One winter day, while I was listening to the ding-ding-ding as the gas bar attendant filled my van, I found myself studying the reverse side of our colourful, decorative Canadian dollar bills. While the beautiful artwork of the various birds had always appealed to me, the $2.00 bill with the two robins had an obviously personal association for me. For the first time, I looked beyond the robins to the words below: Robin -Merle D'amerique.

I actually laughed aloud as the answer of the kennel name had been before me all the time.

The parallels between the robin and the Aussie, the American Merle, are amazing. Only by coincidence is "Robin" also my name.

ROBIN - merle d'amerique, American merle. The American Robin is a popular bird. The adults are tri-coloured: black, rustic-copper, and white, while the juveniles are always merled or spotted. The Robin is widely distributed in North America, has a vast range of tastes and covers it's nest with mud. They have a pleasing personality and are a harbinger of spring. The Robin is regarded as the first sign of spring.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD - American merle, merle d'amerique? The Australian Shepherd is an increasingly popular dog. They are usually tri-coloured; black, copper and white, but better known for their merling pattern. The Aussie is a breed developed in America and is often identified as the American Merle. The Aussies' tastes are varied (yes, even worms!) and wow! Do they love mud. They are willing to please, have personality plus, and are in a state of perpetual spring fever. With an Australian Shepherd, every day is the first day of spring.

Prior to maturing into motherhood at the age of 30, I had been a Professional Ballet Dancer all of my life. Dancing never leaves ones blood. A lifetime of physical demands - expending determined energy for up to 12 hours a day - as well as the mental focus and challenges, do not just "go away." It all needs to be rechannelled. While raising 3 energetic boys appropriately corresponded to my "past life" programming, it was "the Aussie" that complimented and fulfilled the picture.

When I began looking for an Australian Shepherd almost 7 years ago, it was not a new breed to me. While part of my Aussie passion is undeniably an extension of my childhood loved and never forgotten Collie, another part seems to be that one movie that I saw when I was 8 years old: "Run Appaloosa Run." For years I searched to be able to see it again... only 1 1/2 years ago did I discover that the Appaloosas were Dr. Welden T. Heards' (Flintridge!) - though the Aussies in the movie were not his.

My other long time "connection" to this breed is a treasured photo of a blue merle Aussie that appeared in a "Life" magazine article on Rare Breed Dogs in 1978, believe. Twenty years later, I still have that photo.

The Aussie seems to have been with me for a long time. It is not simply their beauty of their incredible intelligence that "calls" me, but their physicality. They have superb dancer-like agility - and drive! Gotta Dance! My how I can relate to this breed!

Fortunately, our Aussies can relate to our family on several different levels... from "find the kids," "bring the shoes," "clean up" (Dots' specialty), "catch the (snow) ball," "snuggle up,"...as well as all the usual Aussie antics. And in Dad and Dots' special relationship? - sharing supper, sharing the chair AND the newspaper .

We need our Aussies! Their endless spirit, their incredible sense of humor, their absolute love of life, is a continued inspiration. They truly enhance our lives.

For me personally? I believe I have finally been successfully "rechannelled."