The snow measured a smidge under 5 inches on our deck but not that deep on the grass. Very wet, so made for some beautiful scenery.

An amazing chain of events brought about this Christmas Miracle.  Back in October a family contacted rescue about taking in their collie, Scarlett.    During this time they were trying their best to keep her however the husband works out of town and the wife is expecting their second child.  Finally Friday the 18th they decided it was time to bring Scarlett and let her find a new home.  I was assured Scarlett was a special girl and also a certified therapy dog.

Saturday afternoon I placed Scarlett’s picture on our website and thirty minutes later an application came in from the Blackmans.   They have two daughters, Anna eight and Lilly five.  As I read over the application the tears started to pour and knew God’s hand was truly at work again.   You see, Lilly is neutropenic (low immune system post chemotherapy) right now and here is Scarlett looking for a job where she can use her skills.

Tuesday the 22nd, Gray took Scarlett to meet the family and make sure she would be a good fit.  However there was never a doubt in anyone’s mind that this was meant to be.  This Christmas day Cindy and I had the privilege of taking Scarlett to her new home.  We were so lucky to play apart in this Christmas Miracle.

CRC has reached 109 adoptions as we head into the end of the year. That’s a record! You have helped more dogs, united more people with loving companions, and touched more lives than any year previous. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. Whether you told a friend where to find the collie they always wanted, made a donation, fostered a dog, or volunteered a skill you made our biggest year ever happen.

In addition to record numbers of adoptions, improvements have been made to the website and the line of products offered there. This is your hard work showing. CRC has no paid employees. Everything that happens, the adoptions, the fundraising, the website, the unique products only CRC sells . . . it all comes down hands like yours, doing what you can because you care. If you look to the right of this page you’ll find a slide show of this year’s adoptees. You’ll also find our donation button. If you’d like to donate time or special skills to CRC you can contact us. You can also reach us by mail at:

Collie Rescue
P.O. Box 5691
Winston-Salem, NC 27113

You can see all our new family members here.

Everyone is invited to the Collie Rescue Reunion on November 7, 2009.  If you have rescued a collie, have a collie, help with collie rescue or want to meet collies, you are invited.  As always it will be at 4607 N. NC 62, Burlington, NC 27217.  Should you have any problems finding it call 336-391-6375.  Directions from the Charlotte and Raleigh areas will be at the bottom.  If additional directions are needed please contact us.

We are a little short on hotels that will allow dogs and here is the list I found.  I personally plan to stay at the Quality Inn.

Quality Inn (NC396)

2444 Maple Avenue , Burlington, NC, US, 27216 | Phone: (336) 229-5203

$25.00 pet fee.  Tell them Martha said to wave the cleaning fee.

Econo Lodge (NC415)

2133 W. Hanford Rd. , Burlington, NC, US, 27215 | Phone: (336) 227-1270

Motel 6

2155 Hanford Road, Burlington, NC 27215  Phone 336-226-1325

All dogs must have on a secure collar or choker and be current on his/her vaccinations.  Please bring a crate or exercise pen for your dog to take a break, if needed.  Also, please be sure to bring a chair for yourselves.

The sheep are grumbling among themselves about that sheep chasing event that we always have (or as we humans call it  - the herding event) and it will start early at 8:00 a.m. – so be sure to come early to sign up if you want to let your dog try out his/her talent at sheep herding.    It will be held on a first come, first served basis.  Even if you are not signing up for this event, come early and watch the other dogs give it a try.

Lunch will be provided by Collie Rescue.  We will be putting the hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill around noon time and will also be serving a side or two, all the fixings and chips.  Please bring a dessert to add to the dessert table or any other side dish you would like to add.  We would request that a donation be made towards lunch . . . we will have a donation jug on the table and would appreciate your help to defray the cost.

We are also looking for a few volunteers to help fire up the grills and “flip” the burgers and hotdogs.  Any wanna-be chefs out there that would like to help out?  Let us know.  Will also need volunteers to work the booth, help at the herding table, help set up lunch.  All helps will receive a free t-shirt.  Please reply to Jean Smith at jsmith27107@triad.rr.com if you would like to volunteer.

There will be other events throughout the day as well – games for you and your dog to enjoy together and more, and as these are firmed up, we will keep you posted. We will give you a few hints though . . . you might want to practice up on your “musical sits” – it’s like musical chairs but your dog has to sit when the music stops. As always, we will have our CRC booth with our merchandise for sale . . . including the new Sweatshirts in all the great new colors.

Pennie will be keeping the list of folks planning on attending, as well as the four legged friends (and any three-legged ones as well!)  Also, if you would like to bring something to add to the lunch table, you can also let her know that too.  So please RSVP to her @ pennierunyon@yahoo.com if you are coming with your people count (and names) as well as the dog count (and names).

Look forward to seeing you all in Burlington on November 7th

From Charlotte and points from the West

Merge onto I-85 N via EXIT 13A toward GREENSBORO   106 ml

Take the NC-62 exit, EXIT 143, toward BURLINGTON/DOWNTOWN/ALAMANCE .02 ml

Turn LEFT onto NC-62/ALAMANCE RD   1.3 ml

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S CHURCH ST/US-70 E/NC-62 N.   2.0 ml

Turn LEFT onto NC-62/W HOLT ST. Continue to follow NC-62.  3.9 ml

House is one mile past McCray Mini Market

From Raleigh and points from the East

I85 / I40 south towards Burlington

Exit 150 (Haw River)  approx 12-14 miles to farm

Right past the Truck Stops, cross over Hwy 70 to next signal

Right onto Hwy 49 (sign says to Roxboro)

Left on McCray Rd (Huff’s Mini mart on corner)

Follow to stop sign intersecting with Hwy 62  (McCray Mini Mart)

Turn Right onto Hwy 62

House is one mile past McCray Mini Market