I was adding some links onto this page this morning while I was sitting at the kitchen table helping one of my sons with his Algebra. The dog was taking his mid morning nap (he does that a lot now that he is older) and obviously having a dream– he was wagging his tail and his legs were moving like he was running through a field, playing or chasing something. I hope he had a good one. I know it has been said before, but I really wish I was as good a person as our dog thinks I am. He asks for little and gives absolute loyalty and love. When we went to the vet for his annual checkup we discussed getting another puppy. Alex (our collie) is almost nine years old. We can see the arthritis slowing down some of his movements, but he still has lots of life left. We just wanted to get his help in training a new puppy, and we hoped that by having the younger dog around it would help him stay younger.
We still can’t all agree on what kind of dog to get. Our last two dogs have been collies, and we are all VERY fond of them. They are gentle, loyal, and very intelligent. I am in favor of getting another one. The problem is that it is hard to find them outside of the show circuit, and you have to be sure of the breeder. They can have a lot of hip and joint problems, along with detached retinas, so you have to go to a breeder who is careful and know what they are doing. We will probably start looking this summer.
March 21st, 2006 at 10:34 pm I found your blog… You tried to hide it, but I found it. I didn’t know you all were thinking about getting another dog. I think Alex would like to have someone else to play with.
April 18th, 2006 at 8:04 pm I wasn’t trying to hide it. I am glad that you agree on the idea of getting another dog. At this point, how much trouble does one more animal make, one way or another?
June 10th, 2006 at 8:41 pm Bill, i’m a retired Proffesional dog handler, breeder of Boxers and Pugs.A lot of history not pertinent here. By all means hit the show circuits. What better place is there?Sitting along side the ring is, an excellent opportunity to see the Collies in action, After judgng get under the Handler’s tent and talk about what you want and expect. If not the owners then by all means the handler. I mean Professional dog handler not O.H. If I can help, I will SandyJ
June 26th, 2006 at 8:01 pm Sandy, Thanks for your post and ideas. We just got back from vacation, so now we will start looking for the shows. I have been to a lot of bird shows in the last few years, but never to a dog show. We are looking forward to it. Bill