Double V Stockdogs

A Tribute to Kes

Thanksgiving 2009 we were heart broken to loose our dog Kes.  She has been our constant companion since she was a pup, and was our introduction to owning aussies.   Kes was the first aussie I trained for stock work and made such an impression on our hearts with her free spirit, humorous tendencies and love to be helping us.   She grew up with us on a horse ranch and loved nothing more than seeing us saddling up and heading out for a long ride.

A very enthusiastic worker as a youth when she started her training, Kes earned her WTCH with ease.   She competed in AKC, AHBA, ASCA and Western Cowdog Assoc.  She proved to be a great trial dog, earning multiple HITs, belt buckles and merit rankings.   She showed me what teamwork an aussie was capable of by standing up to cattle, gently controlling sheep and her patience with me, as I learned.   She was such a trustworthy dog, I never had to worry she would get the stock, herself or me in trouble.    She made a wonderful farm dog, and was sorting pens, moving sheep and helping out with chores her entire life.  She was such a steady dog and could help me gate sort our sheep like no other dog.  After so many years, I think she knew exactly which sheep I was trying to bring forward or hold back.             

Kes has left us with a wonderful legacy through her pups.  She raised one litter of pups, which proved to be exceptional working dogs earning 5 ASCA WTCH’s, AKC and AHBA herding Championships, NATCH, ATCH, competing at ASCA/AKC Nationals and in USBCHA Nursery classes.    This one litter of pups went on to put her in the ASCA Dam’s Hall of Fame.    It was from this litter of pups that our breeding ideas for Double V Aussies was established.

This past September, a Dog Fancy photographer, came out to obtain pictures of Aussies working for the upcoming Aussie issue to be featured in the Jan 2010 issue.   They photographed Kes and several of her offspring, but the photo they choose to use was of Kes bringing in our Holstein steers.   She was such a beautiful dog, and very fun to photograph.

Kes even humored me to dabble in an agility and obedience, to earn a CD and NA, each in a single weekend.  More important than her great wins and the pups she gave us, are the memories of her as our companion.  She was a great dog and was a very special part of our family, she will be missed, but always remembered.

 Visit a “Tribute to Kes” written by Dave. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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