If anyone ever fit the part of the comfortable English gentleman sporting a pipe and smoking jacket, it was Cody. Cody always lived life with a wink and a nod, yet with never a moment’s concession to another’s way. He loved to retrieve, but only at his discretion. He was modestly adventurous, inconspicuously confident, and always his own man. And he never let having a good time stand in the way of a serious nap. He insisted on enjoying life on his own terms, and he usually did. He loved you from a distance, but you knew that he did. And when he really needed you, he let you know. He knew he was deeply loved. Cody left us suddenly and unexpectedly on July 11. He was 10 1/2 years old. Thank you, Cody, for your gentle humor, and the many good and happy years together. We miss your serene presence terribly.

My first love when it came to dogs was Shetland Sheepdogs. Although I’m very active with Flat-Coats now, I still have shelties and Storm joined our family back in 2006. I think he thinks he is a herding, retrieving FC-Sheltie cross breed. He likes to run in the field with the big dogs and even though he is a small guy, he has the heart of a lion.

Maddie is our rescue sheltie who came to us at 11 months old. She is an extremely smart girl (sometimes too smart) who gives the flat-coats a run for their money.