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JERRI CARTER - ADCH CLASSIC'S FLYIN' DOUBLE DUCHESS MX MXJ |
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A Rags to Riches Dog
In 1994, I was at a vet clinic and witnessed a woman trying to make it through the door of the clinic with a 3 yr old child pulling her on way and a 3-month-old Border collie pulling her the other direction. The BC puppy was a very high drive puppy and I knew this was a disaster waiting to happen with the combination of the high-energy 3 yr. old child. Since I had been running Southeast Border Collie Rescue already for 10 years, I told the office staff to put my name in the client's folder as I felt she was going to need help. Sure enough, she called me a month later saying the dog and the child were out of control. I offered her counseling and training advice, which she totally dismissed. When Duchess was 6 months old, the anguished owner called me and begged me to take her (I was so thankful she did not ask me to take the child!) She said her husband suddenly developed an allergy to the dog. RIGHT! NOT!
Duchess was a 6-month-old high energy, VERY ACTIVE, Border Collie Puppy. My arthritic knees were just beginning to give me problems so I diligently tried to find an agility home for her, as I knew this was something that would channel her energy. No one wanted her for various reasons: "too much dog, not my breed, I only train males" and the list went on and on. So, I began training her and it was obvious that she was going to be good. Her movement over the equipment was smooth, efficient and swift. She learned quickly and she wanted to do it. After the foundation training was in place, a friend of mine, Becky Nicholas took her and put the speed and sequences on her that I was unable to do. So began her show career! When Becky got a new pup of her own, I began training Duchess to work at a distance from me. She took to this very well also, I finished her AKC Open Jumpers title and then another friend of mine Gail Waller agreed to run Duchess for me. This little "Rags to Riches" dog began to be a force to be reckoned with! She was on fire. At age 10 ½ years she finished her USDAA ADCH Title, she qualified for the Grand Prix and she finished her MX in AKC. She competed in the Grand Prix and while she did not place, she was still a competitor extraordinaire. Last year, she competed in the Grand Prix again, as a Veteran and she came in 5 in her Master Gamblers class. She has finished her MXJ and is working toward her MACH in AKC. Duchess has a heart for competition as big as her 33-pound body. She friendly with everyone and every animal she meets and is ready for an agility training session or competition any time of the day or night. Of course, throughout her career, people who passed up the opportunity to own her eleven years ago are now kicking themselves. She, without a doubt, has been my star and guiding motivation and a major credit to our rescue efforts.
Duchess is now 12 years old and is still competing in AKC Agility Trials and she still is a force to be reckoned with.
Southeast Border Collie Rescue League Inc.
E-mail SE Border Collie Rescue League
386-736-1097 or 386-479-3178
Page Updated 08/31/2008