Our journey with dogs began many years ago. But first for the introductions; My name is Carol. that's me in the photo. U2 Kennels is owned and operated by myself and my wonderful husband Tim. I was born and raised farming in central Alberta. My dad was an accomplished dog and horse trainer, and I was blessed to benefit from his wisdom through the years. When I was 13, I was so very excited to receive a beautiful WestiePoo puppy for my birthday! Cori became my very dear companion and friend for a very long canine life of 19 years, seeing me through marriage at the age of 19 and the subsequent additions of three beautiful children. With Cori began a love and appreciation for these “little white dogs”— Westies and WestiePoos! But that was only the beginning of my journey with “man’s best friend”!
The next steps in my journey began when I ventured into the world of the working stock dog! For a period of about 16 years I had the joy of working with and learning from many beautiful Border Collies. I attended many stock dog training clinics and worked with my dogs on our farm as they assisted us with our cattle. At the end of that period of my life, I had put on several clinics of my own, teaching people the basics of understanding and working with these amazing dogs. Several of the dogs I raised and trained were purchased by attendees of my clinics. All went on to become valuable members of families and farming operations. Through those years I developed a huge love and respect for the working Border Collie.
There have been many changes in the journey called life, but one thing that has remained is my love for dogs! My husband and I are so pleased to now be able to own, love, learn from and work with Border Collies, Maremmas, and West Highland White Terriers! On our farming operation west of Beaverlodge AB, we raise lamb and work and play with our dogs and horses! My husband Tim has come to love all of these breeds as well, and to appreciate the unique qualities that each possess. He is such a blessing, as he has built facilities for the dogs, fed and exercised dogs, travelled around to find just the right additions to our kennel, and built relationship with each and every one of them!
** Update**
Life, of course, continues to change! We have now sold our flock. We still have a small number of sheep who are part of my “dog training team”! Our two Maremmas still protect them, as well as everyone else on our yard! We do not raise Maremmas at this time.
We have been so enjoying sharing what we have been building and watching our puppies grow up and enrich the lives of their families! We have raised one Ann/Ben litter and two Ann/Bill litters. (Elvin Kopps Bill, of That’ll Do Ranch). We have kept a beautiful black and white short haired female from the last Ann/Bill litter, named Jane! She is an absolute delight! I am so excited to see her grow up, train her, and eventually cross her with Ben! She is extremely intelligent and will be so fun to work with!
We have purchased a beautiful apricot miniature purebred Poodle male and will be raising WestiePoos as well!I am super excited about this cross! My original little white terrier was a WestiePoo. I am excited to see the little cuties this cross will undoubtedly produce, as well as to add the benefits of hybrid vigour and the non-shedding and superior intelligence and train ability of the Poodle to our babies!
Along with the joy, we have recently experienced grief and loss. I am so very sad to write that on March 28/21 we lost our beautiful Minnie.😔😢 I am weeping still over her, even as I write this. Our early spring pasture for our flock is close to the house. The Gaurdians will periodically tour through the yard and check on everything there when the flock is in this pasture. Minnie unfortunately went out on the road on one of her tours and was hit by a truck and killed. I am so so sad that we lost her.It makes her eleven babies that ore out there even more precious, as there won’t be any more from her.