Golden Oldies

Binkie was my first dog. Always wanting a pony, my parents got him instead, when I was 9 (1959). A wonderful black Miniature Poodle, he was the best agility dog in the world, before the world was in Agility! And I became quite a decent carpenter too, building all the jumps!

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This is my wonderful Samson, who stole my heart for the breed, some 30 years ago (see Home Page). After all he had suffered, to nearly die at 4 months, he nonetheless proved to be the most devoted and obedient of dogs. It was an honour to own him and share his life.

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Heathridge Border Baron, my English Springer, was beautiful, but completely bonkers! William came to me, his third home, at just 5 months of age - and he stayed. Always naughty and never understanding when he was in trouble, we simply adored and forgave him everything, because he was Samson's best friend.

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Amber's owners, with 5 children, just didn't want her any more. A lovely, 2-yr-old Rough Collie x GSD, she was heartbroken. The neighbours took her to Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, where I found her the week after Samson died. She fell in love with my husband and, having no idea that she was a bit big for a lap dog, spent most evenings of the next 13 years, blissfully on his knee!

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We called him Jetsam because he was someone's rubbish! A beautiful Retriever x BC, he was dumped at 5 months. Luckily a Dog Warden found him, half scared to death, on Bonfire Night in Slough and took him to Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary. He turned out a truly great character and even became a showman at 12 years, regularly winning Best Veteran, Rescue and Crossbred classes and 6 times, Best Novelty in Show! Jet lived to the fine old age of 18 years and we said goodbye to him in September 2007. We really miss him. (Photo by Ian Howell)

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I found Archie at Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, recovering from 2 years in a wicked, flea-ridden home, where he had been chained up, starved and beaten. Mute and full of fear, he slowly turned into a Prince among dogs, with a full coat and a full tum and eventually a wonderful vocal repertoire!

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Chris Freeman's beloved and much missed Sheltysham Shepherd Boy, seen here winning Limit Dog (32) at Crufts '95, handled by his breeder Penny Forster-Cooper. Shep sired my Bee and Wally (Bracken's 1st litter). A dear boy, he was the son of NZ Ch & Sh.Ch. Clan-Abby Blue Aberdoone, as is Chris's Brooksbid High Society (Jed) who has sired both my Jazz and Phoebe.

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This is dear, sweet Dot - Julia Dickenson's much missed, lovely, tricolour bitch, Hawkesmere Echo. She is the lynchpin of my bitch line, being both my Willow's dam and my Bracken's Grand-dam, and therefore in the pedigree of all Foxbarton Border Collies, where her sweet nature continues to live on.

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