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This page last updated on: 07-15-08
In Loving Memory: ATChC - Bronze "Rivendell Boomer" PDIII
April 11, 1993 to July 12, 2008
Photo by Lisanne Major
Boomer's "Dog Blog"
Updated on 07-15-08
On Saturday July 12th, 2008, Boomer went out for his morning pee and never returned. In spirit with nature until the very end, we believe Boomer quietly took himself off to pass on in peace and dignity. It's true that he had been declining rapidly the last month or so, and was not eating much...But not on any drugs and still was tottering about the yard on his frail legs, tolerating Fen leaping all over him. He even chased the ball (in his own way)and enjoyed a last swim in the pond with a brand new life jacket that allowed him to float without much effort. Boomer's adventurous spirit will live on forever in the woods at Creekside.
Rest well and in peace, my friend.
Boomer was the very first dog I had ever owned and what a perfect dog to start with. He was the dog that began it all and lead to my infatuation with the Border Collie and my addiction to dogsports. We met Alex McKinven when we first moved to the area and he invited me to come to his sheep field "to see what my dog would do". I was a rank beginner, with no idea what I, my dog or the sheep were doing, but Boomer somehow got himself trained to the Novice level (75-100 yard outrun, 50 yard "wear" and pen). We were both very inconsistent, so never competed in a trial, but by then we had discovered agility! In agility, Boomer was an easy dog to train - not the fastest Border Collie on the circuit, Boomer has always been very consistent. His performances were not flashy, but we were a smooth team (mostly!) and he was never afflicted by ring stress or other sometimes typical BC Neurosis! (Although now as he is older, he reacts very strongly to thunder, gunshots, fireworks etc., and certainly didn't appreciate the canons being fired during the 2002 Regional Championships in Quebec City!)
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Above: Boomer can tread water for long periods, and the top of his coat never seems to get wet!
Right: Boomer and friend Prunelle at Lake Louise, AB during our 2001 trip to the AAC Nationals. Yes, Boomer did try and swim in the icy water!
At home he was a super baby-sitter for "Charles" our first lamb whose mother didn't want him. Boomer wanted so much to protect that lamb, always trying to be near him and threaten his mother when she thought of kicking at her baby. After an exhausting day of forcing the ewe to stand while we held the lamb to the teat, we tethered the ewe in a small pen and put Boomer in with her and her lamb. Boomer would guard newborn Charles against his mother, allowing him to get to the milk. If the ewe tried anything, Boomer would put himself in between the ewe and the lamb, protecting him. After the lamb was full he would curl up beside Boomer for warmth.
Unfortunately, raising a lamb this way is NOT ideal, as adults, they never respect dogs and will not move away from them. This made things difficult, especially since Charles grew up to an almost 200 pound ram!
Upon retiring from agility competition, Boomer enjoyed watching over his flock - acting more as a guard dog than a herding dog. He also still very much enjoyed going on "Road Trips", and tagged along to sheepdog trials, where he would spend the day watching (and critiquing!) every single run. He also enjoyed his long hikes almost until the very end and would often visit the agility field when others were training, offering his instruction and encouragement.
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Above: "Charles" as a lamb when he was still Boomer's friend
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Boomer had always been a terrific, stylish jumper and although we never did any formal jump training, he very rarely knocked bars, even at 30", and was still sound and happy in his retirement - proof that he knew how to use his body! It is absolutely amazing how much he still enjoyed agility, even after 10 years competing. He was trained "the old way" (I won't even get into that here, poor dog!) but took to the clicker instantly.
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Boomer's favorite doggy friends whom he will now meet at Rainbow Bridge: Prunelle (a Sheltie), his Calgary traveling buddy, and Benson (a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier) - his puppy buddy!
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Boomer's Competitive Career
Updated on 11-01-05
Boomer was still competitive in the Performance Division (USDAA) and Veterans Division (AAC) until his very last run in September, 2004. He wrapped up his amazing career with a 3rd place finish at the 2004 AAC Nationals, running 5/6 runs clean, beating 67 dogs in his division overall! In September, 2004, Boomer ran his last Masters Jumpers run (another clean run & Q) at the All Dog Sports Club/OVBCC trial where he got his first Q, back in 1995. At the finish line, Boomer's friends, old and new, were there to wish him well and give him cookies. I sure miss running my special first agility partner, but it was better to "leave the party while we're still having fun!". I have all those good, positive memories of my great dog having fun and running his heart out!
Some of Boomer's accomplishments:
1st dog in Quebec to receive the Masters Agility Dog of Canada (MADC) title (jumping 30")
Agility Champion of Canada Title (ATChC)
Performance III Title (USDAA; like a veteran Masters Title)
2001 AAC Regional Champion
5th Place, 2001 AAC National Championship in Calgary, Alberta (22" Veterans)
4th Place, 2002 Regional Championships
6th Place, 2002 AAC National Championships in Palgrave, Ontario (22" Veterans)
Over 100 first placements in both AAC & USDAA agility.
May 31, 2003: Awarded the AAC Bronze Achievement
June 2004: Placed 3rd at the NOMAD USDAA Performance Grand Prix Qualifier.
3rd place 2004 AAC Nationals, 16" Veterans Division (beating dogs much, much younger !)
Sept., 2004: Finished his last AAC Jumpers run with a first place & a Q.
Above: Boomer's 5th place finish at the 2001 AAC Nationals in Calgary, AB.
Right: Boomer on the 3rd place podium at the 2004 AAC Nationals in Montreal.
Far Right: Boomer on the first place podium at the 2001 AAC Regional Championship.
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Boomer's favorite agility venues: All Dogs Sports Club (Ottawa, ON); NOMAD's Trial in Stowe, VT (swimming and hiking).
Photo by TTL Action Photography
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Boomer Photos
Updated on 04-01-06
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Above: Boomer as Sheepdog Trial Judge
Right: Boomer at the start line getting a word of encouragement from me. (Photo TTL)
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Above: Boomer on March 30, 2006
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Above: Boomer at 5 months in that awkward growth stage with the head of an adult dog and still a puppy body!
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