VALGRAYS BORDER COLLIE RESCUE

Any Valgray owner can email (or post) in their story (with picture) which Shirley will add to this page.

• Email your story (preferrably with photo*) to Shirley (NOT Val):   shirley4valgraysXhotmail.co.uk  (swop 'X' to '@' symbol)  - you cannot add to this website yourself 
• >>>> please  DO  NOT  email  them  to  Val  she is busy enough <<<<    

* When emailing your article, please DO NOT have photos embedded into the text, please send wording separately and attach any photos you would like me to use.  Many thanks.

NOTE:  New stories will be shown as the top paragraph for a few weeks, and will then be moved into dogs pet name alphabetical order)

BARNEY adopted from Valgrays August 2001

'Barney of Valgray' owned by Pat Dangerfield

In August 2001 I saw a picture of a black and white puppy needing  a home.  He was Barney, aged 6 months, and I fell in love with him straightaway.  Barney had a few hang ups, but nothing we couldn’t sort out (except he circles the front room when nobody is in there!).  He is very hyper, but his temperament is to die for.  We have done some obedience with him but he stole all the toys and dumbbells as he always likes to have a toy in his mouth.  Barney loves children and anybody who is willing to play with him.  Barney likes to hear his own voice and can be gobby sometimes.  I love him to bits.  He had been in the Mayhew dogs home for a few weeks before Val got him.

By:   Pat Dangerfield

(Pat/Shirley 18/12/07)

BEAUTY  adopted from Valgrays June 2006

‘Valgrays Blazing Beauty’

I contacted Val Phillips back in 2006 after seeing a Blue Merle looking for a home on Agilitynet.  I spoke to Val and my partner Mike and I were going to see the dog the following week.  After speaking to Val again she had decided to keep the dog as it was very nervous.  She then told us about two border collie pups (brother & sister) that had gone to a colleague of hers, Gill White.  They had been taken to her by a farmer a week previously. 

We had a show on the Saturday with my other dog (collie cross springer spaniel) called Brodie, so we would be able to go on the Sunday to see them.  Val gave us Gill’s phone number so we could arrange times with her.  We told Gill that we were undecided on having a bitch or a dog.  She told us that one was a tri-colour and the other was black and white.  We arranged to go and see them at 1pm.

When we arrived Gill told us that the dog had been rehomed that morning, so we never got to see him.  She asked us if we still wanted to see the bitch, and of course we said yes.   We went through to her back garden while she went to fetch her.  She came out with this cheeky looking black and white collie with floppy ears (that aren’t so floppy now!).  She gave her to me to hold and it was love at first sight.  We put her down on the grass and she was into everything.  I knew we had to have her.   Apparently her brother was a bit more laid back.  So we decided to take her home.  We took her to the car and put her into a cage on the back seat as Brodie was in the back of the car.  She had a quick glimpse of the new puppy.

Once we got her home Brodie met the new addition to the family properly and so did our two cats.   We soon decided on the name Beauty.  She gets on well with Brodie and also the cats.  Once she had her vaccinations she had some obedience classes.  Once she was 12 months old she started her agility training which she loves to bits.  She is such a quick learner.  We are doing league matches at the moment with our club (Tuffley Agility Club).  Our first Kennel Club Open show will be Kernow K9 in Cornwall at Easter …. Watch this space!!!

By:   Dawn Jeffery

(Dawn/Shirley 03/02/2008)

BECKIE adopted from Valgrays 1995

'Beckie Marise of Valgray'

My name is Beckie (was Balou) and I am at least 13.  I am a rescue from "Valgray" and was aged about one at the time that I met my new mum and dad at an agility show.  A couple were looking at me but decided I was not what they wanted.  Mum and dad were passing by, stopped to say "hello" and I ended up going home with them much to the surprise of all of us as they already had 4 dogs and had not planned another.  I fitted in with the two Labradors, Shepherd X and Jack Russell X and we got on really well.

Unfortunately I have been destructive over the years starting with an appetite for underlay.  It has not been restricted to our houses.  During a holiday stay with the other dogs in a B&B, over breakfast (after a long walk) I destroyed a brand new headboard which cost lots.  Holidays have since involved taking a crate for me if left and I stay in the van at shows as I have destroyed caravan cushions.

Each time we have moved house I have tried to be good but underlay has got me into trouble.  I had a crate for many years when left and they tried leaving me short times and working up so I could be with the other dogs but to no avail.  The house we are in now had a stable door fitted so I could be free in the kitchen out of temptation so I ate the carpet round the edges till they removed it and tiled the floor.  Last winter a rug sized bit of carpet was put under the bed I share with another dog to help keep us warm but I found it and shredded it - guess I will never grow out of this habit. 

Since my dad (Martin Clayton) found BAA independent agility shows a few years ago I have had a new lease of life.  When younger I did agility (badly as I forgot touch points in competition) but due to ill health and lots of operations retired for many years.  I was left full of scar tissue on my side and unable to jump high.  I cannot do agility as I have no sense of contacts or distance but I love jumping low courses and helter skelters.  My favourite course has lots of tunnels to chase into.  I hardly make any noise at home but on a course I scream my head off with excitement so can't hear any directions or commands.  If dad does not decide what to do next quickly enough I have to nip his leg to encourage him on.  My best show ever was when I won the Veteran Jumping Final which made dad very happy. 

I moved twice in Kent then five years ago moved to Warwickshire.  Out of the dogs I started living with there are none left.  Sam Labrador went to live with grandma when granddad died and we were four until Mollie the Sprollie joined us.  The other three originals died within eight months of each other which was very upsetting.  After two died Jamie collie was rescued from Border Collie Trust Staffordshire and he is lovely but then the third dog died leaving us three again.  Six months later Charlie Jack Russell joined us.  I love to mother him and we sleep in the same bed when the parents go out. 

I am still full of beans (although a bit stiff at times) and have had a lovely life with holidays, ball chasing, agility and friends to live with.  I am so lucky I was at that show with Val the day I got re-homed and my life changed forever.

Martin and Denise

 (Denise/Shirley 13/12/07)

BEN adopted from Valgrays March 2004                                                                                                                     'Kelpie Ben of Valgrays'

I expect alot of people have seen my mad Ben around the agility shows;  having the time of his life barking his head off as he does what he loves best in life ... Agility.   I got Ben from Valgrays Border Collie Rescue in March 2004 aged around 6 months.  He is very unpredictable whilst working, as he insists on doing everything at about 300 miles per hour!   Thus he has very mixed results.   When he gets it right he's brilliant, when he gets it wrong .. well what can I say!?!?!     I love him to bits and picture shows him chilled out at home.

By:   Ann Young

(Ann/Shirley 06/01/2008)

BO PEEP  adopted from Valgrays October 2007

‘Valgrays Little Bo Peep’  …  From the ‘Yummy pup’ litter

Mere words cannot really express the joy and delight that Bo has brought into our household.    She is the loveliest, naughtiest, most beautiful pup I have ever come across .... thank you for rescuing her and for letting me have her!!

She has had one obedience lesson and enjoyed it (Chris, our Obedience Trainer, thought she was destined for the show ring as her markings are so perfect!). On Saturday 26th she will begin pre-agility classes with Lin Bergan along with two of her litter mates!

It will be interesting to see whether her litter mates have developed the long coat that she already has, longer than either of my other collies!     She is not really as fat as she appears (I discovered that last Sunday when she had to have a shower to rid her of a scarf of fox poo and when wet she looks quite skinny!) and I am sure that her legs will lengthen in the coming months!    

She has discovered the remaining potatoes underground in the vegetable patch and takes great pleasure in digging them up for a quick snack if I am late in giving her supper!    In the autumn it was the apples off the tree that she was partial to - in fact there is nothing she won't eat! 

By Breda Dallimore

(Breda/Shirley 23/01/2008)

BUDDY  into Valgrays 21st June, 2008

See more photos of Buddy here

Buddy  came to us in June 2008 from a Welsh pound where he was overdue his 'seven days'. Valgrays stepped in to save this 'poundie' boy with thanks to Hope Rescue for getting him from the pound to us. 

Buddy was very unsure and untrusting of humans, he sort of 'closed down' when he came to us .. but he improved day by day.  Yes, he needed very gentle and patient handling to allow him to 'trust', but he has such a lovely nature; he just didn't understand that people could be nice (poor, poor boy).  Buddy’s lovely white fur was stained orange (possibly from being on straw or maybe sand a long time), so is probably farm bred, his tail was a nasty shade of orange!!!

June 2008:  In the early days Val took Buddy went to watch some agility training, he sat under a table most of the time, but did start to pop his head out and pricked his ears up ... and for the first time he wagged his tail on a walk today .. wow!    Buddy went visiting 28/6 and he did well (apart from weeing on Val’s lap) and everyone fell in love with him, one lady cried for the sadness in his eyes: 'look into my eyes' the song she sang to him .. well I tell you 6 of us sitting down just fell apart. He has a very very long way to go.  He must have had some very big trauma in his previous life.  He coped not too badly, but he had to hide under tables or in any corner he could find, etc.  Once out in the open he walked ok.  His eyes are just so shut down ... I've not seen this for years ........ .  Buddy wouldn’t even eat in front of people, he even declined sausages Shirley brought for him!  He obviously did not understand anything about playing, so it is all down to being able to win him over with patience and love.   

