About Us...

Serena: My mother Pam read all of Albert Payson Terhune's books as a child and wanted a Collie (don't we all?) but realized a Collie was too big for her life style, as she lived in an apartment.  In 1969 my great grandmother purchased a sable and white puppy out of Kensil's Gold Dust from Sylvia of Kensil's, and when my mom saw M"Lass.. that was it--love at first sight!  She began her search for a Sheltie right then. Shortly afterwards a veterinarian friend called her.  He  told my mom he had a sweet little Sheltie that had been found almost dead on the street with her young pups.  He said he should put her to sleep, but after the courage the little girl had shown he couldn't.  It turned out that she had come from a puppy mill, but because someone had made a mistake and let her get in with the Schnauzer her pups were mixed breeds, and therefore she was "ruined" (thank Heaven for old wive's tales!).  They threw her and her pups out to die, and when she persisted in returning her family to the only place (one could not call it a "home"!) she knew, they shot her. She dragged her pups to the highway, and was found by a passing motorist.  At the time he stopped there were 3 pups at the side of the road, but when he tried to catch the mother, she ran away, reappearing a short time later with a 4th pup.  The gentleman picked them up and took her to the animal shelter where my mom's friend was the veterinarian, as well as director of county animal control.   When animal control investigated, they found dogs in tiny chicken wire pens with no food or dishes in evidence, and only thick mud , if anything, in the bottom of their water dishes.  All of the dogs, along with their AKC registration papers were confiscated. My mom's friend, knowing she wanted a Sheltie, then called and asked if my mom could take her and let her live out her last few days loved.  My mom gladly took her, despite the fact that any resemblance between her and a Sheltie was purely fictional.  She was 7 pounds at 14 inches, hairless, black with mud and blood, and so weak she could barely stand, and this was her fifth litter (at age 3).  Mom bathed her (and was totally shocked to discover she was a prettily marked sable and white, dressed her wounds, put her into the bed my dad had made for her, and named her Jubilee.  Mom hand-fed her baby food until she gained enough strength to eat on her own.  After a week Jubilee was still alive, and even beginning to gain weight.  She had open sores that wouldn't heal, despite all the care my mom, who was a surgical nurse, gave her so when she was stronger she went back to the vet.  It turned out that the bullets were still in the wounds they had made.  They performed surgery on Jubilee to remove the bullets, and she lived to the ripe old age of 161/2  (You can see her on our memorial page)!  She started my mother's love affair with Shelties, and I was raised on Shelties.  Thank you, Jubilee for a wonderful Legacy!  That was 29 years ago.....

Pam:  Serena's first time into the ring was at a match at 3 years of age.  She began showing in 4-H in obedience, showmanship (conformation), and herding as soon as she was eligible as far as age went. She was a consistent county medalist in 4-H, and one of the top Jr. handlers in California. She continued in both 4-H and Jr.s until she"graduated" to the adult classes, and is still the "official handler" for Shantel, showing in conformation, obedience, herding, agility, and tracking.  She also trains and shows for others.  Among others, she showed Shantel's Desert Fire to his International Championship for his owner, Sandi Couch of Cactus Corners, and has trained Search and Rescue  dogs, therapy dogs, assistance dogs, and hearing dogs for various owners.

So now here we are...My dad having passed away,  my mom  (Pam) and I (Serena) together are Shantel Shelties.  My mother's kennel name was Shiloh, and her blue merle, Shiloh (also on our memorial page), was the first of our AOAC's (Blue Merle, Tricolor, Bi black and Bi blue), which we now specialize in (with a few "token" sables).  When I started breeding about 10 years ago.. we realized there were suddenly several Shiloh kennels (in various breeds) so we changed our kennel name to Shantel (my middle name).

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