Spin (Woodland's Spin) was an extremely versatile Border Collie. He was owned by Marge Henderson.  Spin's true calling was Flyball racing. Since he started racing at the age of one year, Spin had earned numerous flyball titles, including the prestigious ONYX award for 20,000 points.  He possessed high intelligence, a superb work ethic and was built for speed and endurance. In herding, Spin titled in AHBA and AKC with many blue ribbons. His highest award was High Combined Sheep and Cattle at the Sand and Sea trial in Ventura, CA in 1999. Spin was a very talented herder. His style was a combination of power, natural outrun and balance, and a willingness to do his master's bidding. As an agility dog Spin was successful in very limited showing. Karen and Kate Moureaux  handled him since 1998 and he got his AAD, AX and OAJ titles as well as a top ten placement at the USDAA Grand Prix Nationals in 1999.
 
 

Spin went to the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday, April 17th, 2002 where he has joined his mother Meggan.   The emptiness caused by his passing will be sorely felt by all of us in the flyball, agility & herding communities.   Marge, please accept the heartfelt condolences from all of us.

Some words from a few of Spin's legion of fans:-

I was the sole handler of Spin in herding, and as a licensed AKC herding judge who has seen and handled many dogs, it was a great pleasure working with Spin as he had so much talent and was willing to learn.  He was just beginning to trial in advanced competitions when we lost him -- and the only reason he didn't go farther in herding any sooner was solely because he was so intensely busy with other competitive activities.  He switched gears readily when he came to herding, and the talent of his forefathers shone through to him as he masterfully could gather, turn and drive sheep comfortably in any direction with great ease.  I had confidence we would have had no trouble completing his AKC herding championship.  Spin performed like a champ until the very end, and one could never guess his age from the way he worked his livestock.  He never lost his enthusiasm, never lost his spirit, always performing with a great attitude, even though sometimes a little stubborn! When he received his first place in cattle and got high combined at the Sand and Sea Trial, he had never seen cattle before, exhibiting an amazing job with them, as they were not easy to work and would try to challenge the dogs.  Spin has left behind some offspring that are following in his footsteps, and hopefully will be able to fill his shoes, but it won't be easy!   I worked with Spin and Marge on the "Super Dogs" show and Spin really helped carry the show, always giving a brilliant and crowd-pleasing performance. We will miss him terribly.
Janna Duncan Ondrak
 

It's hard for me to believe Spin's gone.  I remember him in the xpen at shows dropping toys over the edge and luring unsuspecting people to give the toy back only to drop it over again.  I remember him on the agility course heading to the weave poles every chance he got whether it was the correct course or not.  He was a great dog.  Easy to train, easy to be around and always ready to play.  He was a perfect gentleman and a pleasure to know.  I am very lucky that he lives on in my pups.
Karen Moureaux.
 

Spin was the most incredible dog I've ever had the privilege of knowing.    If he was human, he'd be the PERFECT man.
Allison McKee
 

I agree with Allison - I always thought that Spin was the Mel Gibson of dogs.  Handsome, talented, charming, ever so slightly roguish. He will be missed, and I will always remember him with a smile.
Jenny Oltman Staton
 

Spin was a Renaissance dog.  He had it all - looks, breeding,  temperament, heart.   And he always gave everything his all, from herding  to flyball to obedience to agility.   He fathered wonderful puppies.  And most of all, he loved Marge.  How we will all miss you, Spin.
Kris Pickering
 

I don't really know much about Spin except that he was super nice and sired a lot of awesome puppies.  By the time I came to flyball, he had just about retired and I never saw him run in agility.  What I do know about him is that he was the sweetest, most giving dog I've ever met.  There was not a mean bone in that dog's body. What was also unique about him is that he could throw that incredible drive of his to his pups. He was a really special dog and I'll miss him a lot.
Stacey Fleischer
 

What can you say about a dog that "had it all" ?  I can honestly say that if I had to rank all of the dogs I have known in my life,  including all of my own, Spin  would have the top spot.  He was a perfect gentleman, always.  If you asked him for 100,  he gave you 150, always,  to anyone who asked.  I never saw him when he wasn't smiling.  He would give you a quick smile  and acknowledgment but he had far too many things on his mind for trivialities.
"But do you want me to herd those sheep,  or run that agility course, or play flyball, or pull that silly pad out from under a dog to    entertain my adoring public?  I can do that."
God speed, Spin.
Phyllis Cardoza and your sister "Ruby"
 

Spin was one of the very first border collie we ever met and meeting him made us glad we had a border collie and inspired us to make Flyball a part of our lives.  Spin had it all - Fantastic drive, intelligence, temperment and heart.  I will always think of Spin as the ideal dog, we will always miss him.
Bob and Ginny Haas
 

Only knowing Spin in his golden years, I know he must have been awesome in his prime.    He could out run and out catch even the younger dogs; and he never barked, not even once.
Jo Humphrey
 

Not sure what to say.  What I remember about Spin was that he just wanted to get the ball.   I guess that says it all?
Grant Janssen
 

When I think of Woodlands Spin, I think of a HIGH drive dog, with the heart and temperament of gold.   Spin would work non-stop if you let him, was as intense as they come, but was always one of the nicest dogs to   be around - just like his mother Meg.  He was gentle with children, and I NEVER saw him so much as lift a lip to an annoying puppy or another dog bothering him.  I am so glad that we have Spin's legacy living on with all of his offspring - and grandchildren to come!!
Jackie Gillies
 

Spin was a dog in a million - and that number includes the Divine Miss Freckles and the Handsome Mr. Jaxson.  We shall miss you terribly, Spin.
The Jouberts
 

Thanks for letting me know about Spin, and please pass back to Marge my condolences if you contact her.  He was a wonderful dog and I always liked watching him work.  He is being carried on through his puppies who are also a joy to watch.
Melodie Sudick
 

I didn't know Spin that well personally, but what I did see I admired.  The few times I was in his company he was quite the character, dropping his tennis ball over the side of the ex-pen to have you toss it back to him.  While I didn't know Spin that well, I have the priveledge of being owned by one of his daughters, Windy.  She truly exemplifies the true spirit of Spin and I am so fortunate to have her as my agility partner and bed warmer!
Kathy Marshall
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 A pet's bequest to his owner:
"To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all."  For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave you. For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly. For all these things I am grateful and thankful. I ask that you grieve not for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today, I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures. I can run, jump, play and do all the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints, no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours.Companions such as you are so rare and so unique. Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like meand then I will live forever. For love never really dies; and you ARE loved and missed as surely as we are.

by Ken D. Conover
 
 
 

Last Modified: May, 2002
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