Michelle grew up along the Atlantic Ocean in Eastern Monmouth County, New Jersey, where she spent most summers with her Grandfather in a small cottage on Shark River. Spending those long, hot summer days wandering barefoot through the cool muddy clay and tall punk weeds, she uncovered her prized jewels of nature: frogs, mussels, minnows, horseshoe crabs and other catches of the day. During these adventures, Michelle was always accompanied by three or four mixed-breed dogs her Grandfather was keeping.
It was in these early years that her lifelong bond with dogs was formed, though Michelle would not have her first border collie pup until she’d been married for 25 years and her own children were grown. That first puppy, XP Snap, is the 8 year old bitch Michelle will run at the 2011 World Trial. “Snap has taken this fantastic journey with me all the way from inexperienced rookie to competing at the World Trial.”
“I have been her trainer all the while she has been my teacher.”
Snap, a very forward and keen pup, was whelped on a cattle ranch and made the trip to New Jersey at 10 weeks old. Both her Sire and Dam are well-seasoned working ranch dogs in the High Plains and Gypsum Hills of Oklahoma. Just about two years later another puppy arrived, Snap’s full sibling from a later litter, XP Roy, joined his sister with Michelle’s family in New Jersey.
Snap and Roy have very different working styles, but share common traits like an unyielding desire for the job at hand whether moving ewes with young lambs or penning rams. Both have courage to spare and a quiet power to move even the most difficult stock efficiently.
Roy, a large tri-color smooth coated dog, now six years old, will need consistent practice to prepare for the trial. “He will need to remain focused and responsive when under pressure. The intense multiple directions sometimes needed on the trial field can trouble him a bit. I will be working to emulate those kinds of training conditions as best I can while we look forward to the World Trial in September.”
“Snap’s head is always in the game, but her recent back injury sidelined her for most of 2010. Helping her achieve excellent physical condition will be my main goal.”
Michelle feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch and learn from the many skilled international handlers that have travelled to the United States to share their knowledge. “I am so grateful to have found this community of sheepdog trainers and I’m happy and amazed by the friends I have made around the world.”
Michelle stills likes to wander barefoot in the sand along the shoreline, only now she is accompanied by three or four border collies.
