Meet our dogs

Heidi joined the family in 94. She had 4 litters of pups and showed me how to raise them. She is a loving, sweet, and playful girl. Two of her pups (sired by Speck, Jess' sire) were bought by Orville Maxwell, who trained them as working stock dogs. The female pup, Binky turned out very well and was later sold for a large sum; I'd like to find her again some day, just to see her work. Many more of Heidi's pups have also made great working dogs.

Heidi is also a 'ball stopper' and loves to play rock soccer. She has an entertaining trick of bumping a ball (toy, piece of popcorn) back to you with her nose. She can even send a volleyball over the net.

Heidi was adopted by a wonderful couple who now spoil her with toys, treats and attention. She has her own bedroom and they take her to do her own shopping at Petco for every holiday and birthday. She gets Chicken Marsal cooked specially for her, every Christmas, with no other doggies to share with.

She is very happy.

In 1999, I decided to add another female to our family. I love the look of red dogs and started my search. I found Copper (left) in Georgia. It was a struggle getting her here, and she arrived sick from her long trip, but quickly recovered and became a beautiful dog. At first I wasn't sure I would like that short coat, but she is the easiest to care for, and dries quickly after a bath, or getting caught in the rain and mud.

She is the smartest animal I have ever met. As a pup she was stubborn, and difficult, and I nearly gave up on her. But once she reached maturity, she totally changed and now I could never part with her. (although she can still be quite stubborn at times!!)

How many dogs do you know that can play hide and seek?? How many do you know that cheat??

Copper has the Herding Capability Certificate and is a fast and agile worker.

She also loves agility, too bad our practice site was so far away.

Jess (right) comes from the same breeder who owned Bandit's sire. After looking so hard for a good red pup, I found her only a few miles from home when Copper was about 9 months old. Since I love the old farm collie type dog, from older working lines, I just had to have her too.

I had to wait a long time for a red girl from this breeder, she was certainly worth the wait. It all worked for the best though, if she had arrived a year earlier, I never would have found Copper.

Jesse is a sweetheart. Always at my feet, that is when she can't get in my lap. Jess has tried her paw at agility and loves it, although she gets so excited she can't stop barking, and stays so close I always fall over her. Way too much fun!!

She spent one short week with a trainer, (Thank you Linda Johnson) and then earned her

Jr. Herd dog certificate with her untrained owner. She's a natural worker, and hopes that some day; her owner will buy her, her own flock!!

Jess had her first litter of 7 pups in 2002 , sired by Bandit.(See the 2002 link for pictures)

In 03 and 04 she was bred to Orville Maxwell's Jack (see the pedigree page) a fine stock dog, Great grandson of Pulfer's Shep. With plenty of other fine older dogs in the line. We kept Raven out of the second Jack litter and she has turned out to be a wonderful dog.

After Jack's death, we bred Jess to Miki (see the pedigree page for Miki) in 05 and 06

Nipper is a pup from their first litter.

Jess' final litter was sired by Chilly, who is a blue merle. We kept Brandi, a red merle out of this litter and she is going to be loads of fun.

Jess is now happily retired for our breeding program. She has been a wonderful mother and raised many fine healthy pups for me.

Bandit, was our second Border Collie. At the age of 15 even though he was not as fast and agile as he once was, he still didn't miss much action and was always ready to join the fun, especially if there was a ball or Frisbee involved. It's always been his job to be the 'ball stopper'', but rarely retrieves it. He is the father of Heidi's first litter of pups, as well as Jess's first litter and Gordy's sire. He has been a faithful and loyal companion. If we were running a sheep farm he would have had an even happier life. He has natural balance, and calm working ability. He is the ultimate 'Old Fashioned Farm Collie", ready to announce visitors and entertain them if we aren't around, and keep an eye on the kids. He was always watching and ready to help if we need him. His worst vice was his love for chasing house cats, but he was careful not to catch them most of the time.

Unfortunately, we were never able to get him registered; he would have made some great improvements in the breed as a stud dog. We lost him in the spring of '05 due to kidney failure. We will always remember him as a faithful friend.

Some things are just meant to be.

Jesse's first litter arrived in 2002 while my parents (who lived in the U.P. of Michigan), were visiting, due to my Grandmother's illness.

Then, just 7 weeks later they were visiting again, because my Dad had just been diagnosed with cancer. It was one of the most emotional times of our lives. Just as the pups were being chosen and leaving us, Mom fell in love with Gordy. We decide he could stay with us, until Mom and Dad were ready for him. They were still morning the loss of their springer spaniel 'Chigger Bug' and with Dad not well, it wasn't a good time to deal with a pup.

We lost Dad just a few weeks before our 2003 litter arrived, in March. Since the laundry room was getting crowded, we talked Mom into taking Gordy home. They are in love. He is the best therapy she ever could have.

Gordy is very unusual for a Border Collie, he is very calm and quiet, very much like his father Bandit. His favorite activity is sleeping under the table, but he's always alert and ready to go for a walk whenever Mom wants, even if it's only to the mailbox.

Introducing....Brandi!!

Brandi is a red merle female from Jess' final litter.

born on Christmas eve 2006.

Brandi is a playful and outgoing little pup.

I am trying out clicker training for the first time with Brandi and at 7 weeks old she was already coming when called, then sitting or laying down for a treat. She is learning fast.

Like her big sister Raven, she loves chasing the cats around the house, but already knows better than to touch one!!