Collie show coming

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

It’s a coincidence not lost on this reporter.

The Columbus Collie Club, along with the Cleveland Collie Club, will hold its annual show from Friday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 27 in the Della Selsor Building on the Madison County Fairgrounds in London. The collie, a working/shepherding breed with a gentle, loving nature will be shown, promoted and held in generally high esteem during this weekend event.

The coincidence occurs on Friday, Jan. 25, the birthday of Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Burns, a man of agrarian origin, had a collie as a canine friend. He immortalized his dog Luath in his poem, “The Twa (Two) Dogs.” Two dogs, a collie described with a white chest, glossy black coat and a curling tail, and a Newfoundland, hold a conversation which discusses the differences in the lives of the well-to-do and the poor.

Critics laud Burns’s use of two dogs discussing the lives of their masters — in Scots dialect — as a commentary on the conditions of the times.

For a time as long as she can remember Diane Bogenrife, of Midway, has had a collie in her life. She recalls a road trip as a girl when her dad and grandfather visited a farm with collie puppies. The love affair with the breed has now progressed to a point where Bogenrife wants to show her sable pup of a year, Bogie.

Named for her now-deceased father, Bogie, had what it takes to be a potential show collie.

“He had all the standards,” Bogenrife said. She referred to the shape of the eye, tipped ears and strong hocks or hind legs.

She said Bogie, whose full, registered name is Huntington’s Bogie’s Donney Boy, is intelligent and picks up commands easily.

“I’m the one who needs to learn,” Bogenrife said. She will be competing with professional handlers, hired by breeders to show their dogs in the show arena.

So they took two confirmation classes to be ready for the show, which will begin Friday.

Bogenrife said the show has been gaining in prestige and is drawing competition “from both coasts.”

In addition to the shows, there will be an area set aside for spectators to interact with the collies.

“People (with collies) will be willing to talk to people,” Bogenrife said.

The show has free admission. To defray expenses 25 baskets have been assembled with “goodies” and are up for drawings. A food concession will also be on site.

Show details

Schedule

• 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25: Cleveland Collie Club Show, to approximately 2 p.m.

• 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 26: Columbus Collie Club Show, to approximately 1 p.m., followed by the Cleveland Collie Show

• 9 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 27: Columbus Collie Show, to approximately 3 p.m.