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Mad Dash Books began with my interest in Australian Cattle Dogs.  When I saw my first Australian Cattle Dog in 1980, I was intrigued.  This short, fine-boned dog with a bob-tail was the strangest dog I had ever seen.  About 30 pounds with a mixed blue coat, it both appealed to me and mystified me.  Later I learned that the term “McNiven” and also “blue heeler” applied.  But for that time, I only knew I loved those dogs.  It was only when I traveled to Australia in 1988, that I knew there was anything different about my dogs. In Australia I learned that what I had was a cross of Australian Cattle Dog, probably some dingo, and some Australian Stumpy Tail.  What I saw in Australia astounded me.  The dogs I saw there were larger, heavier boned, with blockier heads.  I saw long tails, bottle-brush tails as was explained to me. To make a long story short, I came home with four Tallawong Australian Cattle Dog puppies.

I soon decided that some of the books I had looked at in the home of Ken and Helen Dickson would be of a help to me.  Helen located my first books for me.  I soon grew addicted to Australian Cattle Dog books and to Australian Cattle Dogs. 

It wasn’t long before books on Australian Kelpies, Dingoes, Australian Stumpy Tail dogs, and the different venues for these breeds became a must on my internet shopping list.  Agility books, herding books, search and rescue books, and anything relating to the Australian breeds became a priority. 

Historical books and out of print books soon became my pursuit.  A long and exhausting chase during our trips to Australia, and through the internet culminated in a large collection.  The airline people were mightily impressed (and vexed) at the weight of my luggage on the return trips.  Many Australian book vendors greatly benefited as well.  (As did I!)

Animal Travel in Melbourne was another company that eagerly accepted my American Dollars.  They handled the dogs, the details, the shipping.  The death of my husband Martin and the diagnosis of my Mother with cancer spelled the end of my breeding and showing Australian Cattle Dogs.  Within two years Mad Dash Kennels went from 14 dogs to 4.  The sale of the farm and the consequent move into my mothers’ home scaled my Australian Cattle Dog interests back.  My Mom became my priority.  Within a year, at the grand old age of 85, she underwent Chemotherapy and Radiation.  She won the battle, and we live together still. 

With my retirement in June of 2006, I decided to take my interest in Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Stumpy Tail Dogs, Dingoes, old books, current books, and the venues to a new level.  I had always sold my personal books when I found another better or signed edition.  Ebay and Paypal were old pals by then. 

Mad Dash Books became more than a hobby.  Now I look forward to a new enterprise, evolved from an old one.  I take Mad Dash Books online, and present my reinvented “child” for public inspection.  Feel free to inspect the site and let me know of your interests.  Thank You.