“Marty”

Ch. Heather Hill Back To The Future

Marty was special right from the start. He came into my life on April 6, 1991 and he was born while I was at a dog show. He was the only puppy born from that breeding and I have often said if there was only one, let it be another Marty. His mother, “Mallory” (Heather Hill’s Family Tie) was a tri bitch; the daughter of Ch. Tartanside Presentation and Argyll’s Willy Nilly. Mallory’s sister would go on to be the foundation bitch for Fantasy Collies. His sire, “Chad” (Ch. Hi Vu The Enchantor), was a mahogany sable dog with beautiful head attributes and he was a wonderful moving dog. Chad was 9 years old when Mallory was bred and he would only sire one more litter in his lifetime. He was the product of many great dogs in the breed and I am very pleased that some of those dogs continue to show up in my pedigrees.

Mallory was a good mom - once her puppies were 3 days old. Before that, she drove me crazy! For some reason she felt compelled to carry her puppies around in her mouth, dropping them occasionally. With Marty, because he was the only one, she washed him constantly! He was so wet the first 24 hours after his birth that I could hardly hold onto him!

He evolved into the ruler of the roost. I was amazed to watch as it happened. Even as a puppy, he would push the older dogs around to get his way, and they just let him do it! He was a gorgeous puppy and turned into a gorgeous adult. Each year at the Collie Club of America national specialty show a seminar is presented for the benefit of those who are interested in learning more about the breed. One year the seminar was presented by Jim Frederiksen and Jim Noe (Two Jay’s Collies) and they selected Marty to use as their example of “collie expression.” I asked Bertha Garrison (Bandor Collies) to handle Marty in the show ring for me and she agreed. After having him at her house for a very short time, she called and asked me if I would consider co-owning him with her. I was very flattered and, of course, I consented.

Under Bertha’s handling, Marty attained his championship status (my first homebred champion!) very quickly, taking many Best Of Variety and Breed wins at specialty shows and all-breed group placements along the way. In my opinion Marty was almost perfect. His only fault was that he was a little too “layed back.” He showed very nicely in the ring, but he was not what I would call an enthusiastic show dog. He was secure in the knowledge that he was great and never was surprised when he won! He was so easy going that, when packing up to leave at one dog show, I took him out of his crate so I could break it down and Marty walked to the center of the room, layed down and just watched all the activity going on around him. After another show which was out of state, a friend of mine brought Marty back to Michigan and I was to pick him up at my friends house. I went to get him and my friend said “He’s out in the expen in the driveway.” I informed him that Marty was not in the driveway, and, sure enough, the expen was empty! The color literally drained from my friends face when he realized Marty was gone. I just laughed at him and told him not to worry – Marty doesn’t go far. And, just as I said, we found him around the other side of the house checking out the flowers!

Marty loved the ladies and he was a thoughtful and courteous stud dog. It took some time, but I eventually learned to trust this dog to know when a bitch was ready to be bred. Some dogs will try to breed a rock if you put one in front of them, but a true stud dog knows when the time is right. Marty was the latter. I had an outside bitch in to be bred to him and he wouldn’t have anything to do with her. After a week had gone by, I was certain something was wrong and, so not to disappoint the bitch’s owner, I artificially inseminated her. I called the owner and explained what was happening and told him I didn’t know what else to do. Finally, the day came for the bitch to go back home. I was to meet her owner at a restaurant halfway between our houses to return her. For whatever reason, I chose the route going through the front yard from the backyard to take the bitch to the car. This is not the usual route that I take, but Marty was in the front yard, and as the bitch passed him, he ran to the gate to block the path, insisting that she was ready now. And, of course, he was right! The bitch was bred and puppies were born and - on that day – I got a free lunch!

The last time that Marty went to a dog show he was 11 years old. He was the only veteran entered in the Veteran’s class at the Cleveland Collie Club show on December 8, 2002 under the esteemed breeder/judge George Horn (Gingeor Collies). George had Marty go around the ring twice and, while people at ringside applauded, Marty shot me a look that said “Does he know how old I am!?” After he handed me the ribbon, George leaned over and kissed Marty on the top of his head. I choke up everytime I think of that moment and will always love George for doing that.

Marty died on a cold, rainy day in March, just shy of his 13^th birthday. Most breeders love all of their dogs, but there is usually one who has a tight grip on their heart. For me, that dog is Marty. Most of my dogs go back to him, so I see his face whenever I look out in the yard. His name can be found in many collie pedigrees throughout the Midwest and he will live in my heart forever.