"In training you have to guide instinct, being always careful not to blunt the genious of the pupil with over direction." James Gardner-winner of the first sheepdog trial at carnwath circa 1876

A 1 and a 2

Another of Jed's littermates, Osa, with her owner, Karen. What a slick family of youngsters they are turning out to be.

The distinction of Amanda Milliken's line of dogs is so clear in Jed, that it is positively striking to me.

For years I did not allow my dogs in the house mainly because I had no tolerance for the dirt they brought with them. My strong feeling now is that I have lost a lot of time.

For a while that funny tail troubled me, because I have a friend who believes that funny tails are connected to bad brain cells. If so, they have dissipated from this dog like formaldehyde in a warm room, and with age, the tail has self-corrected.

Friendship Renewal

Jed and his puppyhood friend, Elvis

Of course Jed tagged along last weekend to the Porterville Dog Trial, and only got better at being on the road. This pup is so smart, and picks up on things so easily that he has become quite easy to live with on the road and off.

Jed was bred by my friend Llona, who owns Elivs, shown in the picture above renewing old acquaintances. There were 3 or 4 of Jed's littermates in attendance at the trial, and it was interesting to see how different and similar they are to each other. Llona kept a male she named Bolt, that towers over Jed in size, but looks just like him and the others in expression and coloration. It is going to be fun watching and comparing how they grow up and train up.

Top to bottom, Jed's sister and brother

It appeared to Llona and I both that Elvis and Jed recognized each other. Apparently Elvis was the baby sitter when the pups were still with mother. Jed would have been much smaller than Elvis at that time, but it was easy to see who still held the upper hand in this relationship, regardless of size. Attitude is everything.