Two new friends.
Above is Annabel.
Below is Jack.

Jack and Annabel belong to sheep and dog breeder, Dave P.
Dave's been showing sheep and dogs for some 50 years now, all over the NE.
He promises to call me in the spring when he's expecting a litter.
I couldn't get enough of Annabel's personality!
She's a darling, very much like Ivy, below.
Super sweet and adorably friendly.
Jack is brand new and could barely take his eyes off the sheep.
He's skittish with people but that'll go away.

I wish I knew these dogs, I found this lovely photo on line with no caption.
None needed!
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Below is Claire.

She's nine and full of it, just like a two-year old!
(This photo reminds me of Jasper.)
And next is Cait, she's six!
Together they run like the wind and they both look so young!
Border collies don't just run, they streak...in a blur of black and white.
We met them with their owner, Jane, at a rest stop on the highway.
It was love at first sight.

I guess Cait's the lover, she's reportedly a real love bug.

Jane proudly showed me her two gorgeous girls.
Aren't they beautiful??
She told me the dogs taught she and Bob how to play.
I know exactly what they're talking about.

Check out these links:
Jane sent me this great video of GIN dancing with her master.
And here's a cool one called Extreme Dancing with SPLASH.
Here's one I found on YouTube.
A very creative teen teaches her border collie a mountain of tricks.
(More links at the end.)

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awwwww.......look at that FACE!!!
Meet IVY. Sweet, darling, talkative Ivy.
She's Vanessa's fantastic dog. I got to keep her company a few weeks back.

She's awakened a border collie hunger in me, once again.

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My dog Jasper was put down at age 12 due to kidney failure.
Rest in peace, dearest friend.

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This is what I've learned about border collies from Jasper.
(Sorry, I don't have digital photos of him to post.)

Obedience reigns supreme, they simply aim to please.
How badly does this dog want that bone?
Badly, but he'd wait an hour if you asked him to.

Eye to eye contact is important.
"I'm trying to read your mind. I'm trying to instill thoughts into your mind."
Intelligence beyond measure. I don't think I ever fully understood the depth of his genius.
He always amazed me.
At age two we tried him on the leash for the first time, in Manhattan.
He 'got it' on the first tug.

Always at the ready, awaiting the next command.
Although they can run at the speed of light for long periods with a flip of the switch they can also settle down quietly at your feet.
Dedicated, devoted, charming and full of personality.

They know what you're thinking before you do and seem to want to get inside your head.
A quiet walk in the neighborhood is generally not enough exercise for them.
They require being matched with humans possessing a higher level of fitness.

They know more words by age six months than human children do.
Jasper knew 50 words and it didn't matter who spoke them, he knew what they meant.

They always need a job to do. He'd chase frisbees for hours.
Always returned them, dropping them at your feet, begging for more.
And even when it was possible to catch it on the ground, no such thing.
They must get airborne.
They seem to want to fly every chance they get.
Seemingly indefatigable.

Incomparable beauty.

Born to herd. Strong instincts preside. He herded anything that moved.
Kids, cats, birds at the pond from the pond.
Us.
He could swim for hours, enjoyed huge leaps off the dock sailing 12' across the water.
Later slept like a rock.

Swimming was great, it kept him clean.
Oils get trapped in their long and dense hair, especially the ruff, so washing and grooming is a must.

Some think they're hyper. We thought of him as focused, alert, energetic and intense,
yet restful when we were.



Jasper could distinguish between 6 different play balls.
Squonchy ball, tennis ball, the 'other' tennis ball, volleyball, softy ball and squishy ball.



I love the way the wind catches their silky coats.



Loyal, kind and easy with children.
Not a pet, more like a companion, a very energetic one.



Never one to bark incessantly or hardly at all,
therefore always quiet but for one loud "bah-ROOOOOH"
from under the bed in the middle of the night
when deer, raccoons or other critters moved around outside.
We levitated off the bed, laughing.
Happened once a month, maybe.

WHY MANGO?
I have great associations with this highly nutrient rich and antioxidant fruit,
going back to Tristin's earlier years when we lived in Miami.
It was the most desirable fruit in Trinidad where I was born.
Imagine Norwegian parents from the cold north discovering mangoes.
It has a playful sound, is easily pronounced, understood and is unique for a dog.
Plus it's a great color.
Imagine the accessory potential.
Not a respectable working dog name but I don't think it'll mind.

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(Many of the above images are found on the net, exceptions: Annabel, Jack, Claire, Cait and Ivy.)

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Jane tells me there's a fantastic sheep trial held in
Hop Bottom, PA each year on Father's Day weekend.
Apparently owners bring their non-competing dogs to learn from the masters.
Can you imagine the electricity in the air while dozens of wannabees watch?
Check it out HERE.
It's the northeast PA yearly competition for border collies only!

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AND NOW FOR SOME VIDEOS
Here's a sweet one.
And this tribute, Beau was extremely handsome.
Diesel, a standout in competition, starts training at 4 weeks.