This is a copy of an article written for, and published in, the Autumn 2004 edition of the Beardie Times - the magazine of the Southern Counties Bearded Collie Club
Potterdale Cranberry - A Versatile Beardie?
Well, he was ours for life, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer! An eight-week old brown tricolour beardie boy. We said our farewells to Janet and Mike Lewis, the breeders, and off we went; a comfy, happy pup snuggled on Ann's lap, with me driving. I drove a few hundred yards and around the first corner it started, first a little whimper then, building to a crescendo, into a frightening screaming cry! It was hard to believe that such blood curdling sounds could come from such a tiny bundle. It continued for a good few minutes and he could not be pacified. Although we had experienced similar before , both Ann and I were worried as we had such a long distance still to go. We decided that perhaps he was hungry, so, against all advice we decided to give him some food and take the possible messy consequences. Janet had given us some pre-prepared softened food for him and Ann fed him as we motored. He ate every morsel; stretched, turned on his back and, nose to nose with our beautiful 'Tilly' (Allhikers Scintillation to Psammyad) promptly fell asleep. We arrived home after a long but quiet journey, stopping only for nature.
It was very late when we arrived home so we put 'Scrumpy Jack' (I wanted 'Scrumpy' - Ann wanted 'Jack' - the cricket was on the telly and Scrumpy Jack were the sponsors so Scrumpy Jack or 'SJ' it was!) to bed in the kitchen and Tilly in the lounge. We both then went to bed and crashed out as soon as we hit the pillow. Not for long! It started again and, even though we vowed that we would not go down, Ann pulled on an old warm dressing gown and went down to him. Tilly was very upset, her big brown eyes pleading for us to do something. SJ just hurled himself at Ann and as she picked him up he just nuzzled into the dressing gown as if his whole life depended upon it. He was missing his mum and sisters and, to this day, he only has to catch a glimpse of Ann in that old gown and she immediately receives the most special cuddles. Ann says that it will take something very special to make her part with that shabby old dressing gown.
From that moment on he was a near perfect pup, loving and gentle though with that devil-may-care glint that beardies have.
He grew to adulthood and was adorable, and, with Tilly, (believe it or not for those of you who may have known our dear Tilly!), teaching him to be good mannered and helping him, he continued to develop his kind, gentle and caring disposition.
During his path to adulthood we had done various things with him - some showing, obedience, heelwork to music etc. However, with his lovely temperament we felt that we had to share him and as we had been interested in the Pets as Therapy (PAT) scheme for some time we decided to find out more about it. There were tests, forms, vets and references all to be gone through - not only for SJ but for the both of us as well. SJ sailed through all of this with ease and we managed with more difficulty! He was now a registered PAT dog and available for visits. Together we visited residential homes in the Salisbury area and also got approval from Salisbury District Hospital to visit various wards, mainly the elderly and the stroke patients. SJ was fantastic and there are many stories that can be told but I will mention just a couple.
The first instance relates to a visit to a very poorly lady who was well into her nineties, she had had, amongst other things, a severe stroke and could barely move. As soon as SJ walked into the room a flicker of a smile appeared on her face and she managed to lift her hand and rested it on SJ's head and tried to pat and smooth him. Her nurse told us that this was the first voluntary movement that she had made in days. This was quite heart wrenching but at the same time touching and warming. It is incredible the effect that the presence of an animal (especially a beardie!) can have on someone.
The second occasion relates to when we visited a ward at the hospital. As soon as we walked in two ladies burst into tears. One had just lost her dog and the other one had hers at home but was missing it dreadfully. They were both happy after a few minutes with SJ. However, we were on our way to see another lady in a room separated from the ward. This lady had tubes and drips coming from all directions and did not look well and she was in a wheelchair. When she saw SJ she was so delighted that she sat up very quickly and stretched out her arms and legs causing a tube to come out and two drips and their stands to fall on top of SJ and crash to the floor. It was not the noise and the clatter or the onrush of nurses from all directions that upset SJ. He was bewildered, his expression was saying 'what have I done wrong?' with those gentle, caring beardie eyes pouring out concern. We went outside whilst things were sorted out, then he calmly walked straight back in as if nothing had happened and all was well. We spent a good few minutes with this lady who was now somewhat calmer but still as delighted.
