Samson

Alan

Dear Melissa,

Thought I'd send you a picture of Alan - We don't usually take pictures, but his classmates were all going to do it, so we decided also. Alan is no longer in the class...it was too far to travel & late at nite. We do take him to a park to run with other dogs at a Dog Park and he is always a Good Citizen!!

Have a Good Christmas & a wonderful New Year.

Barbara

Willy

Dear Melissa,

Sorry you have not heard from us. We all love Willy to pieces he is so fun, smart, such sense of humor, a horrible tease to us mere mortals.

Willy has made the newspaper here, in the form of my mom's obituary. But I thought you might like to see it. Really the last paragraph, but collies are one of the themes of her obit...

Karen

Elaine Turville Delaney

August 02, 2010

Elaine Delaney - a life of service to community.

Florence Elaine Turville Delaney, dubbed The Indispensable Ms. Delaney in a Winchester Star article extolling her extraordinary volunteer service to her community, died at her Winchester home on August 2, 2010. Her family and her ever-present collie dog were at her side. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Demasco, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was the beloved sister of the late Admiral William C. Turville, USNMC and was the daughter-in-law of the late Admiral and Mrs. Henry R. Delaney, USNDC.

With her growing awareness that her devoted husband would survive her, Mrs. Delaney requested that he receive a posthumous gift from her. Thirteen days following her death, an 8-week old puppy arrived from Black river Falls, Wisconsin. Willy was presented to Mrs. Delaney's husband on his 90th birthday. Her family decided to give Willy a fitting name for his American Kennel Club Pedigree; Hickory Creeks Willy That The Angels Sent. As in life, Mrs. Delaney had seen to every detail. She created a satisfying and productive life of community involvement as she had hoped to, but she had always kept a steady gaze on her family and touched each of thier lives with her loving ways. Gifts in her memory would be most welcome by the EnKa Society 1037 Main St., Winchester, MA 01890, the Winchester Senior Association/Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Rd., Winchester, MA 01890, the Collie Rescue League of New England, Inc. or the University of Pennsylvania's Undergraduate Scholarship fund.

Oliver

Hi Lissa,

We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year and that you all remain healthy. I think that's the most important in life. Again these pictures of Oliver, which I must send you just because the dog is just Great. Oliver is for us as a friendly dog and is an asset. Sometimes when I talk with him, I think he understands every word. You have really great collies that you can be proud of.

Best Regards,

Sandra and Burkhard, Oliver and Golden!

Germany

Kaminari (AKA Rider)

It's hard to buy a puppy when you can't go and see it, but Hickory Creeks makes everything so easy and they let you know exactly how. It's like they have a puppy pre-school program and everything they do makes it easier for the puppy to quickly adapt to a new home. Our puppy (Rider now Kaminari) was already crate-trained, mostly housebroken, didn't fuss at riding in the car, is easy to bath and groom, came pest-free and well-socialized to human interaction. We got a complete puppy starter kit/care package (food, toys, treats, training guide, etc.) so even people who have never had a dog before will be totally ready from day one. And, you won't even feel like you missed out on their early puppyhood because photos and videos are provided. It was a bit expensive for us, but well worth the money.

Jana

Duke - BUSTED!

Hi Bill & Melissa,

Duke is just fine @65 lbs. at just over 8 1/2 months old-and still gaining weight, of course. He's trying to cope with Arkansas weather which has been unbearable even for humans these past couple of months. It's been in the high 90's or just over 100, so I'm sure he longs for Black River Falls-type weather. He handles it better than we do, I think. We are very happy with him. The potty training was easy and has been a non-event for a number of months now. I think we are as trained as he is, so we seldom have an accident. He is super friendly with everyone and doesn't have a mean bone in his body. We've learned to not feed him steak bones or any bones that can be chewed down to a relatively small size because he gets tired of chewing on them and swallows what's left. Not good because that stops him up and he has diarrhea for almost 3 days before it works through his system.

