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Meet Rita: Little dog has big paw prints to fill at Lantern Hill

June 26, 2007

Many of you remember our intrepid spokesdogs, Sadie and Bob (left), from their magazine appearances on behalf of Lantern Hill Farm’s sales consignments.

Bob came into Farm Manager Rachel Holden’s life eight years ago, when she went to buy a goldfish and instead met Bob at a booth sponsored by the Paris Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Even now, Bob jumps into farm water tanks to prove to Rachel that he can BE a fish.
 
Nine-year-old Sadie is the sixth collie at Lantern Hill for Owner/General Manager Suzi Shoemaker, who has owned a collie since she was 12. (In fact, the horses are chasing a collie in the Lantern Hill logo.) 
 
When Bob and Sadie are not busy posing for photos, you will find these dedicated dogs taking care of farm security, customer relations, stall inspections, midnight foalings, breeding shed trips, sales set-ups and supervising yearlings as they pony or work in the round pen. Sadie and Bob are also an accomplished pinhooking team, and they want everyone to know that they receive more fan mail and Christmas packages than all of the Lantern Hill barn cats combined.
 
However, last fall after the sales, Bob announced that he wanted to spend less time in the spotlight so he could sleep. Sadie didn’t argue. After careful discussion, it was decided to find a Puppy Assistant for Bob and Sadie.
 
A nationwide search ensued to find the perfect breed, and we are happy to announce that a Cardigan Welsh CorgiRita Rooney (above right), joined Bob and Sadie on the farm in March. Rita comes from the breeding program of Robin and Frank Mello’s Spotted Fox Cardigans in Centertown, Kentucky. 
 
Under the watchful eyes of both older dogs, Rita is learning all the important stuff first: eating, sleeping, playing, sleeping, eating, playing, sleeping. There’s plenty of time for that farm management stuff later.