Earl is a Welsh fellow, by Ceri Rundle’s Bwlch Hemp out of Pat, imported by Jen Tidman shortly before the litter was born in July 2000.  Mary Lou Campbell bought Earl as a young  pup and started his training the next spring.  

In the summer of 2001 I was a hapless novice struggling (as so many have, I now know) to turn a pet into a herding dog.  I watched with awe as Mary Lou worked this incredibly driven young Earl through the summer and fall.

By January 2002 I was frankly desperate.  My seven-year-old Doug had returned to his duties as a pet and my six-month-old pup was a year or more away from trialling.  I was looking at another year with no dog.  Then Mary Lou agreed to help me work with Earl, and I bought him in February.  I had a dog!  Indeed, one with herding skills far exceeding my handling abilities.  

The 2002 season has been all I could have asked for.  When I had my act together Earl won for me.  When I fell apart he patched it up as best he could.  I’ve learned more than seemed possible in one season.  We finished the season on a high note at Butternut Creek, and we are eagerly awaiting the challenges of the Pro-Novice level.