This is the very first time I have told of my history with collies. Using the word "history" makes me feel pretty old but I refuse to say how old I am. The fact is that I have participated on the 50, 60 and 70th anniversary of my breed club, so I have to face the fact that I'm not that fresh either. How did I make my way into collies?

From when I was a very young girl I was always very fond of animals. My father was a farmer in addition to being a railway man, and we kept sheep, pigs and lots of cats. The amount of cats is my fault as I used to hide away all the kittens when my father went to see the neighbours. He usually put them to sleep, I knew, kids are not stupid, so I hid them. There was no one at that time that ever thought of putting an advert into the local newspaper to tell people the kittens were free to good homes. I most certainly wanted a dog but regardless of my intense requests, I never had any.

When I was a grown up, married and had a small son myself, my husband and son were very interested in aquariums. Of course, we had two of them in the dining room. In addition we had approximately 25 house birds of different kinds and two rabbits hopping about in the flat eating all my green plants, which was my big hobby.

 

They one day asked for a dog - Over my dead body I thought. We're living in a zoo already. Should we bring another animal into this place? I denied it fiercely. They kept on asking. demanding even, and in the end I agreed under certain conditions. All other animals were either sold or given away and my husband was to have full responsibility for the dog. The only thing I could do was to walk him for his last walk when my husband was on the nightshift. Naturally, he would do whatever was required of him. All the other animals were either sold or given away, and the dog arrived. That it was a Rough Collie was completely a coincidence. It was a tricolour and his name was Hiamber's Duntiblae Scotty Boy. His sire was an import from England, NUCH Geoffdon Hillbilly. Those last things did not mean a thing to us, we simply did not understand what it meant. That shows how little we knew. To put it very short, we knew nothing.

Scotty was shown sometimes, and he did pick up a few firsts and honour prizes as a youngster, but it would be wrong to call him a showdog. However he was a wonderful pet. The promises of that responsibility were very soon forgotten and within 6 months, mum was in charge. I really did not want it, I was in a full time job, having to care for the house and my child, but the dog had come to stay.

On a few occasions I had noticed a lady who did a lot of winning wherever she went. One day I asked her what she thought of our dog and if she could give me any advice. She asked me if I really wanted her opinion quite a few times, was reassuring over and over again, until she realised I really was. From what she told me, it should have lead to the opposite of friendship, knowing what I know today. That lady turned out to be a Mrs Randi Narveson, Crubow Collies, and I'm forever grateful for what she has taught me over the years.

Was there any literature in Norwegian about the Collie? No, not at all, but there was a small book in Danish, and I went straight to the bookstore to get it. Fortunately, I had no problems in understanding and reading English, so I bought the books I could have. Obviously, we had a lot to learn and my interest was caught. This was 1979, and little did I know how much this first dog would mean to the rest of my life.

In 1980 I purchased a bitch that was just mine, Hiamber's Shanty, and she was a far better show collie. She had a couple of Res. CC's to her credit. Little Shanty was a lovely little lady, but unfortunately she became quite seriously ill. Apart from suffering from a slight degree of HD, meaning she never had any puppies, she had periods when she bled and lost consciousness. Lots of people called it Epilepsy, but it turned out to be PSS [Porto Systemic Shunt]. As far as I know she is the only Collie in Norway with that diagnosis. I was told there was no way out of it and I was advised to let her go to sleep. I did so in 1984, and I'll never forget that day. I cried my eyes out. I loved her profoundly. Before she died I had bought a bitch from England. From what I had read and heard from others, there was a famous kennel in England and I wrote to the late Mrs Betty Eglin. It must have been a polite letter as she answered me, she said, yes you can have a puppy, but please remember, I'm not a devine sort of person, you may call me Betty. Aimee arrived by plane in May 1983. Thanks to Randi that guided us through all the offices and paperwork, we got home. Without her we would probably be still there even now! Aimee needed a long time to adjust to family life. She was shy and worried, and did not like other people, especially men. When Aimee was 2 years old I had a visitor from England and naturally we spoke English between us. All of a sudden there were "eyes" watching my friend from under the table, and soon after she sat next to him on the sofa "talking" to him as if she'd known him all her life. It was nothing but amazing.

