Mikatura's site is best viewed at 1900x 1200 pixels on
Internet Explorer!
Available Aussies
Our
Guys
Our Gals
Pups
Aussie
Info
FAQ's
Herding In Canada
Site Directory
Miscellaneous
Links
Home
Email Us
Mikatura Web Design
Home of ASCA & CKC titled working Aussies &
breeders of ASCA & CKC registered & titled working Aussies
& working Livestock Guardian Dogs! 
Mikatura®
is a small kennel located in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains
near Eckville, Alberta, Canada & is owned by Foss & Jeni Gallichan.
|
Some days you wake up in the morning and see sights like
the one above, a beautiful sunrise to put joy
in your day.
Then, another time, you spend
the entire day peeking out the office window as it pours rain and
blows like crazy...it's cold and driving home is definitely a
"stone" day...windy, pouring buckets, etc. but all of a sudden you
come up over the hill to your own valley and the day brightens, the
rain slows to a drizzle as you drive the mile and three quarters
north to the farm, slipping and sliding all the way in the mud. Out
of the van you climb, chuckling at the mud splashes all over the van
you just washed yesterday. Dump the groceries and all the other
paraphernalia you seem to have accumulated this week and outside you
go with the dogs. Then you fly back in and grab the first camera
that comes to hand because the day has suddenly turned into a
"diamond" day...not one, not two, but THREE rainbows are
happening!!!
Unfortunately by the time I got back outside the littlest rainbow
was already gone...but I hope you enjoy the beauty Foss and I
watched one September afternoon about 5:45. The rainbows only lasted
about 15 minutes then they were gone...but it was a beautiful night,
there were about 2 million stars in the sky and even a little bit of
the "northern lights" were showing tho' it's not yet time for them.
|
We
have owned Aussies for over twenty years & our goal is to promote not only the
Australian Shepherd breed but Aussies as an "all around" dog…a wonderful
companion, a beautiful conformation dog & an awesome herding dog.
We also have Great Pyrenees, the best Livestock Guardian Dogs around in our
opinion!
|
"Follow Your Dream...If a person does not keep pace with their companions,
perhaps it is because they hear a different drummer. Let them step to the music they hear,
however measured or far away." |
|
~ Henry David Thoreau |
The above quote really sums up our feelings...we
wish to ensure that we have Aussies with the ability not only
to obey the handler quickly & willingly, but also able to think for themselves when
necessary in a tricky situation, dogs that will fit in with most people's
dreams whatever they may be. We hope to be able to help you
follow your dream with an Aussie!
Our dogs are raised in our home, let us sleep on the bed
with them & are our constant companions. Our dogs are well
socialized & are truly great ambassadors of the breed, making friends
wherever they go! We breed only occasionally & only because we want to continue the
wonderful legacy of our dogs, beauty, brains, instinct & an enormous amount
of joy all rolled into one wiggle-butt package! Because we do breed only occasionally we are very careful in
choosing the homes that our puppies go to. Our questionnaire helps us to
know you, your family & your dreams, to help us bring you together with the
right puppy for you! We are obligated to our puppies for life & want them to
become a well-loved family member & to lead a happy, healthy & long life
with you. We hope you enjoy your visit on our website & come back often to
see what's new on the farm!
|
Once upon a time, a wolf sent a message to a
sheepdog:
"Tomorrow morning send me a lamb, for I have a guest coming.
Don't make me angry for I am a ferocious wolf and have no mercy;
Whatever I get my jaws on I squeeze blood from!"
The dog answered:
"I do not know you, but it is my duty to protect the sheep from you.
Even in difficult times, I will be the one to stand up to protect them.
I have not given up my pride and duty like some fools have.
It would be very degrading and difficult for me to fail in my job,
But, rather, I have in my able hands the means to protect these sheep.
I will not befriend any wolf, whatever the cost.
I am not afraid of any wolf attack for I am honest,
And I will never neglect my duty."