July 2008:  Buddy ate out of Val’s hand by stretching to the full length of his body, and had a waggie tail!  Still likes to run and hide but he feels secure in a big dog crate which I have left open for him.  He just loves the other dogs and feels very happy with them.  His trust is slowly showing signs of wanting to get a bit nearer to us humans. He has such a wonderful kind nature, no malice in him, just this big deal about us aliens!!!!!! which is not surprising when a big lump like me sits in the crate next to him, which I'm sure (by reading his eyes) he thinks I'm a nutter, but we sit together and I have long chats with him feeding him with cheese.  06/07:  Buddy has let me walk up to him out the back and he did not run past me .. took some sausage off me today, and lent up against the fence while I stroked him. 10/07:  Today decided to go for it and wow ... Buddy OFF LEAD ... RUNNING AND HAVING FUN ... HIS CONFIDENCE IS GROWING DAILY ... but if he sees someone walking towards him, he is worried and runs back to mummy ... he is going to make a lovely dog for someone to love and care for ... he has such a wonderful nature.

August 2008:  Buddy has certainly turned a corner now and is off lead most of the time, he runs and plays with most of the dogs now and comes back to me for his treats ... he also loves it when I hold him and do 'ready steady go'!!!!  Last week the hay was being cut and I was throwing the hay at him - and if you had seen his face - it was full of sheer delight - I just wished I'd had my camera.  He still bypasses people walking towards him but is doing it in a smaller circle but watches me all the time.  Buddy has linked onto Sky, my collie, for support, and what she does he is starting to do.   He is enjoying his toys and plays with them infact he picks all the toys up and takes them to his little hide out (the dog cage) which is left open all the time for him to bolt to, but he will not play with me and a toy as yet.  I had loads and loads of enquiries for Buddy and we are doing a home check on a family who had a collie bitch very similar to Buddy and have now turned her around to be a smashing dog!  The homecheck passed and buddy when to live with Fiona and Dean.  Half of me felt that I should keep him ... but I just feel if I found that special home then I could help another POUNDIE from being PTS ..... will thanks to the special folk who send messages supporting our work and especially with Buddy ...  Buddy lucky's fan club .......

Rehome Poem for Buddy - by Fionna Duncan

I used to think that I was bad
Nothing I could do was right
Everything used to make me cry
I just gave up the fight

But now my head is spinning round
I'm no longer scared and broken
I learned the good stuff life can bring
Heard kind words so softly spoken

I see now that the sun can shine
And make a whole day bright
I have a life that’s full of love
I learned that is my right

I thank you to the people who
saw some hope for me
I thank for the love you gave
You set my spirit free 

The Boy I’d Like to Be (for Buddy) - by Fionna Duncan

I'm know I'm scared and nervous and shy
You might just want to walk on by
But please look again, please talk to me
And see the boy I'd like to be

I've never had a life of fun
I've never had the chance to run
To chase my ball till I'm all puffed out
To learn that people don't always shout

I might not wag my tail at you
But look in my eyes, look closer too
There's life in them, and hope and joy
And I'd love to be your special boy

by Val Phillips (15/08/2008)

CHARLIE adopted from Valgrays December 2004

My Story.....
Val rescued me from a family that had a young child and found that I needed a little more attention and time than they had.  Anyway thankfully after a short stay at Val’s I was rescued by my new owners who had the time to walk me lots and train me to do tricks which I love doing for them.  I think at last count I can do about 50 different tricks!  I also have 3 cats living with me and 3 chickens and recently a younger rescue dog called Lulu, we all get on fine together and I have a lot of mates who I play with in the field near where I live. Val is still very good to me and looks after me when my parents go on holiday abroad, this is great as I get to hang out with Val & Keith’s own dogs, and I can’t stop wagging my tail when I know I am going there to stay!  If I could speak I would say a HUGE thank you to Val for giving me a second chance in life.

 (John&Jan/Shirley 12/12/07)

CHOCKI adopted from Valgrays 1994

'Valgrays Mini Mouse' owned by Carol Hughes

My Rescue Champion

by Carol Hughes

Years ago, I took on a tiny scrap of a dog from Valgray’s Border Collie Rescue. I immediately fell in love with her - she was a cross between a Collie and a Labrador, but only measured about 13 inches in height. I named her Valgray’s Mini Mouse, but called her Chocki, as she looked like a lump of chocolate!

I started to train her for agility, which was quite different at first as I had only standard dogs before her. You never really know their full potential at the beginning, but as a few seasons had gone she went from strength to strength. Chocki has qualified for Crufts for six years running and has been to Olympia twice. She has also won four Pedigree Classics at Dogs In Need, plus well over one hundred first places in her career to date.

When the Championship was first discussed, I have got to be honest and say that I wasn’t bothered one way or the other, but having a dog that was eligible; of course I wanted to have a go. At the first one we competed in, at The Agility Club Show in June 2001, we were eliminated in the first agility round, so were out of contention. The second was at Rugby in July, where she won both the Agility and Jumping rounds to enable her to compete in the final round, which Chocki also won, thus gaining her first CC.

Having done that, we realised that we might have a chance to accumulate three to become a Champion. We competed in our third Championship class at Chippenham in November, gaining a Reserve CC.

We received an invite from the Kennel Club to compete in the Championship class at Crufts in March 2002, which was a very exciting and unexpected prospect. Peter Lewis was the judge and put up two very testing courses on Friday morning, in which Chocki went clear in both, so it meant that we could compete in the final, in the Main Ring later that day. Another slightly testing course was set up, but not quite as difficult as the morning’s. Well, she managed to pull out all the stops and win. Chocki became the first ever UK Mini Agility Champion.

I find it very hard to explain the feeling – I am so proud of her, and to me she can never better what she has achieved. It just goes to show what a rescue dog can do, given the chance.

(reprinted with permission from agilitynet) (10/03/09)

CINDERS adopted from Valgrays April 2004

‘Red Hot Cinders of Valgrays’

I was out walking my dog in April 04 and bumped into Val who I've known for years. 'Oh,' she says eyeing my Beardie cross, ' I've got the perfect matching dog here for you.' 

'Yes she's lovely but I've just put my house up for sale, going to be moving, don't need any more hassle.........'  but somehow the very next day Cinders had moved in.

Cinders hadn't been badly treated by her previous owner but he couldn't keep her due to being detained at Her Majesty's pleasure! 

So thanks Val, Cinders has turned out to be a real little sweetie, great with everyone and a delight to live with.  As you can see from the photo, she  DOES  match my boy.

By:  Frances Gavin

(Francis/Shirley  07/03/2008)

DEEDEE (now NELL)  adopted from Valgrays April 2009

MORE PHOTOS HERE  (warning: the last two photos of the slideshow are showing her post operation)

Back in April 2009 I am sure that you all were following Nell's progress, from the day when we received the phone call about a poor little collie girl covered in diesel, with a bad eye injury and found alongside 2 other dogs!!!!!  What was going to happen to her - we will never know - but what we do know now is that Nell is safe and happy.  She has had top class care from a very good vet and a super nurse in Jan her fosterer and alongside that we have had wonderful support from you the general public in your kind donation.  Everyone has been thinking of dear Nell.  Well dear Nell is well on the road to recovery she is happy, fit, and feeling good and the best news ever is that dear Jan is adopting Nell and will be giving her a 'Forever Home' - such wonderful news - thank you Jan XXXXXXXXX

Background on Nell:  She was collected by the Dog Warden and was completely covered in diesel (was this accidental or was there a far more sinister/unthinkable reason for this????) and had been in the council pound for a while, we heard about her plight and offered to take her here. Nell has a very sweet nature & was bewildered at her life, but just needed to know people will love her and not hurt her from now on ... as you can see from the photo (left) she has an eye injury. She was collected with other dogs who had various old injuries on them (who are also safe in their own breed rescues) - what sort of world are we living in!!!.  Nell needed to have her eye removed and we put out an appeal to raise the necessary £1,000 for this to be done and the response was just amazing .. thank you everyone who contributed, you have all made her life wonderful.  Photo (on right) shows her in April 2009 in her new Forever Home - how good does she look now!!!!  We have put a photo of her post operation (last photos in the display) on her photobucket site (link above) - please do not look if you are at all worried by such photos, but we would like folk to see what she has gone through. 

(Val & Shirley 28/04/09)

EMBER  adopted from Valgrays January 2005

Following a call from Val, Ember, a Red Merle Border Collie came to us on 15th January 2005.  She was about 20 months old.

We had lost our wonderful CollieX Jake just before Christmas 2004 at 12 years old.  He had a stroke and left such a huge gap in our lives.

We went to collect her that Saturday afternoon and she settled down in the back of my Mum's car as if it were her own!  She was very nervous when we got home and immediately made a "hidey-hole" between the settee and chair which she will still uses on Bonfire Night!   She settled in pretty quickly and is a firm member of the family along with my two sons and my mum. Our front room is like a playroom and I think she's got more toys than a child!  She has been known to put them back in her toy box before taking another one out!

Over the 3 years that we have had her she has grown into a "lovely lady" or even "ladette" at times.  She is so intelligent and great company at all times. She's great fun to go walking with and is loved by anyone who comes into contact with her.  She's been on holiday to Dorset many times and is known and remembered by people we come into contact with on our return trips. We love her to bits.

By:  Lesley Gadsden

(Lesley/Shirley 25/01/2008)

GEM  adopted from Valgrays 1999

‘Got A Gem from Valgrays’

I own Gem (Got a Gem from Valgray), who will be 10 years old this year (2007).   She has been a fantastic fun dog who is obsessed with agility. A real little madam too.

