The search for my next Aussie started in 2007. I was interested in getting into agility now that I had my family underway and I knew I wanted a versatile Aussie that could do what they were ment to do. I also wanted to dabble in the conformation ring. I started looking at websites and finding dogs I liked and from there I set about contacting breeders that were in my general area (Mid Atlantic/NE). I had hoped to meet my future pups parents as I had Pausha's and to find a breeder I could have a relationship with. What happened though was not as I had hoped and I quickly became frustrated. Everyone wanted pretty hefty prices for their puppies, they wouldn't let you pick a color you liked, and if you wanted to keep your dog intact it came with a co-own and a list of things you needed to do. Now don't get me wrong, I can appreciate that breeders care about their puppies but when spending over $1000 on a dog I am the type of person that would just like to own my dog and be free to make my own responsible choices.
What happened next I think is probably more common than we would like to admit in this breed. I continued looking for Aussies on the net and I had certain lines/dogs in mind but I found a breeder who didn't show conformation, wasn't worried about what I wanted to do with my pup, and ultimately was willing to let me pick the pup I wanted. Incidentally the price was significantly lower. Diva was the last female left in her litter and I fell in love with her from the minute I saw her pictures. Would I buy a pup again from this type of situation, probably not. The difference is now I have my foot in the Aussie community and doors are open that were not before. Do I regret buying Diva, not for one second!
Diva flew in From Arkansas in March 2008. It was the first time I had flown a dog and I was a nervous wreck. Turns out it was all for nothing because Diva came out of the crate like she owned the world and couldn't have cared less. I would later learn that this is pretty much how Diva lives life.
You know how you hear horror stories of puppies teething and what not, that was never Diva. In fact I can't remember a single thing she destroyed other than her given toys. She housebroke almost immediately, slept through the night, never whined in her crate, and was very well adjusted. I started taking her to agility trials for socialization right away and it was here that we met our good friend "Auntie Sally", or as I like to think of her, my agility guru :). Sally had her own new pup at the time, Paiva. Paiva has grown into a wonderful agility dog and recently she and I are trying our hand at stock work together.That however is it's own story ;-).
In those first few weeks Diva made herself right at home and though I wasn't over the hurt of losing Pausha I did find my heart growing to make room for this feisty little black tri.
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