Translated from Arabic writing found in and around the border of
a 150 year old, Persian Tabriz rug |
We presently are "owned" by eleven Aussies, three Great Pyr's named Muffy, Reb
& baby Holly; a couple of dozen Runner & Rouen ducks; 100 or so
sheep, five horses, three donkeys, a small herd of cattle, a whole bunch of
feeder pigs,
about two dozen roaming Banty chickens & a half a dozen other really cute
"exotic" chickens just to brighten up our barnyard! You just
never know what the latest addition to the "funny farm" will be! :-)
We love talking to people and try and make
ourselves available to answer questions as much as we are able. We
also welcome people who want to learn more about Aussies or working a
stockdog or Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dogs. If you phone us and get the machine, please leave a message
so we can return your call! If you email, we'll get back to you as
soon as we can.
If you're thinking of getting an Aussie, please
click on the highlighted links to read our version of "Is
An Aussie Right For You?" and/or an "Aussie Profile".
We hope you enjoy your visit with us, our dogs & the
other critters around the farm...
please
come back & visit, we're always adding new things!
If you're looking to have a website designed, please
contact me for more information and a quotation!
One more quick note,
like the shoe-makers kids who went barefoot, our website is always the last
to be updated,
so if you see something 'weird' it's just because I'm always playing
catch-up with our site! :-)
|
If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me
in your heart,
I'll stay there forever.
~~
Winnie The Pooh |
 |
We DO NOT sell our puppies to pet shops, puppy
mills, or any animal wholesaler or testing facility. We interview all potential owners
very carefully so
please take the time to read & answer our
puppy buyer questionnaire which will start us
on the way to getting to know you better
& be better able to match you with the right puppy. Also we do not
raise "mini" Aussies and we are not interested in using our males to further
the breeding of this type of dog.
Our dogs & other pages on our site:
(please click on picture for link!)
|
 |
The Aussie Guys: |
|
~ Mikatura's Tuff E Nuff "Tuffy" -
red tri
~ CCK's Hank the Cow Dog "Hank", blue merle
~ Pincie Creek's Cowboyography "Griff"
- black bi
~ CCK's Snooseville Jim "Jim" - red bi
~ Rainbow Bridge - Dually, Joey, Spur, Tooke & Mirri
|
| |
|
 |
The Aussie Gals: |
|
~ TuckerCreek Ballad'O'SallyRose DNA-VP STDcs
OTDd
"SallyRose", red tri
~ Mikatura's U R MI SunChyne STDc OTDs ATDds "Chyne", red merle
~ Mikatura's Saddle Ridge DNA-CP "Sadi", red merle
~ WhoGonnaWearDaPants @ Mikatura "Emma Jean", red merle
~ Mikatura's Cotton Ginny "Ginny", blue merle
~ LasRocosa GudGolyMissMolly STDcds "Molly", black tri
~ Las Rocosa Moonshadow Dancer "Dani",
red tri
~ Rainbow Bridge - Sheesa & Mullen
|
| |
|
 |
Our
Aussie Pups: |
|
|
Click here
for more information about available Aussies
Click here for more information about our
past litters
Click here to visit with our "home
grown" Shining Stars!
Previous Litters:
~ (EmmaJean x Tuffy ~ 2007) ~ Bailey,
Belle, Hannah, Mason, Nasha, Trigger, Wyatt
~ (Sadi x Máel
Dúin ~ 2007) ~ Baya, Ginny, Inu & Wylee
~ (Chyne x Tuffy ~ 2006) ~
Buddy, Charley,
Hunter, Jen, Mik, Odin, River, Rogue, Sadie
~ (SallyRose x Dually ~ 2006) ~ Jax, Mikata, Joey, Tiki, Rio
& Lacy
~ (Sadi x Tuffy ~ 2006) ~ Sedona, Emma Jean, Pyper,
Dusty, Ember, Billie & Spur
~ (SallyRose x Dually ~ 2004) ~ Máel
Dúin, Raine, Moon, Poppy, Tuffy & Mickey
~ (SallyRose x Ceilidh ~ 2003) ~ Sadi, Ella, Mustang Sally, Ruby, Mandy, Annie & Pan
~ (Molly x Ceilidh ~ 2002) ~ Chyne, Cutter, Miri, Reno & Tooke
~ (Molly x Dually ~ 2000)
~ Chiquita, Dodger, Emmy, Skye & Walker
Click here
for more information about our previous litters!
|
| |
|
 |
Great Pyrenees: |
|
|
Livestock
Guardian Dogs
|
|
|
|
|
Herding In Canada: |
|
~ Calendar
of Canadian Events
~ Stockdog judges ASCA / CKC / AHBA
~ Herding trainers & training facilities
|
| |
|
|
Available Aussies: |
|
|
|
Please note, we do NOT breed minis and ask that you read the
following regarding 'mini' Aussies...