She won me out of starters at Longleat in 2001, to say I was ecstatic is an understatement as I had been doing agility since 1983 then a week later she won starters again at Southdowns. Since then though she has only managed a couple of 2nd and 3rd places in agility. She has won quite a few jumping classes and various places at KC shows but the agility classes seem to have evaded us.

At UKA shows however she has reached Senior in steeplechase and performance.

Considering I wasn't even looking for a dog at the time and it was only my daughter and a friend who badgered me into 'just having a look' (which is fatal) we took her home that day and never looked back. She's gorgeous.

By:   Barbara Darvill

(Barbara/Shirley 16/01/2008)

HOLLY  adopted from Valgrays May 2008

'Valgray Hollyday Tick Tock'

Holly is simply fabulous - seriously.  On arrival she was as you described 'a nervous wreck' but has embraced her new life with such guts and enthusiasm. I have had dogs since a child, began 'training' over 20 years ago and have worked with 100s. Holly is without doubt one of the quickest, most trainable and willing dogs I have ever encountered. She is an exciting prospect - with that x-factor! She has moved from cowering under the table to working in an obedience class, an adolescent agility group and generally going anywhere and everywhere with a ‘give it a go’ attitude.

She is so affectionate - loves cuddles and hugs - is bonding with Skye they move everywhere in tandem.

With clicker she is giving the loveliest heelwork, sit and down stays (short ones!), fabulous recall, finish and a send away!!  I have never competed in obedience but she is loving it so much I am tempted to enter the special pre-beginners qualifiers with her.  She is learning tricks so quickly that maybe freestyle or heelwork to music may happen too - you never know I may have to learn rhythm myself!!!

A huge thank you to making the connection for us - we are so enjoying her.

In the photos, Holly is the typical black and white collie, Skye is the beardie x.

We thought that 'Valgray Hollyday Tick Tock' would be a lovely name, bit of a pun as she arrived when you were on holiday!!  She has a lovely tick tock rhythm as she moves around the house - and my children say that she is working like clockwork - nothing to do with my training skills!!!

By Liz Kerr

(Liz/Shirley 31/05/2008)

JACK  adopted from Valgrays October 2006

‘Jack Be Nimble of Valgrays’

Jack came to me as an adorable 12 week old puppy in October 2006.   He is the first full WSD/Border Collie that I have had, and I find him to be very, very clever and extremely loving and loveable.

Jack came from a Welsh farm via Valgrays, he was surplus to the farm requirements along with his two brothers!!!

He quickly fitted in with the rest of our ‘hairy gang’, and the photo’s show him with Merlin our GSD as he was when we got him, and also sharing the couch with his pal ‘Kelpie Ben of Valgray' as he is today.

I am really looking forward to starting to complete with him this year.

By Ann Young

(Ann/Shirley 19/01/2008)

JAZZ  adopted from Valgrays October 2007

‘Valgrays Spirit of Kush’ …  From the ‘Yummy pup’ litter

Jazz is the only boy from the ‘Yummy Puppies’ litter.  He has a lovely long coat & at the moment quite short legs. He was also very naughty to begin with & earnt himself the nickname "Asbo Jazzbo", he's now calming down, thankfully!

At the tender age of 9 weeks he got my friend (who was carrying him at the time) thrown out of an M&S food hall, while we were out doing a bit of familiarization!

He's settled in very well with all our other dogs & is a real sweetie with the kids.

Thanks again to Val for letting us have this special boy.

By:  Melissa Sherring

(Melissa/Shirley 03/02/2008)

JESSICA  adopted from Valgrays February 1994

‘Snomiss Jessica of Valgrays’

Jess came to us in February 1994. She got to advanced in agility, went to Olympia on several occasions and won the Crufts Junior Final with Simon in 1997.  She was also very successful at flyball and won an Open CD working trial and qualified CDex in 1996. Most of all she and Simon had lots of fun together.

By:   Rosemary Tappin

(Rosemary/Shirley 19/01/2008)

KIA adopted from Valgrays February 2007  

'Keepin Kia to Valgrays'

My name is Kia, my Mum is Babs and my godmother is Val.

I have done a sponsored walk in aid of a local children’s hospice, I raised £104, but the whole day raised over £15,000 !!!!!!   The humans were all dressed as Santa’s.   If you look at the photo I am the  gorgeous one, (mums words) in the centre with a piece of tinsel round my neck.
Love Kia ..

Kia came to live with us on 24th February, 2007, we left a tearful Val and Keith 8.15am and arrived at Kia's new pad 12 noon.  Kia is the most loving and entertaining pet, life is very interesting to her, from the cat jumping in through the bedroom window (we do live in a bungalow) to visiting my sister and her dogs in Somerset, or when the weather was good swimming in the river (10 minute walk away)  or simply sat on the back door step just looking.   I am full of admiration for the way she copes with what ever we do, visiting a DIY shop, our local pet food place, obedience dog shows, (I hope to compete with her in 2008 ) or simply visiting other people houses and gardens (this of course also includes the Santa Run.)  Her capacity to take on new places, people and tasks is amazing.   Everything is approached with the same exuberance, yesterday is soon enough to do most things, a walk is apparently out of this world, playing/working with the ball is about the same, her nickname is Donkey, partly because of the ears but also Shreiks friend.   In the house she is quiet and loving, it is normal if I am tending the fire for her to sit on my lap, likewise grooming, she'll sit on my lap then too.  She plonks the front half of her on my lap for a cuddle when I am sat in bed.  She still has a tendency to bark at men who are thick set, it was one like that who took her to be put to sleep.  Kia wags her tail from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, I love the bones of her.

By:  Babs Francis  

(Babs/Shirley 28-12-07)

KIT  adopted from Valgrays August 1999

‘Kit Kat Kid of Valgrays’  adopted by Collette Williams and family

This is Kit;  I got him when he was 6 months old from John & Jeri Omlo of Valgrays in Cornwall.
 
When I got kit he was very nervous - he didn't like going outside. If you showed him the lead he would run away and cower. He also didn't know how to play, was an awful traveller and was dog aggressive.
 
Now he is very confident, loves his agility and obedience. Loves his ball. 
 
Kit is 9 years old now and he has given me a number of happy years and will continue to do so. He loves children, dogs, cats, horses, walks and travelling.
 
My husband and I have recently had a new addition to our family-Dee, a 7 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They get on like a house on fire!  Sleep together, eat together, play together etc!!
 
I honestly could not imagine my life without Kit - he is a true member of our family!!

By Collette Williams

(Collette/Shirley 14/07/08)

MEG (was Dottie)  adopted from Valgrays September 2008  ... Owned by Jenny White  ( More photos here )

I gained Meg as part of our family in September 08, I'd been looking at Val's website this particular thursday afternoon & saw Meg (Dottie as she was called by Val). I loved her sad face but I'd got a lot on at that time & dismissed the idea. About an hour later Val rang me & said she had a dog that was just right for me, .... of course it was Meg. I dragged a friend with me to see her, as I know I can be talked into anything & wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. We took her for a walk, such a sad little girl, she'd gone from a Welsh farm to a pound to a rescue centre, to Val's all in the space of just over a week I think. Well of course she came home with us although it wasn't all plain sailing, there were moments during the first 2 weeks that I seriously wasn't sure I'd done the right thing. She'd suddenly turn on my gentle little spaniel Molly who used to sit shaking & probably thinking " what have I done to deserve this?"

Despite this we all loved her as she was so affectionate with us, she had no idea what a toy was & it's taken a long time to get her to play & she'd still rather have food than anything else! It has taken a lot of work to socialise her & she still has some hang-ups but I absolutely adore her. We go to obedience classes & she's got her Bronze Good Citizen award, hopefully will do her Silver soon, not sure if we'll make Gold but who knows? Agility training is going well & she's beginning to get some idea of playing with dogs that she knows (not Molly, although they tolerate each other quite well now). She's loved by all my clients that come to the house (I'm a hairdresser) although she still barks at men, or if several people come together, that's a really scary thing to her. When we're out walking she'll shoot off chasing squirrels, barking madly, but does at least come back now. If she sees another person walking a dog she'll usually go into the woods & work her way round them so as to avoid confrontation. If it's someone she knows she'll greet the person rather than the dog & becomes ridiculously submissive, hurling herself onto her back & worming her way toward them from anything up to 30yds away. At least she doesn't wee now whilst doing this which was a problem originally (still can't help doing it at the vet's though!).  Looking back, she's made tremendous progress & I see improvement all the time. We'll continue to work hard at everything to make sure sure she's as happy & well balanced as she can be.

Love you loads Meggie!

(27/07/2009)

MOSS adopted from Valgrays 2001 

'Mr Moss Of Valgrays' owned by Pat Dangerfield

Mr Moss of Valgrays was my first dog from Valgrays in 2001 he was 14 weeks old.  I had been talking to Wendy Barker and she told me of a male puppy coming in.  I said I was interested.  She brought him to see me on Thursday; I said he was a short coat and she said no it will grow, six years later we still joke with Wendy that his coat hasn’t grown yet.  We took him home and he settled in very well as if he had always been there.  He is a very lively dog.  We have done some agility with him and he is very fast.  Moss loves everybody and everything.  Moss has never been any trouble and he is a part of our family now.

By:  Pat Dangerfield

(Pat/Shirley 20/12/07)

MURPHY adopted from Valgrays 1997

Unfortunately, I cannot think of a lovely story about Murphy as whilst I believe that his life with us has been good it has been uneventful. He has simply been a super dog, and everything that we would have wanted or hoped for. He has fitted in well with our family, got on well with and loved the other dog that we had when he arrived (which was a golden retriever, who died over 3 years ago at 14.5).

