Lots of Changes!!!

Wow! I finally got Mom to sit down and let me update my blog. It has been FOREVER!!!!

Lots of things have happened:

1. I started competing in agility and got my level 1 and 2 CPE titles.

2. Mom helped with the NEBCR Lucky 7...and I got a new sister

3. Mom got a new job and we are moving to Maine.

Agility

So I'll start with agility. Mom said I could start competing when I learned my weaves...

so I learned them really fast and now I am competing. I started out a little nervous and I watched mom a lot. Then I realized, heck, this is easy...and now I do it MY way. Except...now mom calls me the demon spawn and sometimes doesn't let me play the whole game.

But in my first trial I got 8 out of 8 first and Q's. Mom was very proud. I tried to take it easy on Mom because she was wearing that stupid cast and couldn't keep up with me, but finally I had to do it my way. Finally she got the cast off and she is doing a much better job of doing what I say.

She says I cannot move up to level 3 until we act more like a team...so c'mon mom, get on the ball! I'm ready, why aren't you?

NEBCR

In late September, mom got word that there was an awful place in TN that had border collies. They got busted and now those 108 border collies needed to find new moms and dads to adopt. So 7 of them were put in a truck and came to NEBCR to find their people. They call them the Lucky 7. I don't know...they are lucky to be out of there, but the REALLY lucky ones are the people who have had the chance to meet them and work with them. Every one of them has said that they have been touched or changed by the experience. If you want to read more about the Lucky 7 and the other dogs in foster care through NEBCR, try their blog: http://nebcr.org/blog/

Mom said we were going to go to SugarBush Farm for a while to help -- and it would just be border collie time -- so she and I got in the RV and drove to NY. Mom met the Lucky 7 and helped take care of them. Some were scared of people and new things...but the nice NEBCR people started to teach them to trust...and how to earn a lot of cookies!

When we arrived, Uncle Craig told mommy that there was one that he thought she's really like. I am not sure what he meant 'cuz mom likes all doggies. But later that day she was walking freckled Spice and she just begged to stay near mom. More border collies came in to be helped and they needed extra space, so Spice came to stay with us for a few nights in our RV. It was fun having a border collie playmate...someone to play bitey-face with.

A few days later, we had to go home and mom said that Spice would not be coming with us. I was sad, but mom said that in another couple of weeks, we'd be meeting with Uncle Craig and he'd bring her to meet up with us. She said Spice would be my foster sister.

I know about being a foster sister cuz I was Dune's foster sister. A foster sister has to teach the rules and play and be a friend to the foster dog. So I told mom I could do that. I couple of days later mom said she was changing the plan and rather than waiting two weeks, we would go back to Sugarbush as soon as she got back from Oklahoma. We could take Raechel with us to make sure Spice got along ok with fun little dogs.

So we did. And guess what? Spice liked Raechel. So we brought her home to foster. All the little Black n Whites like her. She is sweet and calm and very laid back...and even a little shy sometimes. Mom and Dad changed her name to Genesis (Genny) since this is a "new beginning" for her away from the puppy mill.

After a few weeks mom talked to the other people at NEBCR and told her how well Genny was doing...then she announced to the family that she was no longer going to be our foster sister. I was sad because I really like Genny and I was sad to think of her leaving. But I know that finding a forever family is the BEST! so I was happy for her. Then mommy surprised us by saying that the reason why she was no longer going to be a foster sister was because she was going to be our forever sister!!! Hooray, she is staying!

Moving...I'll have to do a separate entry on that one...it has been quite an adventure!

I Love Mud!

It has been raining for the past 25 days. Mom is not nuts about that...she says it is getting too muddy. But there is no such thing as TOO MUDDY! It is so much more fun to run and slide and dig. I Love Mud!!!!

Our cousins, Angus and Pepper, came to visit for a few days. Angus didn't like the mud too much. He thought it was a bit un-dig-nified. I told him " oh contraire, scotty cousin, it is VERY "dig"-nified. " and I showed him and his sister, Pepper how to dig in the mud. He wasn't convinced. But Pepper thought it was great fun. And Mom laughed to see a wheaten colored scotty all full of mud.

I taught Mom a fun new lesson today. After she brushed me and made me all purty, I showed her how to really groom me. I ran around the house with Jonah and Raechel -- and they slobbered allover my shaw; then I went outside and found the little pond, jumped in then rolled in the mud. When I showed myself to her, all she could do was laugh.