Later on when we were living alone with no man in the house she felt a lot safer and more comfortable. When I met a new man, she was back to watching and guarding me as her property. When he tried to put his arms around me, she came between us, and she really told him off. I told him of the incident earlier and he refused to believe it. Fortunately he spoke English and I convinced him to try, He did not believe me, but it happened again. Since then, they were the best of friend, and she changed to be the proudest collie in the show ring. In one year she collected 6 Res. CC's. She also had a CC which also was "my" first CC. Aimee lived nearly 12 years of age, and she was shown no more than 23 times in her life, and she brought home 22 firsts, a CC and altogether 9 Res. CC's. She taught me that beauty comes from the inside. She could have had a far better head from the Standard's point of view, but what was inside her head was far more important.

Aimee had two litters. The first one was by NU CH Crubow's Glenn Miller, and her babies were born in March 1987. The sire was a beautiful tricolour, well going dog. We kept two pups. The dog was Dignity's Arnie to be Free, and a bitch called Dignity's Ana Alizia. They shared good placing's among them with several BOB's between them. Unfortunately all the puppies suffered from CEA to such an extent that I would never recommend them in a breeding programme. Arnie also had a head injury and had to be put to sleep at the age of 4. His sister Ana stayed with us until she was 8. Then an infection in her hips, [she was declared HD Clear], made her unable to move and she was put to sleep. In 1991 Aimee was mated to NU CH NV-90 Crubow's Xerxes and had 2 sable dogs which I sold. I wanted a bitch. One of the dog's was sold to Kristin & Olav Heimdal in Skien and he was called Dignity's Equisite and the other, Dignity's Eyecatcher was sold and later rehomed by the family down south of the country and I lost track of him.

Dignity's Ana Alizia

As I did not have the wanted bitch from Aimee, it was about time to buy myself a new one. I bought Crubow's Dimitiv,[Dimi] and she was a bundle of hairy fun and noise and very charming. She was also a very elegant bitch, and had 1CC and 6 Res. CC's. Her first litter she had by NU CH NV-6, NordV-98 Crubow's Evening Flirt, and she had 2 bitches and 1 dog. I kept one of the bitches who was my beloved Dignity's Fair Rosalind. She was a shaded sable bitch, and old Aimee cared for her so much and took charge of bringing her up. Through Fam I was in a way able to "keep" Aimee long after she passed away. Fam was very much like her in temperament and the way she behaved.

Rokeby Aimee Rose - "Aimee" top with her first litter, and above at aged 9 years

Crubow's Dimitiv

Dimii's second litter was by NU CH Vanity Hooligan Duke, and I also retained a bitch from this litter. She was Dignity's Glimpse O'Rose Libra, and she is my beloved Libra still with me at 10 and a half. Libra has never been ill, and has only paid a visit to the vets for her vaccinations and HD X-ray. She is not very much shown, it's not her faulty, but its because ,my life has been difficult over the past few years, but she has 4 Res. CC's to her credit.

In 1992 I had a request from Randi asking if I could take on Dimi's litter brother as he was to be rehomed again. Only God knows how many times he had been rehomed before, and was rootless and afraid. Lots of patience, love and care and daily feeding by spoon, made my Remy, one of those collies I appreciated the most even if its wrong to put them on a scale. My vet told me at the time he arrived that if it was up to her she would put him to sleep. He was in a terrible state. But I'm stubborn [and she knew that], so she promised to help me, but I would never have a showdog in him and certainly not a stud. Just a couple of months later I entered him in the biggest show in Norway, and handled by Randi, he has his first and most important CC and CACIB and became BOS. Was I proud? To put a long story short, he got his title and became the sire of 25 puppies. He is my wonderful beloved CH Crubow's Demis Roussous. Unfortunately he got cancer at the age of 10 and a half and I had to say Goodbye. The year before his sister passed away after the injuries caused by a snake bite.

Champion Crubow's Demis Roussous

In these years we also kept Irish Wolfhounds and I had one litter. They were quite successful and healthy. My son also bought a small breed, Bichon Frise, and we had two litters from her. Little Pippi stayed with us for nearly 13 years being a natural part of my son's teenage years.

Fam [Dignity's Fair Rosalind] was mated to a tricolour dog in 1995 and had 5 tri's and 1 sable. I kept a tri bitch. In my eyes she was pretty elegant, but she turned out not to be a showbitch. She was Dignity's High Integrity, Enya. Due to a tumor in her brain, I had to say goodnight to her at the tender age of 5. I was devastated. But she did give me a litter by Int NU CH EURV-97 Crubow's Firecracker, a blue merle dog that should have been used far more than he was. I kept a blue bitch, but sold her on.

