Testimonials

Hi, Kari,

I thought I'd let you know what a real joy Lumos is. He's a big boy - weighs nearly 50 pounds at 8 1/2 months. He's long and lanky as all your dogs are. And he's absolutely beautiful. Everyone who meets him comments on his beauty -strikingly so. He has a soft, pretty coat -not as long as Bree but just right. Someone asked me yesterday if he does centerfolds.

He's taking his time learning obedience but it seems to have clicked recently. He plays frisbee and does basic obedience and will start agility after the first of the year. I commented to Natalie that it must be me, but he's a pretty active dog. He herds Bree and for the most part she tolerates it. They play together and she remains prissy while he looks for the muck! He's been to Bree's herding lessons and I suspect has more talent for it than she does. He'll be started in herding this spring.

He went to an agility trial yesterday to "get used to the noise" and after an hour or so had really calmed down and just layed at my feet watching. He will get his CGC this winter. He is devoted to me - so I'm pretty partial to him, too. He sleeps under my bed and can be trusted not to have an accident. An all around good guy!

Have a nice Thanksgiving.

Chris

This is an e-mail from David and Cary McCann from Canada. 1/26/2009

About their new puppy!

Kari,

We made it home safely and Rufus is a great traveller. He fussed and cried for about three hours and then the imprinting process took place and he bonded to my wife, who held him all the way. Once he relaxed and got used to the stereo and the motion of the truck he was fine. In fact he fell asleep at the border and slept all the way to Kenora, which is a three hour ride. The ride home was ten hours, so it was an ordeal, but he adapted better than we ever could have hoped for.

He does not get car sick, and today we took him downtown and he fell asleep in the truck instantly. I took him to City Hall, as I am a Councillor, and the office staff took him through the building (while my wife and I sat in the lobby) and he was friends with everyone. You have given us a terrific dog who was socialized by you and your family and that is so important in the four to fourteen week period from his birth. Rufus did not like the sound of traffic on a street, so today we walked around town with him so he could get used to it, and he slept.

This does not get any better starting with a puppy from your home.

Warmest Regards,

David

Hi Kari,

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that Bud is doing just great. He is one very happy guy, and is growing up nicely. I didn't get my registration papers for ABCA. Could you please forward them to me at: P.O. Box 1386, Princeton, TX 75407.

I'll try and get a picture of Bud for you in the next few days and will forward it on to you. Also, I went to the BCSA National this year. Had a very nice time. I didn't take a dog, but I think I enjoy it more that way. Hope all is going well with you and your family. Talk to you soon.

Barbara

Well Kari -

Puppy number 2 is named Gabe - other granddaughter named this one. Both girls are Christmas nuts - dog #1 was named for the Grinch's dog Max and dog #2 was named for the angel Gabriel. Go figure.

Anyway - both boys are doing well. Max has lost a few baby teeth and is scheduled for neutering on Nov 29th. Gabe is just settling in. He had kind of a rough time so far, so we will wait a bit until he goes to the vet. Gery & John said that Gabe must have eaten a meadow muffin at your house before he came home with them. He got about 30 miles down the road and puked what appeared to be semi-digested poop and dog food in the back seat. They stopped at the next gas station and cleaned it up as best they could with the paper towels for washing your windshield and rode with the window down. And then.... you guessed it....he puked again. Poor Gabe. He was in bad shape. They stopped at Gery's house in Duluth and tried to clean it better (had the fear of God in them - that's my car) and gave Gabe a break before they came home. The windows have not been up since.

You have to admit - selling dogs to us is, at the very least, entertaining. Gabe is feeling better now and is getting used to his surroundings - no worries. There is the usual "this-is-my-dish /that-is-your-dish" syndrome, but I think it will all be fine. It's a little overwhelming to have 2 dogs - we never did before - but it is a happy adjustment to make.

Thanks for everything and we will keep you posted - Pam

We thought you would be interested in the progress one of your pups has made. I am talking about Chili who just turned 1 year old.

Chili and I went threw 16 weeks of training being around other people and dogs. He then went away for a month of one on one service dog training with a profe$$ional. He still has a few more things to learn, but is now working as my service dog and doing well at it.

He never leaves my side and where ever we go he is complemented and loved by everyone.

Oh my gosh!! He is gorgeous! I loved the look of his pictures but he is even more spectacular in person. He is friendly and confident and busily checking out his new home. He loves the dock and all the pelicans and seagulls and all the little lizards. I am hoping that he will like swimming as well and later on this afternoon I plan to take him for a walk to the beach...we live on the intracoastal but right across the causeway from us is a true ocean beach complete with boardwalk and sand and seashells. There are lots of little outdoor cafes and with dog friendly patios it should provide a good opportunity for socialization and fun. I will try to get a picture of the two of us some time this weekend...he seems so calm and happy I keep forgetting what a major life change he has experienced in the few hours. Other dogs and horses to dolphins and pelicans...in under 24 hours. I am really impressed that he is handling it all so incredibly well. Thanks so much!!

