In the spring of 2002, I received a phone call from a fellow herding enthusiast telling me of a litter that Sherry Moss of Nirvana Collies had on the ground, out of a young bitch named Charm, and sired by her wonderful blue dog, Flash. The timing wasn't great for me, as I had my own litter on the ground at the time, but the caller insisted that I couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. I knew of Sherry by reputation, and knew that not only was she very successful at herding competitions, but also bred for working ability in her dogs. So I spoke with Sherry on the phone and arranged to fly out to Kentucky to see her dogs and perhaps choose a puppy. It was a life-changing decision.
I think I spent the entire visit with my jaw dragging on the ground, as Sherry brought out one dog after another, each more talented than the last. The minute she sent Charm on her outrun, I knew that I had to go home with one of her pups. Not only was she a beautiful example of the breed, but she was the most naturally talented Collie I'd ever seen. (Subsequently Charm finished her Herding Championship title, as well as being the first Collie to earn a Herding Excellent title on the B course. Flash, the sire of the litter I was looking at, became the breed's first Dual Champion a year after I picked out my pup.) I chose the pup that kept climbing out of the pen to try to get to the pasture to herd with the adults, and gave her a name that fit her personality.
I finally got to do some trialing with Joy during the spring/summer of 2005, and she didn't disappoint me, finishing multiple started level sheep titles with multiple all-breed High-in-Trials. We're taking a little time off from competition while we fine-tune our driving skills, and play around a bit with obedience and agility. She is naturally wide, fast, and biddable, a combination that makes working with her a delight. Joy truly lives up to her name. |
