sheep but it was all she could do just to keep them on the course. And at four in the morning, when I loaded up for a trial, young Fly was at the door; June stayed in her favorite chair. Traveling hasn’t been much fun for June since her husband, Luke, retired. June instructed me. She took me where I wouldn’t have gone and opened doors I hadn’t known existed. Last Sunday, at Rural Hill North Carolina, June ran for the last time. From now on, when I load up the young dogs, June’ll stay in her chair. At Rural Hill, she found her sheep and brought them. She hit all the gates and got her shed and pen. It wasn’t a winning run but June finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 What a wonderful tribute to June. She has had a great life. My best for her 'retirement'. Jovi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I agree. Lovely tribute to a lovely dog. Enjoy your retirement June! J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Moon Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Lovely tribute to a wonderful character/companion/partner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 So disappointed that I didn't get to Rural Hill this year. It would have been an honor to see Miss June's final run. Happy retirement, June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. Happy retirement, June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Agreed, a lovely tribute to a fine dog. My best for a happy retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Sounds like she's earned her rest. Doze and dream happy dreams, June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 For those of us who have never met June, you have given us a glimpse of her life. May her retirement be long and happy..enjoy the chair June Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Happy Days, June - dream of sheep, bones, hunting moles, whatever you choose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilyfalk Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Donald, I'm pretty sure Christine has some photos from the weekend if you're interested in contacting her. Happy retirement, June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCStarkey Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Thank you, Donald. June is indeed a fortunate sheepdog to have had you for her partner. Regards, nancy PS: Please keep us posted about June during her retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Oh, Mr McCaig. I'm *that* close to tears. What a lovely tribute to a grand old girl. God bless her in her sunset days. What wondrous tales she could tell. Also, I'm charmed yet again by mention of her "husband," Luke. You break my heart so beautifully. Thank you for sharing this, and June, with us. ~ Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serena+Eluane B.C. Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 What a wonderful tribute to a very Blessed Partnership! I was very touched by your tribute and may June enjoy many additional years of Golden Anniversaries with her husband Luke! She has enjoyed so many wonderful times and been on so many Heart Journeys with you far and wide. Congratulations, June, and well-done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 June couldn't ask for a better tribute. In your various postings, she sounded like a grand dog to have for a partner. Have a long and happy retirement, old girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougf4 Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Lots of dogs love. Lots of dogs impress. A few, special dogs go beyond and they just totally impact and dominate our world. June obviously impacted your world Geezer and the manner that you recounted some of those memorable moments for us is a joyous tribute to your partner. Thanks for sharing. As for you June - well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Simply beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixx Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 That was beautiful. Happy retirement June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmsgyay Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 What a great story! She's lucky to have you to give her such a wonderful full life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Elle Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks for writing this for us, Mr. McCaig. That'll do, June. Good Dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I always have enjoyed reading your vignettes about June, travel with your dogs, and such. I know I'll enjoy reading about her retirement, if you're willing. And enjoy the easy life, June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Mr McCaig your lovely tribute to June made me sentimental for a dog I have never met, enjoy your retirement for many years June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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