Clean Run Magazine - October 2007 - 21

Amber Horan, president of Skyway Border Collie Rescue loves when people ask her where her rescued Border Collie Sir Pipen, a.k.a Pip, OAJ, OA, EAC, EGC, EJC, NT, RS-E, GS-E, JS-E came from. Amber finds joy in showing you can get a champion from a recycled dog. She thinks adopting a rescue makes you a better trainer because you learn so much. She won’t think twice about adopting another dog for agility: “It is great to see him succeed and for people to ask me where he came from and being able to respond, ‘Rescue!’” She does acknowledge there are disadvantages to adopting because you can have health and structural problems since you don’t know the background of the dog or his parents. Agility competitor Rachel Kelly, DVM of VCA Oldsmar agrees, but says, “Adopting an adult for agility is ideal as far as medical problems go. Getting radiographs for hip and elbow Beep Adopted by Bonnie Johnson from Pacific Northwest Independent Border Collie Rescue A. J.’s Joshua 1:9 (Josh) Adopted by Amy Venckus from Illinois Shorthair Rescue the planet, human or canine. Growing with them has been a lesson in thinking outside the box.” In fact, Christine no longer believes in boxes and she owes it all to her rescues. Each person who responded to my questions about adopting a dog for agility couldn’t say enough about rescue dogs. The bond created by being successful with a rescue dog in this sport is more than enough to keep people wanting to adopt more. Each accomplishment warms the heart and is more rewarding than the one before. You can’t beat the feeling of overcoming such an “obstacle” and having success like winning that ribbon with your rescue dog. I can tell you from personally competing with two rescue dogs and one nonrescue dog, the clean runs with the two rescues mean so much more to me. I feel such a sense of accomplishment and pride having worked through their problems. There is a Yahoo group dedicated just to running rescue dogs called Baggage Agility. The competitors on this list support each other with advice and training tips. You can find out more about this group by logging on to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ BaggageAgility/. Don’t forget: there’s no Q like a Res-Q. D Wedge Adopted by Jen Rochedieu from Jack Russell Rescue (now Russell Rescue Inc.) help you assess his structural capability for agility. Some of this [you] can’t do when getting a puppy.” Another potential disadvantage is being unable to compete in AKC agility. Since AKC only allows purebred dogs, you may not be able to get an ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege) if the dog isn’t purebred. According to the AKC website, “It is a program that allows unregistered dogs of registrable breeds to compete in AKC Performance and Companion Events, also 18 specific breeds in the FSS® Program that are eligible for Companion Events.” But with many agility venues available, there are plenty of options. If you have big aspirations, the USA World Agility Team may not be an option either. Dogs must have a pedigree showing three generations of purebred lineage to be a candidate. Before you go out and buy your dog because you want to be on the World Team, remember only a handful of dogs make it—the best of the best, the top trainers in the country. Our love for dogs goes far beyond agility. So many of us consider our dogs part of our family. Christine Dame says her rescue dogs are pets first and agility comes second. Her rescue dogs have taught her “more about how dogs communicate, are more motivated and giving than anyone else on Maggie Mae Adopted by Katherine Manola from Crawford County Humane Society, Robinson Illinois dysplasia, a physical exam for patella luxation, and a complete orthopedic exam for any joint pain or lameness will help you evaluate your potential rescue dog’s ability to become an athlete. A general “wellness” chemistry, CBC, urinalysis, and T4 thyroid test can help as well. You can also have your potential rescue dog evaluated by an experienced agility trainer to Reesie Adopted by Diane Lewis from Southport Oak Island Animal Rescue Andrea Davis is a spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department and shares her home with four dogs, three of which are rescues. While her senior Golden Retriever lounges on the couch, the other dogs travel to agility trials. Her Labrador Retriever and two Border Collies are collectively titled in AKC, CPE, and NADAC agility. Photo credits: Ginger, Cookie, Zorro, Harvey © Matt Sachs/Agility Images; Samson, Maggie Mae, Wedge, Josh © Alissa Behn/Pet Personalities; Tiger, Weaver, Sally, Reesie © DianeLewisPhotography.com; Scully © Doghouse Arts; Razzy © Tony Rider; Beep © Joe Camp October 07 | Clean Run 21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BaggageAgility/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BaggageAgility/ http://DianeLewisPhotography.com

Clean Run Magazine - October 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - October 2007