Things Are Looking Up

Things Are Looking Up

The horrible mess being efficiently handled by Houston Collie Rescue didn’t happen over night.  I came across a two page ad in the August 1988 CC of A Bulletin showing this lady’s bitch winning two all breed Best In Shows.  How it deteriorated into what was found recently we may never completely understand.  Since similar things have happened before in other places, it’s obvious it can happen and will again if steps aren’t taken to prevent it.

When we breed a litter, it carries with it some responsibilities for this breed of ours.  Carefully selecting the sire and dam and being sure they deserve the right to reproduce is only the start.  Proper care of the bitch and providing the right environment for her and her offspring as well as their diet follows suit.  All the needs of the puppies such as shots, worming (if needed), and socialization including leash training should be followed as the age of the puppies dictate.

The other part of breeding dogs and selling them is the thing that can cause big problems.  That is deciding who should be approved as a buyer.  Do you screen prospective buyers, ask for their vet’s name, or some other references, or is just having the money to buy good enough?  I know in our busy lives it may seem preposterous to suggest such steps, but there should be more to being a breeder than counting ribbons, points, and taking the money!

Since people can do things like have others buy dogs for them, it can be difficult to identify potential problems.  The AKC used to have people that inspected kennels particularly ones who housed and sold large numbers.  If that only happens after a legal action, then it’s probably too late.  With all our computer programs there certainly should be one to highlight potential hoarding cases.

All this concern and gloom does have some silver linings, however.  The people at Houston Collie Rescue are doing a tremendous job.  They have removed these Collies from an unspeakable hell and have them headed to a decent existence through fostering and, as their condition allows, new forever homes.  With the help of a group of volunteers, including vets, Houston Collie Rescue is showing us an example of what can be done to bring a terrible situation to a decent ending.  Some of the most severe health and socialization cases will be difficult, but hopefully not insurmountable.

The other silver lining is the response of the dog community to this problem.  Collie people and Collie clubs are donating to the effort, but it doesn’t stop there.  A German Shepherd club has pitched in, too, and there may be others I’m not aware of as well.

Recently I found out two bits of news that made this old dinosaur brighten up considerably.  First I heard that my ring steward for the Nebraska CC will be my old friend, Larry Willeford.  It’s good to know you have someone first rate sharing your ring.  Many thanks, Larry.

The second is that the Nebraska CC is holding an auction in conjunction with the show with the proceeds going toward Houston Collie Rescue.  After that sank in it seemed appropriate for the old dinosaur to hop on the bandwagon of such a good cause.

Over the years I’ve accumulated a substantial library of Collie publications.  Considering where the show is, I knew rather quickly which one would be most appropriate to donate for this auction.  Years ago when visiting Steve Field in Omaha I mentioned that I’d always wanted a copy of Dr. O.P. Bennett’s classic old book “The Collie.”  As I was preparing to leave he went to the bookshelf and took down his copy and gave it to me as a gift.  I’m not sure where Steve got it, but I know he enjoyed it, as have I, and now it’s time for someone else to do so.  Whoever gets this book should treat it carefully and with respect just as we might hope for the Collies we’re trying to help.

There can be silver linings in the darkest clouds.

Think about it!

HELP!! Collies in Trouble!!

HELP!!  Collies in Trouble!!

Many of you may be aware of the horrific situation recently uncovered in Houston, Texas.  Over 100 Collies were removed from the premises of a despicable individual who claims to be a Collie “breeder.”  The conditions under which the dogs and puppies were being kept were awful and many have skin problems and other health issues.  Apparently this is not the first time this woman has been in trouble for hoarding and having too many Collies.  We must wonder why so many cases of this sort seem to involve Collies.

Though we may not be able to say for sure it may have to do with the fact that Collies are sweet and aim to please which makes them a target for such abuse.  The very qualities which we prize in our breed may make them easy targets for people who have no concept of ethical treatment of animals.  Any reputable breeder who sells to someone with unknown reputation, references, and proper facilities is only taking a chance.  It surely is easy to just get your money and ship a dog or puppy to someone, but we owe our dogs more.

I do not know if this person has any club affiliations, but it seems doubtful.  The CC of A needs to follow up on this matter thru AKC and see that this woman never owns another dog let alone register one.  Since this is not her first run in with the law on such matters, one might hope the local authorities will see fit to bar her from keeping any animals.

The CC of A is making a generous donation to help with the cost of feeding, housing, and treating the problems these dogs exhibit.  The Houston Collie Rescue Group can use help from all of us.  This is a monumental undertaking and takes time, volunteers, and donations to do the job.  If every CC of A member sent a donation equal to one dog show entry it would go a long way toward solving the problem.

 Send your checks to:

                                    Houston Collie Rescue

                                    P.O. Box 526

                                    Stafford, TX 77497

I recently wrote that some rescue groups have unreasonable expectations of people who want to adopt a dog.  Though we have no idea of where Houston Collie Rescue stands in that regard, we do know they need our help and these dogs need our help, too.  If you really love the Collie, let’s step up and be counted.  My check is in the mail.  How about yours?  Let’s show the people at Houston Collie Rescue that Collie people have hearts as big as their dogs.

Interesting note on another matter.  Some time back the CC of A asked me to look into creating a book featuring the writings of Steve Field of Parader fame.  Gayle Kaye was brought on as co-editor because of her many talents and deep respect for Steve which matched my own.  The first thing we found was that Steve hadn’t written as much as some of us thought.  The second thing was that his writings done years ago make as much sense today as when written.  Looking at those articles I find it amazing how accurate Steve’s insight into the direction Collies were going would be.

In answer to a question asked in 1962 CC of A yearbook  “What changes in the Collie should be worked for in the next 5 to 10 years” Steve’s reply was simple, but timely and still is today.  He advocated medium size dogs and warned against judges being impressed by “bigger Collies.”  He did not speak out against bold, outgoing dogs, but warned against terrier type aggressive dogs.  He mentioned the problems of breeding for ever-showing Collies with high set, trained over prick ears.  He advocated a desire for correct type and berated those dogs which showed so constantly that they looked like a “cobra ready to strike.”

Beauty was another word that Steve used.  He further wrote that “if the public wants a medium sized Collie of stable, friendly disposition and greater beauty, I believe we can take steps to improve our breed in these general directions.”

At a seminar in Omaha, Nebraska, where Steve and I sat on the panel, Bobbee Roos was also a speaker.  She warned against trying to save pups that weren’t vigorous and also about too much faking of color with makeup.  She said some of the problem was an increase of ladies in the dog game and that both these issues could be related to that increase.  Steve said Bobbee could get away with saying that since she was also of the fairer sex.  It’s one thing to try to save puppies, but another to use those weaklings for breeding.  It’s also a fact that few puppies are whelped with a makeup kit.  Being skilled enough to breed correctness is much more difficult, but also much more satisfying than having to fake.  Each generation that you apply faking to gets you further away for contributing anything meaningful to our breed.

Think about it!!