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| 1997 onwards: I was suprised to walk past a pet shop one day and see a baby tri-coloured male collie. It is not often you see a collie in pet shops. I must have spent an hour with him and felt sure he would not be there long. He was already just about too big for the crate. I returned the next day and he was still there. He made such a fuss when I went to see him I lost my heart. However, I thought I would give it another day and see what happened. Needless to say he was still there waiting for me so I figured it was fate once again. All my previous collies were from breeders but I just could not leave him there in the pet shop. We called him Duke, the first male collie we have owned. He is a lovely boy, nicely marked, very dignified and with really graceful movement. However he was very much kept under control by Demi who made it quite clear she was the matriarch and was to be obeyed. A steely glare from Demi is all it took. She trained him well. Duke was very fretful when we lost Demi and it was not until Susie (you will meet her on the next page) came on the scene that he started to brighten up. I must add we are lucky in respect of just how fine a dog Duke is. Even though he is pedigreed (no papers) it is somewhat of a risk in not knowing the breeding background when purchasing a dog, which is why I think it is really preferable to buy from a reputable breeder. Most breeders are happy to provide ongoing advice and assistance when you purchase from them and usually have a Special Conditions Clause whereby should you be unable to care for the dog it is to be returned. Indeed, breeders are selective as to the suitability of prospective purchasers and like to know their puppies are being placed in good homes. This in itself speaks volumes. I might add that I have never bred any of my collies. I leave that to the experts who have the knowledge and interests of the breed at heart. Click here to see another shot of Duke. |
| "Duke the Gentleman" |
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| Quote |
| He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. (Unknown) |
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