Jerry & Rachel Hamilton, Apollo, Moss & Beowulf

In the summer of 2000 Jerry & Rachel adopted a shepherd cross from the Oromocto SPCA. He was a little 6 week old bundle of black and yellow fur with huge feet and enormous ears. As soon as he became used to his home they started to notice how unique he was. His motto in life was "If I can't be part of the solution, I will be part of the problem". Apollo wanted to work, to solve problems, and to find things. After 4 sets of obedience classes Apollo was quite grown up and he demanded more to do. He was part of the first set of Agility classes to be held in the Fredericton area and took to it right away. Over the years Apollo's need to focus his enthusiasm and desire to work have forced the family to think outside the box. This calm, gentle giant is a favorite of junior handlers and has even been know to help adults overcome a fear of big dogs!

Moss was adopted from the Bathurst SPCA in 2002. At only 2 years of age, this was his 5th home! Moss was and is a bit of a handful. He is a bit neurotic, very sound sensitive, and worries about a lot. Moss' many triggers include an everyday item like a coffee grinder, and for the first 9 months, a training clicker. The Hamilton home contains no curtains and is missing some drywall due to Moss’s madness. He has helped the family learn an awful lot about calming techniques, management, body language, and Bach Flower Remedies and patience. Moss started agility in the backyard to improve his confidence. Today he is relaxed and happy at agility trials, where all his friends rub his belly and give him treats. This is the dog who until 2 years ago would not roll on his back if his life depended on it! Moss still worries and his family is constantly working with him to try and resolve his issues. Moss introduced Jerry & Rachel to the wonderful, exciting, entertaining, and occasionally incomprehensible world of the Border Collie, and guaranteed that they would get another!

Beowulf is the newest addition, he joined the family in March of 2007 and is a happy, energetic bundle of curiosity. He has been so much fun to train, and whatever he does in life, he will have fun and bring a smile to those around him.

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