Oreo

November 12, 2011, Oreo went to the bridge, she will be waiting for two special kids that loved her very much.... Run Free Oreo,     Ken

From Her owners,
It is with a very heavy heart that I send this email.  Our beloved Oreo was killed yesterday when a delivery truck hit her.  We have a long straight drive onto our property and Oreo loved to chase trucks.  Our UPS and mail carriers know her so always slow down and watch for her (she and our other dog Colby are usually in the back fenced in acres with barn, horses during the day when not with us).  Well yesterday morning I let the dogs out of garage like I do every morning.  I was feeding kids breakfast when the FedEx man knocked on the door.  He didn't see Oreo and hit her straight on.  She was killed on impact.  To say that we are devastated is a great understatement.  She lived with all us, but she "belonged" to my 8 year old Lauren.  Telling her the news was the hardest thing we've had to do as parents this far.  Her little heart is broken-She cried herself to sleep last night.  Today is no better.  Oreo was absolutely the sweetest dog we've ever met, let alone owned.  We just wanted to say thank you for allowing her into our lives for the short year she was on this planet. We will always be grateful to have known her.   I just wanted to let you know.

*Colby hasn't left Oreo's bed since yesterday morning :-(

Just wanted to send an update on Oreo. She's a big girl now!  But still sweet and gentle.  The kids love her and vice versa.  She loves to herd the sheep! Take care.

As you can see, she is growing like a weed and is only slightly spoiled!  She's a very sweet girl.   Even after getting shots at the vet recently, she still licked and loved all over him afterwards.  Our kids love her and I think Colby is glad to have a companion (she seems to be trying to teach Oreo how to herd the sheep).  She's persistent and keeps trying to make friends with our old Siamese cat, but Sassy isn't having it- haha.   Thanks again for Oreo!

Our little girl is doing great.  She's adjusting well and our dog Colby loves her.  After much debate, the birthday girl Lauren got to choose the name- Oreo after her favorite dessert. Haha.  We have snow for Christmas and the dogs are enjoying playing together in it.  Thanks again!

Chloe Mae

Chloe Mae

Chloe was one of my favorites from this litter.  I love the black face dogs and she had a very sweet personality.  She would always run to me to get picked up, and I did.  In my mind, I can still see her.

The first email is from the Father and the second is from his young daughter who owned Chloe....Ken

Kelsey asked me to write you and tell you about the tragedy we had this weekend.  We have lost our little Chloe.  While we were gone Saturday for a graduation celebration, she somehow got loose and ended up getting hit on the road.  We are all still devastated.  I know you understand how close you can get with dogs, and our whole family is mourning deeply right now.  I am at work crying as I send this to you, and can not explain how bad we feel.  Kelsey said she is still unable to even write about it right now, hopefully today is better for her.  I am so sorry to be sending this to you, we really loved her and appreciated what a wonderful gift you had blessed us with.  Kelsey's Father

March 4 2011 - June 11, 2011

Chloe was born in a litter between Dutchess and Clancy with all girls. When my dad and I went to visit the pups the first time I loved all the pups, but the second time we went I was holding a black faced puppy and was looking at all the others, then the other blacked faced puppy “winked” at me. Then I immediately sat the one I was holding down and picked up the other one. She instantly fell asleep in my arms. That’s when I fell in love with her. My dad was telling me not to fall in love with any of them but I did anyway. I was 4th out of 5 to pick my pup so it was unlikely that I was going to get the one I wanted. When I was told there were only two left and it was my turn to choose I was so nervous yet excited! When Kenny sent the pics the one that I loved was one of the choices.
When we went to pick Chloe up I was so happy! She didn’t sit still the whole time. Finally when we got home I gave her a bath and she didn’t really like her bath that much. As soon as the bath was over she shook herself off and then walked over to her bed and laid down and fell right asleep.
Chloe would wake up and we would play for 15 or 20 minutes and then she would walk over to her bed and fall asleep again. When she ate she would be eating and then look up with her eyes and it was the cutest thing ever.
The first day of school with her came and I got up at 5 so I could play with her for a while before I went to school. Then when I got home we would play for hours. I was teaching her how to fetch, sit, lay, roll, and shake. At one point she would try to sit lay and shake all at the same time so that she would get the treat.
As it warmed up outside we got our kiddie pool out and she absolutely loved that pool. We thought she would hate it because she hated bathes. She would run and jump into the pool and then lay down and drink all the water she could. If she was really hot she would stick her nose down in the water and run around the inside edge of the pool and get all wet then run to the grass and roll in it. When I would refill her pool she would chase the hose around it and get soaked! She loved drinking out of the water hose, so it was almost impossible to water the flowers.
When Chloe would play with the other dogs she would jump all over them, but they didn’t like that too much.
Our first and last camping trip with Chloe was a blast she was so good! She stayed quiet and whenever we would take her to go potty she would always find a big stick to play with. We had several people stop up and ask what kind of dog she was and say how beautiful she was. We took along her favorite toys; her squirrel, doggy, froggy, and soccer ball.
The first day of my summer break we had an open house party to go to and when we got home it was the worst thing I had heard in a long time. I always wonder why? She was perfect and I miss her so much, everyone in the family does. As I look through my camera I keep finding pictures and videos of her that I had forgotten about. RIP Chloe Mae, I love you.  Kelsey

