"Stormy"
Dec. 12, 1990 - July 12, 2004
Back in the days when there was no agility in Southern Oregon, Lynell Dewey introduced Kay Boydston to this fun new sport. Lynell's Shelties, MacCauley and MacTavish, took to it like ducks to water, as did Kay's Aussie, Stormy. Lynell's young Welsh Terrier, Pembrey, will be remembered as a challenging dog to train (She was a TERRIER!).
In 1992, when Stormy started agility, the only organization putting on trials was the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). This 18 1/2" Aussie routinely jumped 24 inches. In the first few years, Lynell and Kay traveled with all 4 dogs to agility seminars, trials and camps in Eugene, Salem, Spokane, Placerville and even Idaho.
Before Storm was retired due to hip dysplasia, she earned her Companion Dog (CD) obedience titles from ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) and AKC (American Kennel Club). In NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) and ASCA, Storm received several titles: Novice Regular, Novice Regular Veteran, Novice Gamblers, Novice Gamblers Veteran and Novice Jumpers Veteran. Due to her early retirement, Stormy didn't earn any AKC agility titles, but she earned 2 perfect scores on her first 2 Novice courses at the first AKC agility trial ever held in Oregon. Stormy and Wings shared the honor of splitting 1st and 2nd places in their height division both days that weekend.
When Stormy started in obedience training, I didn't think she would ever pass in an obedience competition because she would growl if a man came up to her for the stand-for-exam. We spent a lot of time working with any men who were in our obedience classes. I often loaned Storm to spouses of club members who needed a dog to learn with: Jay Baymiller, Bob Kelty and Robert Michelon all ran Stormy at some point before her retirement.
The titles and certificates in themselves mean very little. Seeing them and the photos brings back the many happy memories of the fun and love we shared. Almost every day since Stormy left us I come home and open the door, greet Wings and Silver, and wonder "Where is Storm?" Then I remember. How could I have forgotten? While she was not the nicest dog I have ever lived with, she was my best cuddler and I miss her most at the end of the day. Ultimately, time will bring me a new friend. However, that one place in my heart belongs to her, and always will.
Storm, I know you will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.
Kay Boydston