I was so shocked when I heard the news about Wendy it sure came as an incredible shock especially since I had been talking with her (via facebook) the day before. I've grown up knowing Wendy and Robert - one of my fondest memories I have was when my parents were picking up Brandy (Freeheelen Dreamalong Spirit, CGC, TID, TT, CD) in 1990. I was sitting on the floor with my brother Shawn, Wendy had talked to us about how to handle the puppies, Shawn was sitting with a puppy in his lap, while I was laying on the floor with Brandy nibbling my neck - for me it was love at first sight, and I was so happy when Wendy said we could have that puppy to take home. I have lots of fond memories from our weekends when the OWCA was hosting fun weekends, doing various tests (herding, carting, temperament, CGC, etc); those weekends were a lot of work, but it was worth it seeing the teams working together, but also getting to hang out with Collie friends, who were passionate about our breed. Wendy was always there encouraging me, whether it was trying to help calm a very young junior handlers nerves about going into the show ring; helping me with obedience training, and tips; if she wasn't at ring side cheering me on, she always called, or e-mailed to see how we did as a team. When I went off to university we kept in contact through e-mail or face book, exchanging recipes, encouraging words, or just being there to vent to one another. Wendy was a mentor, friend, but even more then that I considered her my family. Wendy was always encouraging me, with my cooking/baking and being willing to try my "new creations", helping me with dog stuff, but also she really encouraged me with my drawing/sketching/and painting, and helped me work on some of my techniques by offering suggestions if I was having difficulty with getting a certain piece just right. Wendy was always there for me, and I am really going to miss her.