Oregon Sheepdog Society Honorary Members


OSDS Special Memories

By Bonnie (Harper) Henny
OSDS Newsletter, November/December edition, 1987

    This fall marked a sad period in OSDS history as three valuable members, Louis Hennies, 85 , of Turner, Oregon, Ben Wipper, 82 also of Turner and Roy Bowers, 71, of Harrisburg, Oregon passed away.  In being asked to write about these very special men, I felt they would want me to write about their dogs, the trials and their special friends who created OSDS. Several men stand out as the 'Fathers' of our association.  Almost all have passed on, the following is a brief tale about them.
    All will agree that for much of 50 years the Scio Trial and the Turner Trial were the only steady sheep dog trials, the first dog trials in Oregon.  A trial was held periodically in Eugene with their Spring Lamb Show and sometimes at a festival in Junction City.
    The Turner Trial has always been called the Oregon Championship Trial.  It was organized by Eddie and Henry Ahrens, Ben and Carl Wipper, Louis Hennies and Ronald Hogg in 1937 along with many others.  This trial was never sponsored by OSDS but all these men were instrumental in creating OSDS.
    Eddie and Henry Ahrens, brothers, were nationally recognized Romney Breeders.  Eddie was a State Representative and Henry was a Marion County Commissioner.  Eddie was a sheepdog handler and major competition at the Turner Trial.
    Ben and Carl Wipper, brothers, were many a Sunday hosts to the Fun Days held in the Turner area.  Carl was a farmer, business man and Marion County Fair board member.  Ben was a sheep shearer, farmer and sheep man.  Ben's most well known dog was June.  June was a smooth coated black with white Border Collie.  She won many Turner Trials.  June's most famous day was May, 1972 when the first Northwest Champion Trial (formerly the Linn County Lamb and Wool Show Trial in Scio), was held and June prevailed by winning the crown.  Her work was not completed that day as that very night she whelped 7 puppies, all healthy and hungry!  Ben worked many Border Collies, Mike from Don Bayne breeding, is remembered for being a hard working, free moving dog who could handle any number of sheep.  May, a June daughter was one of the last dogs Ben worked.  When May was just 6 months old and June was winning almost every trial in Oregon, May was stolen.  Ben searched for weeks without success.  Approximately  3 weeks later, when all was thought to be lost, May was found in a ditch about 10 miles from home.  May had a bee-bee in one eye and looked as if putting her down would be a kindness.  Ben nursed her back to health and May learned to work without the use of one eye.  Her handicap was rarely noticed except when she looked at her handler and he was on her bad side, she would spin around a couple of times, get her directions and be on her way.
    Louis Hennies was not known for the winners he produced but for his work, dedication and time spent with trials (mostly Turner), fun days and OSDS.  Louis was a sheep shearer, sheep man and farmer.  His most well known dog was Fly, bred by Merle Farwell.  Louis was Secretary of OSDS during the 60's.  A judge at many trials including Scio and Turner.  Louis's last dog was a Kelpie.  One of the few times, another breed has won a sheepdog trial in Oregon.  Louis, Ben, Carl, Eddie and Henry have all passed away.  Louis and Ben this past September.  Each will be deeply missed.
    Ronald Hogg, famous for Hampshire Sheep, was locally known for his fine dogs.  Ronald was a lifetime member of OSDS and NASDS.  He helped organize Turner, OSDS and hosted many Fun Days.  Ronald judged Turner, Scio and many other trials.  He was a fine judge of dogs as well as sheep.  Hogg Hampshires, were a household name for many years and in the early 60's, sold a Hampshire Ram at the Willamette Valley Ram Sale to Texas for $5,400.00  To this day you can find Ronald Hogg Border Collie breeding in many of the old Oregon bloodlines.  Ronald passed away 3 years ago.
    Roy Bowers judged, sponsored and had a great dedication for trials and OSDS.  Louis, Roy, Ben, Omar Falk and Don Bayne created the Northwest National Sheepdog Trial( Scio trial).  Roy is well remembered for his great lamb BB Q's.  Always treating us to his special recipe when ever he got the chance.  Roy had many fine dogs but is most well known for a dog called Lady.  Lady was trained by Merle Farwell of Shedd, Oregon.  Merle was one of the founding fathers of OSDS who participated in trials all over the northwest and California.  When Merle passed away in the early 60's,  Roy purchased Lady for $600.00, a handsome price at that time.  Lady was one of the best and won many trials.  Roy had a very large grass farm and raised 4-5000 feeder lambs every year.  Roy moved to Eastern Oregon in the late 60's to a farm still maintained by the Bowers Family and returned to the Valley in the mid 70's.
    Play days are well engraved in my mind as a young child.  All of these men along with others, created fun days which were held at least once every month at each others farms.  During the winter they were held at the OSU old arena building at the Linn County Fairgrounds.  Sheep were plentiful along with the libations and lots of dogs!  Some men we should think about are Harold Knuts of Shedd, Oregon who farmed sheep and cattle.  He was one of the founding fathers who had dogs named Lady, Jean and Silly.  All these dogs won their share of trials.  Jean is remembered for finishing the trial by jumping up and hanging on the pen, as if giving her bow for a job well done.  At  the Harold Knuts farm, there was a barn loft which could over see the entire farm and his dogs were ordered to go to the field and turn over that ewe that was on her back!
    Don Bayne breeding, some of which is still alive, was well known.  Don was the first Oregon handler to participate in the Supreme Championships with old Dan.  When Dan was in prime form, he was unbeatable.  A mostly white rough coated dog from Wilson breeding, Scotland, bred many an Oregon farm and trial dog.  Don said he was also known as the TRAMP of the neighborhood.  Cap, a son of Don, won Scio and Turner in the late 60's and 70's, so many time some were glad to see him get old!
    Our own Terry McCornak had a daughter of Dan, Cindy, a smooth coated, white with some black, who was a terrific competitor and farm dog.
    OSDS for many years had one meeting a year, first held at the Marion Hotel in Salem, then at the Halsey Fire Hall.  Don was the first Secretary of OSDS  He made sure we had our annual meeting even when he was scheduled for heart surgery in February, 1975.  He had the meeting first and the next morning went in for surgery but never came home.  Don spent months with a favorite friend Beverly Cleland, training and instructing her and even running her Tip dog for a couple of years in trials.
    Sometimes a history of the past should be created to include more than just what is written. Some current members like Millard Shelton can tell stories about a movie in which his dogs were a big part in.  Terry McCornack had a library of training books and many stories of his fine dogs, Omar Falk and his fine work with OSDS, Myron Harper who was a member of this group since 1942 (and my father), Jim Harper our very special friend, handler, former judge and terrific dog trainer.
    Each time one of our Oregon dog handlers pass on, we each lose a knowledge, friendship and competitor that cannot be replaced.  Let us all take a moment to think about these fathers of our association and there are many I have not mentioned- they all contributed so much to our part of the world.  We have been blessed by knowing them.
   