He has always been a gentle dog, which has been a big plus, as our youngest son is disabled and in a wheelchair. When Murphy played with him when he was younger, he would adjust how strenously he played to coincide with our son's abilities. We now also have a grand-daughter who will be 1 in January 2009 and Murphy has continued to be gentle with her.

Although he is almost 12 now (2009) he is not really showing his age and he is very fit and active. What you can't see from the photo (above left) is that his typical collie stance is due to him supervising our 4 year old sprollie playing with our eldest son's 3 year old cocker spaniel, and he still races around after them in order to round them up and keep them under control.

My only regret with Murphy is that I did not have time to do any agility with him when both he and I were younger as I think that he would have enjoyed it, and have been good at it. He does however like to watch our sprollie doing the jumps etc in the back garden, although I am sure that he would much prefer to join in.

Ian & Jenny

(27/01/2009)

PADDY (was Caleb) adopted from Valgrays July 2007

‘Paddypaws of Valgrays’

This is Paddy (previously named Caleb) who was rehomed to me in July 2007.  He originally came from a Cornish farm but due to his exuberance and on the go attitude his previous owners could not cope with him.  He was very much loved by them and came to me with his bed, brush, food bowls, toys, collar and lead and even toothbrush and toothpaste! 

He is very naughty but he is extremely lovable.  When I first had him he would steal food and I used to find him lying on the dining room table.  He would not settle and demanded attention all the time.

                         This is a more relaxed Paddy six months later: 

Here he is with Emmy (Valgrays Emerald) who is now 11 years old.  She was an unwanted farm puppy originally from County Mayo and they are really good friends.

Paddy does obedience training which he loves and hopefully in the future when I have got a lot more control he will go on to do agility training.  He still goes frantic whenever he sees squirrels and foxes and I can't get any sense out of him!   We have both got a lot of hard work ahead of us but he is worth it as he is such a lovely natured dog.
Thank you Val for rehoming him to me.

By:  Janet Whiteley

(Janet/Shirley 08/01/2008)

PENNY adopted from Valgrays June 2005

'Valgrays Spare Er Penny'

I was judging at the Easter Show and was standing with my back to the ring ropes waiting for the next dog on the line when a little voice behind me says ‘I have the perfect mini dog for you!’   ‘Go away Val !’   I had nearly had a divorce recently over dog number 5 so dog number 6 was very unlikely ….

A while later at Wallingford;  Val again comes to me and says ‘she is in my van, completely mange free, kennel cough free and ready to go’ ... 'don’t do it' said a little voice, but Geoff and I went along and that was that.

She is the perfect pet.  Lovely in every way and (look at the picture) stunning.  I won’t pretend she was difficult to train as she was quite easy, clever and responsive, but it has been very hard to get her to be enthusiastic.  Chasing my collies she is like grease lightening but in the agility ring she worries about her surroundings - (judges dressed as fairies, dogs chasing her in the ring etc) – but she is coming along now and we enjoy running together.

All in all she is quite wonderful, challenging quietly for top dog position from Millie my other mini.  Thank you so much Val for being so persistent…you were right.  She is just the dog for me.

If you look at the link below you will see Lin Bergan with Penny - Valgrays Spare Er Penny. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF PENNY DOING AGILITY

(Lin/Val/Shirley 10/12/07)

PIP adopted from Valgrays June 2007

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF PIP

I have had Pip since 18^th June 2007, and what an absolute joy to own. So very loving and obedient, which told me much about her previous owners who sadly emigrated to Australia and felt that it would not be fair to put her through quarantine.

She actually smiles at me, and will often nibble either my nose or my ear, muttering under her breath and talking to me.

She has now had two holidays away with me and thoroughly enjoyed them, and like Trixie;  Pip also literally loves the water. We go to Greyfriars most weeks just for a fun swim, and she is more interested in trying to create as many splashes as she can so that she can catch them in her mouth….so very comical to watch.

Thank you Val for 10 beautiful years with Trixie, sadly only 11 days with Nuala, but who knows just how many years Pip will make…we’ll both enjoy each day as it comes.

Ray

(Ray/Shirley 04/01/2008)

PIP (was Abbey) adopted from Valgrays April 2007 

After losing their beloved 12 year old collie cross at the beginning of March my new mum and dad soon felt they needed to find another dog to fill the gap in their lives, and having been given details of Valgrays by a friend they saw the website and saw a picture of me and my friend Holly.  At that time we were still in Ireland and mum and dad actually liked the look of Holly better than me (I can't help it if I didn't take a good photo, I was unhappy at the time!).  Well, when they arrived at Valgrays two days after we got there, I gave them a welcome they couldn't resist, I got really excited and jumped on them (they have told me now that sort of behavior is not welcomed by most people, but it certainly worked on them at the time!).  They took me for a walk and I managed to persuade them I was the one for them, so I wasn't really surprised when they decided to take me home with them.  I didn't mind it when they changed my name to Pip; I think it's a nice name don't you?

They take me for lovely walks in the woods and I will chase anything from a squirrel to a deer!  I even tried to round up the highland cattle on Headley Common on one occasion, which mum found a bit scary! They give me tennis balls which I love, in fact I like any kind of ball, and they buy me soft toys from the charity shop and I rip them open, take all the stuffing out, dismember them if possible and then play with what's left until they give me another one and I start all over again! That's a really good game.

I have been a very good dog since I came to live with my new family, well except when I had an 'accident' on their new carpet the first night it was down, oh and when I chewed up my nice new bed when everyone was asleep, and oh yes there was mum's glasses, but I only chewed them a little bit before she caught me, oh yes I nearly forgot about the shoes, but then I am still only a puppy!  I love it when the grandchildren come to visit as they like to play with me and it's really good fun, and I go and visit them and it's great 'cos everyone loves me (I think).

So I want to say a big thank you to Val for rescuing me and finding me a lovely new home.

I hope you like these photos of me.

Pam and Ian Randall

(Pam, Ian/Shirley 14/12/07)

POPPY  adopted from Valgrays July 2007

Val rang to let me know she had a 3 month old puppy; so my son and I went to see her.  Val immediately placed her into my son's arms and the decision was made!  Poppy had bounced into our lives!  We recently lost our old Collie after 11½ wonderful years together. Poppy certainly livened up our lives with her wonderful enthusiasm for life! 
 
She came from a third floor flat in London and was delighted to have free-run of our house and large garden (it was Summer) and to have two playful canine friends. It took only a week for her and our Lab X to start playing wonderful games together.  She has remained quite a dinky little thing but lovely and so sweet tempered.
 
She really is the kindest dog I have met, she just loves everyone and wants to give them a kiss!  She's very intelligent; working out at about 6 months old that she could open doors with her mouth!  Useful for her;  not for us!  She and our kids get on so well.  I absolutely adore her, there's so much fun and character in her.

Thank you so much, Val, she definitely has a forever home with us!

(Louisa 23/10/08)

PRESTON adopted from Valgrays October 2006

'Callawen Eye Of The Storm To Valgrays'

Click  HERE  to see video's of Preston doing agility (click on first column with numbers beside the name Liz Brown - there are 4 to watch on this link - you need to scroll down to see Liz's name)

What a mouthful but I am sure that in 2008 many are going to hear his name called out for awards.

 He is a beautiful black & white medium collie with one brown eye and one blue, DOB 18th Feb 2006

He was originally owned by a family with small children who thought puppies ought to join in their fun on the trampoline and he either didn't like it or decided to behave like a normal collie pup and play a bit rough so the family decided to get rid of him at 9 months old.   Val took him in.   We had already told Val that we were on the look out for another dog so when Preston arrived she sent us an email and told us that she had this little collie who she was going to put onto Agilitynet and if we were interested to get in touch.   We fell in love with him as soon as we saw his picture and the rest is history.

Over the first couple of weeks Val would email and ask how he was getting on we would sing his praises, the first winter league competition that we attended after getting Preston we showed him off to all and I was quick to email Val on our return to say what a good boy he had been with all that had gone on around him. I soon followed with a second email. On our arrival home I had taken a pie out of the fridge ready to put in the oven for dinner (you can guess what's coming next) whilst I had been on the computer singing his praises he had been in the kitchen helping his self to the pie. Needless to say Val thought it very funny.

Preston's agility training started at the end of March 2007 talk about duck to water he loved it, and so fast.   At his first show at the end of August he was a star he had 5 faults in his jumping class for knocking a pole, he finished 2nd in the class as there was only one clear round but his time was 13 seconds faster than the winning dog (scarey).   To date his placing's are 4 x 1^st,   4 x 2^nd,  1 x 3^rd,  &  1 x 4^th   so look out 2008 I know that if he goes clear he will be well up in the placings.

To finish for the moment Preston is the most loveable dog you could wish for he likes nothing better that to curl up on you lap the minute he sees it empty or to be flying around an agility course.

Thank you Val for finding us this little treasure.

Liz & Neal

(Liz&Neal/Shirley 17/12/07)

PRINNY adopted from Valgrays 29th August 2006

Prinny is doing OK now – I enclose a couple of piccies of him taken in the summer.  He is progressing nicely now on his obedience and agility and is generally an all round well adjusted happy go lucky dog.  His nickname is Mr goofball!

