Westirene Bonnie Prince
9 April 2001 - 18 July 2010
Its with a heavy heart I have to announce that Trooper was given sleep after a short illness to prevent further suffering
R I P My Little Trooper
You really did live up to your name
All The Years We Spent Together
Well They Are Part Of My Life Forever
I Hold The Joy With The Pain
And The Truth Is I Miss You My Friend
Above is a picture of Trooper taken from a Limited Edition print painted by Steven Townsend in 2004. While at a Sheepdog Trial, Jim Cropper introduced me to a man who had spotted Trooper and wanted to take some photographs of him. Trooper was very obliging and posed his little heart out.
Steven Townsend is the UK's leading Wildlife and Working Dog Artist and he wanted to do a painting of Trooper.
After a few weeks of meeting up for photo shoots around the Penine uplands Steven got the picture he wanted and started to put his paintbrush to work and I must say the result is stunning.
People think the print is actually a photograph, it has been painted with such artisic skill it looks real, every detail down to every hair is done to perfection. The detail of the stone wall is amazing.
Stevens faith has proved to be a cornerstone of his dedication and ability. Many customers are unaware that hidden in each and every picture he produces, the initials JTC (Jesus The Creator) appear, affirming his belief.
To see more of Stevens Working Dog prints please visit his website, he truely is an amazing artist.
The Townsend Gallery
In my mind Trooper is amazing, his intelligence exceeds any other Border Collie I have personally known. Unfortunately for Trooper he has noise phobia and fear aggression towards other dogs, though he is wonderful within his own pack.
He came to us at 8 months old, due to his "problem" he wouldn't make it in the show ring, he did qualify for Crufts on his first time out but his owner felt she couldn't cope with him due to his temperament, I believe he was bullied as a puppy by his owners other dogs which I think contributed to the way he is and if we hadn't have given him a home I think he would have eventually been put to sleep.
I'm so glad I took Trooper, I have learned so much from him, I gave him a try at a number of open shows, it was hard work but I managed to keep him under control resulting in getting placed with some 1st and 2nd places, as he had already qualified, we took the plunge and went to Crufts, Judge that year was John Ritchie, Trooper was 11 months old, his class had a very large entry and I was so nervous, everyone I met in the breed were great and so encouraging, we didn't get placed but we achieved what we had set out to do, I was so proud of Trooper, not only did he keep his "head" in the ring he spent all day amongst hundreds of dogs and noise, we didn't continue with showing after that but the expeirence gave me so much hope for him.
I tried to channel his energy in to agility and herding, agility didn't work, the noise, excitement and the other dogs was just too much. Herding was the right path to take, he knew when he got in the car where is was going, he enjoyed it so much, this is what's meant to be. Since moving from Lancashire where herding trials and trainers are in abundance I have not been able to find a trainer or any land to rent where we could carry on with Troopers training so if anyone reading this is near the Isle of Sheppey and can help please get in touch. The Island is full of pasture land but unfortunately no one wants to rent it out.
I would like to thank Keith Brooks for all the help he gave me with Trooper while in Lancashire and for entrusting us on his sheep.
