Just after her 4th birthday I decided to enrole her in obedience classes. She has enjoyed these immensely and has excelled in her work with extremely limited training and many extended breaks. We are now just about ready to begin trialing and I think both of us will enjoy that.

She might not be a glamour girl but she sure is one fun dog.

2003. It is with a heavy heart that I announce that we lost our beloved Bessie this year. Her illness was very quick – just from the Friday night, when I thought she was a little off colour, to the Vet on Saturday (who at that point was unable to diagnose anything other than an infection) to the Sunday morning when she had major surgery to remove her ovaries, as she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia brought on by eostrogen toxicity. (A complaint that is extremely rare and never before seen or treated by my very competent team of veterinary surgeons). My heartfelt thanks goes to them for their extensive and intensive efforts, particularly Geoff, who gave up his “day off” to fight for Bessie’s life.

Bessie, we would have done anything to have kept you with us. We loved you so much. We wonder who will keep our puppy creche in order and play with and train our babies in the gentle, kind way you did. And who will now put the spark back into our day when we are feeling blue?

I hope there a many sheep where you are so you can continue to practice your sheep “sorting out” skills each day – just like you always loved to do.