In her own words:

Hmmm don’t think there’s going to be as much action in this assignment as I crave, but here goes….

I spent the first 11 months of my life with my moms, Jordan and Bernadette Olsson Bay on Long Island.  They came to me one day and said, “We have an opportunity for you.  We must leave for England soon but won’t be able to bring you with us.  There is a home with two shelties and an aussie who would love to have you join them in New Jersey.  And oh yes, your brother Presto will be living only a couple of miles from you.”  Well being a New York kinda gal, crossing the river permanently was a little disconcerting, but it is MUCH closer than England and traveling wasn’t my long suit.  So I told them, “OK.  I’m in.”

One day in December Bernadette and I were off to Flanders, NJ.  Was I ever surprised when I got there!  Wow, an acre of land to run wild on, tons of trees and did they have a lot of snow!  When I went in the house I saw what I thought were shelties (at least they barked like them) but they were blue (I guessed from the extreme cold)!  Even the aussie was a strange color (I now know he’s red merle).  Well, even though they weren’t the right colors they welcomed me with open paws. We became an instant family.  The shelties told me I could sleep on the bed (Mom and Dad’s) at night and the eats are pretty good.  The only thing I would have to get used to was lots of time in the car.  It seems this group went to a lot of dog shows and classes. 

Everything went along swimmingly for a while.  Kelsey and Bailey (the blue dogs) and I were going to dog shows together and informed Mom we had formed Team Sheltie.  Then Kelsey got real sick a year or so ago and died at Christmas. The team just wasn’t the same.  What’s worse Bailey and I had to “fix” Mom.  I decided to take the job on single handedly.  I became the sheltie comfort station in charge of licking tears, taking long walks, sitting on laps, sleeping on Mom’s pillow at night.  You know, all that stuff good shelties do.  Bailey didn’t have it easy either; he was in charge of laughs.  I told Mom we really need to get on with life, and if it was OK with her, I’d assume responsibility for a new pup, even if she wanted another one of those blue dogs.  Enter Mysty.  Life hasn’t been the same since.

Team Sheltie is back and we’re having fun.  Our curriculum includes Agility, Obedience, RallyO and Pet Therapy visits.  I’ve tried my paws at Fly Ball, but Mom says I it isn’t fair to herd the other competitors.  Guess I’ll have to stick to sheep (don’t think ducks are my game).  I did hear Mom say that we will give a try at tracking.  I can scent out anything anywhere.  Maybe I can get that AKC VCD?  

And now back to Mom……

Thank you Bernadette for bringing this wonderful little girl into our lives.  We have both learned and loved so much over the past few years.  She is an amazing girl and continues to learn, play and love with a zest singular to Halo.  We are truly blessed, all of us.

Co-Authored by: Halo and Karen