(Angela/Val/Shirley 12/12/07)

RED  adopted from Valgrays 2005

‘Red Iland of Valgray’   owned by Pat Fencott

Having been a horsey friend of Val's for many years I was delivering carrots to her house and saw this red and white collie with vacant, dead, eyes looking very very sad standing by her van.  Val had been in Ireland investigating (with the police) dogs that were being neglected on a farm.  In a derelict caravan they found 8 dogs;  5 dead, 2 they pts and Red they saved.  I already had 3 dogs (a golden retriever and 2 german shepherds) and I have seen many dogs that Val has rescued, but this boys eyes haunted me.   That evening I phoned Val and being a neighbour she said see how he gets on with your dogs.  Well, Red came for the weekend and stayed and wasn't I the lucky one.  I was doing agility with my boy shepherd Sholtz and after having Red a year I took him along.  I said to Lyn Bergan, my trainer, I don't think he will do this he is so laid back.  Well my boy has never looked back!  He has done a senile blonde proud - he really looks after me in the ring and has won numerous rosettes and trophies, he has taught me so much.  Red rarely leaves my side only to do his agility and chase those evil crows.  Reds eyes are no longer sad he knows he is loved.  In 2005 Red won Dog Training Weekly Rescue Dog of the Year 2005 at Crufts and boy was I a proud owner.  I love this boy to bits and know it is retuned a thousand fold, thanks Val for my very special boy. Red -  Red Iland Of Valgray

SOPHY  adopted from Valgrays 2007

‘La Belle Amour of Valgrays’  owned by Pat Fencott
 

So I now had 4 dogs; 3 boys and a bitch enough really for anyone, but there we were again with another carrot delivery to Val. This time she came out with this dear little 13 week pup.  Sophy was being rehomed as she had been living in a flat.  Sophy is quite an independent little girl and has bought a lot of fun to the family, especially to the 14 year retriever who now thinks he's a puppy again.  Sophy has started doing agility and seems to be enjoying it,  She is a pleasure to own and is very loving.  Thanks again Val for these special babies; but I shall be delivering from now on when your not in as I cannot get my arms around any more when I come in from work!!  Sophy -  La Belle Amour of Valgrays. 

(Pat 26/11/08)

REMMIE  adopted from Valgrays April 2009 

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Remmie is one of our very 'special cases'.  This dear frightened boy had been running feral on the Welsh hills for many months before his rescuers managed to trap him.  Remmie was moved to Valgrays as no one had enough time to try to help this boy who was so frightened of humans. When Remmie came to us he was in 'shut down' mode, unresponsive, he has no malice in him at all .. just 'shut down' with mistrust and fear. Photo on left is when he came into Valgrays.

Update 12/02/09: Well so far Remmie has improved so much over the last few weeks.  He is a real sweet lad and I am beginning to really like him, despite his little worries in life.  He is slowly beginning to trust me and is walking around my stable yard like a shadow - although I am not letting him know he is behind me, sometimes I feel his nose on my hand but if I go too quick he will disappear back to his kennel.  His kennel is now looking nicer then my bedroom!!  He has a lovely duvet and a plant outside, keith thinks I am totally nuts, but I thought I would make it like a home.  His door is always open but sometimes he stays in his kennel just for security ... silly boy when he is now free to do what he wants.  Remmie has now started to play with my Sky.  When we all go to the park he is always with me, as yet I have not let him off his long line - I just need that confidence that he will stay with me, but must admit he never leaves my side on the long line, but off the lead well that is another question ... will he or want he? (run) .. Remmie has blossomed so much, thanks to Gina who did a really thorough groom on him (photo on right), and he just loves being touched, his handling is so much better now and he will nudge you for more - although his eyes do still have that distant look I can see some change in him and he is not so shut down.  He is a good boy, never soils his
kennel and is so good around the horses.  I must not get attached - keith will leave!!!!!!!!!!

Update 17/02/09: I TOOK THE CHANCE TODAY AND LET REMMIE OFF THE LEAD (new photos added to his album -click on link above) ... and oh did he enjoy his new found freedom, he ran and ran, and ran ......... out of sight! and I thought OH NO he is not coming back, then I called and he came back with all the others - he just so loved it.  He chased his tail, he played with the others he ran, he barked, he got totally exhausted and came happily back into the stable yard with me and the other dogs ... wow what a difference, his eyes just sparkled.

Update 19/02/09: Remmie has certainly reached a milestone today - off lead running  - playing in the park, coming back to me - taking titbits from my hand really enjoying his new found life. And he is LOOKING UP ME AND GIVING ME EYE CONTACT. HIP HIP HOORAY .........

Update 27/02/09: Remmie has come on so much he is now running with the other dogs and coming back sometimes quick and other times in his own time, but he never goes far from you. He has such a nice nature, he does have that lost look sometimes. Tonight my gate was somehow open and he got out but he only went to my van and was running round it trying to get me to open it!!!

Update 04/03/09: Update by Remmie: today some friends come to see me ... wow this was going to be a BIG NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME ... it turned out to be 'mummy' Shirley and once I was introduced Gill with also Marion and 'mummy' Val all in the kitchen ... I was unsettled by all these visitors but after a while I realised no one was going to hurt me and started to relax, 'mummy' Val got some sausages out of the fridge and 'mummy' Shirley started to interact with me playing games, following the sausage around, going in between Shirley's legs -after a while I really started to enjoy this and my little tail got higher and higher ... I was taught to touch and then I got a treat, when the sausages run out I then started on Cathedral cheese, well only the best!!!!  All the playing and eating was such fun I even sat on Shirley's lap beside Gill and had a picture taken (ps Gill is not a migit, she is well bigger than me really!) .... well at the end of all this today I'm now very tried and going to bed .. I wonder what tomorrow has in store for me!!!!!!!

NEWS FLASH UPDATE 12/04/09: Remmie went to his new home 10/04/09.  Marion (my chief navigator) got us to Amersham without any problems, although the journey was terrible on the M25 we did not get any faster than 25 miles an hour so it was a long boring journey - we got on at junction 6 and by junction 7 we had eaten most of the food we had taken!!!!!!! When we eventually arrived at Remmies new home we stayed for some while and went walking with Marilyn and family and Remmie just took it all in his stride.  He will be kept on a trailing lead for a few weeks until the new owners are confident enough that Remmie is comfortable with them. He has come along way from the little boy I had in and I feel very proud of him now and it was a huge wrench to let him go.  When we left my heart was happy that Remmie had such a lovely home and Marion felt the same also, perhaps I was just feeling mumsey and I did feel tearful but he has such a long future ahead of him.  Finding him a super new home and such lovely folk to love him this now enables me to take another sad soul in and to turn their lives around.  The journey back was boring traffic jams, Marions navigation went wrong and the only conversation was Remmie. We wish Remmie and his new adopters all the very best - thank you Steve, Marilyn and family for taking on a lad with such a traumatic past.

Update 14/04/09:  Letter from Remmie (now in the Chilterns!):  Dear Valerie,  I am probably missing you and sky, but can't quite get the words together but here's wot I got up to so far... Good Friday - after you left I stretched out under the kitchen table and shut my eyes, while 'M' and 'S' had lunch. Then we had a nice walk through the fields with Taff. I didn't eat my dinner - too excited!!!  Another quiet walk last thing then in my crate to bed; phew ... Easter Saturday - wagging tail when 'M' came down to say hello. then out in garden with Taff side by side weeing on the daffodils. Didn't eat breakfast. Then out for 4 mile walk to The Lee, through the fields and woods. Big comfort stop first (lots of praise for this).  Loved it all - tail up, and 'S' sprinted between the stiles to give me a good run on the long lead, with Taff sometimes in front sometimes following; 'M' then then had to catch up - she won't run! A second walk in the evening - I only ate a small part of my dinner, but I'm feeling more confident, looking at people when they call me, and following Taff around ... Easter Sunday - straight out of my crate this morning tail wagging and then in the garden for a run. Ate a little breakfast, then a lovely walk to Grt Missenden and back over the fields. Chill out in the garden, another walk after dinner - I ate it all this time, and then (after our evening walk up the lane) 'S' led me by the lead into the sitting room where I have a nice bed and duvet, and Taff has his beanbag. I lay on my new bed while the men watched the golf and I was so chilled I rolled over on my back, eyes shut and had my legs in the air, and all my bits on display, what a showoff!! ..  Monday - in the garden after a nice walk. I am 'S' shadow, he's painting the gate and water feature, and I put my nose to his and he's nice to me. I've slept in the newly dug border to catch the last rays, and sat by the Happy Bench next to 'M'. Taff sleeps in the sun and I rub noses with him too. I've also eaten my dinner! It's all going so nicely. A stroll in the setting sun at 6.30 and I'm on my bed now in the sitting room, Taff asleep and the telly on .. so don't worry, I'm ok ... love from Remmie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Poem for Remmie - by Fiona Duncan (reprinted here with permission)

I've come so far, still a way to go
I need your help you see
I need someone to help me through
To be what I can be

I can learn, I'm good at that
I'm ready, willing and able
I just need some time to work on it
In a home thats calm and stable

My life was tough and full of fear
I was lonely and misunderstood
I need a home away from that
Forever, for life, for good

(24/01/09 Updated 19/04/09)

ROLO  adopted from Valgrays 1994

'Valgrays Last Rolo'  owned by Chris Williams

Rolo was 4 months old when he came to live with us, this little collie looking dog with short legs. We think he is Collie/Corgi X, we don't really know, but he acts like a Collie & sits like a Corgi. We were his 4th owners, the 1st being Valgrays who named him Bob, 2nd owner named him Ralph but returned him because his legs were too short!  His next owner was a member of my Agility club who renamed him Rolo because of his colouring and he was brother to Chocki. Unfortunately due to family circumstances she wasn't able to keep him, so with Val's permission, we became his latest owner and registered him as Valgrays Last Rolo.

