. . . . in rural Shullsburg, WI. She was the daughter of Falcon and Barkley, wonderful dogs from the Neon Collies Kennel of Jan Hendrickson. A spitting image of her mother, her kennel name was “Little Falcon”.
Kali’s registered name was “Neon Kalliope.” She was a tricolored smooth collie.
She came home to Mary Jean’s little house in Madison, as Rick and MJ were a couple but not married yet. Kali wiggled her way into Rick’s heart and he has been sold on collies since! Rick did not grow up with dogs but was a quick convert. His kitties, Sammy and Tammy, were not so excited. They ruled the roost and kept the puppy at bay with their hisses and angry swats.
Kali approved of the marriage, and moved with MJ to Rick’s house in Verona, then on to a new home in Fitchburg. Mary Jean and Kali took obedience classes and fly ball. Kali had many dog friends every where she lived and visited. That included Kelsey the flatcoated retriever, Clancy her border collie neighbor, Zoe her poodle neighbor, Max her collie neighbor, and many more.
Kali was a talker and liked to narrate every situation. She also was very playful, and would bring house guests a toy, hoping they would throw it. She loved children from puppy-hood on. She would play a game called “noseball” with neighborhood girls. The girls tossed the ball to each other across a circle, and when Kali got it, she would just bonk it with her nose to one of the girls. Hence the name!
Mary Jean and Kali commuted to Baraboo when Kali was a pup, and for several years following. While in the car, she and MJ would practice vocalizations, including “little woof.” Kali could make a loud bark, or on command, a teeny little woof!
Daisy 2009 to 2020
Daisy was born June 26, 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our friend Jan had recommended Wild Wind Collies as a reputable breeder of smart, healthy collies.
but then – completely unrelated -- MJ had a work meeting scheduled for Denver the week the puppies were ready to go home! We were skeptical of getting a puppy from so far away,
So it seemed like fate. MJ flew to Denver, attended her meeting, rented car to get the puppy, then flew with the 8 week old puppy back to Madison!
The breeder, Shelley Bergstraser, picked the little sable merle girl for us. She was not destined for the show ring due to her coloring and personality. Daisy was timid. She was sweet, loving, smart, and a wonderful dog. Her AKC name was Wild Wind Tahoka Daisy for a kind of wild purple prairie daisy native to the part of Colorado she was from.
Daisy loved other dogs, and counted among her friends Riley, Wrigley, Sammy, Teddy, Olive, Harry, and Lily. And many more. She was not a fan of dog parks, so her social events were close to home. Daisy and MJ enrolled in obedience, agility, and nose work. Classes were fun! She even attended a yoga class and seemed to enjoy it.
By now MJ worked in Madison, and Daisy paved the way for a dog friendly office at The Nature Conservancy. Daisy also was good at elder care, going monthly to see MJ’s mom Ruth in Des Moines. She was calm and friendly with residents in the community. She stayed close to Ruth, sometimes sleeping under her wheelchair.
Daisy became more sensitive as life went on. Thunderstorms and fireworks were scary. She was upset if people were ever cross with each other. She was always nervous about children, yet learned to tolerate them, especially if they gave her treats!
In her last year of life, Daisy developed problems related to a tumor in her brain. MJ worked with Daisy on therapeutic touch, and it was good for both of them! Daisy taught MJ much in her last year on earth.
Falcon with a very tiny Kali in the left hand corner.
She came home to Mary Jean’s little house in Madison, as Rick and MJ were a couple but not married yet. Kali wiggled her way into Rick’s heart and he has been sold on collies since! Rick did not grow up with dogs but was a quick convert. His kitties, Sammy and Tammy, were not so excited. They ruled the roost and kept the puppy at bay with their hisses and angry swats.
Kali meets Sammy . . . they became life long buddies.
Kali approved of the marriage, and moved with MJ to Rick’s house in Verona, then on to a new home in Fitchburg. Mary Jean and Kali took obedience classes and fly ball. Kali had many dog friends every where she lived and visited. That included Kelsey the flatcoated retriever, Clancy her border collie neighbor, Zoe her poodle neighbor, Max her collie neighbor, and many more.
Uncle Mark and Mary Jean . . . Kali, NO ribs for you!!!
Mary Jean and Kali commuted to Baraboo when Kali was a pup, and for several years following. While in the car, she and MJ would practice vocalizations, including “little woof.” Kali could make a loud bark, or on command, a teeny little woof!
Kali, doing her best Lassie like pose.
Daisy 2009 to 2020
Daisy was born June 26, 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our friend Jan had recommended Wild Wind Collies as a reputable breeder of smart, healthy collies.
At the Denver Airport
let me out of here!!
let me out of here!!
Ready to touch Wisconsin soil for the first time at the Madison Airport.
Daisy loved other dogs, and counted among her friends Riley, Wrigley, Sammy, Teddy, Olive, Harry, and Lily. And many more. She was not a fan of dog parks, so her social events were close to home. Daisy and MJ enrolled in obedience, agility, and nose work. Classes were fun! She even attended a yoga class and seemed to enjoy it.
Daisy loved getting dressed up to go out on the town!!
For ten years, Daisy's daily routine included sitting in our front window at 5:00pm waiting for her girl, Mary, to come home and take her for a walk . . .
. . . and it was never too cold for a puppy walk!!
Daisy loved going to Des Moines . . . always meant treats!!!
By now MJ worked in Madison, and Daisy paved the way for a dog friendly office at The Nature Conservancy. Daisy also was good at elder care, going monthly to see MJ’s mom Ruth in Des Moines. She was calm and friendly with residents in the community. She stayed close to Ruth, sometimes sleeping under her wheelchair.
Daisy became more sensitive as life went on. Thunderstorms and fireworks were scary. She was upset if people were ever cross with each other. She was always nervous about children, yet learned to tolerate them, especially if they gave her treats!
In her last year of life, Daisy developed problems related to a tumor in her brain. MJ worked with Daisy on therapeutic touch, and it was good for both of them! Daisy taught MJ much in her last year on earth.
She knew here way around the neighborhood . . . sniff by sniff!