It's always hard to go through this.  Even though I was with her only 2 months or so, I grew to love her and will miss her.  I hate this for Kelsey and I know it's hard to understand.  It's just one of those things that could not be helped.  It's one of the hard parts of life that is tough.   She was a very sweet dog and brought a lot of Joy to everyone she met.  See you at the bridge Chloe,   Run Free....Dad (Ken)

Laddy

Wladyslaw/Ladislas Gorczyca aka  Laddy

4/16/2007 - 8/27/2010   R.I.P

Laddy is in the center with his Litter Mates

Laddy was in the first litter Molly had... It's always hard to hear about these things, but part of living is dying, but I don't have to like it.          

From his owners;

We all loved him very much... He was killed last August. We all still miss him very much.  He enjoyed all the attention he could get! He was such a lover boy! And would lay on his back until some one would pet him.  ...After Laddy died, my husband John wrote a tribute for him, I have atttached it for you.  We sorely miss him.  We buried him in his favorite spot the middle of our field where he would play frisbee untill he would drop,  he was such a blessing for our family.

Run Free Laddy, see you at the bridge.......

“We are born so that we can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice.”

“Dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.”

Things I learned from Laddy!

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Always say hello and greet people with a smile.

Run and play every day.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Enjoy what the seasons bring.

A run through the fields, a roll in the leaves, or frolicking in the snow

On warm days, stop to lie on your back and roll in the grass.

On hot days, water from the hose and rest in the shade.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a ride.

Always check out the docks before going fishing.

Always do something with someone.

Frisbee

Ready, Set…Go!

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Love unconditionally – Always Love back

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY



Abby

5/1998 – 3/2011

When we decided to look into a Border Collie as a pet we were aware of their high energy and need for lots of exercise. Upon visiting the breeder’s farm, our simple test was to find pups that were interested in us and then turn them on their backs to see which were the least dominant. Some pups will fight and nip in their effort to break free and turn over. Two pups seemed curious about us so we started with them. We played with them for a minute and then gently, lifting the female, turned her on her back and softly rubbed her tummy. She went immediately to sleep. This was our dog!

Abby came home with us two weeks later. From the time she arrived at home she fit in perfectly. Our 12 year old Lab adopted her and began showing her the wonders of retrieving a tennis ball. Our daughters were delighted with their new baby doll and would dress her up and pull her around in a wagon. One day when she was no older than 16 weeks we were all out in the yard and all of a sudden realized she was missing. Walking around the front of the house I heard splashing. She was in our garden pond trying to get out but couldn’t reach the upper ledge. She could not have been in the pond for more than several seconds and was paddling furiously. This gave us some idea of the tenacity that made up a large part of her personality.

At 6 months Ab went to obedience training where she became the star of the class. As the youngest dog in her class she picked up all of her lessons first. She seemed to enjoy the competition to complete her tasks. From this stage through 2 years she went through a very rebellious stage. She didn’t want to listen or recall. It seemed like every command resulted in a test of wills. I put a great deal of time into walking her and training with a leash. When I would complete a walk and undo her leash at the gate into the backyard she would do all she could to escape and run.

After several months of this battle I discovered a far more effective leash, her ball. As long as I carried her ball she would stay glued to my side or position herself 20-30 yards ahead of me in the classic Border Collie crouch waiting for me to approach and throw the ball. We live on a quiet cul-de-sac with very little traffic but when a car approached I would give her a soft whistle and she would obediently move into a yard and sit until it passed. All of our neighbors were moved by this little dog that seemed to know pedestrian rules. She would never move out of the street for our daughters as they learned to drive. She knew it was them driving and that she had nothing to be concerned about because they would stop and talk to her for a few seconds before wishing her a fun walk and departing. It was her street. Every evening during our last walk of the day she would sniff to determine what dog may have entered her territory and make sure that her scent was there.

