This whole thread makes my eyes wet. It's only been a few months since I had Claire put down. She came home with me two weeks after my mom died, which also was only a few weeks after my first wife and I separated. I watched the farm boss on my great aunt's farm, out in the Hebrides (Mull), work 4 Border Collies, and 6500 sheep. It was sheer poetry, and I knew I had to have one (which quickly became 3), so her first big trip, at 7 weeks, was on British Air, first class. (The stewardesses gave her more attention than the passengers) I no longer raise sheep, but the intelligence, alertness, and devotion of this breed hooked me forever. I haven't had a bird dog, since my old GWP died, but given my failing wing-shooting ability, that's not too much an impediment to overcome.
Edgar (aka Terry)
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