When Rolo arrived home she totally ignored him, he so wanted to play with her, he would wind her up so she would chase him, she would never catch him as he was too fast for her but he got fun out of it. I took them both to Agility training classes, unfortunately Jenni taught Rolo that if you were tied up & not practising you bark continuously so whoever was being trained couldn't hear the commands.

(27/07/2009)

RUNI (was Rooney) adopted from Valgrays April 2007

'Canen Rooney of Valgray' 

Rooney’s pet name is now Runi (Norse for 'friend') because of his friendly nature.  Canen Rooney of Valgray, a dual registered Welsh sheepdog, came to me in April 2007 and is learning pre-agility and heelwork to music/freestyle.  Runi came to Val as his owner in Wales, who had thirty dogs, became ill and unable to cope.  They were kept in a shed and were in pretty poor and disgusting shape when they arrived.  At the time, Val fetched back the five collies (all under five, if my memory is correct) and was going back for more.  I have Runi's pedigree as he and Shiner (her name was also changed), his litter sister, have the breeder's ear tattoo, giving guaranteed identification.  His work has been carefully monitored so that neither his mental nor physical capabilities are overstretched.  I'm glad to say that he loves life, adores swimming and toys, is good with my older bitches and is now in excellent physical and mental shape.  Clicker training is instrumental in developing his under used mental capabilities and we have high hopes for his career in the future but mostly we just love him for his glorious temperament.  I have better photos and umpteen anecdotes which I will forward as soon as I have the chance!  (Current photo is from Valgrays archives).

By:  Sue Wootton Freeman

(Sue/Shirley 31/12/07)

 RUSTY adopted from Valgrays May 2004     'Valgrays Rustyman'

Having always owned Rough Collies, I was always being told you need a REAL DOG! Well Rough Collies are aren’t they?  [Apparently not! if you want to do well at Agility].  I always thought Border Collies were too manic and to much like hard work.  How wrong I was, since getting Rusty my views have changed forever. I still love my Roughs and would never rule out getting another.  But getting a Rescue dog is so rewarding.  I first saw Rusty on the rescue pages of Agilitynet.  His name first attracted me to him as I had lost my Rough who was also called Rusty.  He was at Valgrays Border Collie Rescue.   At the bottom of the page it said he would be taken to the Eastbourne Agility show if he hadn’t been rehomed before then as Val who owns the rescue centre was going to be a judge at our show.  I never thought any more about him until our show day.  I parked my car and as I got out I saw this dog in a cage in the van next to me.  I thought he looked familiar, and found out that it was the same dog from Agilitynet.  Well I couldn’t stop looking at him, he looked so sad shut up in his cage, and he was so thin just like a skeleton.  It turned out that he had been kept tied up in a small shed for most of his ten months.  Anyway to cut a long story short I fell in love, and he came home with me that very day.

SAL adopted from Valgrays 2000

'Suddenly Its Sal of Valgrays'

Sal will be nine years old in May 2008 and I have had her since she was approximately nine months old.

SPRITE  adopted from Valgrays 1999

‘Dynamite Sprite of Valgrays’  owned by Lesley Skinner   ( More photos here )

I really don’t know how to sum up such an amazing dog in just a few paragraphs!

We fostered Sprite (or ‘Patch’ as he was known back then) for Valgrays when he was 6 months old (I was 12), his previous owner didn’t want him because he had ‘mental problems’ and he had been taken to the vets to be PTS. We were supposed to be fostering him overnight, ready to hand him over to Valgrays at the show the following day. Mum had told me she was going out that evening and that I was to leave the dog alone as she was unsure of his temperament and he was in a strange new environment. But I couldn't help myself; by the time Mum came home I had taught him ‘sit’ and ‘down’ and we were in full cuddle mode - I was completely besotted. The next day came and we had to hand the little man over, after all, the previous owner had signed him over to Valgrays Border Collie Rescue and not to the Skinner family. But approximately 8 hours later, following a number of tears and a phone call home to Dad we adopted him from Valgrays, re-named him Sprite and he came back home with us!

Sprite did come with issues; a fear of men and children, not great with other dogs, very snappy and VERY herdy. But these are all things we've worked through and learnt to deal with – apart from the noise, it would be nice if he could be a little quieter! (as I type this he is barking at the post man!)

Sprite is a huge Mummy's boy, he would do anything for me and he has been there for me through the most difficult parts of my life thus far and has been everything I wanted him to be; a shoulder to cry on through boyfriends and break-ups, someone to make me laugh when I was stressing about exams, someone to look forward to coming home to when I started work. There might as well be a ‘Reserved for Sprite’ sign next to me on the sofa because he will not give up that spot!

Sprite just has SO much character and is so expressive. Those who have been lucky enough to befriend him consider him a very special friend indeed. The group of friends I made throughout secondary school were and still are his friends also, he was even initiated as an honorary member of our group! Back in the day he would join us down the local park to hang out and play Frisbee, I’m sure he would now if joints would let him! - Hanging out at BBQs will have to suffice for now.

Sprite started agility training as soon as he had learnt his new name and he was such a natural... it’s a shame I wasn’t! In the right hands Sprite would have excelled as soon as he was out competing. But being a teenager, I had my own stubborn ideas about how I wanted to handle him and didn’t really give my Mum a fair chance to instruct me. When we finally got our act together Sprite became a 5 fault wonder; a pole, a weave entrance, a contact - if there was 5 faults to be had, we would find it! And then finally we started winning.

Sprite was never going to be a ‘finals’ dog, he wasn’t consistent enough, so when I qualified for the Supadog Novice Final in 2006 I was over the moon. It was unfortunate that at the same Supadog show Sprite would acquire the injury that would put him into anysize and veteran classes for the rest of his career. I ran him first thing in the morning, there was dew on the grass, he came out of a collapsible tunnel, had to turn 180 degrees back towards me and his front legs did... but his back legs didn’t - they twisted out underneath him and that was it, his back was knackered and arthritis in his front legs wasn’t far to follow. But one of the many things I love about Sprite is that he doesn’t know that he’s not doing full height, he still runs around like his life depends on him doing the bestest, fastest run ever. He still loves presentations and I take him up whenever he wins a class so he can wag his tail at people clapping him and have his ribbon waved in his face. Last year at 11 (2008) he won the Valgray Veteran dog of the year and he was very pleased to be at that presentation I can tell you!

I have had Sprite for nearly half my life, he is my best friend and my soul mate, and there will never be another one like him no matter how hard they try. I just hope that he sticks around for the next big steps in my life because I cannot imagine moving on without my Little Man by my side.

(Lesley 17/07/09)

SUNNI  adopted from Valgrays August 2008

Click here for Sunni photos when first at Valgrays (with Shirley)          Click here for Sunni photos in new home

Sunny is getting on very well at obedience classes although he needs extra help with socialising with humans but that will come in time. He seems to like some people but still uncomfortable with others and will seek protection from me which I am happy to try and coax him along. I have to remind people of his background and how much he has developed since we first brought him home.

TESS  adopted from Valgrays October 2008

More photos here

I thought it was about time I did a little resume on Tess who we adopted in October last year!  Tess came to us last October 2008. An anxious little girl, I soon realised I needed to let her come to me. She was very head-shy and even putting on a lead was a timid time for her.  I have other dogs - Poppy (another Valgrays girlie) and Remy (a mad Lab X - also rescued as a 5 month old pup). It took Tess four weeks before she gingerly played alongside Poppy and then Remy.  Now they hurtle round our local field and have a wonderful game of chase.  She takes her lead from the other 2 mostly. I discovered she loves playing with balls and this has really helped her training. She will now lie down in the day, she used to be anxiously standing and pacing all the time.
 
We started attending training in January and she's really coming along well, her down is fab as is her recall. She does have moments of panic and I remain calm and let her decide for herself it's OK, and she is very responsive - only if I offer a tasty enough treat though! Her roly-poly is fab and was useful recently when I noticed her spey scar was a little raised, although the training went out of the window at the vet's as she tried to escape through the window! She had been hiding behind me, her "Mum", she now looks to me for safety. We still have a little way to go, but she has already come a long way. The trust is there, she just needs gentle persuasion sometimes. She's fine with the kids, although sometimes a little wary (I think she's quite right there!!) She's lovely on walks, goes a little way from me and comes back. She's very dainty and has a lovely way about her. The house training is not yet 100% but we're getting there (at last!) Her car sickness is improving too.
 
I now have a lovely little pack of girls. I will send more up to date photos when I can, I'm not very technically-minded but am working on it.

(Louisa 28/03/2009)

TOBY adopted from Valgrays October 2007

Here is Toby with his 'Best Rescue Dog' rosette from his training class!  (I think he is more or less the only rescue dog - but he doesn't know that!)

Toby has enjoyed Christmas 2007 and has been very good with the tree!  He still does quite a lot of jumping and twirling, I think he is a frustrated ballet dancer!  Most of the time he is nice and calm and he is beginning to play with us a bit more rather than just on his own.  Also he is smiling more and making good eye contact which is very different to a couple of months ago.