Jennifer

bought a blue from you about two years ago for oneof my daughters and his name is bogy blue. He is one of gods treasured creatures.

I may want to purchase another blue from you......do you have any idea regarding possible litters as to when they may be due? thanks for the information. Look forward to hearing fro you! Regards, Phil Phillips

As you can see, alls well with the border collies. That is Ellie Mae in the blanket, Auggie looking toward the road for Spring and Rane with the goat.

Aaron just loves Wyatt and thinks he's the smartest dog in IL. :) Guess he only had a couple accidents before he figured out ya don't pee in the house. Knows several 'college tricks' and is a joy to have around. Hope all is well with you. Think spring, Jan

janice callahan

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Hi Kari-

Thank you for sending these! Ben really enjoyed meeting you guys and now wants to move to southern MN! I just wanted to let you know that we named him Uncle Jesse (Jesse) and that I have never seen anything so cute in my life! We absolutely love him, as soon as he was acclimated he tried to play with our other dog and explored the house. He is so loving and sweet, fell asleep in my arms- by this morning they were trotting around together like buddies. He cried a lot this morning when I had to kennel him, but I plan to go home early to check on him.

Thank you for him- we are so happy to have him. He will have a good life with us and we will keep in touch as he grows.

Emily

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> From: <smgx5@centurytel.net>

> To: "Shellie Grothe" <quantumg@prodigy.net>

> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 4:09 PM

> Subject: Twister

>> Hi Kari, I wanted to update you on the boys. Rafters is still holding his

>> own at 13, he's an amazing dog and I just wish I could turn back time, I

>> am so afraid of losing him.

>> Twister got his CD in 3 trys, one of the scores was 198! I've only had 1

>> higher score ever. So now he has his CD, RA,AX,OAJ. I'm going to show him

>> the end of the month for a possible first leg in Open and hopefully his

>> last leg for the RE. He has been the hardest dog I've trained I think

>> because of his fear issues but he has definately been the most fun dog

>> I've ever trained, he is also amazing and so smart. I don't know Kari, I

>> had been thinking about my next dog being a cattle dog but I'm afraid

>> that I may be too spoiled by the work ethic and fun these dogs are.<s>

>> Hope to see you around sometime.

>> Shellie

Hello Kari,

I am just letting you know that Rook is turning into a very nice handsome boy! He is everything I could have asked for! He is coming along in his obedience training and is showing alot more drive and focus, we continue to take private lessons with Nancy Little, she really likes him! Herding is going well to! He still needs to build his confidence as he is so focused on me all the time, but we are making break throughs in driving lately and he is so responsive to my commands. I am actually planning on sending him to Kent and Lori Herbel for a few months starting in Febuary for some more sheep time and to polish up a few things. Susane Hoffman loves him, even though she makes fun of him for being such a momma's boy :) I wanted to wait until he matured a bit more before doing any AKC conformation with him, but I entered him in UKC conformation the other weekend for the experience and to get an opinion on him and he did really well! He took Best of Breed both days and got 3rd place in group beating out a lot of good dogs in the first show, and 4th in group the next show! We are already half way to our UKC championship in only 2 shows! He is very proud of his first ribbons, even if they are for being a ' pretty boy'. Everybody I must say just marvels at his temperament, he is like a golden retriever with other people and kids, gets the whole body wiggling! He is ignores all dogs mostly, except for ones he know. He is not mean, jus is very serious, and prefers to fetch his ball or frisbee or just be by me rather than socialize. People can't believe he is a border collie, as he is so calm in the house :) He loves his toys, but if you give him a 'that'll do' he will go lie down without any issues. He is an amazing boy, and I am so proud of how he is maturing :) I sent a pick of him from last summer, i'll try to send one form the UKC show when I get them in :) Thanks Kari!

Alex Thompson and Rook

This is an e-mail from the Goodfellows. They have purchased three Border Collies puppies from us. I guess they are a lot like Potato chips!

Their family started out in MN but moved to New York.

Hi Kari- well I thought I would let you know we moved to a small farm in upstate New York on Lake Champlain. You look across the lake and see Vermont. We bought an old 1897 farm house with lots of land for the girls to run. I can see sheep in the near future. The girls are very happy Emma and Cailin and speed demons and Tilly is just a true character. Tilly has the greatest personality- she's not afraid of anything and is a great defender. Tom has been working with her in gathering ducks etc . Just wanted to let you know they are all doing well and are very spoiled. Eva.

Kari,

Over a year ago, you sold my husband and I a male border collie and sent him to us in Miami, Florida. We named him Hogan and he has turned out to be a fantastic dog. He is delightful with our other dogs and has just become such a great member of our fmaily. We take him with us to North Carolina in the summers and he is really wonderful-thank you...I am thinking about getting another one???? I just adore him and have felt guilty for not keeping in touch with you to let you know how fabulous Hogan is and how much we appreciate him in our lives!

Jan