Millard Shelton of Monroe, Oregon


Millard Shelton
   Millard Shelton spent his lifetime associated with the sheep industry.  Until his retirement, he was a longtime shepherd at Oregon State University.  Although he did not have his own sheep operation, Millard for many years was active in sheep shows and sales and an active member of the Oregon Sheepdog Association.  His special interest was assisting youth in learning about sheep and he was never too busy to share his knowledge and expertise for the benefit of others interested in the sheep industry.  He was a charter member of the Withycombe Club.
 He passed away on April 26, 1994 at the age of 85 years old.  He was born in Scio, Oregon and lived there his whole life.  Millard raised and trained many Border Collies in his lifetime.

Ronald Hogg

 

Hogg photo

 

 

Ronald L. Hogg, Charter Member, Distinguished Alumnus

Ronald L. Hogg earned a B.S. degree in agriculture from Oregon Agricultural College in 1924.  He was a premier breeder and improver of Hampshire sheep, and president of the American Hampshire Sheep Association from 1956-57.  Ron was an active supporter of youth activities.  He was a nationally recognized sheep judge, and long time president of the  Pacific Wool Growers Association.


OSDS Newsletter, November/December Issue, 1987
OSDS Special Memories by Bonnie Henny

    Ronald Hogg, famous for Hogg Hampshires Sheep, was locally known for his fine dogs.  Ronald was a lifetime member of OSDS and NASDS.  He helped organize Turner, OSDS and hosted many Fun Days.  Ronald judged Turner, Scio and many other trials.  He was a fine judge of dogs as well as sheep.  Hogg Hampshires were a household name for many years and in the early 60's, sold a Hampshire Ram at the Willamette Valley Ram Sale to Texas for $5,400.00  Today you can find Ronald Hogg Border Collie breeding in many of the old Oregon Bloodlines.
    He passed away in 1984.

