Risk N' Hope Australian Shepherds

Gone, but never forgotten

Wyle
November 1998 - September 2009
Wyle was our Siberian Husky. Typical of the breed he was a very independent boy who taught us how important patience really was. He was close to Cayman in age, and the two of them were each others shadows - good and bad! Wyle kept us on our toes, taught us if he wanted out of something bad enough no dog run or kennel was going to keep him inside.

He was happiest when we came home every night as he would just and howl and make sure everyone around knew that mom and dad where home! He is missed every day as his howling and barking made us feel happy to be home.

Cayman - Sheep's Kin Calling The Shots
January 8, 1998 – October 30, 2007
Click here to see Cayman's page Cayman
Cayman was the first Australian Shepherd we ever owned. He was one of those once in a life time kinda dogs! I will never forget the first day I brought Cayman home. I took the day off work just so I could take him with me everywhere I went, and spend the day with him. When Cayman was 3 1/2 months old, he was hurt in a car accident. This left him missing a back leg. Thinking that this would slow him down, it did not take him long to prove me wrong. Cayman had more heart, drive, and desire, than any dog I ever knew! He loved to play flyball, knew how to run barrels, was fully agility trained. Not bad for a dog with only 3 legs! He was a natural at herding. I never let him play with anything but sheep, and even with 3 legs, he knew how to keep control, and make things work for him. When we moved to our acreage in 2006, Cayman became a yard dog. He was our "mob boss". If you wanted in the yard, George (Great Pry) and Cayman met you at your vehicle. George may have been the size, but Cayman was the enforcer. If he did not like you, you did not get too close to the house. He loved to run, and play, and do everything that aussies do.

Cayman had many tricks and gags that we will always fondly remember. Like his love for bubble baths. He always liked to chew the bubbbles, and loved to swim. Of course, we must also remember that teaching a dog to open things is sometimes a bad thing. Cayman learned that tea towels on fridge doors, were there just for him. I will never forget the day I came home and found my fridge almost empty, and Cayman full, sleepy, and very content.

Cayman taught me more about life and dogs than any person, or any book ever could. He taught me how to know my dog, and understand what they can do. The vets said arthritis would never let him see 6. He proved that wrong. Cayman lived a happy life until the day he passed. He was to be 10 in only just a couple of months. Although Cayman never had any puppies of his own, he taught his great neice and nephew, and great great neice and nephew lots. His spirit will live on in the lives of all those he touched. He will always be missed, and forever our hearts.

Junior
October 1993 – May 26, 2006

Junior was the second dog I ever owned. He was adopted from the Humane Society at about one year of age. He was a very, very timid and shy boy when he first came home. It did not take him long to come around. He loved flyball, as long as he was not at a tournament. Agility was fine, obedience was okay, but nothing in the world was better than going for truck rides, and to work with dad! Junior spent about 7 years riding in Jarvis’ truck. When Jarvis went away to work, Junior was the first one in the truck. He was an asphalt plant mascot, and clean-up man in the kitchen. He loved it when the guys fed him the leftovers, and when the season was over and he had to spend the winter at home, the biggest torture was having to eat dog food. When I switched the dogs over to raw diet, I think Junior was the happiest. He loved suppertime, and was the first in his crate waiting. When we moved to the acreage in May 2006, Junior found his puppy days, and spent his time between the patio and the dug out. He loved to swim and chase birds, and spent his last few days doing what he loved most. Junior left us May 25, 2006. He will be greatly missed by all. Especially Jarvis who misses him at work, and the guys who always fed him the leftovers. I did not realize he touched so many peoples hearts, until we announced that he was with us no longer. He will always be in our hearts.

Shadow
May 1991 – September 4, 2004

Shadow was the first dog I ever owned. She was a Shepherd cross rescue from the Human Society. She was a good dog who liked to do nothing more than lay on the couch. She was not interested in chasing a ball, playing tug, or anything active. She did do non-competitive obedience, but actually just wanted the car ride to class. She was well loved and spoiled. She loved the niece and nephew and knew just where to stand to get the cookies and left over crumbs. Shadow was a great dog.