Jet - Powered

Today I got some great photos of Jet in training from Jenny Glen. I don't think Jet is thinking about home...she looks pretty focused and I know she loves working sheep! Amazing to see how little snow there is in Lethbridge on the Alta-Pete homestead, compared with the winter wonderland here at home. I have a trail tramped in my field for walking the dogs, but if I step off of it, I do the "snow swim-dance" trying to get back up on my feet!

I think Jet is showing a little more style than she did as a youngster...one thing I know for sure - she is well-named! I hear she is as fast as ever...

Jet in training with Scott Glen

Jet's mother is Scott's Maid. Her sire is a dog named Risp by Ken Arrendale's Mac. I lucked into this little dog two years ago when I heard Scott and Jenny had a litter coming up! Jet is my first Border Collie (followed by Ted last year). What an introduction to the breed! She is clever and charming. A bit too clever and charming sometimes! She is everything I hoped for, and even a bit more.

Just a Dog

I just read this on another website and knew I *had* to put it on the blog...enjoy!

This photo is of me with Thorn, taken about 6 years ago when he was four years old. This was the year before I was diagnosed with cancer (it sort of becomes a new "birthday" when you survive cancer).

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or,
"that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy." Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman."So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile -- because they "just don't understand."

"Musings" by Richard Biby, Contributing Editor, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Roca (C) 2006

Thanks to this website for posting it for me to read and enjoy - http://www.lacysbordercollies.com/WORDSOFWISDOM.html