I have not been updating this blog, so I thought just having this static About Me Page as the front page would be the best way to go. Maybe I should give up the blog, but I can’t bear to, so here it stays.
Tip Tail started out as a generic blog where I would just post my ramblings. I few years ago I decided that it should focus entirely on dogs, and not so much on my ramblings. So I started Luna Tail (which was closed in 2012), which was my companion blog. You may find ads in old posts, and the money these ads generate go to support my dog habit. So we appreciate your patience with the ads!
This site is dedicated to the training and behavior of my dogs. These dogs do agility, obedience, and some flyball, and any other sports we can fit in… go for walks, and get the best medical care they can. I consider myself their guardian, not their owner, as I believe all animals, human and non, have the same value on this earth.
A little bit about me, Cynthia ———-
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, way back in the 60’s. Late 60’s mind, but the 60’s nonetheless. I lived there until I was 7 years old, when my parents whisked my sister and I away clear across the country, to Salt Lake City, Utah. I’ve lived in SLC since then. Utah is a very beautiful State. I enjoy camping and hiking in the outdoors. I love taking the dogs with, and spending time outside in the summer. The winters are a bit cold for me anymore, but I like the long dark nights. I can light a bunch of candles and snuggle into some warm blankets.
I have five dogs and one cat. The dogs are my passion and I love doing agility, obedience and flyball.
I have one husband, and he is an amazingly wonderful man and we are happily married. I am proud to say. In the world of unhappy relationships, it’s great to be with someone I get along with so well. Sure, we have a spat a time or two, but we work it out.
We live in a little brick rambler, and on weekends in the summer you might find us camping in our Rockwood popup trailer.
Here in Utah I am considered a ‘Flaming Liberal’. Which is definitely the minority around here. I believe in gay rights/marriage, I’m pro-choice, vegetarian, and definitely democrat. 🙂
So that’s just a tiny bit about me!
— Updated December 2012
Hi again, Cynthia–
Well, gee, we have much in common. I’m currently living in the Chicagoland area (grew up in NJ, came here for college and stayed. And we both love collies, and we both have collies that come from the Elsinore bloodlines.
Barb of Elsinore was my collie mentor. She stopped breeding several years ago when she and her husband moved to Nantucket. Several kennels preserve bits of her bloodline, but mine is based on it.
I understand *exactly* what you’re talking about when you write of Lucie’s obedience difficulties. It’s the same thing I went through with my Charlemagne. (Whom I lost a year ago spring, blessed be his memory!) If you haven’t decided to just retire Lucie, what I would suggest to you is to *change all the commands*! Lucie is obviously as smart as Charlemagne was; when he balked at something or got fed up with it, I (finally!) figured out that if you changed the *command*, he would react as if her were learning it for the first time. So if, for instance, Lacie is having problems with the “sit”, call it something different. Preferably, something humorous, so you’ll be kind of smiling when you say it. When Charlemagne refused to do the a-frame in agility, I temporarily renamed it “googleplex”. That isn’t a name ANYONE can utter with a straight face! And Charlemagne acknowledged the laugh instead of the phobia, and started taking the obstacle again. Successfully (obviously, since he finished his titles).
Collies, in my experience, are a strange blend of “hard” and “soft”. You have to be very intuitive in training them, because they are such intuitive dogs.
If you’re interested, go on the ColliesOnline.com site and look up Tigger–VCH CH Caerleon’s Crouching Tiger, CDX, MX, MXJ, etc. He’s the male from my first litter–and a great example of what a collie can achieve in performance!!!
I didn’t get the breeding I was hoping for this fall; next spring I’m planning a breeding (CH Caerleon’s Prince of Pennylane, HIC, CGC, TDI x (CH) Pennylane’s Better in Color) that should produce truly lovely conformation and performance puppies. You might has seen the dam, Emmie, win her class at the Boise CCA Nationals. (Even though she wasn’t the judge’s type.)
Anyway…I’d lost your address–I hope you’ll keep mine in your archives. I’m still interested in what Luci does; and if you’re interested in another dog from this bloodline I’d be pleased to try and accommodate you.
Sincerely,
Sharon @ Caerleon
Hi Sharon! Tiger is gorgeous for sure, I’m glad you stopped by!
Hi–I just came to your site from the message boards-anyone in Utah catches my eye! I’m the opposite of you–I was born in Utah-got married and moved to Chicago. I’m a Right Wing Republican which is definitely the minority here!!! Very cool! I’m jealous! I love SLC–my whole family is in the area–I grew up in Farmington–worked at Lagoon!! Ah, good times!! I love your puppy blog–good luck to you!!
Robyn
So it does rain in Seattle!
