I grew up on a Quarter Horse Farm where my family raised, trained, showed, and bred quality quarter horses. The farm was "Powell's Misty Acres." My parents were both AQHA Judges for many, many years and my father, Larry, was a National Director of The American Quarter Horse Association. I grew up riding, training, and showing horses and playing Volleyball, Basketball, and Tennis…but since age 12 have always had an Aussie in my life! My parents, Larry and Nancy, took me to Hartnagles, then in Boulder Colorado. For my 12th Birthday they purchased a little Blue Merle Puppy out of HOF CH Las Rocosa Shiloh and HOF CH Las Rocosa Sadie Blue. This little girl, who was shipped to us in August of 1978, became the center of my world. Her registered name was Las Rocosa Sadie Lynn… and I became forever hooked on this breed of dog called the Australian Shepherd. Sadie lived a good life and we shared 15 special years together. Sadie died on October 12, 1993. She will forever be my most loyal and devoted friend.
Fast forward 45 plus years and Aussies have remained a constant in my life. In 2002 our family started competing with our Aussies (but had loved and been loyal to the breed since 1978). In 2003, I applied for the Loyal Spirit Kennel Name. We have had 5 litters total, in the last 25 years. One in 2003, one in 2005, one in 2007, and two in 2024.
Our family competes in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Agility, Dock Diving, Herding and we are training (not competing yet) in Scent Work and Tracking. Lana and Lance share their lives with Kai, Charm, and Wish and Lanae and Adam share their lives with Maya, Maverick, Missy, Mako, Milo, and Magnus. First and foremost, these beautiful, talented, athletic, intelligent, and devoted Aussies are very cherished family members.
Because of these dogs; our love of living with, training, and competing with them, we have met so many wonderful people along the way, some of who we consider our closest friends. So many gifts these wonderful dogs bring into our lives in so many unexpected ways. We are blessed by all the friendships made, lessons learned, joy, and happiness that sharing our lives with them has brought to our journey.