The "Lassie" link to the Montana Collie Rescue 2002

On October 31, 2002 Athena Lethcoe-Harman and Jon Harman from Valiant Collies in Alaska were arrested at the Canada/Montana border and charged with 182 counts of animal cruelty. More than 170 dogs and 11 cats were packed top to bottom in a semi trailer, sick and living in over 4 inches of their own waste. The animals had been traveling in the semi for at least 9 days. They were packed so tight there was no way to feed, water or exercise the dogs. One dog was found dead, most had to be carried out of the truck due to emaciation and illness, a number had to be carried because they were too weak to walk.  Their coats are matted with fecal matter.   A pregnant bitches gave birth to a litter of pups right after they were confiscated.  These animals were seized by authorities and were in need of medical care, food and grooming while their owners awaited trial..

What most people don't know is there was a Lassie link to the Montana Collie Rescue.

Rudd Weatherwax had a long standing relationship with the well respected "Collie Review" magazine when it was owned by the Druckers. The Druckers would often help Rudd to find quality dogs to breed with for the next Lassie, and was always kind to Rudd and Lassie in their publication.. After many years they retired and sold the "Collie Review" to Leslie Rugg. (Editor note: The Collie Review is no longer published) Leslie evidently attempted to fill the void of the Druckers and suggested Athena Lethcoe-Harman and Valiant collies as breeding partners for the first litter of Lassie 8. After seeing video tapes and other information, Valiant Chantilly Lace (Lacey) was the dog that was sent from Alaska to breed with Lassie. There were reports in the collie world that Athena kept "a lot of dogs" in Alaska, but nobody knew for sure what the conditions were like. At one point a visitor to the Valiant kennels had posted photos on line of horrible conditions but they were dismissed as a disgruntled buyer who didn't get the dog they wanted. Athena was also very active in many collie groups and presented herself as a caring, responsible breeder, and many were taken in by her online persona.

Lacey was a wonderful dog with a sweet disposition and it was hard not to love her. She produced healthy, normal eyed pups, many with the markings required to be Lassie. Ten pups were born in that litter, including the current Lassie, HeyHey, Cathy's Gina, Joan's Laddie and Ace Collins' Shelby. Bob gave or adopted most of the pups the first year, except Laddie, who he kept on his premises as a possible backup dog. Laddie was the spitting image of his dad, Lassie 8, with a more narrow blaze. Laddie remained with Bob until 1998 when he went to Canada with Carol and HeyHey as a possible backup for the series.

On November 1, 2002, as soon as the news was out that the collies seized were from Valiant, lassie.net sprang into action. In addition to being concerned about the welfare of Lacey (who was one of the dogs seized), and helping to raise money for the care of the dogs, they painstakingly tried to keep the Lassie connection from being known. Had that information come out, Athena may have swayed some on the jury that she couldn't possibly be guilty if she was chosen to breed with Lassie. lassie.net contacted Jean Leavitt and Bethany Burke of the AWCA who were spearheading the care and rescue of the dogs and also the prosecuting attorney, so that he would be prepared in the event she tried to use this as part of her defense. Almost a year later, Athena and her husband were found guilty of all charges and the dogs could then be adopted out.

Thanks to photos that Carol Riggins had of Lacey from when the pups were born, and that we had when she was on the premises when we first met Bob, we were able to identify Lacey, even though she was severely matted and underweight. We were able to keep abreast of Lacey's condition and care through many loyal volunteers in Shelby, MT, as we hoped for a wonderful forever home for Lacey, and the chance to keep track of her for the rest of her life. About that time one of the other pup owners from the first litter of Lassie felt a calling to adopt her dog's mother. This was a perfect solution because she could offer the best possible home, was right down the road from Carol, and we could all visit whenever we wanted. Again with the help of Jean Leavitt and Bethany Burke, and references from Carol, Cathy and Joan, we were able to reunite Lacey with her son and her forever home, where she lived a full, happy, healthy life for the remainder of her days. Many "pup reunions" were held in the years that followed where Lacey reunited with some of the puppies on the west coast that she had given birth to that were sired by Lassie 8, along with other Lassie pups from other litters that have become a big, extended family. Lacey also lived long enough to see a new member join her family, her grandson, a 10th generation direct descendant of Lassie.

Lacey's story, from her new owner, and photos of her and her son Buster, can be seen here