Duke is a good traveler by car, motor home or our small airplane-as long as he can see us. He just settles down and sleeps. He gets a little ancy around 9:00 p.m. and we know it's time to put him in his crate in the living room for the night. He's good for at least 9-10 hours. He is good at pressing on the buzzer box when he wants out or wants attention. He now has full run of the house, but we still keep an eye on him since he's still a puppy and likes to get into things. He's happy on the ceramic floor of the bathrooms where it is cooler-and he can chew up the toilet paper and then get a drink out of the toilet if we don't keep the seat down. The other day we were gone and he got his head caught in a small waste basket with a swinging cover in the laundry room. We arrived home and he just stood there. He didn't wag his tail or anything and it was like he was saying "just get this thing off of me!"

All are amazed at his size as we are as well. He likes the cool baths we give him outside and he likes the combing /brushing as well. He's shopped at PetSmart and likes to play ball and play with squeaky toys just for the noise-especially when we are watching TV,. We try to walk about 1.5 miles each morning and he's very good on the leash. I think he'd like to chase cars if we let him, so we watch that closely. He likes to try to catch butterflies and grasshoppers which is good. He wouldn't hurt another animal at all if it (even a a skunk) came up to him. He'd just want to play.

Well, have to go now. I just wanted to way you both did a great job of training him before we picked him up which made it much easier for Carol and me. As far as we know, he's healthy in every way and we give him the Frontline and Interceptor regularly each month. Hopefully, things will just keep getting better.

Thanks again-and good luck with your new pups.

John

Sam

He is doing beautiful! No accidents in the house yet (not even one), my other dog seems to be adjusting to him well and he loves to aggrivate her! I took him to the vet yesterday and he weighed just under 18Lbs. I did watch the youtube vidio on his ears and havent gone to get the glue yet but i plan to go this eve. If i have a problem i will email you for help! We love him and cant wait to see how beautiful he grows up to be!

Sincerely, Sherry

Little Emmett

6/6/2010
Good morning!

I just wanted you to know he is doing fine! I am sure your kids are wondering and I wanted quell any anxiety.

Yesterday was a day of exploration, naps, eating and meeting other pets and people. Everyone has excepted him, except our house cat who is being extra cautious around him. But he is a sweet cat--he did sniff the new puppy while he was sleeping and retreated. So I have no worried there. There is no aggression, just fear. And that is fine.

He was quiet through most of the night and today has had his breakfast, played, ran and is now napping.

Thank you so much! He is a most marvelous and sweet dog and you are remarkable people and breeders!

I will send pictures later in the week.

Sincerely,
Diane and Matt

6/16/2010
We are doing well. The cat is slowly accepting his presence. He has an outdoor cat who does get close to him. Our indoor cat is always a little careful.

I do need your help. He is nipping our poor old Honey to death. I know he wants to play but he is playing rough. I never had the chance to meet his parents--so I was wondering if you had any suggestions on keeping him from going after her every night. I've tried letting it go, stepping in, diverting his attention. They get along on walks and naps and the rest of the day--but she isn't a barker or a player--so he is just mauling her.

I certainly want to do the right thing for both of them as they are in the house together--I know if I respond in a better more consistent way it will help.

He is walking on a leash and knows sit, and come! He has already stopped nipping at me. Very smart dog.

Here is a picture of them sleeping together.

Thanks!
Diane


6/17/2010
So this morning, little Emmett started right away with the pestering of Honey. I took them into the sun room and stepped through the glass door to see what would happen. It stopped. So I came back out and petted Honey, and it started!

After that I attached the leash and gave gentle corrections while I petted Honey. If Emmett stayed still I petted him.

I guess the problem was me after all!

Thanks for your help. I'll keep up trying to think like two smart dogs!

