Years ago when I first got into collies, Martha told me I would never make a good breeder because I couldn't place dogs. I, obviously always have remembered that comment but through-out the years people change, grow, have different ideas on what they want and goals envisioned. For me, it's been easier to place my older dogs than it was years ago, but I never like it. So, it was with great and long deliberation that I decided to place Ty in a home.
When he fell apart at the San Jose shows 1 1/2 years ago, I knew I didn't have a dog with the type of temperament I was so familiar with and that I pride my Entais Collies to have. I remember calling Jolene in Canada from the hotel room to talk to her. The pain and sadness was great because I felt he has the charisma, style & movement, plus that gorgeous face to finish quickly. It was like a big bash in the face. He tried so hard, but was so scared. I worked with him off and on, decided I wouldn't ever take him to indoor shows and he was able to minor out. On his good days he was amazing, but they were few and far between. Taking him to the nationals was the final straw. I didn't have it in me to train him and I didn't want any puppies from him so my decision was made.
For a long time, I've trusted in my universe to send the right home to me for my dogs. I don't advertise. They just call. Ty would need someone really exceptional and willing to understand him and have the desire to work with his issues. Candice & Peter had met him in December here and I contacted them while I was in Tulsa. They had just lost their dog Shar and were devastated by her untimely passing. Originally they were waiting for a Cole x Soleil puppy and when that didn't transpire, I asked them about Ty. A couple of months later they decided they really wanted him and were willing to do what it took to work with him. Originally they were going to come down here to pick him up, but the more I thought about it, I wanted to go up to their place and help Squishy adjust. So, this is our trip.
First Squishy had a bath and brushed thoroughly. I left his feet, toenails & head undone to show Candice how to trim them. She outfitted herself with everything she needs to make Squishy pretty!!! I think that was fun for her AND me. She convinced me I needed to buy new walking collars & leashes for the girls....baby pink for Soleil & hot pink for Cardiff or Tirzah. She was so right on with the baby pink for Blondie.
We left early Friday morning and our first stop beside McDonalds was a rest stop in Shasta Lake area. Don't they look just like some pets? Ty's really shed out and Soleil FINALLY started to shed. She was getting shown in Canby, OR at Clakamas KC Sat & Sun. Her first time out as a special.
Mt. Shasta?????????? Sue, Dianne????? Anyone?? Squishy took this photo.
On the way up I stopped by to see some old friends I have not seen since 1995 or 1996....omg. JoAnn lives in Yreka and has a beautiful place on 25 acres with a gazillion more acres that the neighbors lend for her horses to graze. This is one of her cats. So cute! She's actually pretty high up, probably 8' high on the fence.
This is the view out her backyard. What a drag. I so would want to live in Los Angeles if I had to see this every day.
Here is her horse Quest. This is the cooooolest mare. She's a Pinto Arabian, 21 years old. The story with her is when JoAnn found her, my sister-in-law at the time who was a very knowledgeable horse trainer/breeder of Appys said to me "Oh, JoAnn got this cute little mare who's still nursing off of her mom but she's 3 years old. What a nightmare that's going to be!!". Tracy & JoAnn went to go pick Quest up and she walked out of the backyard, into the trailer, not a whiny or fight, my brother spent 5 hours training her and JoAnn got on her back and she was perfect. So, not only did it change my opinion about older babies still nursing on their mommies I also would sooooo love to have this mare. Anytime you need to get rid of her JoAnn, I'll take her!!
Here is JoAnn with Quest's son by Tracy's Appy Stallion Recognition. I'd take him too. He's very handsome and sturdy.
Her burro. How cute is he???
The Recky son & the very cute burro. Love this photo!
Blondie & Squishy in JoAnn's yard.
I had a great time seeing JoAnn & Deb again. We had so many stories to reminisce about, and not all were funny. I'm sure both they and I would not go back to where we were living but they make for good and interesting memories! Life changing for some.
Ty & Soleil got to run around the property and go in her pond for about an hour, so that was fun for them.
Off to Washington for the rest of the drive. On Sat & Sun I showed Soleil and got Select Bitch both days so she's got 4 points towards her Grand Championship. Not sure I really care. But, I'll let you know later. She's done with shows right now as she's shedding and I don't like summer shows very much when I can ride.
Here, don't pick me for Breed because I don't have a bazilliongillion dollars behind me and I actually can move.
Oh, and Soleil might be too much in coat. That always ruins picture.
It was fun to see the Pacific Northwest collie people. I thoroughly enjoyed that and this particular fairgrounds I have not been to since about 1992 or '93? Tais, Tiiu & I went on a 9 day dog show circuit and Tais was WB/BOW/BOV every day I showed her and got a Group 3 at one of the shows. She minored out, so then Tiiu was WB the rest of the shows. It was a really fun circuit and I remember how beautiful this fairgrounds was. Ok, so I'd dip her head a little in this photo.
