About me

Tango and Jet, one of my favourite pictures

My name is Arlene Phillips, I live on the South coast of England in Hampshire, I have been painting for about 20 years, mainly as a hobby, but commissions are always welcome, prices on request,

e-mail dogdays1uk@yahoo.co.uk .

I have two collies at present, June 2007, Tango and Chippie. I started off with German Shepherd dogs [3] which are my first preference, but collies come a very close second.

I competed in Obedience for many years, but find myself losing the competitive spirit, preferring to 'walk the dogs' now rather than train them, but still take an active interest in competition, judging when possible.

I got my first collie in 1986, a little bitch I called Whisper, She was off a farm in East Coker, Dorset. I'd always had German Shepherds, and wanted a change,

She was a dainty little madam but with very much with a mind of her own, though I wasn't aware of it at the time. She ruled the roost in my home till she died at 17½, though in her latter years she was not aware of it as she went deaf and all but blind, but when she came in the room the others moved aside and gave her space.

She has a poem dedicated to her in the Etc. page

My next was a Border collie from Wales, a big almost totally black handsome lad I called Jet, A lovely gentle dog, he lived till he was 12, he died very suddenly from a massive internal bleed. sleep well my Jet, I miss you.

I have penned a Soliloquy for Jet in the Etc page.

Then I had Tango, such a live wire of a dog, and the one who took me to the highest class, Champion C, but to date we have yet to justify our place there. Now 8 years of age he is starting to mature, He again is a very nice natured dog, with not a bad bone in him, Always there and totally 'into' me. I Love him to bits.

Last is Chippie, my little rescue from Wales,I saw him on www.manytears animal rescue in wales.com ' website just before Christmas 2005, I fell in love with his cheeky face and was touched by his story, he and his siblings were on their last day at the pound, when they were rescued by the wonderful owner of Many Tears, Sylvia Van Atta, he was supposedly 8½wks old but could have been younger, he then went to a foster home in Somerset till I fetched him home, 5 moves inside ten weeks, It was no wonder he was very ill when I got him , he hopefully is over all his trauma, and to date he is a happy well adjusted little boy. I can't thank Sylvia at Many Tears enough for trusting him to me.

Unfortunately due to circumstances and health issues I had to re-home Chippie, But he is in very good hands, to people I have known many years, have owned and still own dogs are active in the dog world and will give him a loving home.

It has been for Chippie's best interest, he has settled in well and will soon forget his life with me, he will always have a special place in my heart, he taught me so much, I will never forget the two and half years we spent together. It has at times been a roller coaster, Have a wonderful life my little boy,

Don't dogs come with instruments built in to break your heart?

Me with Chippie & Tango

Whisper

Jet

Tango

Chippie