Many many moons ago while staying at a wonderful drovers inn in the Brecon Beacons I began talking with a local farmer. My interest in Border Collies had only just begun and I asked him many questions.  He thought it was amusing that the dogs he and his family had been using for generations to help herd their sheep were called Border Collies. His one statement still sticks in my mind with his wonderful Welsh accent “border collies, that’s what you call them? They be working dogs to me”.  He did in fact offer me one, free.  But, alas I could not take up his offer, I was returning to Canada in only a matter of days. But from that day forward, I knew that one day I would be blessed to have one as a friend.

My first friend Deacon came to me from a farm in eastern Ontario, where they were hand picked to become herders. Deacon was a beauty, handsome and as gentle as they come. I have so many pictures of him but not digital – yes that’s how long ago it was. Sadly when he was about 2 years old, he had a seizure. I was able to curb the seizures with daily drugs but before he turned 4, he had a grand mal and never recovered. His ashes were spread with his best friend Cally, a very old calico over the fields that he loved to roam.

Before leaving the city of Toronto while Deacon was still here, Delphi came into our lives. The three of us packed our bags and headed north. Days were spent roaming the fields that surrounded the farm house. We were in heaven. When Deacon passed, Delphi was noticeably sad, alone. Yes she tolerated the cats and loved me but something was missing. Then along came Devon. They were inseparable for 13 years.  Best friends. They went everywhere with me, loved everyone (well almost) and everyone loved them.  Delphi was the boss, everyone including any dog that came to visit. She was the matriarch. Devon, well all he wanted to do was to play football (soccer) and he was damn good at it.  They are both buried at the farm that I called home for 18 years.  Bless them, they will always be in my heart.

Now my life was empty. I found myself alone. No dogs, no cats, alone. I tried to cope. Mice that now seemed to find their way into my home just didn’t fill the gap. I lasted 6 months.

And along came Seven.  That was now almost 4 years ago and what a journey we have had already and it is only just beginning.