Ashley was our first sheepdog. He was primed to be a top showdog. We all fell in love with him and his 2 blue eyes. They even nicknamed him "Blue". People talk about animals almost being humanlike, Ashley was definitely one of those dogs. He loved being dressed up in all kinds of get ups. He was even man enough to let us put bows in his long fur. We tried to show him and he won ribbons, but alas, he was our pet and we couldn't help but treat him as such. He loved playing football and even undid all the laces on the ball. I remember one day, it was really hot in the house. We had an air conditioner in the living room and my parents had one in their room where Ashley usually slept. I think the living room air conditioner was on, but not the bedroom. Ashley went into the bedroom and started barking until Mom came in and turned it on. Then he laid down and took a nap. When we moved, I had started getting sick. We couldn't figure out what was wrong until one doctor suggested seeing an allergist. Well, that was the problem, I had allergies and the dog was one of the things I was allergic to. I cried in the doctor's office because I didn't want to get rid of our beloved Ashley. My parents decided to try allergy shots and medicine in the hopes that would control it. It worked and we sectioned off the house with baby gates so the dog couldn't go upstairs any longer. My bedroom was my safe zone and if I ever had a problem, I would simply go there. One thing about Ashley, this was one vain dog. My parents normally groomed him, but one time he had a huge mat in his chest that they couldn't get out. He had to be clipped back. He was so embarrassed, he hid behind the couch for 2 hours and wouldn't come out. We had to constantly tell him how pretty he looked. He wouldn't go to the bathroom if he knew you were watching him. I could walk him for hours, and he'd never go until he was back in his yard. He always greeted everyone with a jump, except for my grandmother. It was as if he knew that she was older and more frail. He never jumped on her at all. He was quite a character.

Now Ollie on the other hand, had a totally different personality. He was more laid back. He'd play catch with you and then would hop on the couch, drop the ball and wait for you to go pick it up. He would sit and stare at my dad if he was laying on the couch, because Ollie wanted to get up there to go to sleep. Ollie and I spent a lot of time together since Mom had taken a part-time job at night and Dad often worked late. We'd hang out and watch tv. He always loved being around us and snuggling. One thing he loved was having his back scratched. We'd be sitting there and he would come over and stick his butt in your face until you scratched his back. I remember one time he had these cysts in his ears. We took him to the vet to have them removed and his head was bandaged up. Later that night, I heard him howling. I had never heard Ollie howl before so I was really scared. I went downstairs, and there was Ollie with the bandage over his eyes. The poor dog must've thought he'd gone blind. LOL! We called him our boo-boo pup because he had more crazy ailments than one dog should. He had his shoulder operated on as a pup, got these cysts, had cysts on his back. When we had him neutered, he developed complications and our vet had to come to the house to take care of him. (He is a great vet). But most of all, Ollie had so much love to give whoever met him. He was happiest being in the house sitting with all of us watching tv. I miss Ollie everyday, not a day goes by I don't think of him.