Sincerely,
Diane

Esme

June 28/2010

Good evening Melissa, just a quick note to say Esme is doing great. She plays wonderfully with my babies and Freckles. They made such a great couple that I had to get Freckles neutered before it is planned! Esme turned out to be my daughter, not a dog. I brush her everyday and get her skirts! I took her to the vet last week just for a check up, flea control and stool check and everything was great. I will send you a detailed email and her photos later. Warmest regards. Begum

June 5, 2010

Esme has been doing great since yesterday. She very easily got used to my babies and Freckles (the beagle). She slept quietly in her crate all night long and got out around 7 am in the morning to patty. She peed in the house just once. She is a wonderful puppy. We just fall in love with her. She was so sweet that I was about to get her to my bed to sleep with us last night but did not want to destroy her crate training.
I will send you the “welcome party" photos later. She was so beautiful and elegant and sweet in her pink dress with her pink hat. Today we are having a blast in our yard. All my babies are playing and I am impressed watching them. Everybody is so happy.

Thank you so very much!
Begum

Charlie

He is doing awesome! And he I must say is the most well behaved puppy I have ever seen! Liz

Mia

Good Evening

Bella made it in great shape. They brought her in the cargo area and she was very calm in her crate, no whining, howling, barking. Her crate was dry. We let her out and she let her stretch her legs. On the way home we gave her some water and some food. Once we got her home, we put her out in the potty area, and she pee'd and pooped, and chased the girls around the yard. She came in the house and met the golden and the two of them sniffed. She's wondered through the house and played with her toys and laid down and took a short peaceful nap.

Thanks for everything,

Becky


Melissa,

I thought I'd send you a quick update. We have decided to name her Mia. She is doing really well. She has slept through every night, no whining, howling, barking, and she's been dry each morning. She sits, and comes when asked. We're working on down and stand. She has not had a single accident in the house, I'm not sure if it's more a product of us taking her out frequently, or her just knowing not to go in the house, either way I'll take it.

She had a great long weekend; we have a second home on a small lake about an hour away. She made the trip really well, and we put her in the water a handful of time, and she swam with no problem. We figured it would help keep her cool. She seems really well adjusted and happy.

She's going to the vet on Friday for her checkup and next set of shots, and I expect she will do great there too.

Have an awesome day.

Becky

Lexi

Lexi

6/25/10
Hi Melissa!

Just writing to tell you just how much we are enjoying our Lexi. She is so smart and so sweet, we love her so much! Growing like a weed! On our second kennel already! Seems like she has always been here. We enclosed our large deck with mesh so she can play out there if she wants and she has a little neighbor friend (Mocha) that comes over to play every day! Here is a somewhat recent picture. She is hard to take pictures of because she doesn't hold still long enough! LOL

Roxy



5/24/10
Melissa,

Everything is going great! She is a joy and has made herself at home. She can sit and shake. We laugh so hard at her sometimes! She poops outside and pees outside most of the time. We mostly walk around the house and yard, at least until she gets use to walking on a leash. She walks good when there is another dog to walk with.
She is starting to learn to fetch and bring it back.
Feels like she has been here for a lot longer than 4 days. In a good way, I mean that. She seems very happy and has adjusted well. We love her so much!
She loves her toys!! She actually plays with them too! She really enjoys them! .
Well, thank you for all your hard work and e-mailing all this valuable information. It is much appreciated! Really nice to know that you are "only an e-mail away"

Roxy


5/21/10
Hi Melissa!