Training Mom for Agility

I decided that Mom WILL take me to Nationals next year. When I told big brudder Isaac that he just laughed at me. He said that no one can force Mom to do anything, she has to WANT to do it.

So after I showed her I could do my weaves I was a really good girl for the whole next day. I did my contacts, didn't drop any bars, and even looked ahead rather than always looking at her when we played on the equipment. She said I could "try" a trial in July. I am SOOOO excited.

Then I begged Mom to run with me so I can practice running near her. We did that a long time ago when Mom said we were doing foundation work. I don't know what that means, but I remember running in circles and turning toward and away from Mom when there was no equipment around.

So the next time we went out for our walk, Mom RAN instead. She said it was actually fun and she was thrilled that she didn't puke when we finished the mile. I don't understand why she thought she'd get sick. I run all of the time and I never get sick. Sometimes Moms don't make sense.

Then we played Chuck-It in the front yard. She made me stay until she used my release word. We did that for a long time. I disappeared for a few minutes and Mom called me. I came right away and she started laughing. I am not sure why a wet dog is funny -- I ran to the brooke and took a dip. Any good dog in training needs to cool off, right?

It may take a while, but I think I am beginning to get Mom trained!

CPE Nationals, or bust!

After our trip to the farm and NJ, we took a long drive to Massachusetts to meet some friends for CPE Nationals. I think that stands for "Crazy People Everywhere." When we got there, we camped with some friends -- some from far away and some from nearby. It was almost like the border collie party at The Farm because there were over 30 dogs in our group of 7 campers. Lots of them were border collies.



Uncle Art, Melanie and Kayla with Tux, Chase, Teika, Missy and Dreamer were next to us. Then there was Uncle Jay and Aunt Jennie with their Aussie kids. I got to meet one of them -- Heart -- and she was very nice. Then there was Uncle Ron and Aunt Kim with Hannah, Riddick, Chloe and my friend Radar. On the other side of us was Auntie Linda with Serra, Devon, Tommy and some of their other siblings -- but I didn't get to meet them. Sometimes I am a bit too energetic and small dogs get nervous around me.

In the middle of our circle were Auntie Lee with Trek, Flipside and Dera. She is really funny. Auntie Sonja was camped in the middle, too, with my friend Fantom and her sisters, Ty and Tsunami. I remember them from playing in the river at Bo-gee and with Uncle Art when we played at Clean Run. She is the one that finally got Mom to let me be a border collie by being off leash sometimes.


The next day, lots more people arrived and we were surrounded by more of my friends! Behind us were our friends from local agility trials and to our side were our NEBCR friends. I think I like CPE Nationals! All of our friends get together in one place. How fun! There was lots of laughing and playing...and I think I even saw Mom relax once!!



I got to play with a lot of the friends around us. I met Arthur. He is Dune's brother (I love Dune!). We played with my soccer ball and we tried to run around, but there is only so much you can do when you are on a long line. I told him that the next time we are at The Farm together, I want to play with him again. He said that would be fun.


Mom said there was agility going on, but I didn't get to see it. Mom was working at the scoretable each day, so she took Isaac to be with her. I know he was competing...and everyone said he was a Rock Star! He got ribbons in all of his classes except one. I don't know what that means, but Mom seemed happy. I am proud of my big brother and how hard he tries. One day I will get to play agility like Isaac.


I asked Mom if I could play agility at CPE Nationals next year. She explained what I would have to do to qualify. She said if I work REALLY hard, I might be able to make it. So I told her I wanted to start competing right away so I could qualify! Mom said I could start competing when I learn my weaves. So I have been working very hard. Here are my weaves. What do you think?


I think I am ready, but Mom says I still have work to do. I think she really means SHE has work to do. I don't run like the Bostons. Mom is trying real hard to learn how to run with me. I know she can do it...if she works REALLY hard.


I can't wait until next year!

Being at the Farm

We just got home from being on the road --living in our arrr-veee--for almost two weeks. It was so much fun! I think we should be "on vacation" all the time!

One day Mom told all of us doggies that it was time to get in the Arrr-Vee and go to The Farm. I thought that she meant we were going to play with sheepies with Aunt Cindi, but we were in the Arrr-Vee for a long time...too long for the drive to Aunt Cindi's.

