In Memory Of

Pepsi WTCH

It is with a tremendous sadness that I share with you that Pepsi has moved on yesterday. Due to the sudden dramatic increase in the debilitating results of the degenerative arthritis that I saw through the nite, the decision was made with my vet on Thursday to allow Pepsi to transition to relief from her pain.

I am trying to focus on celebrating her life & the many blessings that she gave me. I have her legacy--gentle Dottie & rascally Lil, as well my current pride & joy, Dottie's son, Zack (Dottie x Major). Major is a handsome & talented dog--so Zack has a lot to live up to (both Major and Pepsi have WTCHs (Working Trial Championships).

I have a lot of great memories of Pepsi--driving down to Willcox in the rain to pick her up as a 7 week old black/white puppy. Pepsi started out as Christina's dog; in fact Christina had saved for months at $5.00 per week to pay for 1/2 of the cost of Pepsi.

Caren Easterday worked with Christina in the early years of herding, as did Doug Bolton (in Dewey). Pepsi was a very determined "do it my own way" dog.

When I took over herding with Pepsi around the time Christina was 13, Pepsi didn't think I had a brain in my head. I sure had to work hard to get her respect! With a lot of help from Joe Escobar, I was finally able to accomplish that after months of work. Karen Clymer was also instrumental in helping me with that task. Joe & Karen also went out of their way to provide opportunites for practice for Pepsi & I. The culmination of that was in Februray 2000 when Pepsi earned a qualifying score in Advance Sheep class, which was the last leg needed to earn her WTCH.

I want to thank Melody & Ken Ferrill also for their friendship & providing such great stock to work. Pepsi was privileged to be allowed to help work stock in preparation for trials. Sheep were always Pepsi's favoite stock to work, but it was a joy to watch her work the ducks! Her semiphor-signal long ears were at full attention as she herded the ducks.

Thanks also to Karen Clymer for allowing Pepsi to set stock for trials at her facility. I always remember too the thank you from Molly Wisecarver for the excellent job of setting out stock for one of her runs in a trial at Karen Clymer's facility.

Another memory is of Karen's request for Pepsi & Midnight (who has also recently passed on) to move a small group of obstinate ewe's with young babies from one location to another. Pepsi & Midnight made a great team, accomplishing this task well.

Pepsi also volunteered to herd cats, if they came in the house; she also found pet rats & gerbils when they got out of their cages.

After retirement from trialing, Pepsi quickly moved into the job of educating sheep that we had bought & that we had loan of. Moving a little slower than in previous years, she was still an awesome, fun dog to work with.

She remains my partner and my friend.