 |
KITTY JONES - FLIP AX AXJ CGC |
|
Flip was my first border collie. He is about ten years old now, and I got him when he was about one. His initial rescuer got him from a shelter when he was about four months old, at Christmas, 1994. As you can see, he was missing part of his tail, was scared of humans (especially men and teenage boys) and, to add insult to injury, was housed in the bitch building at the shelter! That was my good fortune, because his rescuer only took bitches.
I found Flip in September 1995, and we bonded instantly. He was more than happy to submit to my dominant bitch, and she became his life-long protector. He loved classes in obedience, and then we tried agility. He came out of his shell through agility -- although he never really warmed up to male judges. But once he learned that men also had treats in their pockets, they, too, became his friends.
Flip's first title was CGC. We happened upon a match and tried it, not knowing what it was. My mother (who made me take piano lessons for 4 years) thought I was working him too hard with agility classes. She finally came to a trial just before she died, and watched him run. "He's having so much fun!" she said. And she finally understood why we did what we did.
He went on to get his AX and AXJ, before being sidelined by a leg injury (and a BC puppy who Flip seemed to think was replacing him). He enjoys herding occasionally, as his leg allows. This picture was taken when he was 9 years old. The youngest BC puppy in the house convinced him that playing was a good thing, so at 9 years old, Flip finally learned how to play with another dog, and with toys.
He still loves to run, and will keep up with the younger dogs, but because of the potential for injury, he is mostly happy to walk with me every day. And if another dog takes his place on the bed, he runs down the hall barking to draw them away, then comes back to reclaim what is rightfully his. He is a calm and spirited dog and when he loves you, it's for keeps. I'm glad he's found many humans to be his friends.
Page Updated 08/31/2008