Introduction and Purpose
Hi, my name is JoAnne and I am the proud and
thankful owner of Dickens, Rena, Moxie and Gex.
The purpose of this Home Page was to lend tribute
to the wonderful dogs who share their lives, love and
thoughtful moments with me. Though I have tried to
express my appreciation with respect to each of their
accomplishments, this tribute was in no way intended
to encourage everyone to go out and get a Border Collie.
The Border Collie is a wonderful breed, yes ... but in
fairness to you and the breed, they can be a lot of work
depending on what you - as their caretaker, can offer
them. When I say ‘can be’, I mean -
* Like most things in life, You get out - *that* which
You put in ~ the Border Collie is an intelligent herding
dog with a strong work ethic. Left to their own devices,
with nothing better to do, they can be quite destructive
and frustrating. Life with a Border Collie is exactly
what you make it.
* They need a purpose in life, a job, physical and mental
stimulation. Without these things, the need for work is
so strong - they will choose a job on their own. This
usually results in chasing cars, bikes, children, the
neighbor’s livestock ... you name it.
* Like other breeds, you will find the strength of desire,
keenness, and intensity may vary from one end of the
scale to the other. Some Border Collies are happy to
lie by your side and quietly spend time with you - less
demanding of your time and effort ... but NO ONE
should look into acquiring a Border Collie thinking this
is the ‘norm’. Sad statistics reveal the number of Border
Collies ending up at shelters and pounds as well as the
people who were sorely mistaken and disappointed.
* Having been an asset to shepherds, cattle and sheep
farmers for centuries, the Border Collie has been bred
to work for hours on end in all kinds of weather.
These dogs have been known to work themselves
to death by overheating, they take their work very
seriously. The responsibility lies in the hands of the
owner with respect to the prevention of overheating
whether it be at work or play. A Border Collie who
has no flock to care for can easily take a Frisbee,
a ball or running beside a bike just as seriously -
moderation is the key.
* The Border Collie is a very loyal and dedicated
breed. I can not stress how important early
socialization is to a young Border Collie. If not
properly socialized at an early age, often times
they will completely attach themselves to the
owner and can become over protective, fearful
or wary of strange places, children, strangers
and/or other dogs. Though some might think
this attachment is appealing it can be quite
debilitating and devastating to both the dog and
owner. Nervousness, anxiety, fear and uncertainty
can show up in many different forms such as fear
aggression, total panic, or outright aggression.
These behaviors are not cute nor appealing and
usually end up causing the ruin of many a good dog.
If, after reading this you still feel a Border Collie is
the right breed for you - speak to someone involved
in Border Collie Rescue, they will be happy to assist
you and help guide you along the way. If you already
have a dog in mind (from certain parentage) from a
reputable breeder, he/she would be relaying much
of this information & screening you to ensure the
puppy is going to a suitable home. It may sometimes
feel intrusive, but it is necessary. Please take the time
to educate yourself with the inheritable diseases that
are common in the breed and knowing this,
make an informed decision.
Please do not purchase a puppy for someone
else as a surprise gift. Dog ownership in general,
is a serious commitment and should never
be taken lightly or frivolously.
CHRISTMAS RETURNS
Santa comes quietly long before dawn
While shops are still busy and lights are still on
While dinners are cooking and kitchens are warm
And children count presents they’ll open by morn.
He slips past the trees in windows aglow
Through the gate to the backyard
As icy winds blow
To find the pup he brought last year
Chained up in the snow
And, kneeling, he whispers,
“Are you ready to go?”
There are too many stops like this one tonight
Before the beginning of his regular flight
He leaves not a note or footprint in sight
Just an unbuckled collar
On a cold Christmas night.....
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
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