Cara came into my life as my Mother's Day gift. I had wanted to get a puppy that I could train and show in obedience. Since I had a dog that had a problem temperament, I had to get a stable dog. I looked for a long time for a litter that had what I wanted. Her grandsire, HIT Can OTCH Belaire Manor's Laddie UD Can UD HC CGC (Am OTCH ptd) was well known for producing good obedience dogs, having OTCH and many other titled kids and grandkids. So, we went to see the litter, and I fell in love with one little girl. We started Puppy Kindergarten in the summer of 1991, and have been going strong ever since. At nearly 15, she is still going!

Cara was retired from obedience at age 11 after completing her UDX. She did that in fine style - earning leg 10 at a Sheltie specialty, with a High Combined! She was retired from agility competition at age 12. She had completed her Master's Jumpers title, but was only a few legs shy of her Master's Standard. After she finished her obedience career, we started a new one - freestyle. She took to this fun sport immediately. We created a very Scottish routine, as she's a Scottish breed, and I am Scottish by heritage. Our music was the ancient Celtic tune "Diamond Dance", and our costume was my MacLean of Duart tartan kiltie outfit.

In January 2005, the new sport of Rally obedience became titling in AKC. We had been playing with it for nearly 5 years at that point, but now we had the opportunity to earn titles. On January 2, 2005, Cara was the first dog to earn the RN title at my club's obedience/rally trials! Her daughter Lexi and buddy, Aussie Geordie, also earned RN's that day. Since then, she has completed her advanced and excellent titles, and has 4 legs toward her RAE title, with no non-qualifying performances, and many placements.

Cara still gets to "play" with Rally, agility and obedience, and enjoys every opportunity she has to perform.