What can I say about this fluffy dog who became a conformation CH and a Dual Champion with the completion of his Herding Championship? It was hard work, but in the end a really fun time. Porter got out his crate in the Atlanta airport after more than 19 hours in the air with a jump, wagging his tail.  That cute ball of fur is always ready to go and see what’s happening. He became a conformation CH at 9 months of age with ease, and did well with many breed wins and group placements – ranked #3 Nationally.  Then we started in the herding pen, and he was hooked. Shortly after we started with sheep, he lost all interest in conformation and was on for herding.  So we did some more conformation until he was 3 and then pretty much devoted our time to herding. By the age of three, he achieved his ASCA Working Trial Championship WTCH; following that we worked in AHBA and started training for AKC events. In 2004, we earned a buckle for the high scoring champion of record Started B course at the Border Collie National - a real thrill for me.
Then we hit a slump and just couldn’t seem to progress, I was about to give up, but with a lot of support and encouragement from Doyle, I laid Porter off, worked other dogs and got to be a better trainer/handler. After 8 months, started back - what a difference! What had been a fight and chore really began to click, and this great dog started to show me what Bob Vest had said happens when you and your dog work together. It started with me in the arena, calmly trusting my dog, and then I realized there wasn’t much for me to do but stand there and give minimal directions. Wow. Porter really did know what to do. We achieved our HX in sheep and ducks and 1 leg in cattle in 2005.  Doyle and I talked, and we decided to go for the herding championship in late 2005 with the goal to complete it by the end of 2006. In March 2006, Doyle took Porter to Florida (I was at the KBCC Regional Specialty, with fluffy dogs) and earned a three points that put us within 2 points and a major win to earn the HCH. Well, here it was May 2006, and we earned those final points right at Woods End Arena. Porter earned his major and 3 points and went High In Trial for a great ending to our quest. This is my first Herding Championship and Dual Champion ever. So much time and effort paid off, and without the help and support of Doyle, it would have never happened. Thanks a million Doyle and Porter for helping me get it right with my dog finally.
Oh well, besides being a great achiever, Porter passes along his great qualities to his children and grandchildren. Those of us who know Porter can see him come out in his grandchildren and I bet great grandchildren. We are looking to see who will surpass the old man.