Spy came to live with us almost 9 years ago as a very scared and hurt little boy. He had originally been sold in a pet store with his sister to a family in Chicago who later dropped them off at a rescue while traveling in Michigan. The rescue worker was told that Spy was unmanageable and jumping at children’s faces and that they had no idea that BC had such high energy. Spy and his sister having been kept in the same crate most of their young life were inseparable and I was asked if I would take Spy to socialize him and give him some confidence away from his sister. When I first picked Spy up he was scared to even jump into my van , it was weeks before he would walk past the heater in my hall. I think the saddest part of all was he wouldn’t play with toys as he had been severely punished for chewing anything. I spent hours with him trying to get him to lick a smoked bone filled with peanut butter. Spy had all manner of household problem which did include jumping at faces and he was not house broken couple this with his lack of self confidence made him unplaceable. One afternoon with nothing much to do I decided for fun to take Spy then 8 months old out to see my sheep. I wasn’t expecting much but thought perhaps he would show some interest. I was amazed that when I turned him out on sheep for the first time he ran out into balance and brought them to me. I decided at this point that Spy would accompany Rebel to his next herding lesson. Needless to say my instructor loved him more then Rebel and encouraged me to keep and trial him . Spy has been here ever since and is the # 1 herding dog for moving our sheep . I have trialed him on a very limited basis and he has done well even going HIT from the ASCA open class. We had been looking forward to trialing last year but unfortunately Spy was injured and we were unable to do any training until late December of 2001. I am happy to say with rehab work and surgery Spy has come back great and is doing 75 yard out runs and working on more distance. Spy is more then just a herding dog to me he has been a great buddy and teacher.
On behalf of Spy and all other BC just like him I would like to ask that anyone considering this breed as a pet think long and hard about their ability to train and provide activity for the dog. The border collie was not bred to be a coach potato with occasional weekend activity. This breed was developed for day in and day out work over rough terrain gathering sheep. If you can not provide daily physical and mental activity for a BC please find another breed. This breed can be a great companion but all BC need something to occupy their minds. A BC with time on his paws can be a destruction machine. Remember the Border Collie is a wonderful breed but its not for everyone
July 10, 2001 Spy is tentatively using his leg again . We have been doing lots of swimming in the pool and taking short walks as well. We will be starting rehab with Dr John Sherman of Vethab in North Carolina shortly You can visti Vethabs web page at Vethab
June 26, 2001 Spy's cast is off and rehab begins. A big thank you to Dr Allen Johnson of MSU Vet School for all his working in putting Spy back together. Spy will now start a extensive rehab program.
May 4, 2001 Spy undergoes surgery to repair a hock injury suffered while training agility A metal plate and 7 screws will be inserted into the area to make its stable. After a extensive rehab a full recovery is expected.
May 4, 2001 1:15 Pm Spy comes through his 2 1/2 hour surgery with flying colours and will be coming home on Saturday!
May 6, 2001 Spy comes home from surgery and will be on crate rest for the next 2 months.
May 12,2001 Spy has been home for one week now and is on crate rest for another 7 more. He is doing well I am trying my best to think of ways to keep him occupied.