Thanks for visiting my blog. You’re looks pretty fun. I have added you to my RSS feed. Then I can keep updated on this cool blog.
Hi again! I have shelties, have had collies, too, and would love to have a border collie, but I think it wouldn’t be fair to have a border collie in town where we live. Not enough room for running. The shelties do fine as they are wired, but get it out of their systems in the backyard which is pretty large. Oh…dogs, I do love them soooooooo much!!!
Oh, and by the way, I am also a ‘Flaming Liberal’. I absolutely believe in gay rights/marriage, pro-choice (not a vegetarian but both of my daughters are) and definitely democrat. I teach Women and Gender Studies at Eastern Michigan University! You can bet I cover all of those topics and more.
Great blog! Keep up the awesome posts!
I’m not a dog person but I’d like to read about your adventures. Do you post to a blog that is more about yourself than the dogs?
Laura’s last blog post..The Easter Egg Personality Test
Hi Laura! Yes I have a non-dog personal blog… http://www.lunatail.com 🙂 Thanks for your visit!
i found your site by searching for anxiety at blog catalog – i was amazed to see another dog agility practitioner with social anxiety
i just went to a competition today and was a bit anxious and pained – just a bit
happy to see im not the only one
Hi Foambark thanks for your comment! I haven’t found any other bloggers who have anxiety and do dog sports either. I’ll go check out your blog. 🙂
I don’t get it – Is there a reason you choose to exclude me? Why are posts suddenly password protected? Are the pups being seriously threatened?
Can we help?
Hi Cynthia;
Pete Dowan here !
I realize that there is very little chance that this e-mail will result in anything, but that’s better than the zero chance if I didn’t try. I was googling for Dog related blogs and I came across your site and thought I’d contact you.
I am a medically disabled songwriter from St Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and have written many songs about many different subjects and in several different styles.
One song in particular was a personal thank you to my dog. The song is called “Good Friend”.
I mention my disability because various factors of my condition stop me from being able to use professional studios to record my songs, so I have to do them here, at home, in my basement, on donated equipment from musicians I used to work with. For the same reason, I also am unable to perform my music live.
HISTORY OF THE SONG::: For the first few years that I had my current health condition I had a very difficult time walking. One of my doctors figured out the reason, and when that was dealt with, it was up to me to get myself “going”. That’s where our dog, Scuttle, came in. He bugged me daily to take him out … wouldn’t let up until I did so. His determination was catching, and within a year we were both going on outings that I never dreamed I’d be able to do again. As a thank you, I wrote the above mentioned song for him. (R.I.P. my boy)
If you know it’s about a dog, the lyrics jump out at you as being obvious, but if you don’t, there’s only one line that definitely points to it.
I was wondering if you’d like to hear the song, since your blog is about dogs and for dog people. I can send you an MP3, a short term link or it can be heard on my “MySpace” page … which is myspace.com/petedowan … the second song on the list. If you would give it a listen, I’d love to get your opinion on it.
I DO understand if you’d rather not.
Have a great day, and keep smiling.
Musically Yours,
Pete Dowan [pronounced like plowin’ ]
Collies make wonderful pets. As much as I like them though, I can’t imagine having 4 dogs and 2 cats! That seems like a lot of work!
Well, it’s actually six dogs and two cats. Maybe I need to update this page. LOL
I am desperately trying to find a home for my border collie, Duke. I was hit by a drunk driver and my injuries have made it impossible to work enough to keep up on rent, so I’m forced to move to a place where I can only keep one of my two dogs. My other dog would be harder to place, so I need to find Duke a home. He is a neutered 5 yr old with a long line of working parents on both sides. He does have a little McKnabb blood in him so he isn’t purebred. He worked cattle in his early years and is still around horses now and then. He is great with kids and dogs, and good with some cats but chases others. He is housebroke. He is trained to sit, stay, speak, shake, and heel on/off leash. Need to find a good home where he will be loved and well taken car of. I was supposed to be out of my home today, but have been given an extension until the 4th, which is the absolute latest. He will make someone very happy, he is a great dog!
If interested, email nessa_lou@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Hi Cynthia,
I also believe that dogs have equal value on this planet. I have an 8 Year Old Black Labrador “Haley” who also does agility and eats raw! Rock on!
Wow! And I thought three dogs and two cats was too much. I’ll have to show my (also wonderful) hubby your blog! Maybe he’ll reconsider that fourth rescue Lab I was looking at….
😉
Awesome! a fellow liberal in Salt Lake City!! We would love to talk to you at PlanetGear.com. If you are ever in downtown, please stop by and say hi.
–tawnee
tawnee @ planetgear .com
Hi Cynthia,
Great site about your Collies! I’d love to share this fun photo campaign with you to see if you want to participate. Can you email me when you get a chance?