As pioneers in the breed, we became involved with the Bearded Collie in 1974 when we acquired a black, bitch puppy from Blindbluff, an Old English Sheepdog kennel in North East, Pennsylvania. We had the breeder's permission to decide on a suffix for the registration papers and selected Love in a Mist which was a name also used in horticulural circles for a special blue flower. This dog (pictured to the left) and name later became the basis for our kennel name, Lovenmist. About the same time that we acquired our Beardie, the breed received Indefinite Listing Privileges with the American Kennel Club on June 1, 1974 and became eligible for the Miscellaneous Class at AKC shows. We showed Molly or Blindbluff Love in a Mist throughout the tri-state area in this class as part of the local effort toward furthering the advancement of the breed. There were no points or championships to be won. The reward was the joy of bringing this wonderful, new breed to the attention of the public. Success was achieved and the breed became eligible for registration in the AKC stud book on October 1, 1976 and received full recognition when they became eligible for championship points on February 1, 1977. Molly became listed as foundation stock in the AKC archives and went on to gain her R.O.M.

     Far from being prolific breeders, we have finished several of our breedings to their championship over the years and always owner handled the dogs. We also showed three Canadian owned beardies to their AKC championships. Two of these dogs have been very special to the breed and will always provide memories as if they were our own. They were: Canadian, Bermuda and American Champion Willowferry Victor (aka Hamish) and Canadian and American Champion Brambledale Boz (aka David). Hamish, who is pictured in the inset, was the first Bearded Collie to win a Best in Show in North America. Their owner, Barbara Blake, influenced us greatly and remains a close friend today. Our first AKC champion, Canadian and American Champion Colbara Blue Spruce, was also Canada's first AKC champion for the breed as well as being Ohio's first AKC champion for the breed.

      Administratively related to the breed, we have served the Bearded Collie Club of America as host for the breed's first pointed specialty, editor of the newsletter, editor of the club magazine, club statistician, board member and President. No longer active in the national breed club, we continue supporting the breed TODAY in other fashion.