Ranger is an outgoing, friendly boy. Absolutely fearless, he never meets a stranger -- just friends and admirers that he hasn't met yet! He's a charmer, and is a real sweetheart. A true California-boy, Ranger loves lying in the sun, playing frisbee, and eating avocados.

Ranger earned his AKC championship on August 18, 2002, finishing with four majors, including a 5-point Best of Variety -- all before his first birthday! Ranger enjoys agility, obedience, and herding, and he also does quite a bit of hiking and cuddling! He has literally saved my life twice, so I think he's pretty special.

He can pose beautifully, but he is never still for long, so it's hard to get a good picture. I've tried to take photos of him when he's sleeping, but he frequently sleeps on his back, with all 4 feet in the air and his tongue hanging out -- hardly a dignified pose!

Ranger in an "alert" pose -- but his tongue is sticking out!
March 3, 2005

Ranger has been running with me almost every day, and he's become a really good running partner. I just wished my gait was as smooth as his! His movement is so effortless and fluid, it's a joy to watch. He can go miles without getting tired. Running keeps him long and lean, and his muscles are rock-hard.

Even on days when I don't feel like running, Ranger is always eager to go, which is great encouragement for me. He's a huge bonus to my exercise program! He gets incredibly excited when he sees me putting on my running shoes, and he runs to where his leash hangs by the front door. If we don't run for a few days (like this week, when I hurt my big toe), Ranger is practically bursting out of his skin with pent-up energy!

Enjoying the mountains on a camping trip to Paradise Valley --
I rode my mountain bike down to the valley floor,
while Ranger ran the whole way!
July 4, 2004

Cuddling on the bed
September 5, 2004

We started agility this past summer, and Ranger absolutely loved it! In my (totally unbiased!) opinion, he was the best dog in the class. Although he's still a very active boy, he's really settled down in the past few months. He's much better about paying attention to me when we're training, especially when I have treats! He's still fearless, and the "airborne" is his name is often literal! We have to take a break from agility for a while now, because work has me traveling too much this fall. Hopefully we can get back to it in a few months!

There's a nice park just a block from our house, and we go there a lot. Ranger & Splash love to run, play frisbee, and play on the slides! Two ten-year-old neighborhood girls have fallen in love with both dogs, so they go to the park with us whenever they can. The dogs like having extra playmates & admirers!

August 9, 2003
Ranger is growing up, but he's still a goofball! He's a very intelligent dog, but sometimes he just makes me laugh -- like right now! He's sleeping on the couch next to my desk, sprawled on his back with all four feet in the air, one ear flipped over, and a goofy grin on his face! It sure doesn't look comfortable to me, but it must be, because that's how he usually sleeps. It's especially funny when he dreams that he's running and his paws twitch while he's still upside down. Silly boy! He's a sweetheart, though!

Formal training is a low priority right now because we've been moving, buying a house, and generally settling into life in Colorado. Even with minimal practice, Ranger is such a well-behaved boy! I admit to being a little prejudiced, but I really like him! Both of our collies are so sweet and easy to live with. We've spent several weekends lately with some friends who have very young children, and the collies are so sweet and gentle with the kids -- even when their ears are being tugged on and they're being sat on! Ranger is a real kisser, and he seems to think that the kids are at perfect face-washing height!

Ranger is almost 21 months old now, and he's really looking grown up -- his chest is filling out, and he's losing the lanky teenage look. He's still acts like a teenager, though! He's very friendly and playful, and just a joy to have around, even if he's a bit goofy sometimes! He has a definite toe-fetish, and with the summer weather everyone wears sandals -- Ranger has surprised quite a few of our friends by licking their toes when they come over! We've been busy with moving and now house-hunting, so we haven't done much training besides basic obedience, but we'll get back to tracking when things settle down some. If we can, we might even go special in some of the summer shows. For now, Ranger is enjoying just hanging out and relaxing!

August 31, 2002
Ranger is enjoying being home and relaxing! We're starting on obedience and agility, but also just enjoying "hanging out" at the park. I'm having thyroid surgery at the end of September, so I'm not up for doing much agility training right now. Ranger is getting lots of cuddle time, though! He's quite a kisser.

I can't believe how big Ranger is getting! He's taller than Splash, and quite a bit more solid. Ranger is so well put together that I forget how big he is. He's definitely a boy! It's so funny to see Ranger and Splash play together. Splash is dainty and refined, while Ranger is more rambunctious. The real ruler in our household, though, is Poly, our plump black kitty. Poly loves to wrestle with the collies, and she'll wrap her paws around their heads while they lick her tummy. It's hysterical! Poly likes to lick their faces, but doesn't always appreciate it when they return the attention. Dog tongues are wetter than cat tongues!

July 12, 2002
My apartment doesn't allow pets, so Ranger is spending the summer with Jim & Jen in Gunnison. Ranger is having a great time with the Adams' huskies, Rock & Cairo. He's getting into good shape, too! Rock has taught him how to howl, so Ranger sounds like some weird kind of wolf. It's hysterical!

I went to Gunnison for the July 4th long weekend, and enjoyed having time to spend with my boy. He's getting taller, and is really muscular now from all the running he's been doing! The highlight of the weekend was climbing Uncompaghre Peak, a 14'er in the San Juans -- 14,306 feet, to be exact! Ranger loved the hike, and ran almost the entire time! At the end of the day, though, he was so tired that he ate dinner lying down!

March 30-31, 2002
In his show debut, Ranger took Winners Dog and Best of Winners for both days of the Brazos Valley AKC show! For details and photos, see Ranger's show page.

Ch. Kings Valley Cavalier II "Baxter"

Kasan Cool of the Evening "Diva"

Ranger is a great-great-great-grandson of Sandy Tuttle's legendary CH Black Hawk of Kasan ROM. Hawk won six Best of Variety wins at the Collie Club of America Nationals, and was the first smooth collie to win Best of Breed at the National Specialty, the first smooth to win Best In Show at an all-breed event, and was the top producing smooth sire of record for many years, producing 84 champions.