So we’ve been out of touch, and didn’t sign up the collies for the Christmas card exchange, and they are not very happy with me. But since today is the official Christmas card day in the Blogville, we are going to share ours here, for all friends and readers!
Sending warm wishes this Christmas from our pack to yours!
And just like that, our 2024 dog show competitions are over! But what a year it was! We ended the year with 30 new titles, including two new Champions. The collies made us very proud, and they had so much fun while doing it! We are going to spend a couple weeks relaxing and enjoying the holidays, and catching up on our blog. Then we will be starting 2025 off with two dog shows.
But first, we want to share our news from this past weekend.
Saturday, under Judge Cindy Meyer, our ZuZu, Creekwood’s Fireheart, BCAT, FDC, FITB, won Winner’s for her 2nd major, then Best of Winners and Best of Variety over the specials! Then she followed it up with an Owner Handler Herding Group 4! And we discovered it was a 5 point major, the highest a show dog can earn!
Then on Sunday, ZuZu won Winner’s Bitch and Best Op (Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety), which gave her 2 more points. She now needs just one more point to finish her championship! It would have been nice to finish one more champion this year, but it was such an exciting weekend we won’t complain!
Video of ZuZu winning Best of Breed and then her Group 4 in the Owner Handler Group.
When people choose a particular dog breed to join their family it can be for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s a dog breed they grew up with and it’s connected to happy childhood memories. For others, they may have fallen in love with the dog breed after reading a story or watching a movie, and after researching the breed, realize it fit their lifestyle and family. I know many people who chose their dog based on the breed’s ability to perform a particular task, dog sport or service. Still others may have chosen that breed of dog solely because of its appearance.
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| Lad and my daughter |
Unfortunately, if a dog is chosen because of its appearance, or because of a fictional character in a book or movie, it doesn’t always work out. The dog ends up rehomed, dumped in a shelter or abandoned, through no fault of its own. I love the collie breed for many reasons. Many of my family members had collies, so I was familiar with the breed and already knew the wonderful qualities and quirks they were known to possess. I grew up reading the collie stories written by Albert Payson Terhune, and watching the old Lassie movies, so I loved their personalities and beauty. Sharing my life with collies has also taught me to appreciate the amazing versatility of the collie breed. So far there hasn’t been any dog sports that my collies have tried that they haven’t enjoyed. The breed is athletic, intelligent and eager to please, a combination that leads to their ability to earn titles in a wide variety of sports.
But the collie is not for everyone. They can be a very vocal breed, and love to express their opinions on every subject. They will grumble, whine, sigh and moan to let you know their thoughts and feelings. They also love to bark, as it’s a tool that was developed in the breed to aid in herding, it’s part of their nature. A bored collie will bark at everything, and needs a moderate amount of exercise each day to curb this. But they do have a great off switch, and are happy to snuggle on the couch with you after a nice long walk. And they are a double coated dog breed, so they shed, a lot. It’s very manageable, as long as they are given a good brushing each week. And lastly, the collie breed was developed to be loyal to their families. They are social animals who thrive with affection and close interaction with their humans. This is not a dog that will be happy left alone in the backyard, and they will vocalize their displeasure for all the world to hear.
So why should you consider owning a collie? These are our top 10 reasons we love this dog breed so much:
1) Intelligence - the collie is an intelligent breed. they have to be intelligent to be able to perform the tasks they were originally bred to do. With this intelligent dog, you can expect them to get into some mischief from time to time. I’ve witnessed my Scarlett hustle by, hoping to avoid notice, carefully gripping the edge of a stolen plate in her little front teeth. I hung a set of bells on the back door, intending to eventually teach the collies to ring them when they need to go outside. I didn’t need to teach them. Clever Sophie noticed that when the door opened the bells would jingle. It didn’t take her long to begin ringing the bells whenever she wanted to go outside. Sometimes I have to hide the bells, because she rings them nonstop on nice days, when she would prefer to be outside!
