Rusty came to me as a gift from Wally Butler. I had the privilege of spending some time in Oregon with Wally on a few occasions while visiting his horses. As a long time fan of Jay Sisler, I knew Wally and acquired “Sisler’s John” from Jay in his twilight years. Rusty has some neat blood and his look was that of a western portrait of a dog. I fell in love and although I got him after Wally had retrieved him from a previous, and unlucky home, Rusty adjusted well and decided I was pretty OK. He is a very silly and playful dog and he loves to just stand next to you. He has a special sense of humour that makes you feel that only you and he got the insider joke. Once you are approved, you are special.

He is very sensitive and alert to changes in his environment. A keen sense of hearing and vision as new items in his path required inspection but he is then confident to go forward. His style of sheep is unique and he lays himself down on balance.   His keen senses make him acutely tuned in to livestock and their intentions leaving him way ahead of the sheep in anticipating their movements. It is pure joy to watch.

Rusty retired with some lovely friends of ours and has a little sister Ruby to keep him company as well.  It would have been great to continue a herding career with Rusty to enjoy all of his talents, but he gave us a fantastic litter which led to Bolt, who we have used as a sire to at least one fantastic litter and preserved some of Rusty’s blood though Bolt in frozen semen.