Janet Beale's ideas of Training Border Collies to become Sheepdogs

Janet Beale was born to Roger and Jean Beale in 1962 in Gwelo (Gweru), Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe.) She was raised on a large cattle, racehorse stud and arable farm outside Salisbury (now called Harare).   

Childhood and the Rhodesian War

My childhood was in many ways idyllic with freedom to run vast acreage with my dog, Marty a black Labrador, and my horses. It was marred by boarding school and the Rhodesian War of Independence during which we had to be aware of terrorists and learn to protect ourselves with guns. Thankfully never having to use this training in a real life situation many of my friends and neighbours however, were not so lucky.  

School

I went to Gwelo Convent, Bishopslea Junior School, Nagel House (convent) and Girls High School in Harare. I endured school, desperate to get home to ride my horses and play with my dog Marty, I was a loner, preferring the company of the animals to people.  

Horses

I competed regularly with my horses in showjumping, three phase eventing and showing but most of all I just enjoyed schooling the horses and teaching my school friends how to ride. 

Dogs

My dog Marty and I worked at every  duck shoot we could get to that my father arranged on our Farm these were often attended by the Rhodesian President of that time Clifford Dupont for whom I performed the task of loading his shotgun and sending Marty off to retrieve the ducks he shot. 

The Farm

 Other government ministers and VIP’s were also regular visitors to our farm during the twice annual production sales of our pedigree Brahman cattle which my father was amongst the first to import into Africa from America.  My fathers name coupled with “RB Ranchers “using the prefix’s Rhobest and later Zimbest was renowned throughout the 70’2 & 80′s throughout Africa as the best Brahman cattle breeders. 

Rhodesia and Africa

I left Africa in 1994 and have not been back as I wish to remember life as it was without the destruction and devastation that the disgusting dictatorship of Robert Mugabe has done to an otherwise self sufficient fantastic and beautiful country.   

THE WORLD HAS ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. WHY?  Because there is no economic benefit for world powers, but, did you know that China has not deserted Zimbabwe?  They must be more forward thinking.  

Out of Africa

more to come, sign up to find out more.