Just a bit about me.....

Well, I'm Sheila Gay, happily married to Chris since 1972 and the proud mother of Robert (b 1974) and Richard (b 1976). Our sons have grown up and flown the nest, but we're delighted to report that they visit us frequently. We're not entirely sure just how we managed to produce two such wonderful people!

We live in the historic market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Our house is situated on the outskirts of the town, overlooking the beautiful Warwickshire countryside.

I've kept dogs since the 1970s and Border Collies exclusively since the early 80s. I first started in competition Obedience with two crossbreeds, Hector and Juno. A win or two at just a low level and I was hooked! Obedience was my first love and I worked Rainbowzend at Wizaland in Darian (Zendi) in `C` and her daughter Darian Sundown (Sunny) in `A` and `B`. Although I no longer compete in or judge the sport, it remains a great interest of mine.

I was granted the 'Darian' affix in 1987 and bred my first litter in December of that year. My aim, always, is to breed Border Collies that can work. I also aim for sound construction, freedom from hereditary diseases and, paramount, good temperament. I have judged Borders in the conformation ring since 1994 (and now judge the breed at Championship level) and occasionally also judge Bearded Collies, Rough Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.

Along the way, I've made some very good friends both here in the UK and abroad - the world is full of Border Collie addicts!

~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~

I did the Art College thing after leaving school but didn't use my training commercially until my sons were in their teens, when I started up an animal portrait business, working in pastel and pencil. Actually, the business came about purely by accident when friends asked me to do portraits of their dogs. Eventually I was getting more work than one person could handle and what had been a fun thing to do became pressure-filled and stressful. The creative joy, the whole point of the exercise, had gone, so I wound it all down.

I'd started a web site in late 2000 for the Darian Border Collies but back then I didn't know a mouse's nose from his tail. As time went on I became really dissatisfied with the designs available to me. Time to start experimenting, time for the birth of Darian Web Design................and here I am, building websites for other people and clubs too. Follow the Web Design link in the menu above to see what I get up to when I'm not busy with my dogs!

~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~

Visit BCs by Saraband or Saraband, my Online Stores for great products including T shirts, mousepads & more, featuring Border Collies, Skating Penguins, Cool Brit, Cockney Kitsch, Olde England & other superb designs!

© Darian Web Design ~ Darian Border Collies ~ Sheila Gay. All rights reserved.