In 1994 I bought a bitch from Sweden [Sobellyckan's Elizabeth Taylor]to mate to Remy. She is pure English breeding,[ Emryks Sailaway x Damirayan Beautiful Dreamer].

That combination bought me Dignity's Izafella, but unfortunately he was killed by a car at only 16 months old. Then I thought, this is enough. I just can't take anymore. I really thought of selling all my collies. But looking down at them, always cheerful, wagging their tails just by my touch, always there for me when life seemed to have nothing to offer, I just could not turn my back on them. I could not part with any one of them, and I still have great difficulties and find it hard to accept people who quite simply give it all up and part with their dogs. I just couldn't do that. I love them too much.

Dignity's Knight Porter at 8 weeks and 2 years of age

In 1997 dear Fam was mated again to UK Imp NU CH NV-98 Frobisher Freelancing Amalie, and she had two wonderful dogs, one of them my dear Dignity's Knight Porter, 1CC, 3Res. CC's. In 2000 she was mated to NU CH Crubow's Proper Pilot [by Pelido International Affair]. and only one dog survived. I kept him for a long time until I was persuaded to sell him. I do regret that. The same year my William [Knight Porter] made his way to Libra's room when she was in season. A door not closed well enough became my sable dog Dignity's Naughty by Nature, a dog I took home after having suffered from bad nutrition and negligence for over 2 years. I'm glad I have him now as his father had to be castrated earlier this year due to cancer in his testicles.

Dignity's Naughty by Nature

Now once again I asked myself whether I should go on doing collies or not, as I had started my education as an assistant nurse and really did have enough on my plate. Well. once again the question was not too difficult to answer. The collies have been a part of me for most of my life, and sooner or later my luck had to change. I believe the more problems you have, the more you learn from them, and the more you know how to avoid them in the future.

Future has come by my new import from England, I went to see my dear friend Rene Cozens in England and her co-breeders Mr & Mrs Buckley, and brought home the sweetest little tricolour girl, Bhyllsacre Midnight Jewel.[Pictured below]

I call her Rene as her daily name, and she has changed my life completely. I can hardly wait to come home from work to be with my collies, walk them and take them to the shows. I knew I belonged to the Collie world, that's where I feel at home, and little Rene just proves that. She has started in a brilliant way, placed 3rd in her class at one puppy show and BPOB/BPIS at another..

Little Rene made me proud on Saturday November 5th. She made her debut at shows here that enable to compete for the CC. They can only do that from age 9 months. One week after reaching nine months, she won under Mrs C Smedley. "Rene" won the Junior Class with the necessary honour prize to move on to challenge for the CC. She was placed 4 in the winner's class with a Res. CC and 4th Best Bitch in the show. To me that is some debut. Mrs Smdley wrote in her report "Nicely made tri bitch. Good head, flat skull. good ears, nice shoulders, body and outline. Nice feet, moved well". Thank you Mrs Smedley for your high thoughts about my little darling.

I love keeping in touch with Collie-lovers from all over the World. Hopefully, there will be possibilities for puppies again in 2007.

Update: "November 18th was a very sad day for me as I had to do the ultimate decision for Dignity's Knight Porter [William]. He was as you know from my introduction operated on and castrated last April. He never went back to his full potential and on the 18th November his condition deteriorated. The cancer had spread to all his organs and I went to the vet and we had no more time together. I will always love my William and he has left a huge gap in my heart. Hope you are no longer in pain darling William and I'll miss you dearly".

Update 9th February 06 - On a sad note, my beloved Sobellyckan's Elizabeth Taylor, Olivia, passed away on the 8th February to prevent further sufferings. She was a wonderful companion to me for 11 and a half years. It's a privilege to have known you darling, and it was my pleasure to be your owner all these years. My heart will alwys belong to you together with the rest before you. Sleep tight, sweetheart.

On a far happier note, my Dignity's Glimpse O'Rose Libra, Libra to her friends, was out on a show last weekend bringing home her 9th Res. CC being placed 4th Best Bitch in total [42 collies attended]. I was very pleased and proud of her. I would like to take the opprotunity to say CONGRATULATIONS to this darling girl on her 11th birthday on the 16th February. Libra has never been ill only paying a visit to the vet for her vaccination and hip score [she is clear]......

