My soul mate. Rowdy was all that I could have wished for in a companion and a show dog. He loved the ring and loved to show. He always thought all the applause was just for him. One moment in particular always stands out in my mind. In the Group ring right behind Jimmy Moses on Manhatten. We were given the go ahead by the judge and took off around that huge group ring. All the way around, Rowdy had absolutely no trouble keeping up with Manhatten. At the end of the run, the look on Jimmy Moses' face was priceless! He was astonished to find Rowdy right there - not even breaking gait, not even breathing hard (although I sure was).

Rowdy always led the Group with his outstanding structure and movement he was always way ahead of the other herding dogs. That particular day, I gave way to Jimmy on Manhatten as I wasn't sure that Rowdy could move out faster than Manhatten. He proved me wrong!

Rowdy's show career ended because of a herding accident in which his eye was shattered. A friend and I were searching a field for her lost dog. We had Rowdy along because we figured she should be in season and he might be able to bring her out. Unfortunately, we were being nipped by a rather pushy horse. I asked Rowdy to round them up and take them out back. He did. We searched the field, unable to find the bitch. Finally, I called Rowdy. Nothing. We went in search of him. Found him holding the horses in a corner of the pasture. He was bleeding from the nose, ears and eye, but still standing tall, doing his job. One of the horses had corrective shoes on and caught him just right. As soon as I reached him, he collapsed in my arms and my friend and I carried him off the field and to the vet. I still cannot think of this incident without tearing up!