Our destination was a small park at the end of our road. She would chase down a hard rubber ball that I would throw. It was hard enough to carry 80 to 100 yards per throw. This ball would be brought right back to me and dropped at my feet. After 7 or 8 throws she was ready to head back up the street to complete her walk. This routine went on for the rest of her life. One day within her last month a lady from the neighborhood stopped her car to tell me the joy she had felt from seeing Ab chase her ball in the park for all of those years. “I have enjoyed watching her. You two must have been coming here around 5:00 PM for over 10 years, thank you”.

She loved balls of all types. She would play basketball with our daughters, always bringing the ball back from the bushes or woods (the girls were not very good shooters). She would return a soccer ball for our oldest daughter which became a method of kicking practice. Ab was the perfect ball return.

In the evenings you were never safe from the Border Collie and her “Hedgy”. Hedgy was a small stuffed hedgehog that functioned as a sort of flyball. We would throw Hedgy into the air and Ab would catch it. She would play this game every day and could never get enough. You could throw here a treat and it would just bang off of her head but she could catch Hedgy in flight like she was Willie Mays.

Abby came with me when I formed my company in 2001. Every day she would ride with me to the office and take up her position under my desk. Every visitor was greeted by a madly excited Border Collie who would offer her tennis ball to likely prospects. This went on for a few years until we moved into a building to start manufacturing. Ab made the move seamlessly. My desk was simply in a new office but it still had her rug underneath and she was immediately at home.

Every morning at 10:30 she would let me know it was time for her work. This meant a trip to the parking lot with her ball. After several minutes of ball play she would happily return to her spot under the desk secure in the knowledge that her job was done. Every Wednesday as we walked out of the shop to go home for lunch, she would stop by her favorite employee for a French fry. This is Whopper Wednesday after all. Sometimes it seemed like she had a clock and calendar in her head.

In January of this year Ab was diagnosed with lymphoma. As her energy ran down and the disease took hold she became less and less comfortable. She had slept on the bed with my wife and I for many years, usually with her head on my shoulder. Now she would start the night on the bed but quickly jump down to the floor to be more comfortable. A few nights before she passed, she stayed with me and wriggled into me making sure I was awake and knew she was there. I immediately knew in my heart she was saying goodbye and that she loved me. We held each other for an hour while gently offering kisses and I told her how much I loved her and that I would not let her suffer. I will never forget that night. Our love for each other was such a clear and obvious fact that I will hold it in my heart until my time comes.

She left us this week while curled into my chest out in her backyard. The birds were singing, the squirrels were chattering, she could hear all of the sounds that had made that place what it meant to her.
John

Ruby

She was the little girl of Dutchess and Clancy and was born during the summer.  She was only 4 months old when she passed away.   I know she went to a very loving home because I had met with, and talked to her parents many times before they took her home.  I remember everyone was excited and when they pulled away, Ruby was looking out the window at us wagging her tail.  I also remember how excited she was to go to her new house, little did I know that would be the last time I would see her.

I received a call the day before Thanksgiving about her, and how sick she was and everyone was crying.  I said a prayer for her, hoping she would be spared but it was not to be.  She passed away on Thanksgiving Day.   I think what bothers me the most, is she probably died alone in a sterile cage, because she was contagious. I would have loved to have been with her rubbing her little face and being with her as she passed, just to let her know she was loved and not alone. It does break my heart.

Ruby's death has hit me pretty hard. She was the first Border Collie we have lost other than Midnight who was only two days old.  She was a wonderful little girl who had a lots of jumping and running yet to do.  I will miss you and I'm sure that your owners will too, but remember to wait for us at the Bridge.

I really do love them all so much and will always feel they will be part of us.  When we do have one of our pups or grown dog come back to visit or board, they always go to the shed, which was their first home, just like they always did. I have always hoped that when my time comes, God in his wisdom, knowing my heart would allow me to sit in a big field on a beautiful day just outside heaven and all my dogs and all the pups that we have had would run to me from all directions,   jumping on me and licking my face and we would roll on the ground and play and then we would all go in together.  This would be my heaven.

Run Free Ruby, Run Free

"'Midnight' was put down tonight 12-27-08. He was one of the 8 puppy's that Dutchess had on Christmas Morning. He was so unique as to his color. He was truly all black but with the Border Collie white tip on his tail. He was born with a clef pallet that we learned about tonight, their is a zero chance of survivability and he was dying. It was one of the hardest thing I have ever done. The dogs walked with us to where we buried him and stood guard but watched from a distance. The cats, as they often do, walked all the way and made sure that he was treated with respect. I will miss him so. I know that this is just part of it, but it's the hard part. The odd thing, I dreamed that we lost one last night.

Run Free Midnight.. See you at the Rainbow Bridge.."

Sadie

Below is a picture of Sadie girl... she passed away shortly after this picture was taken. She was owned by the Mother of Zoie.