A Five Dog Introduction: Dusty first!

My blog is called Five Dogs and a Blonde and while I've occasionally mentioned all five dogs, I've never formally introduced them all. So one of the next five entries will devoted to how each one came into my life, starting with Dusty, who arrived on the scene 15 years ago.

I'd finally stabilized my life after a divorce and my daughter was on her own. I had a townhome with a teensy back yard and set about looking for the Sheltie I'd wanted all my life.

I'd been put in touch with a gal who told me the difference between backyard breeders and responsible breeders. She was good enough to take me to look at several litters. But, the one I REALLY wanted a dog from didn't have any available pups. I would have to wait. And, since I was a first-time owner I would have to co-own. To endear myself to her I would drive there every few weeks (it was a couple hour drive) just to get to know her dogs and her better. One day I brought my sister with me and that is when Serendipity reared its head. She had a puppy available. The to-be owner decided they did not want a male. I could have him if I wanted him. It was Dusty, then a tiny 10-week old. It was love at first sight. The answer was YES. She then gave me a checklist of things I had to have before she would let him live with me. I acquired all of them at light speed and by next weekend he made the trip home.

That was 15 years ago. We've moved twice since then and I've remarried. Daughter had four children and is expecting her fifth.

During his performance career Dusty achieved a UDX (despite a 2 year rest from a shoulder injury), was a nationally ranked herding dog in 1999, we got his Herding Intermediate title, and Novice agility titles.

My eyes still tear up with the memory of his last obedience trial in the Veterans class at 13 years of age. I was fine until the Long Down, when I realized it was over. Rivers of tears streamed down my cheeks for those 3 minutes. But we did it and he won the class and got thunderous applause when the judge announced it was his last time in the ring. It's a good memory.

I learned a lot from Dusty and it reaches far more than just dog training. Dusty has taught me about courage, determination, sportsmanship, humility. Anything that has to do with character-building I have learned from this dog.

His eyesight is fading and his hearing isn't quite the best, but he is still the loving, sunny playful guy who still rules our ever-growing household. Of all the dogs he's seen the most change and has dealt with it all with grace and style.

I couldn't have been blessed with a better first dog. Now that he's 15, I kiss him and tell him I love him every day. It's a gift I'm supremely grateful for.