2) Athleticism - the collie is a naturally athletic dog breed. The collie was bred to herd sheep and drive farm animals to market. This makes them great at a variety of dog sports, like agility, and when combined with their intelligence, makes the collie breed a very versatile dog. But unlike other high energy dog breeds, they enjoy long naps, preferably in a patch of sunshine, and love just spending time with their families.
3) Affectionate - the collie is a very affectionate dog, with their own family. They love to be by your side, and will show their love for you in a variety of ways, including following you from room to room, your very own collie shaped shadow! Collies make wonderful therapy dogs, because they are naturally sweet and are happy to make new friends. But they definitely prefer the company of their own families over everyone else.
4) Intuitive - the collie was bred to work closely with humans, so they have become very good at reading our emotions. This makes them very insightful when determining what we need. I have watched Scarlett go to great lengths to make me smile. Sometimes she will grab a toy or a pillow, stand in front of me with a gently wagging tail, waiting for me to appreciate the gift she’s found just for me. I’ve come to realize that she could sense when I was stressed or unhappy before I did, and would actively try to soothe or amuse me.
5) Empathetic - I think this is true of most dogs, and it’s one the qualities that make dogs so special. Dogs make excellent therapy animals because of their ability to offer comfort to those in need. And the collie is known for being particularly sensitive. Their gentle, compassionate nature makes the collie excel at therapy work. With their gift of empathy, they always seem to find the person who needs them the most.
6) Beauty - while all dogs are adorable and lovable, the collie is just one of those breeds that were gifted with a little something extra. Their graceful, elegant appearance and striking markings, are definitely eye catching. When I’m out walking my collies, or doing a therapy visit, people will always stop me to compliment them. I’ve even had people stop their car to ask about them because of their beauty. So if you don’t mind owning a dog that literally stops traffic, the collie may be the dog for you!
7) Trainability - Collies are very easy to train, often learning from each other as well as their humans. My rough collie, Ryder, began doing the classic “Lassie” wave as a puppy. We thought it was adorable, and lavished him with praise, so it became one of his methods of asking for a treat. He was the only one of our collies that did this, and we never taught any of the others to do it, as it became his own special trick. What we didn’t realize was that Scarlett, showing her high intelligence, was watching. And one day, when we had Ryder sit and do his wave, a trick we dubbed “show us Lassie,” Scarlett hurried over and sat right next to him…and started waving her paw in the air! She had been observing what Ryder was doing, when we asked him to “show us Lassie,” and how it earned him praise and cookies, and wanted her fair share! And while Scarlett is incredibly special, most collies are easily trained with gentle, positive training methods. I recently came across a Facebook post honoring a collie that has earned an incredible 69 titles! I honestly believe there isn’t anything this amazing breed can’t be trained to do! There are collies doing search and rescue, Barnhunt, agility, obedience, Therapy visits, service work, herding, dock diving, carting, and so much more!
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| Beautiful, clever Scarlett |
8) Easy to groom - Collies are very clean. I mentioned above that they do require a weekly brushing, and when they are shedding, there will be increased sweeping and vacuuming around the house. But in general, collies are a pretty clean dog breed. Mine will avoid puddles, as they don’t like to get their snowy, white paws dirty. And unlike other breeds, like doodles, they don’t require expensive trips to the dog groomers every couple months. I bring my collies to a “do it yourself” dog wash, and for $12, I get the use of a raised tub, dog shampoo, towels and a blow dryer. If the rough coat seems like too much brushing, there is always the shorter, smooth coated collie. But both the rough and the smooth are a double coated dog breed, so both will still require that weekly brushing to maintain their beautiful coats.
9) Great with children - the collie is often pictured with children, and there is a reason for that. They are devoted companions, and they are very affectionate and protective of children. Their playful nature makes them an ideal best friend for a child. They are always ready to lend a sympathetic ear to a child’s woes, and are happy to be a shoulder to cry on. While it’s true they may try to herd children, or other family members, with some training and guidance this can be managed.
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| My grandson, getting comforted by Ryder |
10) Real life heroes - collies are known for their brave and heroic acts. Don’t believe me? Please check out this post, which shows just a handful of times a collie has saved the day! Recently a collie named Rowdy risked his own life to save his family’s four year old child, click here for his story. You have to love a hero!
