Sage TFP FM MBDCh-S HIC CGC

Border Collie (rescue)

March 1, 2000 - February 3, 2014

Also known as: Practically Perfect in Every Way

Owner/Handler: Todd & Stephanie Minnella

Best line-to-line time: 3.67 sec

Photos

Sage came into my life when we were looking for a second dog to add to our home to play with Dyson. At the time I was convinced that I wanted a sporting breed, but when we got the call in July 2003 that Touch N Go had pulled a super sweet 3 year old border collie out of the Lied Animal Shelter in Las Vegas and that she had a great off switch, we were sold.

Sage was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. Her off-kilter blaze fit her personality to a tee. Her calm and sweet demeanor at home was in stark contrast to the crazy-driven, shirt-ripping, arm-pinching, amazingly fast and powerful dog that came out when you said, "Ready....?" She was built like no BC I have ever seen - exceptionally well-balanced, amazingly smooth movement, awesome reach, long and huge (21.5" tall!). Between her structural gifts, athletic talents and off-the-charts drive, she amassed an impressive resume during her short flyball career.

She debuted in March 2004 and raced for the last time in June 2008. In 2006, she became the first dog to record a time in the 3.6-second range in sanctioned singles competition. During her four year career she sat on the sidelines for a full year to rehab from two separate injuries (in late 2004 and early 2007).

After retiring from flyball, Sage honed her natural talent on sheep. In her retirement, she enjoyed lots of long walks and happily chased bugs on the hill at home. For all of her craziness, whenever we got home she would happily greet us with her "wooowooooo" before settling in to snooze on the couch. She was practically perfect in every way. We will miss her.