~ Ailea Don't Fence Me In ~
Cole
Ch Kirene's Southern Comfort x
Ailea Cowgirl's Prayer
Cole. What a man, that Cole!
Cole is one of those exceptional shelties you just can't take your eyes off once you caught sight of him - he simply commands your attention!
Cole has a very clean headpiece, and a lovely, plush face with tons of muzzle and under jaw. His expression melts your heart and his top line, outline and angulation just beautiful. Cole was also one of the blue-blackest coats I have ever seen, and just drips with that "LOOK AT ME" quality we so like to see in our show Shelties. I was VERY excited when this young man came home to Ailea's Place at three months of age, which is exactly when he completely stole my heart away.
As is very clear to see in this next photograph, Cole was one of those puppies who just couldn't get enough of life. Filled with antics and mischief from day one, Cole tested the patience of the best of us, Wanda and myself included. Wherever Cole was, you could bet your life some sort of trial or trouble would follow, and what trouble he could cause!
Cole was a happy fellow, and took no time at all to learn how to retrieve, begging you to throw something - anything! - so he could chase after it, and never, ever tiring.
An interesting story about Cole follows rather in this way -
Our dog yard is between roughly 1/2 and 2/3 acre of cleared property (our septic leach field actually), and since we live in the woods, abounds with wildlife at times. One day I was dismayed to find Cole had a terrible case of diarrhea, blasting his way out of his crate several times that first day, and a few more on the next few subsequent days. On the 2nd day of this Mama Rookie also had diarrhea, although not quite as bad a case as Cole did.
Both Rookie and Cole continued to be sick for about 3 days, although neither of them seemed to suffer a lapse in their appetite and were both eating, drinking, and urinating like healthy dogs. On that last day I vowed if they were still sick "in the morning" they were going to the vet.
A bit later that day my husband came in from mowing the grass in the dog yard.
I found out what your dog got into, he said
Oh
yeah? What was it?
You won't believe it.
So tell me.
Your dog caught - and ate - a bunny. I found the remnants of bunny fur scattered in the dog yard just now.
OH
MY
GAWD
Knowing Cole had gotten into a bunny meant Rookie had joined suit, as she always has, and also meant there was likely little, if anything, terribly wrong with either of them health-wise. By the following day all signs of runny stools took a hike, and they were perfectly well.
But wait a minute.
Cole CAUGHT a BUNNY?
The thought of this beautiful dog being able to run and cut corners with the best - a bunny no less - meant he had missed his calling... Fortunately for us all he never did catch another bunny... the first was plenty, thankyouverymuch!
When Cole was 10 months old he was just dripping in a beautiful "grown up" coat, and we played at getting portraits made - I was just shocked... Not only did this young man stand for his photographs, but he ADORED the grooming. He enjoyed the brushing and trimming, and loved the chalk a little too much, poking his nose into the chalk jar, and he even enjoyed getting his coat finished, including laying a towel across his back and rump to get that curly puppy hair to lay flat. I was SO proud of this boy, and the results, seen here, speak for themselves.
Yes,
Cole was wonderful, and yes, Cole was beautiful, and yes Cole would have made
the PERFECT show dog, except for one small thing... He just grew a bit more than
he should have to succeed, and so after some time hanging out while I looked for
the perfect place for him, Cole was neutered and sold to a young family where he
quite properly rules the roost.
I would be remiss to not mention how much I thank Wanda Hathcock, Merrie-GO Photography, for the wonderful job she did whelping and raising this litter. To bring such a wonderful bundle of joy home after such the long time of being puppy-less was just awesome. Thanks, Wanda.