Finally we got there and I remembered where I was. It was the place where I met my Mom and Dad and my Boston brothers and sisters. It was Sugar Bush Farm! Mom said there was going to be a big party with lots of border collies, but she explained that we would not be there for the party, only before and after. That didn't make a lot of sense to me, but Mom keeps trying to convince me that she knows best, so I tried to trust her.

People started to arrive and I got to see so many friends. Some I already knew; some are new friends. Then I saw Speck, Sam and their mom, Emily. I used to live with them --they were my foster family before I got a doptid. It was so good to see them. I ran up to say hi! I think they remembered me because they treated me like family!

I visited with all sorts of new friends and we went into the big area with the pond. That was SOOOO fun. I loved jumping in the pond. I had so much fun chasing new friends. I hung around Bodhi and Jiff. Then I saw Limerick. I remembered him from the last time I was there. I saw so many friends that my Mom kept getting confused.

There were lots of border collies around the pond. Mom says there were about 20 of them...and that wasn't even the party yet!!!! Mom said these were people who were arriving early for the party the next day.

Just when I was having a great time, Mom said we had to go. I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay and play and swim. But she promised we'd be back soon. Just as we were about to leave, Mom said I had to come out of the Arr-Vee to see someone. When she put my leash on me, I came from the Arr-Vee, and there were Dune and Dan. I used to live with them, too. I was happy to see them. My new friend at Aunt Cindi's house, Roo, reminds me of Dune (Dune is sooo handsome). So I think about him every time I see Roo -- and now here they were! We visited for a bit. Mom said she wished we could stay, but we had to drive to a place called New Jersey for an agility trial the next day, so we said goodbye. But again, Mom promised we'd be back.

We drove a long time again. We were at a really pretty park with lots of grass. There was a pond, but I wasn't allowed to play in it. But that was ok; when Mom wasn't doing agility I got to walk around and play ball in the grass and meet new dog and people friends. Mom said that everyone was great! She really had fun.

Mom also told us about the town. She had been there when she was in school. It is the home of the Seeing Eye. That was the first guide dog school in the United States. Mom had been there when she was learning about how to help people who are blind learn to work with their guide dogs after they "graduated" from the Seeing Eye.

I was having a good time there, but then we got in the Arrr-Vee again and took another long drive. We stopped late at night and Mom took me out to walk around a little bit. I recognized where we were!!! We were back at The Farm!!! I was so excited, but Mom said we had to go to bed -- we could play in the morning.

Morning came and I wanted to go see if my friends were still there. I ate breakfast real fast so I could go outside. After breakfast, Mom and I played in the agility ring. I had never been in an outside agility ring except our backyard. This one was fun, too. I tried real hard to listen to Mom and remember what I was supposed to do. It was really fun.

After breakfast, Mom took my brother Isaac for a loing walk around the farm and they met some friends, too. Then it was my turn, and we went into the pen and played with Didge and Lizzie and Murphy and Molly. Then our friends Drake and Keegan and Flirt and Tristan and Bodhi and Jiff and Petie and Disney and Tela and Fenn and Bogart and Beacon came out to play, too.

My favorite thing is the pond. I love to swim. Miss Caitlin kept throwing the tennis ball and it was so fun to keep chasing. Mom says The Farm is owned by Miss Kathy and Mr. Craig. They are really nice. I want to go live at The Farm!!!

Just when I thought I found heaven, Mom said we had to pack up and drive AGAIN!

The Paw-fect Day

I think I just had the paw-fect weekend. On Friday mom got up and told me we were going to work with the sheepies. So after breakfast, Mom and I got in the car and went to Aunt Cindi's house. I got to play with some of my border dollie friends there, then it was time for me to go to the pen. Emma came with us, but Aunt Cindi said that today I was going to do it all by myself.

It was soooo hard to act like Roo and Emma do...they are so wise and so in control. I was so excited that I just wanted to play with the sheepies. Aunt Cindi said that today I had to learn about control. I don't know what that is, but it very important to her. So I had to walk past the sheepies in their pen and do what Aunt Cindi wanted. I wanted to go sniff their noses, but she told me that I had to stay with her. After a couple of times, I did it PAW-fect, so Mom got a turn. I showed her what to do!

