Pawfectly in Dogue
There’s nothing ruff around the edges when it comes to Ellii and Barry, enthuses Helen Flanagan, more a tale about the peticularly rare side of the breed.
Border Collies are renowned as intelligent, loyal, energetic and loving, with gorgeous coats of mainly black and white, while on the rare double-take side of the breed are red, sable and blue merle, all unique because the colours and patterns vary. Regardless of colour, the breed makes a great furever pet and Sally-ann and Anthony Caligari are obsessed. It began 26 years ago with puppy Sammy who loved walking, frisbees and was gracious when their two children were born.
After more than 12 years, the despair of losing Sammy was too much to bear, so a few months later, Tilly, a pure breed blue merle Border Collie puppy from renowned Victorian breeder Milangimbi, was chosen. She was declared the “sweetest, most gentle-natured and adored dog ever” but her play mates were at school, and Tilly was lonesome. Until, while chicken-shopping at a farm, Frank, a rescued five-year-old black and white border collie, appeared out of the blue. No invitation needed, he jumped into the car with the crate of chicks and was homeward bound to meet Tilly. And it was love at first sight!
“Soon after adopting Frank, we discovered he was epileptic,” commented Sally-ann. “Perhaps the reason he was surrendered, but never mind, he was a beautiful boy and a loyal member of the family.
“A year after moving from Victoria’s Ocean Grove, with two kids, two dogs and a couple of SUPs on the roof of the old Defender to our new home in Noosa Heads, Tilly suddenly became ill and died within a week from a suspected brain tumour. She was only seven, and our hearts were broken and still are.”
The search was on for another puppy to complete the family again. The ‘worthy’ test with breeders Wottapud in Gympie was passed, and a little blue-eyed blue merle called Ellii joined the family. “Cute was an understatement, however after a short time, cancer suddenly took the life of poor dear Frank aged 12, leaving Ellii distraught for weeks.”
With kids in their late teens and nigh-on empty-nester status, Sally-ann was reluctant to have another dog. But not for long. Dog five appeared out of the blue from Dare Border Collie Rescue. Barry, the three-year-old red merle had no prior history, had just recovered from a serious case of kennel cough and was very thin. Sounds like he needed some good family lovin’! But there was trouble brewing. Ellii felt threatened and absolutely hated him. “The trial adoption period had passed and despite the fact they wanted to eat each other, we were determined that Barry remained. Although both highly anxious and reactionary, after three months of our constant hardcore training with the help of a professional, one miraculous day, they just began enjoying each other’s company, and have been mates ever since.
Loving attitudes, community values, nourishing diets and active lifestyles underpin everything about the family. This includes a one-hour walk each day, scooter rides, skateboarding trips, playing tennis, and shooting the breeze on SUPs wearing custom life jackets. Barry’s fave ride is in the split-screen kombi, bouncing along the rear seat, watching the world go by, while Ellii prefers nuzzling up to Sally-ann on the front bench seat.
Diets include individually prescribed dry food, and both love dog-friendly fruit and vegetables such as raw carrots for teeth, watermelon for hydration and blueberries for a healthy immune system. There’s always a vigorous effusive welcome home from the four-footers who shadow the family wherever they go, indoors or out. Cheeky Barry has learnt how to open the internal door to the garage, and Ellii much to Barry’s enjoyment, chews his ear.
Ahh, a melon-collie feeling? Give the fur-ever loves a round of a-paws!
