My dog training days started with a Labrador/Springer Spaniel called Velly (short for Velvet as her coat was so soft). I attended a local dog club and got hooked. In 1974 I met my husband and we went to an exemption dog show and somehow ended up with a long coated German Shepherd from the Police who said he was unsuitable. Apparently they flick cloths at them to attack – who knows. At the time we had him I was pregnant and I’m talking days of the terry towelling nappies – hence if I shook a nappy, he disappeared, but ask who was the dog that lay by the pram in the afternoons and guarded that baby. Bless him. His name was Zak and a then more competent handler trained him.

Four years later, pregnant again, we took on a two year old rescue Border Collie. Fleet was only happy if he could see me, a feisty little so and so but a lot better after he had his bits removed and turned out to be one of the most loyal dogs I have ever had the pleasure of owning. We lost Fleet in 1991 (he died at home at nearly 13).

My preference to collieswas now set in and I then had another collie called Kes. Moody but so honest and like Fleet qualified to work Championship C (the highest class in competitive obedience). Then along came the first “obedience bred” collie I have ever had who was retired at three years old. He never seemed quite right in the head and it now turns out there is a lot of epilepsy in the line!!! He was the bain of my life but taught me so much, his name was Dekka and he was affectionately known as DICKHEAD to his friends. We lost him to old age and lack of dignity in December 2003 at 15½ years old.

Although I didn’t rushout to get another pup I heard about a litter and along came Murry. Pretty dog although I am convinced he had got some Sheltie in him somewhere. Very sensitive but progressed through the classes and we lost him in March 2006 to bone cancer at the age of 15 years. Nearly 13 years ago we acquired Geordie (affectionately known as THUG). This boy has been a challenge and a half but we have conquered through perseverance and knowledge proving to me what works for one dog doesen’t necessarily work for another.

The most recent additionto our pack was D’Arcy who was very well bred in obedience lines, but the main reason I had him is that he was related to Fleet some seven generations back. In his first season of competing he won 4 Novice classes and had several other placings. Tragedy hit us in May 2004 when we sadly lost D’Arcy at 2 years old to anaemia and his bone marrow packing up. (His obituary is on the website). At this point I wanted to give up but with support of friends and dog club I have decided that dogs are my life and so the club carries on to help people with their dogs.

In April 2005 Ibrought home a new pack member who we have called Remy (or as I call him Gremlin) who is ultra sensitive and is coming along slowly but surely. He is a very handsome boy and again very well bred with working, obedience and show lines in his breeding. I am a qualified Championship and European Obedience judge which means I can award Challenge Certificates to qualify dogs for the Crufts Obedience Championships held annually.

Roz