Just a note here for people considering visiting with a PAT dog - it takes as much time getting through the fuss of the staff as it does visiting the patients and biscuits are also discreetly saved and given - not to you but to the dog!
This has only been a brief resume of SJ but now he was approaching two years old and we decided that he needed to channel some of the huge abundance of energy that he had and we also decided that his beardie brain needed some new challenges. Agility we thought! That sounds good, so, off we go to try and find out as much as we can about it. In the end we find Eastbury Manor Agility Club that train relatively near to where we live.
Fortunately the trainers own and train 'Neardies' (beardie crosses) and they have that 'understanding' of how to get the best from our unique and lovely breed. As a result SJ was quite confident from the very start. His very first lesson was great fun (they are all fun!), I jumped some of the jumps with him but he was a natural, careful but fearless and, most importantly, he loved it. I loved it too and had to get more fit in order to keep up!!! Unfortunately, the awful foot and mouth disease then intervened and the restrictions on access to many places caused training to be suspended in many areas. Eastbury had to stop training until the all clear came from the farmers and the government. In the meantime we searched for another club and were very lucky in finding Wellow and District Dog Training Club. This is a Kennel Club registered club and uses the indoor facilities of a riding school.
The training we received from this happy-go-lucky bunch of people proved to be invaluable and the indoor and outdoor approach added a new dimension. We were very fortunate and continue to train at both clubs.
After a while people began talking about competitions. It was going to be tough. There were hundreds of entries at most shows and hundreds in some classes. One of the classes we have been in had over four hundred entries! Do not dismiss someone if they say they have come twentieth or thirtieth in a class - believe me it is some achievement.
SJ's first show was a really nervous affair for me. He was great! Five faults (one mistake by me) this was no mean feat. The border collies were fast, and some of the other breeds, but that is the nature of the competition and we have to try and beat them.
We achieved our first clear round in 2001 at the Dogs in Need week long show and in 2002 we set off again for this prestigious event. We jested that last year he got his first clear round here this year we will make the final of the Purina Pro Plan Classic Tournament. SJ was obviously not jesting - he did make the final!!
Finals day arrived; it had been a glorious week, plenty of sun and good results all the way. SJ did not let the beardies down; it was a wonderful run, almost perfect (some said it was!) (minor handling error - again!). Both Ann and I were bursting when the presentation time came. We entered the arena, SJ with his head held high, coat flying, tail swishing in perfect balance in the midst of a breaking thunder and lightening storm. The commentators words boomed over the tannoy system - "Potterdale Cranberry - what a cracking looking dog this is, just look at that movement". Yes - he has good looks too! This was a truly memorable and exciting experience.
This was really just the startof SJ's agility career. Since that final he has managed to 'win out' of both elementary and starters classes. Again, these classes had hundreds of entries, the majority of which were border collies! SJ had not seen an agility test or equipment until he was nearly two years old.
By the end of 2002 he had over fifty rosettes and achieved another eighty in 2003 together with qualifying for another big final. SJ is continuing to compete at his agility.
Sadly, in December 2003 we lost our dear Tilly (Allhikers Scintillation to Psammyad). This was not only very upsetting for Ann and me but SJ also found life very different without her.
In March 2004 we can go back to the beginning of the article driving back from the same place with a new brown eight week old bundle of fluff - Potterdale Nutmeg - Millie. I wonder what the story will be for her - Challenge Certificates like Tilly or Agility Rosettes like SJ? Perhaps she will be the first beardie dual champion!!! Whatever she is she will be with us for life, for better or for worse or for richer or for poorer.
This is a copy of an article written for, and published in Issue 53 (the Autumn 2004 edition) of the Beardie Times - the magazine of the Southern Counties Bearded Collie Club