Miss Kitty was the first Sheltie bred at Ailea's Place. She presented me with that first Sheltie litter in December of 1995, and a beautiful litter it was! Though I entertained the thought of breeding her a second time I chose to spay her and sold her as a pet to a wonderful lady in Virginia, where she lived out the rest of her life, finally crossing over to Rainbow Bridge in October, 2007.

Beautiful Kitty will be missed by all who knew her.

Feel free to read about Miss Kitty's Fab Four.

Skylar is littermate brother to Dawn. Skylar was placed with a lovely couple who at the time lived on the North Carolina coast. Skylar and his family have since moved, and they now live in the lovely Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. A beautiful boy...

Conner is the name of this little guy singing his heart out. His registered name is "Ailea's The Con Man" because he was so small he could skinny his way out of an ex-pen still at ten weeks. From Rookie's first litter, this tri-color boy was sold to a wonderful home in Nashville, and has won the hearts of all who have met him. Not only does he sing beautifully, but, when asked to do so, will also whisper... Now, who can top that?

Next say "Hello" to Hallie, Ailea's Hallelujah, sitting here with her young charge. Hallie was sold to a young family in Charlotte, to fill the void left by the death of another. Hallie healed all those wounds and was very much loved unto the end. Sadly, Hallie has gone on to Rainbow Bridge, where she patiently waits to reunite with her human "family". She is very sorely missed.

At left is Duff, Ailea's The Midnight Cowboy, a beautiful bi-black boy and littermate to the tri-colors Connor, Hallie and Max. Duff was my pick puppy from this litter and was a beautiful boy. As fates will have it Duff grew just a little too tall and was sold to a wonderful friend and previous Ailea Sheltie owner in New Hampshire.

Being my first bi-black puppy I think I will always hold special favors in my heart for this wonderful boy. How hard to believe this litter is 12 years old now!

At right is Max, Ailea's Touch O' The Irish. He took his good time finding his home, leaving Ailea's Place at about 5 months of age. It seems there is one of those in just about every litter, doesn't it?

At any rate, Max was sold to a lovely woman in Greenville, South Carolina. I continue to hear from her each year, and she assures me that so far Max is still being properly loved, spoiled and cared for.

Next is Kerrie, Ailea's Kerrie Me Away, CD, CGC, a very cute tri-color girl both as a youngster in her bandana, and as an older girl in her favorite bonnet and kerchief. Sold as a pet at 6 months, Kerrie zoomed to her CD with three placements (a first, a second and a fourth), by the time she was just a year old. Kerrie was an avid therapy dog (see her in action here) and a vital part of her family until she crossed over to the bridge in June, 2007. Kerrie is sorely missed by countless fans.

And next up is Brandi, the pick puppy from the repeat litter of Keogh (Ch Cub Hill Banker's Hours) to Rookie. Brandi was a beautiful bi-black girl who spent the first 2 years of her life growing up as a show and/or breeding prospect, but wound up not quite making enough and so was sold as a pet in Pennsylvania. Big thanks to Susan of Cub Hill for bringing her back home, and to Cindy Shenk of Ridgeway Shelties and Jean Wilson of TJ Shelties for all their efforts on Brandi's behalf. 

One of Ailea's strikingly beautiful blue merles is Caleb, pictured at left piled high on his Mama Bette's lap for a bit of fun (he really doesn't fit there very well does he?). Caleb was sold to the same home in Nashville as his full brother, Conner. In addition to the two boys there are two sheltie girls, Lexie and Mouse. A house filled with Shelties is a full home, but a home full of love, indeed!

This is R2, Ailea's Acoustic Alchemy. One of too few bi-blacks produced at Ailea, R2 was sold to a family in New Hampshire, who very quickly became closest of friends. This family soon found themselves in "sheltie love". Surprising all of us, Duff soon followed R2 into their lives and so, eventually, did Angel.

R2 successfully passed his herding instinct test as a youngster, but his enthusiasm for the sport proved too much for serious training or competition.

Succumbing to an inoperable and untreatable cancer in 2006 at 9 years of age, R2 will be forever cherished in the hearts of all who ever knew him. Careful with your wings, little boy, and God speed~

The second "Max" in Ailea's list of puppies is pictured here. Blue merle Max was sold to a young family in Lexington, South Carolina. Though Max surpassed our guesses on his size, he was the very  most perfect Sheltie for his family. It is a sad thing to have learned earlier this year of Max's passing on to Rainbow Bridge. He had a very full life and was very much loved and spoiled. I am certain he is happily awaiting his family's arrival.

At right is Marley, Ailea's Candle In The Wind, another of the bi-black puppies Rookie gave me. Marley was sold into a wonderful home in Minneapolis, where he is much loved and very spoiled. He acquired a Sheltie brother - Jazz - and is very happy playing soccer with him!

This beautiful blue merle boy - Beau as we called him - is very much like the blue, Caleb, above, in the way they were marked. Beau was one of those who took his time finding his new home, but once sold he fit in as though he had always lived there. Now that's what we like to hear!