With their stunning beauty, collies can be found in all forms of art. And with their brave and loyal hearts, as well as their fun loving, impish sense of humor, they have been celebrated in books, film and television. They are an ideal family dog, are one of the top breeds chosen as service dogs, and with their intelligence, they make a very versatile companion for anyone interested in competing in dog sports. If you haven’t considered a collie for your next best friend, please research the breed and see if they would be right for you. The Collie Club of America has a great resource to learn more, please click here.
Fast CAT in our area is over for the season, so we have been concentrating on both dog shows and Barn Hunt, and have some happy news to share.
We recently did a Barn Hunt competition, the first in many months. We took Sophie and Sorsha, my daughter’s collie. Sophie ran out of time the first run, but quickly remembered what she needed to do. On her second run she did the tunnel, climb and found the rat, qualifying her for the first of the ten required wins to earn the next title, RATNX.
Sorsha on the other hand remembered exactly what to do, and she was so fast she earned both her RATN title and went High in Class. Then she qualified again on her second run, earning her first out of the ten Qs for the next title RATNX! It was so much fun getting back into Barn Hunt, we forgot how much the collies enjoy it. And Sorsha’s RATN was the 27th title our collies have earned this year, they have made us so proud!
This year we are joining other bloggers from around the world in a united effort to Blog4Peace! Today, November 4th, is the day bloggers use their voices to hold the light against darkness. We are trying to spread light and joy, to spread peace, in a world that seems to need it now more than ever.
Each blog will choose how to hold the light in their own personal way. It took me a while to decide how to use the collie blog to spread a message of peace and light. I just wasn’t sure what to share, how to use our blog to make a difference. But then I realized, there is already a very dedicated group of collie owners who are working to help both collies and their families. I decided that sharing their efforts, and all they have accomplished, here on the blog would be the perfect way to “Hold the Light!” The group is called ColliesWithoutBorders, and they kindly allowed me to interview them about their organization and how you can help.
How and when did ColliesWithoutBorders start?
ColliesWithoutBorders (please note no spaces in our name) was founded by Flora Scheck, a collie owner, who was touched by the devastation in Ukraine and through Facebook friendships, realized how many collies and owners were impacted. Finding themselves unable to buy food for their beloved collies and other family animals, was one more horrible byproduct of the war effecting these families. The war in Ukraine gave us a purpose. Collies and their families united, joined paws and hands, and worked out a plan to give and help, proudly taking a stand that no collie would be left behind. Collies became for us a beacon of gentle hope, beauty, and peace, teaching us what courage, tenacity and faith are in the face of such inhumanity and cruelty. We found a common cause and together we became an overnight force.
What are the main goals?
To help collie families anywhere in the world when their lives are disrupted by catastrophic events.
Our mission is to keep families and their beloved pets together when faced with war or natural disasters.
Can you tell us about a couple of collies and families you have helped?
We currently sponsor 166 collies, the majority in Ukraine because the need is so great as well as some collies in the USA. This year we also opened our sister branch in the UK, Ukrainian Rough Collie Aid. We work closely together to assist collies across Europe.
CWB assisted several collies with medical emergencies, as well as providing funds for food monthly, and relocation assistance for families and their collies who had to be evacuated due to the war. We currently are helping 3 collies in Ukraine who found themselves homeless after their owner was killed. We are in the process of rehabilitating them and finding homes. We also provide anti-anxiety vests and calming chews, which have proven beneficial to those dogs terribly stressed by continuous bombing.
How can people help CWB in their effort?
If you would like to join us in our efforts to assist collies and their families, please visit ColliesWithoutBorders.org and our FB page ColliesWithoutBorders. You can donate, sponsor a collie, or shop our store for unique collie themed items. Our mailing address is ColliesWithoutBorders, PO Box 256, Pluckemin, NJ 07978-0256
We love our mission and seeing our organization growing, but we can’t do it alone. We depend on volunteers and donations to keep doing what we do. Please feel free to contact us if you or someone in your community can help.