Then I had to go behind the pen and get them out of the pen without chasing them and making them scared. I tried really hard to be grown up like Roo and Emma, but it was very hard. I really wanted to play chase with them...but I know when Mom says, "that'll do!" that I need to come back.

Next came the hard part. I had to put them back in their pen. That was really hard. I got them back near their pen, but every time they got close, I got too excited. Mom says that is when the Control thing is important. I guess I lost mine. If anyone finds it, can you email me so I can come pick it up?

Then when we got home, we went to an agility trial at Auntie Doreen's in Vermont. She has a big puddle and a fun pen to play in. I liked playing fetch in the puddle. Then I got to make lots of friends in the pen. Mom said that I could play while I dried off. I showed her the best way to dry off--roll in the dirt! So she tool me to the puddle to rinse off again. I wanted to make sure I got dry fast, so I rolled in the dirt again. then she did it one more time. I am not sure how many times she was going to take me to the puddle, but I thought it was fun. ...and I rolled in the dirt again. This time Mom just laughed and let me stay dirty.

I played with my friend Larkin, the Aussie, and I met a new Aussie friend, Radar. Radar is just a baby, but he is bigger than I am. Then I played with his border collie sister, Chloe, and border collie brother, Riddick. Aunt Wendy brought border collies Vivi and Aby in to play, too. It was all herding dogs. We played and played. Then our new friend, Hershey, came in. She is not a herding dog, but she was black and liked balls, so we had fun!

Then I was tired, so I went back to the RV and slept. It was the Paw-fect day!

Being a Barbie

The first time someone called me a Barbie Collie I asked my mom what that meant. She smiled and said that it meant that I was pretty. I asked mom if my doggy mom and dad were "pretty dogs," too. She told me she didn't know.

"Barbie" - my mom's mom
But then she and Raechel started searching on the internet to see if they could find out. Miss Emily gave mom the information that she had about where I was born. Mom searched and searched. One day, one of the people that she "me-mailed" ('cuz its about ME!) wrote back saying she found where I was born. Mommy called my doggy mom's person and mommy learned about me. She got pictures of my grandma and grandpa from my mom's side. "Fudge"- my mom's dad

Then she called my doggy daddy's people. I come from the Sportingfields border collies which are from the Borderfame border collies from Australia. My doggy grandpa on my daddy's side is kind of famous. Mommy said that he won best of breed for border collies at Westminster for the past two years. I have no idea what that means except that mom made me watch videos of my grandpa. He is a handome guy, but that running around the ring and standing....I just don't get it. There were no jumps or tunnels and no sheepies! But everyone seemed pretty happy when he runs around on a leash. Maybe that is why mom never let me run around in public without a leash...maybe she was just imitating him?!

"Airely" - my dad's dad

Anyway...I think my family is pretty special...even if it makes me a Barbie collie. But I told mom I am gonna prove that a Barbie collie can be smart and work hard, too! But all this thinking about working is making me tired, so I better take a nap...
me in my princess bed

Mom IS trainable!!!

I thought it was hopeless but I just learned that my mom is trainable! Ever since she got me she has been trying to treat me like a border collie, but she keeps not getting it.

Her friend from Michigan came to visit with her dog. We all went to the river to swim with her dog, my new friend Fantom...and she made me keep my long line on. I was so embarassed. Fantom kept looking at me like I was a baby...but I'm not. I'm almost 2 years old. Miss Sonja told my mom to let me off my leash, but mom said she was nervous. Then she said those wonderful words..."Let her off her leash. She's a border collie. She'll come back." But mom was still nervous.

The following morning another friend with her border collie was playing in the field. Mom took me over to play with him. He is my friend Hazard. Hazard's mom said we could play but only if I was off leash. She was afraid my leash would hurt someone. I looked at mom with my big brown eyes and said "PLEASE!!!!!" Mom let me off my leash and we played. Mom said afterwards that she was so nervous that she was shaking.

Then later that week Miss Cindi, my herding instructor, took us for a walk before our lesson. She told mom to let me off my leash. I played with Roo and Duffy. Mom was still nervous, but Miss Cindi kept talking to her and keeping her calm. Then she told mom that my homework was to be able to listen to commands far away and the only way to practice that is if we walk off leash.

