History of DeHaro' Kelpies: The Story Of Ti (High Tide)

DEHARO’S HIGH TIDE

I have written the story of how Ti came to us. But for those unfamiliar with DeHaro’s lore, suffice it to say he was born in the wild to a bitch that ran away the day after she was bred, to give birth to her pups in a driftwood den on the beaches of Whidbey Island, Washington. We found the pups about the time their eyes were opening, so we counted them about two weeks old. I don’t know how or why some pups exert an influence from the time they are whelped – but I do know there was never any question that Ti would stay at DeHaro’s. He was just never for sale. Through the long years that he lived with us, we raised and sold a bunch of Kelpie pups, but Ti was a keeper. Looking back on his life and times, (he went to greener pastures several years ago now), I think that he has had perhaps as great an impact on the Kelpie breed in North America, as any other dog. Now, as I talk to people about Kelpies, and investigate pedigrees and consider breedings and such, I am gratified to see DeHaro’s High Tide appear in so many of them, and to hear stories about his offspring that pleased so many farmers, ranchers, and stockmen over the years.

I was at a dog fair this fall in a vendor’s booth for the company I work for, and talking to a lady who came along. I mentioned that we had Kelpies, and her eyes lit up and she told me a story about a demo with Kelpies she had seen years back. She never forgot that dog. For her, that dog is what she thinks of when she hears the word “Kelpie.” It turns out that dog was Ti.

I think the thing I am most proud of is that he, for many, many people was an ambassador for the breed. When Rick decided to move from trialing in ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America ) trials to trialing in ABCA (American Border Collie Association)trials, he often went to the post with the reputation of the entire breed resting on his shoulders. A nervous making burden. The whole trial field, spectators and competitors would often stop whatever they were doing to watch, “the kelpie.” Many Border Collie enthusiasts, as breed proud as they are, were forced to admit that this particular Kelpie could compete with the best. One night after a trial in Arlington, Washington, we went out to dinner with the group, and one gentleman decided, after several glasses of loud-mouth, to try to get my goat by slandering the Kelpie breed as a whole. He asked, “Why don’t you get a real sheep dog? Why do you want to mess with an inferior dog?” As my face got redder and steam started coming out my ears, Rick realized, that in order to avoid a scene, he’d better get me out of there. In the embarrassing silence, Bill Berhow quietly stated, “If I had to pick one dog to take home with me today, no matter what the cost, I’d take Ti.” The guy came up to Rick the next day at the trial field, and offered him an apology. Rick told him, “It’s my wife you should be talking to.” That’s the reason we’re still married.