(Philipa/Shirley 27/12/07)

WISPA  adopted from Valgrays 1998

'Gentle Wispa of Valgray'

During the 1998/99 agility season, I had advised Gerry and John Omlo that I was looking for a collie as Duke, my first agility dog, was aging and I was looking for another dog to bring on. Gerry contacted me 8 months later as she had been contacted by a farmer about a sable and white Collie bitch. After several attempts to arrange a mutually convenient time to collect Wispa failed, Gerry ended up driving 100 miles to collect her from the farm.

I arranged to go and see Wispa the weekend after she had been spayed and I couldn’t believe what I saw. Wispa had obviously been mated on her first season and had really saggy nipples, she was skin and bone, her tail was a twig sticking out the back and she had a thin shabby coat with no shine.  Even my Husband could not believe it, we both looked at each other and, much to Gerry’s surprise, we agreed to take her home there and then. As Wispa was in a very poor state I didn’t take any photos as, even now, the thought of what someone had done to this loving dog brings me close to tears. I believe Gerry may hold some early photos

From the minute we met Wispa she was very lovely and friendly towards our dog, Duke and us. Although she did get a bit apprehensive when we left her and very aggressive where food, tit bits and toys were concerned. I had never given any thought to cage training before Wispa came to us, but introducing one seemed to give her reassurance and security. I took her along to obedience and agility classes and, whilst I had advised my fellow members, they were shocked at the condition Wispa was in. One of Wispa’s problems was that she had a tendency to snap or be aggressive with other dogs much, this, I believe, was as a result of having to “fight” for everything in her previous home. These classes allowed Wispa to socialise with other dogs in a friendly, non-threatening environment and soon she became as friendly with dogs as she is with Humans. Although, still to this day, she hates cats and even went through a grass panel in our greenhouse to get to one last year!

Out on walks, Wispa looked to Duke for confidence and shadowed him for quite awhile. Day-by-day her general condition and well being improved. I remember the first time Gerry and John saw Wispa after see came to us. Gerry couldn’t believe how much she had come on, Gerry even had tears in her eyes and confused that she wasn’t sure we would want Wispa as she was in such a bad way.

When we lost Duke three years ago it wasn’t our intention to get another dog immediately but Wispa seemed to retract into herself and lose confidence. It was about this time that I was contacted about a little sprollie bitch called Megan, who had been taken to the Vets to be put down. From the minute they met Wispa’s personality returned and she took on the role of “mother” to Megan.

Wispa is now eleven and enjoying her semi retirement and she still loves to run around any size jumping courses and at UKA shows still competes in Casual Classes over low jumps. In the summer months she can even be seen training, again over mini jumps, with Lois Harris in Gillingham.

By:  Diane Layzell

(Diane/Shirley 01/05/2008)

ZIGGY adopted from Valgrays June 1993 (sadly passed away 16th August 2008)

‘Ziggy Zoom of Valgray’

Val had Ziggy as a puppy in December 1992.   I saw a picture of Ziggy in April and knew she was the dog for me.  It was a love hate relationship at first, I loved her and she hated me!  After six months she settled down and decided she liked me after all.  We started agility training and entered our first show and came 12th in the Olympia Qualifier and we never looked back.  She reached advanced and won a ticket.  Ziggy went to Crufts many times.  She is now 15 years old but still very bossy.  (See in memory page - scroll down to Ziggy)

DANDY  adopted from Valgrays April 1999

‘Dandy the Comic of Valgray’

I got Dandy when he was three years old.  The pictures are of him when he was at Val’s, and then back to full health.  Val came up to me at Crufts and showed me the picture of him - I said I would have him.  The next time I saw him was when Carol Hughes brought him to a show and gave him to me.  He was totally out of control and I thought what have I done!  He had to be muzzled due to his like of hanging off collies and he was also still very thin.  He again was very unsettled and never stayed still and would not look at you. To this dayhe  hits the deck if you make a sudden movement near his head.  He also hates the batons in relays and pairs.  Having said all this he is now grade 7 and been to Crufts and Olympia.  This will be his last year competing as he is now 12.

 This picture shows (from the left) Zippy, my Beril, Raz and Val’s Thomas all litter sisters and brother.  We got them in July 1990 and they were a wonderful  litter.  Beril went to Crufts 8 times with flyball and agility; she won the mini/maxi pairs in 1999.

At the moment I also have a BC Jordie (who is 11 years old), a cavalier Olly (5 years old) both with me from puppies and a rehomed Poodle called Chip.  All these dogs are grade 6 though Jordie retired due to injury at 8 years of age.

By Di Dunkley

(Di/Shirley 11/03/2008)

Hands Up! Who's got a Valgray?

It's not an exclusive club but a successful one. All you need is a dog from Valgray Rescue. Of course, first you have to persuade Val Phillips that you'll give one of her rescue collies a good working home. And the rest is up to you. If you are one of the lucky one to have a Valgrays dog, tell us your story.

From Chris...
I was reading the 'Who's Got a Valgray' story and was amazed how many out there. Val introduced my to be WSD Indie back in February of this year, and what a joy he is!

He is six months on and I intend to work him in obedience. He's a little cracker! I Have also been doing a little bit of flyball (the box) and a little bit of agility (the tunnels) with him. He is a joy to own, and I cannot thank Val enough. (11/07/02)

 JED adopted from Valgrays 1999

Dog: Done for Fun of Valgray (Jed)
Handler: Penny Garner-Carpenter
Jed (Done for Fun of Valgray) was born on a farm near St. Austell 30July 1999. The farmer asked his vet to put them to sleep. He refused and asked Jeri and John Omlo to take them. I'd seen Jeri at Longleat and asked about a young collie, she said what about a pup as she'd got a litter coming in!

I hadn't wanted one quite so soon! However, who could resist? I wanted a boy though and fortunately there were two. Jed was described at the biggest pup, Jeri didn't say quite how big though! And I chose him over the phone and picked him up two weeks later, aged 8 weeks. Wow, was he a big pup! Most folk thought he was 16 weeks at least! But he's gorgeous and he's only grown to 23 inches!! Nearly as big as Kim, the GSD.

Being the size he was I left him to 12 months before letting him start jumping and guess what three weeks later having made a good start he jumped awkwardly for his ball and sprained his back leg. Over two months lead exercise then followed. So he's had a couple of months more training and his first show is Waldridge Fell in two weeks time.

He's a lovely chap to have about the house, except he loves to steal the butter. Whole packs of it are wolfed down behind your back (yes he's a 'sneak thief') - good job he's adorable! I certainly wouldn't be without him now. (29/01/01)

UPDATE ON JED from Penny 06-12-07:  

Having read the 'story of Jed' and realising how old it is I thought I'd update you....

Having rushed through his training he did indeed compete at Waldridge Fell, even getting a technically clear round (probably with time faults) however we were far from ready!  Jed is very noise/touch/movement sensitive so any of these at the wrong time causes poles to come down.  I think we've finally sorted this as long as I get my timing right - I can still, in the heat of the moment, yell directions whilst he's over a jump, or the judge can clap whilst he's still over the last jump, which then comes down.

We managed to progress to senior - now grade 6 - and whilst we haven't won a class (apart from a limited show) we have had a great deal of fun and lots of places.

He grew another inch!  Would still steal butter if given the chance, constantly on a diet and still weighing 30kilo!

He is usually described as 'soft' - soft in nature, soft in coat.  Such a lovely, lovely lad :-)

Penny & Jed

(Penny/Shirley 06/12/07)

 My Dog Bob

 BOB adopted from Valgrays 1993

Dog: Blithe Bob of Valgray
Owner: Mike Long

Born: 1 March 1993 (approx.)
Lucky Owner/Handler: Mike Long
Pet name: Bob                    
Colour: Tri-colour

Named after Bob Naylor of Golden Valley Agility Club who was instrumental in his rescue after he was discarded (with others) by a farmer.

Val had him at Hinckley Show 1993,and I got him for Linda to replace her aging Springer in Agility. He had been unsuccessfully rehomed once, had behavioural problems and was chucked out of Obedience classes at Daventry DTC for constantly biting the other dogs. Mike Mullin’s OUTDOOR classes suited him much better.

I bonded with him from the start and eventually (at fifteen months) took him on as my first Agility dog. Linda then got Tim (Ebony Starlight of Valgray) from Val.

We were extremely lucky to live only three miles from Yvonne and Steve Croxford who beat Bob and me into shape. My reject repaid my blind faith tenfold. Having only previously experienced Agility from behind the ropes for two years watching Linda get the occasional modest rosette with our small Springer, Bob opened up a whole new wonderful world for me.

Six weeks after his last Elementary run and before his first Intermediate run he won Open Jumping at Nuneaton (8/7/95) to become a Senior. He was fifth in the Novice Grand National Final (1995) behind Don Cooper and Jo Rhodes, and third in the Agility Club' Veteran Handler' category. He qualified for Barbour KO Pairs Final twice, Clockwatcher Final once and Jump & Drive twice – being third in the Final Final having won his heat (photo above). We got to the first Europa Triathlon Final and qualified for Crufts Flyball 2000. In 1998 Bob was the first winner of Valgray Special Jumping at the Cornwall Show, which event attracted 50 entrants this year. (Bob was third)

Bob has gained ELEVEN firsts at Open/Intermediate/Senior level, but only one in Agility. It was a bizarre Senior Agility, with 55 dogs – 52 were E’d, one got time faults and because I could run him past dummy jumps to heel we were the fastest of TWO clear rounds. I am resigned to the fact that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place, and my eagerness to be too competitive too soon in Jumping classes has precluded him from becoming Advanced.

He has a wonderful temperament but hates fireworks, thunder, flashes, bangs and spitting fires.

