We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gale Jefford. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Gale, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Well, I have six border collies that sleep in my king size bed with me. They all sleep with their heads laying on me so when I turn over, they all lift up their heads and put their heads back down when I get settled. They wake me up about 7 o’clock in the morning and we’re ready to go outside.. I make a hot cup of tea. and set outside and watch my border collies play games. It is so relaxing and such a great way to start our day. They play different games, such as Chase, hide and seek, red light green light and other stocking games. Some mornings when it’s hot outside, we play water games where they jump and chase the water hose. Each and every morning is definitely an adventure. Especially when we have a litter of puppies.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My mission in life is to preserve the border collie, the smartest dog in the world.
Decades ago before the AKC recognized the border collie in 1995 I discovered that border collies could do and understand just about anything and be a great help to society. I discovered that you could breed the dog to help the disabled or challenged individuals such as detection of epilepsy, cancer, POTS, anxiety, and confidence. Border collies could be bred to be great companions during times of great need such as security, loneliness, and even times of death. Border collies are very loving and are bred to please. I call it the pleasing gene. I feel very lucky to get to do what I love to do which is preserve the border collie to help people and give back to the community and also to contribute to how wonderful this breed can be.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2023 I met a great couple Craige And Kimberly LeBreton. They had purchased a puppy from me and named her Rosie. Unfortunately, shortly after that, Craige was diagnosed with stage four cancer. This is what he had to say before he passed away. “Thank you Gale for the gift of time with my new pal Rosie. She is so smart and loving. She gets me through the bad days and brightens my good ones. In my life. I have found animals to be very intuitive and sensitive to our health. Rosie has proven me right Most days my chemo treatments keep me on the couch from fatigue and my Rosie knows and simply curls up next to me letting me know I’m not alone and she is there for me. When I come home from chemo she runs up to greet me and starts crying. I never heard a dog make that sound then she settles down right next to me and sleeps with me looking over me. Rosie has a sense of what’s going on and really wants to support Kimberly and the family.” Kimberly states “I feel like Craige is watching me through Rosie. Sometimes she looks behind me and I think she is looking at him..”
This experience has made me feel closer to God and realize the importance of friends and family that life is too short. I also feel that God watches over us and no matter what he is there for us and he sends fur angels to prove it
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2022 I was home invaded and kidnapped. I was in the middle of birthing puppies when the back door flew open. I was pistol whipped and a gun put in my mouth. I was choked, tied up and blindfolded, suffocated with a pillow and robbed with the intention of killing me. Due to birthing puppies, the dogs were outside, except for the one having the puppies. As I was crying and pleading, the dogs could see me through the windows and hear me. They started barking viciously and pawing at the windows. It was very intense and loud and you could hear the windows cracking. One of the kidnappers that was holding me down with a pillow over my head, told the one that had a gun pressed against my head. “ The dogs are too loud. The neighbors are hearing it and gonna call the cops. Come on let’s get out of here she’s not worth it“. They took off running but the Friendswood police found them and they’re doing up to 20 years in the penitentiary for what they did to me. If it wasn’t for my dogs, I would not be sitting here telling this story right now. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD. Not only did my dogs save my life, but they are there for me and give me security and confidence to get through the day. There would be no way I could face days and nights without them. They give me the courage to go on. I come home and they are sitting at the door waiting on me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire people with disabilities and special needs. I admire people like Whitney Dipple Wendy adopted a puppy from me and named her Millie. Millie has been trained to alert when Whitney is about to have a seizure and she stays with her until help arrives and the seizure is over. This has given Whitney the freedom, the security, and the courage to get out and have some fun and not be tied to the house. Whitney stays in touch with me and tells me that her and Millie are best of friends and Millie has totally changed her life for the best and made her very independent. Millie and Whitney are inseparable and go everywhere together. I admire Whitney‘s courage and determination. I also admire Millie who gave her the hope and chance that she needed to have a happy and independent life.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
It’s so sad but true, but most people don’t know the depth, the intelligence and the feelings that animals possess. A lot of people think of animals as property and even food. The suffering of animals is so sad and prevalent the meat industry, and also the breeding industry. Breeders that are ignorant toward recessive genes and the correct way of breeding. Ruining the breed. Puppy mills and slaughter houses. Animals are highly intelligent. They have feelings they have opinions and they know what you say and what you feel. They feel pain just like we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.thebordercollielady.com
- Facebook: Gale Jefford
- Yelp: The border collie lady
- Youtube: @thebordercollieladygale
Image Credits
Whitney Dipple Support dog
Craige And Kimberly LeBreton companion and support dog
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
