Anything I asked her to do, she did, and did it gladly.

A beautifully elegant collie, with a lovely outline, melting expression, and incredible rear assembly, Mandy taught me many things. She finished her AKC Championship after going on her “Great Adventure” and is now retired to the couch, and enjoying it.

Career Highlights

• March, 1994—Mandy goes home with Caroline.
• August, 1994-Mandy's first show.
  

• September, 1995—Mandy completes her PT title.
  

• May, 1996—Mandy completes her Companion Dog obedience title with a 1st place.
  

  Mandy was a lot of fun to compete with in obedience. Our first leg was accomplished with a score of 183 1/2—not beautiful, but not too ugly. Our next leg was scored with a 189 and a second place. The third leg was a 192 and a first place. And the bumper leg was another 192 and a second place. Not too shabby for a Novice A handler. The third leg was a very near miss. Mandy was five weeks pregnant at the time and just starting to get uncomfortable. Now, this was a bitch who never broke a sit, and certainly never broke a down. However, the tummy was beginning to be a problem. Two minutes into the long down, she started to inch her way up. I was horrified. She came up just enough to switch the position of her tummy, then promptly laid back down. I was positive we had flunked. The Judge, Ms. Callahan, walked down the line telling everyone if they had passed or failed. When she got to me she said, “And you passed by this much”, holding her fingers 1/2 an inch apart. Phew! It turned out that Mandy wasn’t much of a retriever, and I didn’t enjoy making her do something she didn’t absolutely love—so that was the end of obedience and the beginning of agility.

• June, 1996—Mandy has a litter of seven sired by Ch. Fast Draw of Foremost.

  Mandy was an incredible mother. My only regret is that I was unable to get a second litter from her, not because of her, but because of life.

  
  
  
  
  
• September, 1997—Mandy wins her first point going BOS under James Kilgannon.
  

• May, 1998—Mandy wins her first BOV under Mr. Thomas Squicciarini, defeating a special.
• May, 1998—Mandy wins a Group 4 under Mr. Charles M. Mulock.
• August, 1998—Mandy finishes her Novice Agility title with a 2nd place.
  

• September, 1998—Mandy finishes her Canadian Championship
  

• September, 2001– Mandy completes her HSAd title.
  

• March, 2002—Mandy wins the Veterans Bitch 8 to 10 Class at the Collie Club of America. She was the only bitch in her class that hadn’t completed her championship and defeated multiple Best In Show winning bitches.
  

  What an incredible experience the 2002 CCA National in Riverside California was. Mandy was entered in the 8 to 10 year old veterans bitch class. She was the only bitch who had not yet completed her AKC championship, and she was the only bitch in her class with multiple performance titles. She looked just looked incredible. Mandy is trained to bark on command and “whisper” when you put your pointer finger up to your lips—I forgot to tell her handler this. Big oops! You guessed it, Mandy barked her little head off the entire time she was in the ring. Later her handler told me it was okay because it helped to make her stand out, but I was a little embarrassed at the time. However, after she won, I couldn’t have cared less! After winning at the nationals, I decided I couldn’t let her retire without completing her AKC Championship, so off she went with her handler on “ Mandy’s Great Adventure”. Six shows, two majors, and the completion of a champion’s career. Great job Muffin!

• April, 2002—Mandy goes Best of Variety at the Terry-All KC under Col. Joe Purkhiser for a 3 point major.

  The journey started in 1994 with Mandy and Caroline’s first AKC Show. It continued with Caroline showing Mandy to all of her minor points, including a group placement from the classes, and many, many reserves. Too many reserves. The journey ended with two majors (and another reserve!) in six shows. As I have time I will add more pictures to document the journey.

• May 2002—Mandy completes her AKC championship at the tender age of 8 1/2 by going Best of Winners at the Utah Valley Kennel Club under Mr. Robert J. Moore. She immediately flew home and promptly retires to status of chief couch potato.

More Pictures

Mandy and Caroline during Christmas 1995

Mandy and Caroline during Christmas 1995

Mandy and Caroline’s sister Paula in 1995

Mandy and Caroline herding ducks