Right now she is resting by my feet. She seems very content. We just had a vigorous game of fetch. She actually will bring the object back to me now to throw again. I took her out a couple of times during the night and will gradually ease back on that. Like you said, they can only hold it for a couple of hours. When she cried I wasn't sure what she wanted so I assumed she had to go potty. She ate and drank when we got home and then again this morning, you are right. GOOOOOD Appetite! She has also pooped this morning. That was very healthy! She is a smart and very awesome dog! Like you said, they thrive on praise! Lexi has adjusted very well and her favorite toy is the cat toy with balls hanging from it. Something my cat never ever played with! Glad I didn't get rid of it! It was so fun to take her into Petco and buy her a pink collar with polka dots and a matching leash! PINK! My first girl! We are crazy about her and plan to take her everywhere with us. She likes us too! We have both gotten a complete face wash already. So she is pretty much fetching and we are working on sitting. She comes very well when called! We are gonna swing by Petco for some more toys. Then we will go for a little walk on leash. She seems to have adjusted to that quickly also! She already has found my slipper. What a hoot! It is as big as she is!
I hope that I have put your mind at ease, somewhat. I don't blame you for worrying. She couldn't have parents that love her more! She did good riding in the car too! By the time we got her kennel and went to Petco it was almost 9:00 when we got home!
She was very lucky to have spent the first 7 weeks with you and your family. It shows how much you all cared for her.
I will call my Vet. Clinic to find out when they suggest she come in for a check up.

You have sent me some very good information, thank you! And thank you for Lexi!!!

Roxy

Hey Melissa,

Angus, who is almost 9 months old, and our Sheltie McKenzie, who is a year ½, are getting along swimmingly. They have a newly-fenced yard, and spend much of their time herding each other, which seems to delight them no end! Angus is just completing Obedience training, but knew most of the commands really well before the class. I wanted to make sure that he got along well with other dogs as well as other people, and he is doing well on both fronts. He has been a great addition to our family and we love him to pieces. And he’s turning out to be a beautiful fellow, as you can see!

Thank you for sending him to us!

Zoey

Kaiah

Kaiah - 6 months old





Kaiah & Sweetie

Zoey - 5 months old

Olivia

Making snow angels!

Grüsse

Hallo Melissa,
Schöne Grüsse aus Hüttenberg senden Sandra, Burkhard und Oliver

Manny

Manny is doing well. He has grown a lot in the last month. Our kids keep him very busy so we try to make sure we schedule in some nap time for him. His favorite game is to grab a dog toy with his teeth, shake it back and forth, and then lob it up in the air. Attached are a few pics. Hope all is well!

Scott

Molly's 1st Birthday

I just wanted to show you a couple funny pictures of Molly on her fist birthday! I made her a little doggie birthday cake with peanut butter (her favorite) and she shared it with my friend's dogs. I think she likes living in Louisiana, we go to the park at least once a week with my friend's dogs. We have started leaving the door open to her kennel at night, and she sleeps in it anyway or next to our bed on the floor. We are hoping to eventually let her stay out during the day when no one is home.

Thank you for giving us a wonderful dog! :) I hope you and your family are enjoying your new home!

Jenny Pittman

Baxter

Thank you for Baxter, he is so lovable. He always smiles. Baxter has totally brought new life into our house after we lost our Dear Ole Buddy Max (the collie)

Ladybug (Miley)

Kaiah (aka Pearl)

Hi Bill & Melissa

All I can say is that Kaiah is a bundle of joy and the most well adjusted puppy I have ever seen in my life. She greeted us at the airport like she had known us all of her life. We were so worried that she would be traumatized by the plane ride but that was not the case. She greeted us with kisses and a tail that never quit wagging. She had a very good night and was delighted this morning when we had snow on the ground. She loves the snow and all she wanted to do was play. She has done very well with her pottying and we sure thank you for the wonderful start that you gave her with this. She certainly knows her name and comes when she is called unless something majorly attracts her when we are out in the yard. She sure loves to play and I think this is the most exercise Sweetie has had in a long time. Kaiah has no fears and that is wonderful. So often puppies are fearful and yet nothing seems to bother her. She sure loves the bully sticks.....she found one of Sweetie's that was partially chewed and has spent hours chewing. I have been buying them from Best Bully Sticks since they are pure Brazilian beef and no waste.

Again, I wanted you to know how delighted we are with Kaiah. It is wonderful to have such a happy, joyous puppy and we couldn't ask for a better Christmas present. Also, I was very touched by the tote bag with Kaiah's picture.....that was such a surprise and really special.

With much appreciation.......Bev