My
first Aussie was from a puppy mill in Ohio and I got her through Aussie
Rescue. She was a blue merle with blue eyes and I named her
Tessa. Tessa was rescued at approx. 6 months old but so much
damage had been done that no amount of love would ever be able to undo
it. I was teaching basic obedience at Indy K-9 Kollege and Tessa
was a wonderful ambassador to help fearful dogs overcome their fears
and settle comfortably into the classroom environment. Poor Tessa was
terribly afraid of strangers, noises and men and eventually had to be
put to sleep. Although her story was tragic, it opened my mind and my
heart to Australian Shepherds.Gish’s Chocolate Moose CD CGC
“MOOSE”
1992 - 2004
Everyone always knows that the day will come that we will
have to say goodbye but the reality and the pain are something we can’t
prepare ourselves for.
Moose was such a huge part of my life for so many years that I
guess I just thought he would be here forever.
He was such a funny, frustrating dog!
In the house he followed me from room to room always wanting to be
near me but outdoors was another story - call his name and watch how he
would stop and look at me and deliberately turn and go the other way!
I sure wish I had a nickel for every time I had to stalk him around
the back yard!
He would go so
far as to scrunch his shoulders around his ears and run thru the invisible
fence shrieking every step of the way…….he loved to be out running and
sniffing and chasing! He
loved to run full tilt toward me just so he could run between my legs to
get his butt scratched….God forbid you didn’t make room for him -
he’d run right into you!
I made so many friends and had so many experiences, both
good and bad, and that boy definitely kept me humble. I learned a lot thru him and I will forever be grateful for
those experiences and those friendships. Moose was known far and wide by his reputation - I
would meet people I didn’t know and would mention that I had a Chocolate
Lab named Moose and almost always the immediate reaction was laughter and
then they would say “Moose
- Oh Yeah, I’ve heard about him!!!”
He had a way of making everyone smile with his funny personality and actions. He was everything a Labrador Retriever should be!!! Moose and I went full circle in many ways…I didn’t realize until I was putting together a scrapbook of his life that the day he left this house for the last time was the exact same day I had brought him home 13 years before - March 12!
Run fast on strong legs Moofers till we can be together again! I love you!!!
Daisy CD CGC
~1987 - 2006
Daisy spent about 2
months in the Hancock County Humane Society before we found her. A friend
volunteered there and told us about her and said if they weren't able to
find a home she would be destroyed, so we went out to see her, fell in
love with her and went back the next day and brought her home. She
officially became a member of our family on Valentines Day 1995.
This is a pictures of Daisy the day she joined our family
Thistleridge Rainbow Chaser CDX STDsd CGC
“RAINEY”
5/1/97 - 6/24/2010
I received a letter from Front and Finish that I thought was junk mail and almost threw away since I have never subscribed to the paper. I'm so glad I decided to open it and to my surprise read the words - "Congratulations!!!! Your dog, Thistleridge Chasing Rainbows CDX, has qualified for an "Honorable Mention" in the 2003 First and Foremost Rating System which is published annually by Front and Finish, The Dog Trainer's News. The first and Foremost Rating System identifies the top competing obedience dogs during the 2002 calendar year. Now that all the scores are in, your dog has been identified to receive this honor."
I always knew my fur-girl was special now others are seeing it too!!!Way to go Rainey!!!!!!
Rainey was definitely a joy to train. She is totally dedicated to me and wants nothing more than to please me. We fulfilled both ASCA and AKC requirements for Rainey's CDX title within a 6 month time frame by not only qualifying but placing each time she was shown.
I'm proud to say that my little red head was Open Alternate #14 for the 2002 ASCA Nationals in Bakersfield, CA. We weren't able to attend but I will forever be proud of her wonderful accomplishment.