There can be no praise too great for the work that Val does and for the happiness that she brings into the lives of so many dogs – and humans! (15/01/01)

All Our Boys

I couldn't have enough praise for Val. We have been so lucky with our dogs Merc and Rory. They are both superb dogs.  And if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have them.

I never considered having a Collie and always thought they were boring dogs that only ever wanted to play ball. After having our boys, I now realise that Collies are extremely intelligent, loving, beautiful, loyal, nutters that only want to play ball!

I cannot give Val enough praise, without her we wouldn't have Rory and Merc. I have the utmost respect for her and am proud to have two Valgray dogs. When we are at shows and hear a Valgray name being called out in the placings we always make extra effort to cheer. It's like being part of a gang, the Valgray gang.

I wonder how many dogs would not have been given a second chance without Val, her dedication and commitment to these dogs is unbelievable and I hope she knows how special we feel she is.

Name: Red Merc of Valgray (Merc)
Owner: Wendy Barker
We've had Merc since he was a year old. He has been very much a learning experience for us as he was our first Collie, and we couldn't have asked for a better dog.

He is now two years old and is such a character - full of charm and cheek. He came to Val from a cattery who had looked after him since his original owner had no longer been able to keep him. John trained him very slowly for the first year and his first competition was Supadogs this year. He loved it and came third and 19th during the week. He has competed at six shows this year and has been placed in five.

Indoors he is a pain in the *!!*! as he constantly wants to play, and we are always falling over tennis balls and squeaky toys. In the garden he is always charging round chasing birds and next doors rabbits! He is just never tired. He loves Ross, our son, and has the best temperament ever with people and other dogs.

He was a bit destructive when we first had him and he had a chew on the skirting boards, settee, flooring, tumble drier, shoes etc. Now that has mostly settled down although he still likes to nick the odd shoe whenever he gets a chance. Oh, he also ate the back of the car... bless him.

His personality is so strong and loving. Merc really is an absolute darling, and we all love him to bits. He absolutely adores agility and is always ready to train.

Name: Red Rory of Valgray (Rory)
Owner: Wendy Barker
Rory is approximately two years old. We've had him since May this year all because we wrote to Val to let her know how Merc was as we'd had him for a year. I mentioned in the letter how much we loved Merc and that if she ever got another one just like him to let us know!!!!

Two days after I sent the letter Val rang and said I've got another one for you', He had come to Val as a stray. We had seen Rory 3 months earlier at Val's when we went with a friend to see a dog, Rory was there and we all fell in love with him but I was adamant that I didn't want three dogs, (we already had Flex, 14 year old cross) So we didn't even think about taking Rory then.

After I had spoken to Val we discussed it and decided that he could be my agility dog! 'That's a good idea, I thought. 'That agility looks easy peasy'. I was soooooo wrong.'

Rory was an absolute sweetie as soon as we got him, he did not do anything wrong and was so loving. He was really timid until he settled in and became an absolute nutter. He still is a bit nervy but is improving all the time.

So, after a while it was time to start agility, we put a jump up in the garden and he was having none of that jumping lark!!!! His agility career would have started and ended in about half and hour if it was left to me but John insisted that he would enjoy it and made me persevere.

Rory is now 'MAD FOR IT' and can't wait to get going round a course or training. We have competed in four shows this year and at our first show we got a clear round!!!! I was nearly sick all day with nerves but I managed not to chuck whilst doing my round!!!!

Rory laps the whole show thing up but I, on the other hand have not taken to agility naturally, and spend the whole time in and out of the loo. Ross has run him in a helter skelter and he was brilliant for him and John has run him and was placed 12th in a novice agility class!!!!

Rory is such a sweet little boy and loves to have big cuddles with anyone who will let him. He is so inoffensive and craves attention. When Ross has his friends in all I hear is 'call Rory mum' as he is always jumping all over them!

Poor Trudie Gets Lucky

 TRUDIE adopted from Valgrays 2003 

'Name: Trudie
Owner: Valerie & the Naughty Nine

At an estimated 13 years old, Trudie was thrown out of a car onto the A12 at Chelmsford last summer and left to die. Amazingly, despite deteriorating health, Trudie survived rough for a few days until a week-long chain of events lead her to Val's door just in time to prevent her from being put down.

A national appeal resulted in 13 offers of good homes. After several months intensive care and recuperation, Trudie was now settled in a loving home for her last few years. The story has several happy endings, as other dogs benefited too; several people who volunteered a home for Trudie, went on to take in other older dogs already in Val's care.

Val was the only person who cared about taking Trudie into rescue.  All the other rescue organisations that were contacted by the dog warden/pound said Trudie was either too old, or they didn't have room !

They don't know what they are missing.
Ole Trudie is a beautiful, stubborn, affectionate, greedy, wobbly, loveable chocolate and white Border Collie, and I wouldn't swap her for the world. If my Bess (my top bitch) isn't around to keep the rest of the gang in order, Trudie does it. And very efficiently! They all have the utmost respect for her, not because she is old, but because she is bossy!

She is very obedient, and I only have to teach her a command once and she remembers and obeys. I think somewhere along the line she has had training. But the methods used have not been very nice as I haven't got her passed the flinching stage yet. She is learning very quickly though that when I raise my hand, it is not to belt her with it but because I have a treat in it, and I want her to look up at it to take it.

My Other Dog is a Valgray

SALLY adopted from Valgrays 1994

In fact, I have two Valgray dogs, but only one an agility dog. Both Sally and Gem have taught me great deal about Collies and training them. In fact, my younger dog has taught me that I have a long way to go.

Name: Serenading Sally of Valgray
Owner: Fiona Bradley

Sally is very bright, likes to talk and gurgle, hence the name Serenading Sally of Valgray. She is small, pretty and loves agility. She has been a better agility dog rather than a jumping dog, probably due to my lack of speed and her careful jumping. She rarely has a pole down.

• I first saw Sally at Val's show (Purley & Coulsden) in May 1994 and took her home with me that day. Her main achievements to date are:-

• Winning me out of Starters at Ash 1996
• Sixth in the Pascoe's Novice Agility Final at Letchworth 1998
• Winning the Supa Dogs Novice Final 1999
• More importantly, loads of fun (and rosettes) in between the achievements listed

Sally is not the best known Valgray dog, but I think she is the best. She has bundles of character and is very affectionate and cute. She is also quite crafty and won't stand for anyone treating her without the respect she thinks she deserves. As well as agility, Sally has won many rosettes for club or exemption show obedience. She has had a go at working sheep, and definitely knew what she was doing, and only recently was involved in filming a television advert.

Dog: Gem
Owner: Fiona Bradley
My other Valgray dog is Gem. She is very a beautiful sable Collie and she likes to keep all four feet firmly on the ground. Gem likes to chase squirrels, play, eat and be cuddled but no jumping. She acts like a typical bimbo and gives the impression of having no brain cells, however when first put to sheep for the first time in her life, she kept her mouth shut, her tail down and worked her socks off.

Fancy You Asking...

Well, here's my bit... All my dogs have been rescue dogs, and three have come from Valgrays.

Dogs: Lassie & Lilly
Owner: Bobby Rowling

When Lassie died prematurely from an illness, I was not going to get another collie. Val was sad that Lassie had died and thought I might like to fill the void left by her death with another smallish, prick eared bitch that she had just acquired. But I was not ready, just not in the right frame of mind.

However, when she was showing me this little dog her motor was quite full of collies wanting homes. One particular dog caught the eye of my friend, but it appeared someone had shown a great interest in him. I thought hard, then phoned Val after some days and asked if she had homed him or if she still had this dog. Well, you don’t say that to Val because if she has, it is not for long, before you know it, you have it. And I did.

I understand that many dogs have disturbing backgrounds before they arrive at Valgrays and lots carry baggage that has to be sorted. I was very lucky with my boy (yes, of course I kept him) as he had a reasonably good background having been treated well by his previous owner, just the fact that she was very ill and as time went on could no longer look after him. (She has subsequently died, and I hope she was happy that Jazz had found a good home).

Well, two dogs is quite comfortable in anyone’s home. That’s what I thought until I saw Lilly, another Valgrays dog. But this one was different. Although black and white - actually white and black - she is not exactly a collie. In fact, nothing like a collie; more like a Jack Russell. I just fell in love with her and was hoping that she would be homed quickly, but no, I saw her every week for four weeks. In the end I don’t know how it happened but she came to live with us. I have never had a small dog before; they are something quite different. I think she believes she is a collie as she lives with them, eats with them and runs with them. How she can run.

But she is useless at agility. Who cares? She is a member of my family now and I love her to bits.

Most rescue dogs appear to want rehoming at around one year old. People buy puppies because they are appealing little bundles of fur, after a while, when they realise that it has to be walked every day, and chews the furniture when it is left for ten hours a day on its own etc. etc. it no longer has the appeal that it had when it was just a few weeks old. That’s when they arrive a Valgrays (or somewhere similar). Recently Val has been taking on many puppies from the puppy farms. There is so much indiscriminate breeding, just done for money.

The collie has become a very popular dog, when walking in the park with my dogs I see more collies than any other breed. If only people understood them more before taking them on, half of them would not have collies; thus people like Val Philips would not have so much rescue work to do.

When one takes on a rescue dog, you don’t always know what problems you are going to face. Especially if you want it for agility. I believe that you must always take the dog on as a pet with agility as a bonus.

Article taken from  http://www.agilitynet.com/  with permission

(Agilitynet/Shirley 06/12/07)