Update January 2006 - My beloved "Rene", Bhyllsacre Midnite Jewel, [above] will be 2 years old on the 29th January. I wish to say CONGRATULATIONS DARLING...your Mum loves you very much and I wish to congratulate all her litter and owners on their big day show season which is about to start for us in 2007, I look forward to showing this little darling...

Also there is a little newcomer in this house , CRUBOW'S EVENING PRIMROSE [CEA Clear]. 8 weeks old on picture. She has entered and conquered the house since she arrived. I call her my little "horror" as she turns the house upside down several times during the day....Whatever she is doing I love her to bits, and I look forward to showing her along with Rene...They both will be my little dream team. I wish all on Collienet a Happy New Year

Update February 07
"Congratualtions to my beloved Libra on her 12th Birthday. She is still a happy lady who enjoys her daily walk and runs.
I also congratulate my "seventh wonder" in life, Bhyllsacre Midnite Jewel [Rene] on her recent results: On the 4th February she was shown under Mr Luscott and won her class, gained a Res. CC and was placed 2nd Best Bitch in Breed. Now she has 2 RCC's to her credit. The following are Mr Luscott's comments, " Like the outline. Good balance in body. Nice true shoulder and rear angles. Well balanced head. Used ears when needed. Nice eye. Good jaw. Moves well". Thank you Mr Luscott.

My little baby Primrose, has made her debut in the ring as well. In 2 shows she has got Best Puppy Bitch both times, and Best of Opposite Sex twice. This is a wonderful start to hopefully a nice future in the ring.

Update August '07 - My dear "Rene" was entered at a couple of shows when she decied to drop her coat. Isn't that typical? Well I wanted to present her in "full bloom", so here I add a photo taken last May [see below]. She will have a try at a show on 26th August under an Hungarian judge, I'll keep my fingers crossed for her. I am also awaiting the results of the re-testing on her x-rays as I was very uncertain of the pictures.

September '07 - Rene (Bhyllsacre Midnite Jewel) went to a show yesterday and was awarded with her 3rd res.CC being shown quite stripped for coat under the Hungarian - judge Mrs. Elena Balazsovits,

 

My little Primrose has been out twice, and the first time she didn't do too well. Last Saturday [11/8/07] she was shown under Mr John Geddes and did far better. She won her junior class with a reserve CC and was placed 5th best bitch in total;, and there were quite a lot participating. So I'm indeed very pleased. This is what Mr Geddes wrote about her, " Very nice dark eye, nicely moulded foreface, good stop, ears could be a bit tighter, very well presented, good feet type, moved well front and rear". Thank you Mrs Geddes.

 

I hope to have future fun with these two partners in crime.

21st of August turned out to be a most terrible day. The night before my Murphy was sick had a fever, so I took him to the vets the following morning. He had an acute infection in his liver, and there was nothing else to do but to relieve him from his pain. He died in my arms at an tender age of nearly 7 years, far too soon, but at least he is no longer in pain. Sleep tight little boy. Mummy's missing you. May you have happy days together with all those who has gone before you.

Update:
I will not be sorry to see the end of 2007, as 10 days before Christmas my beloved Libra had a paralyzing stroke early in the morning and my vet came to my house to end her sufferings. It was a devastating day. You always have to expect something to happen to older dogs, and Libra was very close to 13 years old, but loosing a dog that has been your loyal companion for all those years, going along with you on the ups and downs, leaves you with a terrible empty feeling. Libra was born with me, she was always with me, and I'm happy I could stay by your side darling when your time had come. Rene, Primrose and I are missing you terribly, and you have left a huge gap in our lives. Your ashes has returned home, and along with the others you'll rest in your own rose-garden when mum has found us a permanent place to live. I still love you Libra, and I'll always do.

Hopefully 2008 will bring at least one or two new collies to my home. Time will have to work along with me to show what we end up with.

To all friends out there, I wish you all the best for 2008. Hope to see many of you during this year. You'll always be welcome to visit me, but please, give me a call in advance, and I'm very fond of collietalks, so you're most welcome to stay in touch.
As you probably have noticed already, we're moving house shortly. From 23rd of Febr., we go back to the western part of Norway, to Bergen. My new address will be Astri Hedenstad, Dignity Collies, Marihaugen 21, N-5302 Strusshamn, Norway. Phone and e-mail remains the same.