for another puppy,” said the email from my friend on my
computer screen. A puppy, I thought. Now why would
I want another puppy? My young dog is only… wait,
could it be, is she approaching five? How could that be?
Just yesterday I was bringing home the little white ball
of fur with one black ear.
I contemplated that for a moment and realized my
dogs have gotten old without my realizing it. It was
only yesterday I was bringing Alibi home and now she
is approaching five. It was only yesterday I went to my
friend’s rescue to adopt Sophie and could it be she is
now eight? And was it really 12 whole years ago that I
was driving to Georgia to pick up my 10-week-old puppy
Legend? I am sure just a few years ago I was standing in
a garage looking at my first Border Collie puppies and
pointing to the very spotted male puppy that I later
took home.
Actually it was 15 years ago and the realization hits me
as I gaze down at the big fuzzy spotted dog lying at my
feet. I can see age has crept in that I did not quite notice
until just this second. I see the gray creeping along his once
very black muzzle. I see the eyes that used to light up at
the sight of a tennis ball now clouded over with age. I
watch him struggle to stand up on his wobbly back legs
now plagued with arthritis that once pulled me around
the neighborhood on my bike. Those same legs that
propelled him ever so gracefully over 30" agility jumps
now are failing him.
I will never forget bringing him home so long ago. My
very first dog that was completely mine. I was 18 years
old and he was my first experience with the breed I
would come to love like no other. He was also the dog
that brought me to the sport I know and love.
I will never forget the day I first saw agility. My aunt
called and asked if I wanted to go to a dog show. I almost
said no but at the last minute changed my mind. I now
wonder if I had not gone whether I would have missed
the best thing that ever happened to me. At any rate, we
went and my doggie life began. I remember driving up
to the site and seeing a sign that said, “Agility Show This
Way.” As we drove in we passed a dirt-bike ring. Little
boys on bikes were soaring over huge mounds of stacked
brown earth. I wondered what kind of dog show could
possibly be out here with all this dirt.
Then I saw it—a beautiful green field covered with
brightly painted agility equipment. I quickly got out of
the car and could not believe my eyes. What were these
dogs doing? Wow, they were jumping through hoops
and over jumps, and could it be, I just saw a dog weaving
through poles. My dog could do this—my dog would love
this! I quickly found someone to talk to about classes and
signed up that very day. I had just turned 21 and did not
quite fit in with the young bar crowd. Instead I found a
kindred spirit in other dog people. They understood my
relationship with my dog.
Max was three at the time and took to agility like
a duck to water. At our very first show he exceeded
my expectations by winning almost all his classes. I
remember how nervous I was the first time I stepped to
the line. I kept telling myself over and over again, don’t
forget the course, don’t forget the course. My hands were
sweating, my head spinning, and then the scribe was
telling me to go. Somehow I got through it and what
a rush! Max was perfect doing just what I asked and I
didn’t forget the course. Later that day, yes, I did forget
a course, but not that one. That was 12 years ago. I have
trained and trialed many dogs since that first day and
on occasion I still do forget the course.
I guess the time has come for the changing of the guard
and maybe a new puppy will be in my near future. I tend
to wonder though if any run will be quite as perfect as
that first one, or if any dog will be as great as Max was to
me. Now as he slips into his golden years I will make him
as comfortable as possible and remind him every day we
have left together that to me he will always be the best.
Elizabeth, who lives in Orlando, Florida, with her four Border Collies, has
been in agility since 1994. She competes in NADAC, USDAA, and AKC with her BCs
Alibi and Sophie, and holds masters titles in each venue. Alibi is a 2006 and 2007 DACOF Team Champion. Elizabeth
is a student and working toward her bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising.
Elizabeth Dott
November 07
| Clean Run 1
