Tag Archives: Border Collies

The Household Power Structure Changes!

Pictured here are Connie, with Sméagol the cat, and Nell the sheepdog. I’m John, taking the photo. In the life of Heatherhope Farm, over the 18 years of its existence, Sméagol has run things inside the house. He meows like … Continue reading

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K9 Playtime Therapy

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Emmaus: The Way of Faith

My wife and I have done herding dog demonstrations with our Border Collies for many years. On those occasions countless people have come up to us, told us that they had some sort of a dog who might have herding … Continue reading

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Abbie’s Death Leaves a Hole in Our Hearts

Yesterday we put down our beloved Abbie. It has left a big hole in our hearts!! Of course, if you are part of the human race, you have already flinched, because you have the pain stored in every cell of … Continue reading

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Say It With Your Body

“Lean on him!” That’s what Gordon Watt used to say when I was working my young, excitable dog, Zac. It has taken me years to understand all that was bound up with that tiny bit of advice. We just completed one … Continue reading

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In Memory of Cap

In Memoriam Cap ABCA 240965 Born 12/25/2003 Died 7/11/2018 By John Seraphine As this is being written there is a newly empty kennel at Heatherhope. Our remaining six Border Collies, Bilbo the guard dog, and Connie and I salute our … Continue reading

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The Animals Teach Us Advent Expectation

‘Tis the season for expectation. Pregnant waiting. Yearning flavored with confidence. Confidence born of experience. Advent has always been a favorite time for me. Of course, as a child, it all led up to that moment when we drove home … Continue reading

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Gordon Watt Sheepdog Clinic Nov. 2-5

Gordon Watt, 2016 Reserve National Champion of the U.S., Handler of the Year of the Wisconsin Working Stock Dog Association for 2016, World Sheep Dog Trials Champion of 2005, returns to offer a four-day handling clinic here at Heatherhope Farm, … Continue reading

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Waking Up Alive

Sunday, October 11, 2015 Surely, not if He tried, could God have poured out more awakening on me this very morning. My back was indeed hitching with stiffness as I rolled to erect, and shuffled to feed the cat, and … Continue reading

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Handling the Primal

“I want to hold her,” Connie pleaded with me.   She rolled up her shirt and undershirt and took puppy Number One from me. An hour or so before I had called to Connie, “We’re losing her.”       Tiny, … Continue reading

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