Our three dogs

As it has been Crufts over the last few days I thought I would post a picture of the three dogs we have had during our married life. All Rough Collies. Top left is Odin, our first Collie. By the time he died we had young children and we said we wouldn’t have another dog. Then, when our eldest daughter was nine, she desperately wanted a dog and said she would train it and look after it, so we got Sunny (top right) and she did exactly that. She took him to training classes and took him out for walks etc. He was a lovely dog and, as you can see from the photo, he accompanied us up many a Lake District Fell. Then we got Harry, our only Tricolour, the others had been Sables. Harry was a great dog too. 

My mother bred and showed the miniature version of the Rough Collie - the Shetland Sheepdog. She went to Crufts every year, as well as every other dog show going! I went with her a few times, but hated it. I really couldn’t understand this showing of dogs but it was her life. In fact she achieved the wish of a lifetime just months before she died - to judge at Crufts. We went with her to support her and we are all glad that we did. 

It was sad to read the other day that the Rough Collie is no longer popular and has become almost a rarity. I suppose they were originally popular because of the Lassie films. Years ago children used to see one of our dogs and shout ‘Lassie’. I don’t suppose children now would know who Lassie was. They are lovely, gentle, loyal dogs but can be seen as being nervous, when it is just a matter of being wary of other people and strange dogs - they would rather be left alone. And of course there is the issue of grooming that wonderful coat! 

Great memories. 

NB
If you want to see the most gorgeous Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, here is one on Blip https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3075225542480365879