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Mikatura Web Design
Home of ASCA & CKC titled working Australian Shepherds!
Welcome!
Mikatura®
is a small kennel located in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains
near Eckville, Alberta, Canada & is owned by Foss & Jeni Gallichan.
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There is an old John Denver song that says, "Some days are
diamonds, some days are stone"...and it's so true!
Some days you wake up in the morning and see sights like
the one above, a beautiful sunrise to put joy
in your day...definitely a "diamond" day!
Then, another time, you spend
the entire day peeking out the office window as it pours rain and
blows like crazy...it's cold and driving home is definitely a
"stone" day...windy, pouring buckets, etc. but all of a sudden you
come up over the hill to your own valley and the day brightens, the
rain slows to a drizzle as you drive the mile and three quarters
north to the ranch, slipping and sliding all the way in the mud. Out
of the Jeep you climb, clucking at the mud splashes all over it...you just washed yesterday. Dump the groceries and all the other
paraphernalia you seem to have accumulated this week and outside you
go with the dogs. Then you fly back in and grab the first camera
that comes to hand because the day has suddenly turned into a
"diamond" day...not one, not two, but THREE rainbows are
happening!!!
Unfortunately by the time I got back outside the littlest rainbow
was already gone...but I hope you enjoy the beauty Foss and I
watched one September afternoon about 5:45. The rainbows only lasted
about 15 minutes then they were gone...but it was a beautiful night,
there were about 2 million stars in the sky and even a little bit of
the "northern lights" were showing tho' it wasn't yet the time
of year for them.
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We
have owned Aussies for thirty years & our goal is to promote not only the
Australian Shepherd breed but Aussies as an "all around" dog…a wonderful
companion, a beautiful conformation dog & an awesome herding dog.
We DO NOT breed "mini's" or "toy's" and recommend you click here to read
more about them and our feelings about them.
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"Follow Your Dream...If a person does not keep pace with their companions,
perhaps it is because they hear a different drummer. Let them step to the music they hear,
however measured or far away." |
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~ Henry David Thoreau |
The above quote really sums up our feelings...we
wish to ensure that we have Aussies with the ability not only
to obey the handler quickly & willingly, but also able to think for themselves when
necessary in a tricky situation, dogs that will fit in with most people's
dreams whatever they may be. We hope to be able to help you
follow your dream with an Aussie!
Our dogs are raised in our home, let us sleep on the bed
with them & are our constant companions. Our dogs are well
socialized & are truly great ambassadors of the breed, making friends
wherever they go! We breed only occasionally & only because we want to continue the
wonderful legacy of our dogs, beauty, brains, instinct & an enormous amount
of joy all rolled into one wiggle-butt package! Because we do breed only occasionally we are very careful in
choosing the homes that our puppies go to. Our questionnaire helps us to
know you, your family & your dreams, to help us bring you together with the
right puppy for you! We are obligated to our puppies for life & want them to
become a well-loved family member & to lead a happy, healthy & long life
with you. We hope you enjoy your visit on our website & come back often to
see what's new on the farm!
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Once upon a time, a wolf sent a message to a
sheepdog:
"Tomorrow morning send me a lamb, for I have a guest coming.
Don't make me angry for I am a ferocious wolf and have no mercy;
Whatever I get my jaws on I squeeze blood from!"
The dog answered:
"I do not know you, but it is my duty to protect the sheep from you.
Even in difficult times, I will be the one to stand up to protect them.
I have not given up my pride and duty like some fools have.
It would be very degrading and difficult for me to fail in my job,
But, rather, I have in my able hands the means to protect these sheep.
I will not befriend any wolf, whatever the cost.
I am not afraid of any wolf attack for I am honest,
And I will never neglect my duty."
Translated from Arabic writing found in and around the border of
a 150 year old, Persian Tabriz rug |
We presently are "owned" by a whole bunch of Aussies, a Great Pyr named Holly, a couple of dozen Runner & Rouen ducks, 100 or so
sheep, thirteen horses, a mule, about three dozen roaming Banty chickens & a half a dozen other really cute
"exotic" chickens just to brighten up our barnyard! You just
never know what the latest addition to the "funny farm" will be! :-)
We love talking to people and try and make
ourselves available to answer questions as much as we are able. We
also welcome people who want to learn more about Aussies, or working a
stockdog. If you phone us and get the machine, please leave a message
so we can return your call! If you email, we'll get back to you as
soon as we can.
If you're thinking of getting an Aussie, please
click on the highlighted links to read our version of "Is
An Aussie Right For You?" and/or an "Aussie Profile".
We hope you enjoy your visit with us, our dogs & the
other critters around the farm...
please
come back & visit, we're always adding new things!
If you're looking to have a website designed, please
contact me for more information and a quotation!
One more quick note,
like the shoe-makers kids who went barefoot, our website is always the last
to be updated,
so if you see something 'weird' it's just because I'm always playing
catch-up with our site! :-)
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If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me
in your heart,
I'll stay there forever.
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Winnie The Pooh |
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We DO NOT sell our puppies to pet shops, puppy
mills, or any animal wholesaler or testing facility. We interview all potential owners
very carefully so
please take the time to read & answer our
puppy buyer questionnaire which will start us
on the way to getting to know you better
& be better able to match you with the right puppy. Also we do not
raise "mini" Aussies and we are not interested in using our males to further
the breeding of this type of dog.