Recently there has been a rise in the movement to
breed so called “miniature”, and sadly, even a “toy” version of the Australian
Shepherd.
Neither of these are recognized by any of the
official Australian Shepherd clubs/organizations. The Australian Shepherd
Club of America (ASCA), the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), the American
Kennel Club (AKC), nor the United States Australian Shepherd Association,
Inc. (USASA), recognize nor register these dogs. The dogs are only
recognized by their own breed clubs which have been formed since they
were denied recognition by the above clubs. They are NOT a 'variety'
of the true Australian Shepherd, they are a totally separate breed.
We do not breed "mini's", will not allow our males to be
used to breed to a "mini" and will not recommend a breeder to you because
we personally do not support the purposeful breeding of "miniature” or
“toy” dogs that are then passed off as Australian Shepherds. We breed our Aussies to the ASCA and CKC
recognized standards of excellence. These clubs require all of their
members to abide by their rules and regulations and their Code of Ethics,
and to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the true
Australian Shepherd.
If you are looking for a miniature we suggest you try
the following links:
Miniature
Australian Shepherd Club of America
North American
Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA, Inc.
|
|
| |
|
|
Aussie Rescue Canada:
|
|
More information about Aussie Rescue and links
to available Aussies all across Canada as well as Lost & Found postings on
www.aussierescuecanada.com
|
| |
|
|
Information about Aussies:
|
|
~ Is an Aussie right for you?
~ An Aussie
Profile
~ Aussie Genetics
~ Aussie Health |
~ Heartworm
~ Questions your
should ask a breeder
~ Our Prospective Puppy Owner questionnaire
~ Pet friendly accommodations
|
| |
|
About Us: |
|
~ Mikatura's
history - our life with Aussies
~ Gallery - photos of the gang "down
home" on the farm |
~ Awards our
website has won
~ Links to other great canine & equine sites
~ Webrings
|
| |
|
|
Miscellaneous: |
|
Please read our page
Are you feeding your dog "Death In A Bag"?
for more information about pet foods and the huge recall on hundreds of
pet foods in early 2007.
~ Aussie Breeders
Round The World
~ Aussie Stuff - gifts & collectibles
~ Plants that are Poison to your dog |
~ Our horses & donkeys
~ Titles you
can earn with your dog
~ Witticisms - dog related funnies
~ Our wedding (August 1998)
~ Gallichan family reunion 2002
~ Rodeo, Foss' favorite sport
|
|
|
|
 |
Mikatura Design: |
|
Ready to look after all your website
design needs! |
As part of our commitment to the Aussie breed, we are
proud members of:
Australian Shepherd Club of America
(ASCA)
Working Australian Shepherd Club of Alberta (WASCA)
in 2008 Jeni is again President & Foss is a Director of the club.
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
Feather River Australian Shepherd Club
We are also proud to be supporters of...
Ten Steps to a Healthier Australian Shepherd Breed
 |
This dove shows our support for Cancer research & patients &
survivors everywhere
Work like you don't
need the money
Dance like nobody's watching, and
Love like you've never been hurt.
|
This website is dedicated to
my Nan, Ethel (Bidmead) McLaughlin; my Mum, Helen Mary (McLaughlin) Higgs &
my beautiful "baby" sister Karen Judith (Higgs) Mior...three of the most
awesome ladies I've ever met and three strong women who shared my love of
animals. I miss you all but you are in my heart so you're never far
away. And also to my Dad, Eric Harry Higgs, who loved animals too but
more importantly loved the women in his life and gave us the support and
strength of character to do what we loved to do. I miss you Pops! |
Last updated
01 July 2008 02:39 PM
Our website is hosted with
Go Daddy
and we highly recommend their services!
We're proud to be listed as one of Canada's Best Family Safe web sites |
|
Internet Content Rating Association |
Mbp Canada
-
An excellent search resource for Canadians!
We are very proud of this award
from the International Association of Web Masters & Designers |
 |
|