I bought my first sheepdog puppy, Pasha, from a home breeder in 1974.  She was a wonderful dog and a part of our family for 12 1/2 years.  We didn’t replace our OES for about 10 years ... 10 wasted years.  We had thoughts of traveling when our kids went to college and didn’t want to leave a dog while doing so.  One day, just after our youngest graduated from high school, I saw an ad in the newspaper for sheepdog puppies. My husband and I both agreed it really was time and the next day, July 18, 1998, we traveled to Vermont and bought Pasha (II), the love of our life.

That same summer, I discovered a man with a camp on our road also had a sheepdog puppy.  After investigation, I found his puppy, Ralph, was also from the infamous Vermont puppy mill breeder, the same as our Pasha.  Our pups played a few times during the summer, but early in the fall, this
man had a heart attack and died.  Ralph then went to live with the girlfriend, then the son-in-law, then back to the girlfriend.  She tied him to the washer in the cellar.  She finally gave him to man who tied him in his yard with a pinch collar. (This collar was so tight, we couldn't get it off, and we had to cut it.)  Ralph was never groomed but was periodically shaved. The groomer who shaved him called a friend of mine who has sheepdogs to see if she knew a sheepie person who might want Ralph.  The last owner had finally decided their lives weren’t compatible. I was called and took Ralph on November 30, 2000.  He was a dirty filthy mess, and even now fights being groomed.  He has some issues, like bicycles and people entering the house, but is a loving, most affectionate dog.  He didn’t know what a ball was or even dog bones.  He now loves to get the ball and oh ... those treats!

Next was Harry, September 23, 2002.  He was born in Oregon and was a show dog for nearly two years. An eye operation ended his show career.  He was sold to a couple that moved to New York.  After 5 years, they decided they didn’t want him anymore. The same groomer again called me.  I contacted a neighbor of the people who had Harry to ask about his temperament.  I didn’t need
another sheepie with an attitude. The neighbor told me he was a sweet and gentle dog, treated by the family like a step-child ...  the cocker spaniel went for rides, Harry spent a great deal of time on the porch looking inside at the other dog and he often slept in the garage out behind the house. Of
course I took Harry. Harry doesn’t play much, and never with the other dogs, but he loves attention and rubs and kisses.  He is most docile.  I can’t imagine wanting to give him away.

These three are our loves.  They travel in the truck to the coffee shops with my husband during the day while I’m teaching. We’re total spoilers.  They all get along well as long as Pasha is the “Queen Of Everything”.
 
 

RALPH