If you're looking for a great "vacation" idea, check out our Packing In
Paradise website
for information about 3, 5 and 7 day pack trips in the breath-taking
Canadian Rockies!
www.packingparadise.com
Our dogs & other pages on our site:
(please click on picture for link!)
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The Aussie Guys: |
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~ SouthRam Dual'n Banjo STDcsd "Banjo" - red merle
~ Mikatura's Ballad'O The Celts "Deaglán"
- red merle
~ Mikatura's Tuff E Nuff DNA-VP "Tuffy" -
red tri
~ CCK's Hank the Cow Dog DNA-VP "Hank", blue merle
~ 3C's Got My MoJo Workin "Huck" - black bi
~ Rainbow Bridge - Dually, Ceilidh, Joey, Spur, Tooke & Mirri
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The Aussie Gals: |
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~ TuckerCreek Ballad'O'SallyRose DNA-VP STDcs
OTDd
"SallyRose", red tri
~ Mikatura's Someday Soon "Sooner",
red tri
~ Mikatura's U R MI SunChyne STDc OTDs ATDds "Chyne", red merle
~ Mikatura's Saddle Ridge DNA-CP STDs "Sadi", red merle
~ WhoGonnaWearDaPants @ Mikatura DNA-VP
"Emma Jean", red merle
~ Mikatura's Cotton Ginny "Ginny", blue merle
~ Mikatura's Celtic Expression "Ghillian", blue merle
~ Rainbow Bridge - Sheesa, Dani, Molly
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Our
Aussie Pups: |
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Click here
for more information about available Aussies
Click here
for more information about our previous litters!
Click here to visit with our "home
grown" Shining Stars!
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Great Pyrenees: |
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Herding In Canada: |
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~ Stockdog judges ASCA / CKC / AHBA
~ Herding trainers & training facilities
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Available Aussies: |
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Please note, we
DO NOT breed so called "mini's" or
"toy's" and ask that you read the
following regarding them...
Recently there has been a rise in the movement to
breed so called “miniature”, and sadly, even a “toy” version of what
people would like you to believe are "variations" of the Australian
Shepherd. THEY ARE NOT!
Neither of these are recognized by any of the
official Australian Shepherd clubs/organizations. The Australian Shepherd
Club of America (ASCA), the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), the American
Kennel Club (AKC), nor the United States Australian Shepherd Association,
Inc. (USASA), recognize nor register these dogs. The dogs are only
recognized by their own breed clubs which have been formed since they
were denied recognition by the above clubs. They are NOT a 'variety'
of the true Australian Shepherd, they are a totally separate breed.
We do not breed "mini's"
or "toy's", will not allow our males to be
used to breed to a "mini" or "toy", and will not recommend a breeder to you because
we personally do not support the purposeful breeding of "miniature” or
“toy” dogs that are then passed off as Australian Shepherds.
We breed our Aussies to the ASCA standards of excellence. This club require all of their
members to abide by their rules and regulations and their Code of Ethics,
and to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the true
Australian Shepherd.
Our best advice...find a reputable breeder and get a
real Aussie!!!
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Aussie Rescue Canada:
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More information about Aussie Rescue and links
to available Aussies all across Canada as well as Lost & Found postings on
www.aussierescuecanada.com
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Information about Aussies:
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~ Is an Aussie right for you?
~ An Aussie
Profile
~ Aussie Genetics
~ Aussie Health |
~ Heartworm
~ Questions your
should ask a breeder
~ Our Prospective Puppy Owner questionnaire
~ Pet friendly accommodations
~
Health Warnings (for
all canines)
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About Us & Miscellaneous: |
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~ Mikatura's
history - our life with Aussies
~ Gallery - photos of the gang "down home"
on the farm
~ Aussie Breeders
Round The World
~ Aussie Stuff - gifts & collectibles
~ Plants that are Poison to your dog
~ Rodeo, Foss' favorite sport
~ Links to other great canine & equine sites |
~ Our horses & donkeys
~ Titles you
can earn with your dog
~ Witticisms - dog related funnies
~ Our wedding (August 1998)
~ Gallichan family reunion 2002
~ Awards our
website has won
~ Webrings
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Mikatura Design: |
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Ready to look after all your website
design needs! |
As part of our commitment to the Aussie breed, we are
proud members of:
Australian Shepherd Club of America
(ASCA)
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This dove shows our support for Cancer research & patients &
survivors everywhere
Work like you don't
need the money
Dance like nobody's watching, and
Love like you've never been hurt.
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This website is dedicated to
my Nan, Ethel (Bidmead) McLaughlin; my Mum, Helen Mary (McLaughlin) Higgs &
my beautiful "baby" sister Karen Judith (Higgs) Mior...three of the most
awesome ladies I've ever met and three strong women who shared my love of
animals. I miss you all but you are in my heart so you're never far
away. And also to my Dad, Eric Harry Higgs, who loved animals too but
more importantly loved the women in his life and gave us the support and
strength of character to do what we loved to do. I miss you too Pops!
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Our website is hosted with
Go Daddy
and we highly recommend their services!
We are very proud of this award
from the International Association of Web Masters & Designers
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