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HELEN & CARL SPECHT - ROBIN CD |
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Robin is a two-year-old Border Collie adopted from New England Border Collie Rescue in May 2003 by Carl and Helen Specht. Carl is a retired horticulturist and Helen is a member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI). Both Carl and Helen are members of the Albany Obedience Club. Shelties had been our companions for over 40 years and Helen has shown them to advanced titles in AKC Obedience and Agility.
When our 16-year-old bi-black sheltie died, we decided to get a sheltie from rescue. At the time, there were none available who would fit with our other dogs and be a competition prospect as well as a companion. We decided to look at the Border Collie websites.
We applied to two organizations and were accepted as prospective adopters. When we saw Robin's picture (she was then called Gypsy) on the NEBCR website we fell in love and she is now a member of our household.
We started training her for Obedience and Agility. We applied for and received an ILP from the AKC. In May of 2004, Helen began showing Robin in AKC Obedience and we earned a CD in three straight shows. She already knows most of the advanced exercises and will soon be showing in Open.
Carl is training to handle Robin in Agility. She is pretty fast and it is a challenge for a senior citizen to keep up, but he hopes to be in the ring with her soon.
Robin also helps out on our farm. We have a small flock of Shetland Sheep and without any formal training; she can collect the sheep when they manage to escape from their pasture and she herds them back to the barn.
Robin's very favorite sport is swimming and I think that she could easily make the Olympic team.
Page Updated 08/31/2008