Well, it’s officially November 1st…so you know what that means….time to start our Christmas shopping!
Most people consider their pets to be members of the family. And as part of the family, most pets can expect a gift this holiday season. The collies always get to open presents on Christmas morning, so I thought I’d share some of the gifts they have asked me Santa for this Christmas!
1) New toys! While none of our collies are toy obsessed, they all get excited by opening new toys. They are all in touch with their inner puppy!
2) Stuff to chew on! So with senior collies in the house, we have stopped buying bones. While they all love a delicious new bone, I stopped buying them after Scarlett had to have three teeth removed earlier this year. This was after she broke them while chewing on dog bones. We also do not give the collies rawhide, as we don’t want to risk them developing an obstruction or choking. So to keep them happy, and to fulfill their desire to chew, the collies picked these bully sticks as a safer alternative.
3) Cookies! So I would have some very sad collies if there were no dog cookies in their Christmas stockings! Each Christmas they get these Santa Snacks dog cookies by Blue Buffalo. They love the cinnamon and oatmeal flavor, I like the cute shapes.
4) More Cookies! It’s been a longstanding tradition that the collies also get a package of these sandwich cookies, by Three Dog Bakery. They actually love these so much, we give them as gifts to our friends and family’s dogs too. This year we are buying an extra package to donate to our local animal shelter, so they have a treat on Christmas morning too.
5) As collies love to be comfy and cozy, a new dog bed is always on their list. I always laugh whenever I give them a new bed, as they all line up to try it out! I haven’t picked out a bed yet, but I know I will have some grateful collies when they spot the new one. With 13 year old Ryder’s arthritis issues, I’m going to be looking for a comfy, orthopedic dog bed, as he prefers to sleep on the floor at night.
Do you buy your pets gifts for the holidays? What’s on your pet’s wish list?
The night wind was blustery and cold, and the sky was dark and full of clouds. I walked down the road, the wind pushing at my back, hurrying me along. It was getting late, and I had considered asking for a ride, but only had a mile to walk until I reached my home. The Halloween party had been fun, and it had been a while since I had seen my friends, so I lingered longer than I had planned. Shivering from the chill in the air, I considered taking a short cut across the cemetery, but hesitated. "Isn't this the perfect scene for a horror movie?" I asked myself. Glancing to my right, I studied the gravestones, looking for any sign of movement. There was nothing there to disturb the silence, only an empty stillness.
I quickly made a decision, hoping over the knee-high fence, I jogged across the cemetery. While I did not believe in ghosts or monsters, I did have an active imagination, so I moved as quickly as I dared in the low light. I was about half way across the grounds when I heard a low, pain filled howl. Pausing, I turned to stare into the shadows, looking for the source of the sound. Was it just the wind, flowing through the trees that created the mournful sound? Or was I not as alone as I originally believed?
I took a step, to continue my progress across the graveyard, when I heard it again. This time it was louder, a wailing lament full of loneliness. A shiver of fear ran down my spine, while tears filled my eyes at the sadness in the ghostly sound. No one should be so sorrowful, I knew I couldn't ignore a cry that was so full of despair. Telling myself I was crazy for lingering in a cemetery late at night, I pulled my cellphone out of my pocket and turned on the flashlight.
Hearing the low moaning again, I made my decision. Slowly, with equal parts dread and determination, I made my way towards the sounds. The wind continued to blow, tossing my long, brown hair into my eyes, making it difficult to see. Passing through the rows of gravesites, I stared into the darkness, looking for the source of the heartbroken cries. Suddenly, off to the left, I could swear I saw a shadow moving, low to the ground. I headed in that direction, unsure of what I was about to find.
Passing through another row of graves, I finally discovered who was mourning in a cemetery alone at night! Gasping, I fell to my knees!
Not sure I could believe what I was seeing, I was frozen in shock. Lying there on the cold ground, his eyes full of pain and grief, was a rough collie. He was a beautiful creature, and he looked so out of place curled up next to the old, gray headstone. As I stared at him, he softly whined, begging for help, for someone to care. I slowly reached out to him, and ran my fingers through his long fur.