Terry McCornack

Terry McCornack

Jimmy Harper


Jimmy Harper


1991-Myron Harper


Myron Harper & Tess

OSDS Newsletter, Winter Edition, 1991
Myron Harper Becomes Lifetime OSDS Member
By Myrna Martin

    Myron Harper a sheep dog handler for the past 40 plus years joined an elite group of our handlers when he became an honorary lifetime member of OSDS.  Myron Harper, Ronald Hogg, Millard Shelton, and Jim Harper are present day members of OSDS who are recognized as Fathers of OSDS.
    Myron is a farmer who lives and works on his farm near Brooks, Oregon.  He got his first Border Collie in the late thirties and was active in trialling until the seventies.  During this time he had four great dogs: Susie, Tinker, Mike and Cookie.  When  he got his dogs he was handling about 300 commercial ewes which lambed outside.  He and his dogs would go out and he would pick up the ewes and lambs and bring them inside.  He also raised purebred Oxfords.  He then had some Oxfords air freighted out in the early fifties.
    Myron, as a 4-H member, showed his sheep in the first Turner Lamb Show, which was 52 years ago.  Since then he has seen a lot of changes.  Originally there were only two trials in Oregon.  The Turner Lamb Festival with its State of Oregon Trial and the Scio Lamb Festival which hosts the Northwest Champion Trial.  These two trials, being the only trials in Oregon for a number of years, found OSDS members meeting on Saturday or Sunday for picnic trials where members could practice trialling each month.  The members would meet at each others farms except in the winter when they met at the old OSU arena on the Linn County Fairgrounds.

1992-Dr. J.A Schwartz, D.V.M.

1993-Norm Cantrell

1993-Virgil Brown

Virgil & Virginia Brown

OSDS Newsletter, September, 1993
By Virginia Brown

    Virgil came to Scio in 1963.  The dog trials were small, but a lot of fun to watch.  In 1972 the Scio Trial became known as the Northwest Champion Sheep Dog Trial and 1976 they were first held at Virgil's farm and have been through 1993.
    In 1976 Virgil ran his dog Zeek in Novice class and being the only handler in the class he of course won, so he had to go on to the Open class.  He did pretty well with his dogs until about 1989 when he broke his leg.  He still attends trials if he has time and of course still has at least 3 or 4 Border Collies all the time.

Secretary Note-Karen Robinson
    Virgil has been a special inspiration to husband Ken and I in our Border Collie pursuits.  Years ago when we ran cows and used what we considered tough dogs he kept telling us we'd better get a Border Collie and try trialling.  After selling the cattle and putting sheep on the ranch, chasing them with horses and a three wheeler for a number of years, we finally got our first 'good dog' and have Virgil to thank for steering us in the right direction.
    Tn 1987, Virgil and his dog Patches were the OSDS Top Team.  He got his first Border Collie from Del West.  Del was selling him some ewes for $5.00 also: instead, Virgil said he would buy one more ewe for $5.00 if he would 'throw in the dog'.  Shorty came and lived with Virgil and Virginia for four more years and in that time he earned a special place on the farm and is still thought of as Virgil's favorite dog.

2001-Don Boyd

Don Boyd

OSDS Newsletter, May 2001
By Karen Childs

    I have many  fond memories of Don and Linda Boyd.  Their home was always open and welcome to travelers on their way through.  Linda is a fabulous cook and Rusty and I have spent many happy hours at the Boyd's table feasting and talking dogs.
    One of my more vivid memories was one time when Don was at our place and we were all giving our dogs a spin on the sheep.  We had one particular ewe that was acting a little contrary and Jim, Don's dog, was proceeding to back it around the field, much like a bulldozer.  Don then made the comment "you all talk about the definition of power....now your looking at it".  And sure enough, watching Jim work, it truly was impressive.  He just kept on  walking and walking into that sheep.  He never seemed too upset by the whole thing, just needed that ewe to move.
    Don always is willing to share his knowledge and advice to the young (and old) handlers.  Because Don offered his advice in such a down to earth way, there was always a crowd of folks around his motor home to hear wheat he had to say.  Also, there was usually an offer of a martini come five o'clock.  Don loves is nightly martini!
    On the trial field, Don was a force to be reckoned with!  He and Nell or Jim and later Zig could lay down run after run.  I miss seeing Don and Linda at the trials and hope that they are doing well.


