The Resident  Critters*
* We have Two-legged kids, grandkids, and greatgrandkids, too!  Wanna see 'em ? 
Click on the "Family Photos" link in the sidebar!

 

 The Wargo household currently includes 6 dogs, all of them black and white.
 We didn't plan it that way, it just seems to happen !  ( We do have some aquarium fish
 that aren't black and white!)


"KATE" is a 10 year old smooth Border Collie.  She was rescued from  severe abuse
 at the hands of her owner. Katie was an emotional basket case when she came here at 
18 months of age.  It has been tremendously satisfying to see her confidence and 
personality develop over many, many months.  She still has a ways to go, but is enjoying
agility training and learning that most people are good.  At her agility debut in April 
2000, Katie qualified in 3 of her 8 runs on the weekend, with only minor problems in 
the other 5 runs.   She was fast, accurate and confident on the courses, and thoroughly 
enjoyed herself.  (YES !!!) Katie earned all three NADAC Novice titles  in her first  summer, 
and picked up the NADAC Open titles in the 2001 season.  She made her USDAA debut 
at the final two trials of 2001, where she earned 2 legs toward her AD, and completed 
the AD and AAD titles in 2002. In very limited trialing in 2003-2004, she earned her MAD
 and  in 2006 completed requirements for the  ADCH.

              
          "Katie"                                          "Scooter" 
            Photo by Pat Morgan                                                  Photo by Pat Morgan  

"SCOOTER"  is a 7 year old Border Collie who was dumped in a ditch in Ohio as 
a very tiny puppy.  They say "One man's trash is another man's treasure" and that is 
certainly true in this case.  SCOOTER is a beautiful animal with a sweet, willing 
attitude and a lovely personality.   Scooter made her debut at the Montpelier NADAC trial in 
April 2001, and completed all three NADAC Novice titles and had had several Qualifying 
runs in the Open classthat year.   She began her USDAA career at our final 2 shows Fall 2002, 
earning 2 legs toward her AD title, and completed the AD in 2003.  With  very limited trialing
 in 2003-2004, she ended the 2004 season just one leg short of her AAD title. In 2005 she
earned the AAD and Jumpers Master, and in 2006 completed the Gamblers Master and Snooker
Master,  and earned the Jumpers Champion, finishing the year with a regional Top Ten
placement.  Working twoards her ADCH in 2007.


"Gypsy"

 "GYPSY" is an 8 year old Border Collie who came to us in May, 2000 to be fostered 
and placed.  Her previous owners had problems with her chewing carpets.   Her overall 
personality is very outgoing and friendly, very focused on people and eager to please. 
The only real problem is that she BITES :-)  However, this is a really neat little dog with
 tremendous potential for agility, and we decided we had room for "just one more". Her
 agility training has progressed very well and she  began competing in the spring of 2003,
earned her AD very quickly, and earned her AADin 2004 and MAD in 2005.  She's now
on track for the ADCH, with many Masters and Tournament Q's to her credit.
GYPSY has a few brown freckles and so contributes a bit of color to our black and
white "generic" pack.

New to the household in June 2002 is "SARAH", a  black Standard Poodle. Her 
predecessor, Rose, left some mighty big shoes to fill, but Sarah (who we suspect 
was sent here by Rose) shows every likelihood of being able to handle 
the job! We'll get some pictures of her posted here soon.

LOST TREASURES...................

On June 15th, 2001, our beloved Rose died of bloat.  We are slowly recovering 
from the loss of this once-in-a lifetime dog, but her passing has left a very big 
empty spot in our lives. "ROSE", a 12 year old Standard Poodle (Black, of 
course!), was our official Head of the Household.  Rose was a Therapy Dog, 
Agility Poodle (retired), Director of all Social Activities, Enforcer of Rules (hers).
 She permitted us to accompany her everywhere .  We were honored.  We've created
 a Memorial Page for Rose in our photo album.

We lost  ADCH/ NATCH "NICK" on December 25th, 2004, just short of his 12th birthday.
He was an eleven year old Montana Stock Dog. ( That's a bit like a Border Collie, 
but tougher and more intense. The breed was developed in the 1950's from a mix  
of Border Collie, Blue Heeler, and English Shepherd).  NICK  lived to do agility 
(or anything else his master/god Gary asked him to do).  Gary and NICK were an 
exciting team, competing at Masters and Elite Levels in Agility. They completed the 
NADAC NATCH and the USDAA ADCH titles, and had a wonderful time doing it.  
Nick made many, many friends along the way.  Losing him hurt,  but the tremendous 
outpouring of support from the agility community (we received HUNDREDS of cards and
 emails) was a great  comfort in those dark days. 

"HOLLY" died of a brain tumor in March 2002.
She was a  twelve year old black and white 22 pound mixed breed (our best 
guess is Beagle & Terrier ). She was rescued from the local 
dog pound on the day she was to be destroyed.  A year or so of intense behavior 
modification  mostly eliminated her desire to kill other dogs, destroy our belongings, 
and escape from ANYWHERE just to prove she can. Holly's best talent was the ability 
to completely disappear , remaining silent and motionless in 6"high grass while her 
owners frantically call her name from six feet away.  Her favorite activity was hunting 
Rabbits (as soon as the masters went elsewhere to search for her) with Agility a close 
second.  She was great fun as an Agility teammate, very creative and always keeping 
Sherry guessing about what she would try next.  Holly and Sherry  competed 
at Master and Elite Levels in Agility and  completed the NADAC NATCH   and  the 
Master Agility Dog, Gamblers Master, Relay Master and Jumpers Master titles in USDAA
competition.  Holly  was  retired in 2002 (due to problems with  her front feet) needing
only 2 Gamble legs and 3 Snooker Super Q's for the ADCH.  She was otherwise healthy
and active, and we  enjoyed her company for several more years.

 

              
        "Holly",  "Rose" and "Nick"