For the last 3 days, mom has been taking me for a walk off leash twice a day. The first time, she kept screaming my name. I came back every time so she got more relaxed. I am glad becuase her constant screeching was even making me nervous.

Tonight we went for a different walk. Instead of walking the half mile to the mailbox, we went up the mountain to find the meadow where daddy says we might put our sheepies. We walked and walked and climbed and jumped over fallen trees. It was so much fun. I figured I would cut mom a break and I stayed nearby her. But I didn't sense she was nervous at all. We went all the way to the top then back down the other side of the house.

Then I stayed real nice in the front yard while our neighbor drove by and mom talked to him. I overheard her say something about buying part of his field across the road so the sheepies would be nearby. I guess maybe that mountain walk was a bit too much for mom!

I know that dad went to classes all weekend to learn about something called med-oh's. He was learning how to manage his med-oh for the sheepies. Mom said she didn't know we had one of those...then they laughed. After our walk mom said she still doesn't know where our med-oh is. I hope no one took it! 'cuz dad says our sheepies will need it, and I know we can't get our sheepies until we find it!

Oh well...I'll have to ask dad if he knows where it went...

Agility trials and soccer balls

This weekend was amazing! Mom and dad keep taking me places that are fun. And just when I think it can't get any better, they take me somewhere else that IS even better.

I think my favorite thing in the world is my soccer ball -- except for sheepies, but I don't get to see them too much in the winter, so since I see my soccer ball every day, that wins! Every day mom and I play with my soccer ball.

Anyway, on Friday morning we got up and mom and dad said we were going away. We all went out the the doghouse on wheels (they call it an arrrr-vee) and got in our special travel beds. I like it when we do because the marrow bone fairy always leaves us a present in our special beds -- and it makes the travel fun!

When we got to the place, mom took me inside and there was grass. Can you imagine that? Grass inside. Guess what was going on on the grass? There were kids kicking soccer balls. There were soccer balls everywhere!!! When I turned to one side, there were big orange balls that the kids were throwing up in the air through a hoop. They bounced and they looked like they needed to be chased, too.

Mom says I was a good girl because I noticed the balls and watched them, but I did not bark or pull on the leash. She told me to lie down and relax and I did. (note from mom: she says I held still for only a nanosecond. That must be a really long time because it seemed forever to me).

Then I saw some people friends and some doggy friends. I recognized them from agility trials. Wow! I had never been to an agility trial at a place where there were kids playing soccer. I saw Miss Jennifer and Mr. Ramunas, Storm and Star's mom and dad...remember, they came from NEBCR along time ago.

I met Miss Judy - she's Hazard's mom. He's really cute and he looks like me, and not like my brothers and sisters. Miss Judy got down to my level and asked me to sit, then she asked me if I could give her my paw. Of course, I could give her my paw. What kind of border collie does she think I am? Of course I could do tricks! My mom cracked up laughing. She said she didn't know I could do that. Frankly, I thought it was kind of funny that she is teaching me all sorts of other things about sitting , staying, downing, turning right, turning left, going around, come by, and going up/down/through/around equipment and other stuff. But never once has she asked me to give her my paw. Surprise, Mom! I know things that you don't know I know!

I saw Mr. John and Miss Laura. Mr. John was teasing my mom and called me a "Barbie Border Collie." Mommy laughed and told him that I am not just beautiful, but I am smart and a good working dog, too. Then he laughed and said he looked forward to seeing it. I am not sure who Barbie is or what that means, but I think I have sheets on my bed with someone named Barbie on them.

I saw so many friends that knew my name...that was really fun. There were a lot of people that I could practice sitting and lying down in front of.

On Saturday, mom came out to the arrr-vee after watching agility all day. She said she was done in her ring. Dad explained that she stands in the middle of the ring and watches the dogs run. I think that sounds like fun. I asked Dad if I could go stand next to mom as she watches, but he said that isn't allowed when she is "judging" -- whatever that is. Anyway, after she was done, she came to the arr-vee and said she wanted me to come in and see people and watch the dogs run in the other ring.

I met all sorts of new friends -- and I liked them all. We sat on the bleachers next to other two legged and four legged friends. Then mom took me up some stairs. She called it an observation deck. I think it is heaven. From up there I could watch the dogs run on one side. At first I started to get excited, but mom reminded me to relax, and I did. Then I turned around and on the other side, there were balls bouncing and kids playing with the balls. This MUST be heaven -- agility and soccer balls in the same place.

