I’ve been involved with animals since arriving in Australia as a six year old from England in 1978. I spent quite a bit of time competing in dressage, showing and even the odd foray into low level show jumping until 2008. My star was Wangara King’s Ransom, a palomino part Arabian/Australian Stock Horse who was well known around the Adult Riding Club traps. Unfortunately despite his brave battle against serious illness Ransom was put to sleep in March 2015, allowing him to run fast and free with his mares on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
In 1993 I had the very good fortune of welcoming into the family the most beautiful black and tan Dobermann bitch, Walamara Zodiac Magic, Sasha to her friends. Sasha quickly became the light and love of my family, being such a special girl. My competitive commitments to horses prevented me from trialling, but she was trained to CCD level and achieved quite a few placings in my obedience club fun days.
After discovering Smooth Collies in 2009, I have been blown by their intelligence, trainability, work ethic and companionable house dog manners. Originally I brought Bronte home with the view to tackle some obedience and agility. Agility then took a backward step in our plans after we discovered the absolute joy of ANKC herding. Bronte left us after a sudden and short illness in December 2016.
In 2010 we welcomed Ren into the home. He’s a very different dog in breeding and personality, but he matches Bronte in the smarts and friendship department. Ren is my first show dog and has had some lovely successes in the ring, he's become quite the sport dog too. Tonya joined us as a young adult in late 2013, as I campaigned her to her Champion title. She re-entered the show ring again in 2017 after a long break and gained her Neuter Champion title. Mackie, sired by Ren, came home in October 2018 and has taken on the role of class clown. He’s highly entertaining and life is a party in his eyes. He attained his Champion title before his first birthday and has continued to rack up points ever since.
The dogs are joined in the role of household guardians by the sweetest, smallest cat, Lara. She has the dogs well in paw and quite enjoys joining them in play when she feels so inclined.