My first Sheltie puppy, purchased only as pet,
So dear when I got her. Three pounds when we met.
Pretty brown eyes; a glistening, plush coat,
And on that small puppy I surely did dote.
To me she was perfect and so must be bred.
Let's look for a boy dog to take her to bed.
Many breeders I called and to me they were rude.
Seems all their boys were too good for her brood.
So I hung up the phone feeling nothing but anger.
Fine! I'll just breed her to some no-name stranger.
But one final name was there on my list,
I'll call this last breeder before I desist.
What a kind lady, and so full of knowledge,
When done I felt I had just entered college.
She had so much information to share;
Of faults and of health I must be aware.
"Just let me see her before we decide."
So we hopped in the car for a one hour ride.
She told me the good and the bad of my pup,
She offered to breed her so I could breed up.
She talked about showing and testing and such,
In just a few hours I had learned much.
She took so much time, had so much advice,
Presented not rudely, but ever so nice.
I started to study, I started to learn
'Til now between good dogs and bad I discern.
That pup is still precious, the light of my life,
But I know not for her to be some dog's wife.
This breeder taught me much, I never quit learning.
And now for those show dogs I have quite a yearning.
I know I will always try to recall
The feelings I had when I made those first calls;
How special I thought my Sheltie pup was,
How perfect and lovely, that small ball of fuzz.
And when the calls come (and we all know they will)
'Til I'm absolutely sure I've had more than my fill,
I'll answer with patience and knowledge to share
And hope that it shows how I really do care!
note: Since that time my mentor, Marilyn Marlow, has spent hundreds of
hours on the phone and in person, offering me the gift of her knowledge and experience.
And I've made that one hour drive countless times to enjoy her home, her dogs, her
companionship and to "pick her brain". She has my unending gratitude for these
gifts that can never be repaid. I am proud to count her among my friends.
  
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