"Are you okay? Are you lost?" I softly asked him. He whined in response and stared at me, with a tilt to his head and a gentle acceptance in his eyes. I glanced around us, and seeing no one, I turned back to the collie. "I can't leave you here alone, do you want to come home with me?" He slowly stood up and walked towards me. Placing my hand on his furry mane, I encouraged him to follow along at my side.
We soon reached my home, and the collie walked inside, as if he had always lived with me. I brought him into the kitchen and grabbing a bowl from the cupboard, I poured him some water. He quickly drank his fill, while I searched for something to feed him. "You must be hungry, let's see what you can have to eat." He just sat down and waited patiently, as if he understood my words. Looking in the fridge I spotted left over chicken. Grabbing it, I cut it into small bites and fed them to him. He took each piece so gently, I could tell he was well trained.
Basic needs met, I decided it was time for bed for both of us. "Come on big guy, you'll sleep in my room. I can't have you wandering around my house unsupervised. In the morning we will try to find your family." He once again followed me, and watched as I made him a bed of blankets on the floor of my bedroom. "You can sleep here, you sure are a good dog," I told him as I stroked his beautiful fur. With uncanny intelligence, he laid down on the blankets with a sigh. He looked happy and grateful to have a soft, warm place to sleep, and his little pink tongue gave my hand a kiss of thanks. "Good night handsome collie." I got ready for bed, and fell asleep listening to the quiet sounds of his breathing.
When I woke up the next morning, it took only a moment to remember my guest. Looking over to the bed of blankets on the floor, I realized the collie wasn't there! Looking around my room, I didn't see him anywhere. My bedroom door was still shut, so he couldn't have left. Sinking to my knees next to the bed I had made for him, I stared in confusion, wondering if it had all been a dream. But later when I spotted the bowl of water on the kitchen floor, and the missing chicken from the fridge, I knew he had really been there.
How he disappeared from my room, and where he went, will always be a mystery. I did return to the cemetery, to the spot where I had found him, but I never encountered the lost collie again. Was he a lost dog, lonely and looking for companionship? Or was he something more, perhaps a weary soul wandering through the night? I can only hope the comfort I gave him allowed him to continue his journey knowing he had a friend. I still think of him from time to time, and wonder if my ghostly visitor ever found his way home...
(This story was originally published on October 31st, 2018. I wanted to share our spooky collie story once again, on this spooky night.)
We described how the dog sport of Fast CAT works, and you can read the post here. One of the great things about Fast CAT is that every dog can participate. It doesn’t matter how fast they run, if they run slower it may take them longer to earn a title, but they won’t be disqualified for a lack of speed. In fact, I believe the only way to be disqualified is if the dog attacks another person or dog, or if the dog relieves herself on the course. Addi learned this the hard way, when after a run she stopped for a potty break. She was on grass, so I couldn’t fault her, and she still had fun during the run.
If you are looking to rank your dog in Fast CAT, then helping them to get their best score, might be one of your priorities. One of the key things to achieve this, other than encouraging your dog’s enthusiasm for the sport, is to make sure they are physically fit. Overweight dogs, or dogs who are not used to running, will not be able to run very fast. It doesn’t mean they can’t try Fast CAT, I watched an older French bulldog stroll down the course, taking his own sweet time, but also enjoying himself immensely.
Since our girls are young and fit, and giving their best effort at chasing the lure, I have been watching their AKC ranking. My employers gave me a scooter for my work anniversary this Summer, so I’ve been using it to help Addi increase her speed. I cannot run with her, so I ride the scooter and Addi runs along side, which she loves! We also do walks and hikes with the collies, which helps keep them healthy and fit, but the scooter really helps build speed and endurance. I can’t use it with the older collies, as I’m always mindful of their age limitations, so for them it’s strictly walks and easy hikes. But we are curious, do you exercise your dogs? How do you get them the exercise they need?
