WE SALUTE:

A SHELTIE NAMED BEAR

He was Peter Pan personified, dogified: courageous, playful, spirited, protective, impish -- a gallant rascal. And he was deaf. But never deaf to me. What he lacked in hearing he made up for in sight, heart, and instinctive working-dog intelligence. He was as alert to my every gesture and nuance of emotion as he was to movements of the sheep and goats he watched from his own side of the fence.

He had been a Rescue Sheltie -- a tri-color, cuddly-eared, sturdy little charmer called Bear because he looked like one. He literally bounced with joy at mealtime. When I offered a biscuit, he would sit and wait for my lips to move, "Look cute." Then he would hold up his left paw until I lowered the treat.

Laurie O’Brien of the Northern California’s Sheltie Rescue team matched us up. Bless her for that. Shelties had been the dogs I’d loved best for more than forty years. My other Shelties had died of old age, but I was more content during the four short years I spent with Bear than at any other time in my life.

Under his caring canine eye, I did some of my best writing and teaching. Maybe that’s because Bear saw to it that I stayed balanced. He would coax me out to play when he decided I’d been at the computer too long.

One evening he failed to bounce for his dinner. A few days later, he turned away from his food entirely. Blood tests indicated anemia. But he was only eleven, and I was certain his symptoms could be alleviated by liver, turkey, vegetables, and a good dose of B-12. They weren’t. X-rays revealed a mass in his liver and spleen. Ultra-sound went deeper: cancer had spread to his lungs. Through it all, he hadn’t even whimpered!

His last act, weak as he was, was to protect me as we waited in foyer of the vet’s office. He had indulged in some friendly sniffing with an Australian blue merle, then was leaning against my leg when a big black dog marched in, owner in tow, and strained toward Bear. I instinctively tightened up. Sensing my tension, my little hero gathered what energy he could muster, stood up, growled, and barked the intruder away.

Bear died in my arms that day -- softly, serenely, trusting that two wet-eyed humans – doctor and ‘master’ -- would do the right thing. It was hard coming home knowing he wouldn’t be at the gate to greet me and race around the yard to show how happy he was that we were together again.

I buried him in my garden. In time, grief will lessen. Maybe I’ll even get matched up with another plucky little Sheltie. Meanwhile, I can love the innate Sheltiness of every Shetland Sheepdog who graces my life -- until it’s my turn to die. Then, if I’m very, very lucky, I’ll be allowed to go wherever the Shelties go -- and play with them all, happily ever after. That would be my idea of Heaven.

Elayne Wareing Fitzpatrick
Carmel Valley, California

www.capricornbrae.com

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We’re very proud of the fact that our breed is among the top three achievers in all performance events in which they compete. Shelties consistently break new ground, earn newly offered titles first, and win in the toughest competition. Whether it’s herding, obedience or agility, Shelties are among the breeds to beat. Visit this page regularly because we’ll be introducing you to some of the top performance Shelties in the country. 

Ch. Westwind Word of Honor, UDTX, HS, VCX

Since the implementation of the Versatility Program by the American Shetland Sheepdog Association, more owners and even breeders who previously concentrated strictly on conformation, have taken the challenge to earn titles in a variety of activities with their Shelties. The program, in which a Sheltie accumulates points by earning titles in a variety of performance events, awards Versatility (VC) and Versatility Excellent (VCX) titles according the number of points earned.

Many Shelties have gone on to earn these titles, but let’s salute the first one who went all the way to his VCX, Ch. Westwind Word of Honor, UDTX, HS, VCX. Affectionately known as "Frodo", he and owner Rita Carr were a fixture in all kinds of competition in California in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Frodo, bred by Chris Lynch, was whelped in 1985 and was by Am/Can. Ch. Westwind Contraband. He and Rita teamed up when he was a few months old and Rita set about introducing him to herding and tracking in 1986. In 1987, Frodo finished his conformation championship with not only a Best of Breed, but a Group 3 as well. Rita enjoyed the excitement and then in 1988, focused on Frodo’s obedience career. He completed his CD that year and his CDX the following year. In 1990, Frodo earned his TD, and in 1991, this team again turned their attention to the herding arena where he earned his HS. In 1993, Frodo earned his TDX and UD degrees, despite some time off due to health problems.

Frodo passed away in 1994, but lives in Rita’s heart and in the hearts of all the people who knew him and had the privilege of seeing this inspiring example of teamwork when he and Rita competed.

Read more about Frodo and the other versatile Shelties, and find out how they and their owners achieved such honors in Shetland Sheepdogs At Work.