Even with a litter I was not expecting, there is likely to be (at least) one keeper pup. This 6 week old female has stolen my heart.

Tony sent an updated photo of 2 year-old Fluff, who lives Down Maine in a coastal town near Bar Harbor / Acadia. Fluff was born cute and adorable –a happy ball of fluff, thus her name. She had working talent …but really needed a person to call her own more than sheep. I turned down more people who wanted Fluff than any other pup …and then Tony, a retired teacher and coach living on the Maine Coast, arrived in the dead of winter. Tony was the person / home Fluff was waiting for. I turned Fluff over to Tony with a full heart, glad I waited. In the photo Tony sent, little Fluff is as pretty and endearing as ever, looking fit and happy and a lot like her dam, Meg.

ChatGPT made me a collage of my top 2 dogs: Peter and Lotti. There is so much special about these two: the eyes, expression and style stand out. Their fantastic temperaments can only be inferred. Someday… I will breed these two stars.

Today, Daria sent me an update on handsome Coal, coming up on his 2 year birthday and living the good life in Boston’s Back Bay. Daria summarized her relationship with Coal in one phrase: “He is my everything!”

It simply does not get any better than that. The photo Daria sent along says it all. An amazing match!!!

Today’s FB Post:

10 month-old Strafford Jet never takes a bad photo and he gets better almost by the day. I was not planning to keep yet another male, but this son-of-Peter really impresses me, not just as a photographic muse, but with his style and temperament.

First class working collie, Strafford Pr1ma, is off to Sally and Michael’s farm in Rhode Island, where she will work sheep, cattle and everything that moves on their farm. Pr1ma is Sally & Michael’s 5th working collie. She will be on duty 24 x 7 as Sally’s executive assistant. Thrilled for you, Pr1ma!! You have that never-ending working joy you wanted and deserve.

Pr1ma is Sue x Ormond Mirk, the same breeding as the 10 surprise pups who hit the ground 10 days ago. All 10 doing well.

Sally wrote after 10 days with Pr1ma:

“She is strikingly intelligent, even for a collie. She weighs everything carefully before taking any action or accepting anything. Her intelligence is very human-like. She is cooperative and affectionate as well as independent. She’s definitely one of “those”, with a strong herding instinct. I am so grateful to whoever I should be grateful to that I saw her picture and wrote to you, and I am so grateful to you for breeding this amazing girl. She is different and quirky, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’s going to be a fantastic dog. I’m enjoying each day with her and also looking forward to every day to come.”

6 month old Taff (Nel x Blu) joins Sabine and Geoff on their horse farm in SW New Hampshire. Taff is the second Thundering Paws Farm pup for Sabine and Geoff. 11 month old Sunny (né Leif) is already on their farm.

Taff is naturally biddable. Confident, well-balanced pup, with push. And she will be looking for work straight away . Sabine who has not trained a pup before plans to train her on neighbors’ sheep.

Sabine is so very thoughtful. She sent a photo of the two Thundering Paws Farm dogs when she got home …Taff all cleaned up. Very elegant pair. Taff’s intensity and strength shows in that icy stare. It is clear who will be boss!