My mum and I started showing in 1978. Having pestered my mum for many years for a lassie dog we bought a Rough Collie bitch, she was bred in Kilmarnock, her name was Princess Bathsheba of Khan (Sheba) she was a very flashy S&W with great ears and was a natural show girl.

 

While out shopping in Ayr we saw a poster advertising the Ayrshire Collie Championship show that day, so off we went for a look and of course we thought Sheba was as good as the collies there. That was the start of the showing bug. The judge that day was Mrs Aileen Speding (Antoc) where we saw the great Ch Ladyvale Blue Mist winning the Dog CC.

 

My mum showed Sheba to many BOB's and she also got her Stud No. I at the time was too shy to show Sheba (can you believe that), I finally plucked up the courage to go in the ring in an Any variety class, as mum would not let me go in a breed class at that time. I stood in the ring shaking, took Sheba up in front of the judge, when Sheba saw my mum and yes you've guessed it made a beeline for her and I was left holding a lead in front of the judge, took me a while to pluck up the courage to go back in the ring after that.

 

Our favourite dogs of all times

Mum's were Ch Arranbrook Mr Chips of Aberhill, Ch Lynway Sandknocker, Ch Rowbenic Forever Gold & Ch Tashadon Tommy Tucker

Mine's were Ch Mybern's Mystery Lace at Lynway, Tribule Molly Magpie, Ch Matia Don Quixote, & Ch Brilyn Satin Dream,

We have loved all our dogs as they have such different personalities but my favourite has to be my tri bitch Roanburn Fuss Pot (Kizzy) she was such a show off, she just loved the show ring, she never gave up showing, stood and wagged her tail all the ring and mum's has to be Sheba she always showed her heart out for her and she could do obedience and tricks.

 

Most memorable wins were Sheba's first first prize, qualifying for Crufts with Cher, getting the Res CC with Zolkhan Khoobla Khan, Zolkhan Silver Wizard winning the Dog CC at The Scottish Collie Club.

 

Funniest story as you will have read in our good friends Gwen and George's story the one about the nun's we will never live that down

Here's another, coming back from Belfast show. At that time you got buses to and from the show, so we were dropped of at the ferry terminal waiting to board the ferry as foot passengers the dogs were allowed on the boat and on the decks with you then, standing waiting to board the ferry for an hour everyone by this time was getting really fed up waiting and started shouting when are we getting on this ferry?, so down comes an official to see what's going on, a great big man the double of Bluto from Popeye (no kidding). You will just have to wait he shouts!!. So my mum shouts out bring on the ROTTWEILER'S s and another Collie owner Vi Mochan shouts yes Nancy bring on the DOBERMAN'S, so then my Mum shouts CHARGE!! not thinking anyone would take her seriously every one charged and knocked down the barricade and sent Bluto running for his life. Well my mum and I could not stop laughing that we were left behind in the rush. I am sure there are many other funny stories about journey's to Ireland (let's hear them)

Michele & Nancy McCann (Zolkhan Collies)