2002-Rita Morgan

Rita Morgan and picture quilt

2006-Martha McHardy

martha McHardy & Rhaq



2006-Rob Lewis

Rob Lewis at the pen


    Rob Lewis served as a Director for OSDS in 1986, 1987, 1991,1992 and 1993.  He served as President of OSDS in 1988 and as Past President in 1989.  Rob also served as Vice President in 1994.
    He first saw Border Collies in the 1970's while visiting Scotland.  He quit a teaching job to live in Scotland for a year where he learned to work and train herding dogs.  Over the years Rob has become an accomplished trial Judge.
    Rob spent four summers in the Aleutian Islands with three dogs helping round-Up and relocate Aleutian geese for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  These geese disappeared from all but one island when explorers introduced rats and foxes in the early 1800's.  The geese spend the summer on the island chain then migrate to Oregon and California.
    The Wildlife Service had tried to bring back the geese since 1960.  They used to catch, band and move the birds by hand.  Project Managers heard that a biologist was using Lewis' Border Collies with geese in the Yukon.  They invited Rob to bring the dogs to Buldir Island.  The dogs were so much better than humans at spotting and catching geese in the tall tundra grass that Rob was hired.  He helped re-introduce the birds to the islands.
    Rob's dogs were used to track the birds in other situations but this was the only case where they catch and herd an endangered species.  When the dog traps a wild geese, the bird drops and freezes as if dead and the dog holds it with its paw until a human arrives.

2009-Kathy Brunetto



Kathy & Nell at pen





    Kathy Brunetto moved from California to Oregon with her husband Frank and three children-Frankie, Rod and Brandee in 1976.  With 15 acres of timber, scotch broom, tansy ragwort and blackberries gone wild on undulating land they thought sheep would be a good idea.  They soon realized that it wasn't a bad idea but they had a great deal to learn and most of it was by trial and error.
    Kathy found catching and moving sheep with the family was difficult and silly so she got her first Border Collie which had a birth defect and died suddenly at 8 months of age.  She met Beverly Cleland who referred her to a breeder to purchase her second Border Collie.
    It was simply amazing how meeting Beverly opened doors.  Kathy found books to purchase from the United Kingdom on how to train a Border Collie which she wore out.  She was thrilled to meet the author of one of the books years later.
    She met Omar Falk who was an officer of OSDS.  Kathy was put on his 'index card' list which meant you were notified by postcard of all up coming gatherings of OSDS.   There were fun days with no facilities so the brown bags and liquid refreshments were minimal.  There were only 2 annual trials which were for open handlers only, Northwest Champion and Oregon State Championship.  These two big trials on the west coast attracted competitors from Ohio west.  Omar Falk used to be 'OSDS'.  He was kind and encouraging and did not support the "good ol' boys" club.  There were very few women handlers at this time.  Eventually it became too much work for Omar and OSDS elected officers, President and Secretary/Treasurer.  The first she remembers were Virgil and Virginia Brown.
    Kathy spent 10 years as an officer of OSDS.  She was Historian for 1984 and 1985 and kept the Top Team points for several years. Kathy served as Treasurer from 1988 through 1992 and as a director from 1995 to 1997. In 1986 She was elected the 1st female President and OSDS had a membership of about 30.   She recalls that it was unusual because she was not a commercial sheep producer but she was unconditionally accepted because she had Border Collies (and a few sheep).   In 1987 OSDS added the position of Vice President and 2 Director positions. They also split the Secretary/Treasurer position.  The  seven officers and membership of over 100 accomplished several important things.  OSDS incorporated in the State of Oregon and became a non-profit organization.  Membership was limited only to residents of Oregon and was opened up to 'outsiders'.    The organization added liability and special risk insurance and the number of Open trials increased with many of them adding Pro-Novice and Novice-Novice Classes.
    When OSDS became an official organization it meant there had to be a source of income for the club. Raising dues was not a palatable choice  but selling herding books and a few Border Collie items seemed like a good idea----as long as she hauled the items to the trials, clinics and fun days which she did for about ten years.
    In 1984, after the death of Beverly Cleland, Kathy and Frank started the Oregon Trail Championship SDT in her memory.  They hosted this trial for 16 years and raised funds to enable them to import judges from the UK.  They retired from hosting the event in 1999.
    In 1990 she won the Top Team Award with her dog Gioia better known as 'Joy" and again in 1992 with Skye who was a son of 'Joy'.  Since the awards inception she is the only handler to win  with Sire/Dam and then offspring.
    "The dogs allowed me to meet so many kind, generous and wise people that were so helpful and patient with me.  The list of these people are numerous, but the short list includes Beverly Cleland, Omar Falk, Terry McCornak, Jimmy Harper, Myron Harper, Bonnie (Harper) Henny, Cliff Steelman, Nick Stagg, Norm Cantrell, Ralph Pulfer and Bill Berhow.  The dogs allowed me to make many new friends from all over the USA and UK.   I was able to compete in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Canada", said Kathy.

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