I can't wait to see where she takes me next...maybe agility AND balls AND sheepies all at the same place. Anyone know anywhere like that so mom can take me there?

Bek

My World -- a Border Collie in a pack of Boston Terriers

I am Rebekah. I live in a home with lots of Boston Terriers...and I am the "little sister." It is kind of fun to have brothers and sisters that like to do the same things I like. We love to run and chase; we play with balls, we go herding (yes, I have a Boston Terrier brother who likes sheep, too); we go to agility classes; we go to flyball classes; we go on trips to agility trials in the "doghouse on wheels."

So, I guess you are wondering how I came to be a part of a pack full of Boston Terriers, eh? I don't really understand what happened...one day I was at home nursing my puppies, then the puppies were gone and my family said they had to move, and I had to be with another family. They said I would be on a List made up by a guy named Craig. Very nice people called and said they would help me to find the right forever home. I guess they must have been Craig's friends because they said they saw me on Craig's List. And they said they were from New England Border Collie Rescue.

I went to live with some very nice people. I think their name was Foster because they said they were my Foster family. But they called each other Dan and Emily. They took really good care of me and loved me and let me run around and play. They took me to the dog-ter who made sure I was healthy. I had a little operation so I would not have more puppies. There were other dogs and cats living there. I got very confused because the most handsome red border collie, Dune (I have a crush on him), told me that Speck and I were Foster brothers and sisters, but the kitties and Sam were regular brothers and sisters. I guess I don't understand what a "Foster" is...we were all treated with love and I couldn't tell the difference.

One day, my Foster people said that we were going "to the farm." I had no idea what that meant, but Dune got very excited. Dune is so handsome and so smart, so if he gets excited about "going to the farm" then I knew it was something to get very excited about. Dune told me it was a birthday party for him and his brothers and sisters. They came from New England Border Collie Rescue, too.

I am not sure where "New England Border Collie Rescue" is, but it must be one of the states nearby since almost everyone that I met at the party was from there. There were lots and lots of dogs just like me and Dune and Speck. Dune told me that we are all border collies. We chased each other and chased the ball in the barn.

There were some people there who kept staring at me. I thought they were ok because the lady had a pocketful of treats. Every time I came to her she gave me a treat. She kept asking the other people all sorts of questions about border collies. And she really wanted to play with me. So my Foster Dan and Foster Emily told her that I like to chase soccer balls. She stayed in the barn with me FOREVER and kept throwing and kicking the ball. I thought she was ok (I heard someone call her A Dopter) .

The Dopter mom and the Dopter dad brought in a small dog -- the size of the Foster kitties. Her name was Jordan and she was tiny -- she was about the size of my soccer ball. She came into the ring and began chasing the balls and chasing the other border collies. She liked this game. I thought she was funny and I played with her. She looked a little like me - black and white, but no tail and short fur and a short nose. They brought in another one named Jonah -- he looked just like Jordan except a little bigger. He was a lot of fun, too. They said something about meeting Jordan and Jonah on New-trul grounds. So I figured the farm was named the New-trul farm.

Then Foster Dan said everyone was going to go out to the sheep. Dune got VERY excited. I had never seen him so excited!!! The Dopter mom put my leash on and took me to the sheep. Then I understood why Dune got so excited. When I saw them I knew what I needed to do and I knew this was what I was meant to do. Foster Dan and the Dopter mom took me in the pen with the sheep. Dune ran in, too, to show me what to do. He really took me under his wing...just like a big Foster brother does! I loved being around the sheep. I ran around them and made them move toward the Dopter mom and Foster Dan. Foster Emily and the Dopter dad watched. I didn't really want to leave the sheep , but I knew the other dogs wanted a chance to play with the sheepies. That was so fun.

I saw Foster Emily and the Dopter mom talking a lot...and they both seemed kind of happy. A week later I became a part of the Dopter mom and dad's family. My new mom explained to me what an "adopter" is, and I laughed that I had misunderstood. I learned that those little black and white dogs are Boston Terriers. There are a lot of them in my new family -- and I have a lot of fun playing with them.

I have had a lot of adventures in my new home...but those are for later posts.

Bek