It all started with a mix breed border collie and blue healer cross, named JR.  I was working for a so-called “dude ranch” which ran anywhere from 75 to 100 head of horses. JR belonged to the owners but pretty much called the stables home.  In the mornings it was my job to round up the horses for the days work.  I was fifteen years old at the time.  We combed the 160 acres for the herd, finding all hiding places to be had.  She was tough, smart and knew when to bite and when to back off.  I believe she felt the same amount of accomplishment as I, to hear and feel 100 head of horses coming over the hill and down to the corrals at a dead run.  JR and I had a bond that started my passion for working dogs.

In 1992 I was in Pocatello Washington for the PRCA Dodge National Rodeo Finals.  I purchased a six week old prick eared border/aussie cross female that I called Lacy. I soon came to find out that my passion would continue with her.  Lacy came home to a busy working ranch of racehorses and commercial cattle called Raley’s Headstart Farm.  Lacy was so keen and aggressive at an early age, I turned to a friend with a great background of starting dogs for help.  With what I learned from her, Lacy and I went on to become a great team. No matter the job gathering, doctoring, sorting, holding, Lacy was the best foreman you could have.  Working at Portland Livestock Yard for five years I gained more knowledge of working dogs in close quarters mostly on horseback.  I realized how valuable these dogs are, not only in the field but in all circumstances.  Lacy made an amazing name for herself. She was not only an asset to me on the ranch but also to everyone behind the scenes.   At the yard she worked the ring, docks, and holding pens.  If I could have only taught her to open the gates! Lacy produced five litters with the help of a male named Brew, before her life ended at the age of fourteen.  I kept a pup out of every litter.  One of those pups I kept I called Wiggs.  She and I went to Red Bluff in 1997. Wiggs was one of the youngest dogs, (eleven months) to sell at the bull and gelding sale as reserve champion. Since then, Lacy’s offspring are at home on working ranches in Montana, California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Texas and Arizona.