My Buddy
by Stacey Stovall

My name is Stacey Stovall. I am 13 years old and I live in Norman, Oklahoma. I started obedience about two years ago with my red and white border collie named Buddy. I was just looking for a place ot give him some basic obedience. Watching the dogs in open and utility I thought it was pretty cool and wanted Buddy to be able to do it as well. Buddy loved to please me and really excelled as he went through the more advanced classes. His first show was in March 2005. Since then he has earned his CD and CDX in both AKC and ASCA. He also has a UCD in UKC. I am currently training him this winter in utility classes hoping he will be ready to show by early summer with confidence. I have shown Buddy locally, out of town and out of state which is a lot of fun. He loves traveling in the truck anywhere we go and likes to sleep in the back seat or in my lap the whole trip. Buddy and I have bonded greatly through obedience and are inseparable. I try to stay fun in the ring to help both of our nerves stay calm. I plan to continue showing him in obedience and expect him to greatly excel for at least another couple of years. I hope to get him into herding while he’s still young because he has an absolutely incredible herding instinct and drive. I tell him that will be his special reward, other than all the love and attention he can stand, for working so hard in obedience.