Here's Squishy on my bed, which was a futon in the living room. He thought that was the biggest and bestest dog bed he's ever seen!!!
Here is one of Ty's new friends. There are two black kitties and he was very fascinated with them.
After the Saturday dog show, we went to a great vegetarian Thai Food restaurant and I ordered a green curry dish. YUMMY!!! Then back to the apartment and everyone passed out. An hour or so later Peter got up and couldn't find Soleil. Ty was smooshed with me on my bed and Blondie was missing!!
Peter found her in here. Cracked me up!! She's such a nerd!!
Later on we went over to where Peter works. He's a landscaper/arborist and this particular property he works at 2 days a week so he took me over there to see it. I was so impressed with this place and his skill. He's been working here since he was 14 yrs old. It really was a treat. Peter & Candice are sooooo young...I mean, barely legal and they are so mature and with it I don't think I've ever met a couple who are so together AND committed to each other at their age. They also are very discerning on decisions they make and are very educated on their life's choices. I like that. Candice makes most of their meals by scratch and being vegetarian, she was concerned that I was eating food I was happy with. Well, I'm very easy to please. If it's any sort of food, I will eat it. So, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal and dessert I ate. I did bring my Folgers instant coffee & a bottle of Merlot. Candice & Peter also have a huge chest freezer in their living room, so they are totally on board with feeding raw to all their animals. Love it!!
His boss had a Koi pond and I loved looking at them. They were Punky size fish!!!
There was a boy swan in this pond also, but he was all ruffley and cranky because we were there by his girls so I didn't like his photo much. Delete.
This tortoise got run over by a tractor a few years back and his shell was damaged. Peter said they treated his wounds then after he healed his shell was fixed with fiberglass. Eventually it grew out. I almost ran over a little box turtle on the way back to the house from the main hwy a few months ago. I was able to pull the horse trailer over and put him near the creek. I couldn't imagine running over this guy! I asked Peter if this big guy screamed and he did say he made some weird noise. Thank God for fiberglass!
There are 3 wallabys that live on this property. Here's the boy.
This is a baby. I think Peter said his mommy died. He's little!!
O oh.......what's this?????????? He was stalking Candice. Peter said he attacked him or one of his workers earlier.
Oh I'm leaving!!!
No!! This way!!!!
Here he is. He looks innocent, but so does an axe murderer. Which brings me to those. What Candice and Peter love so much about Ty (& what they don't like about Tirzah & Soleil) is Blondie & Licky would let one of those axe murderers in the house ~ Ty wouldn't. Good boy Ty.
I love this photo. Soooo pretty here!! The grounds were absolutely immaculate!!
The pet cemetery. The boss raises Scottist Terriers and 3 came up to us at the fence. Cute dogs. The first one passed in the '60's. Lots of doggies.
Peter & Candice. They both hate their picture taken, thou somehow I convinced them to sit. I wished Squishy could have been in the photo also. Another time!
Help me!!! Stoppppppppp shooting!!!!! Don't hate me. You both are adorable!!!
Ok, so here's the cutest animal they have next to, now, Squishy. This is Teddy and he's a young ferret that was rescued about 5 months ago. Someone moved out of their home and just left him. When he was found he had been abandoned for 3 weeks and was almost dead. He's so friendly and personable. I haven't been around too many ferrets...I mean, maybe one other, so my experience is almost nil but this guy just made me all mushy every time I looked at him. Darling!!! (Those are Ty's ears in the foreground.) This little guy is so healthy looking now and very playful. Candice said when they first got him all he did was sleep. Poor baby! People are so mean.
This is Ty's bed Candice set up for him. He was too nervous to go investigate but Soleil thought everything was really special. Then I saw the one toy...........
Candice said it was a coyote......I said it looked like Teddy's brother. So I had Peter put it side-by-side with the ferret and then they decided it was going in the ferret cage. Teddy loves it! I just don't want to get a call that Ty ate the ferret.
Is this the cutest face????????????
Monday morning came and I packed up. Candice gave me a ton o' meat they had so that got packed into Ty's crate. Leave a dog. Bring home meat.
I took some photos before I left. I spent a lot of time letting Ty be their dog when we did stuff. He rode in their truck, got walked by them, with me and without. The last night they took Soleil & Ty while I went to the jacuzzi. Except for almost getting run over by some psycho tenant (they called the sheriff), all seems to be well. They love him and feel so blessed to have him in their lives. I feel blessed for them and Ty.
I hugged Squishy, started crying then saw him in the rear view as I drove out of their apartment complex. Candice said he flung towards my vehicle. I sobbed for about 45 minutes. I cried much more than I thought I would, but I don't really know what I thought. It's just hard to let an adult dog go who I bred and raised for nearly 3 years. Soleil didn't seem to have an opinion about it. She was keeping me steady. She had the cat's chicken bone in her crate.
On the way home I saw all the mountains from the other side. I'll be visiting again. Squishy is very lucky to have this new home and his own family to spoil him and make him feel special. This is why I do it.
