Clean Run Magazine - July 2008 - 79

LB: How did you choose Elvis? JK: My husband and I found him at the shelter in July, 2000, when he was just six months old. He had been thrown out of a car on the Santa Monica Freeway. A Good Samaritan picked him up and took him to a vet, who sent Elvis over to The Lange Foundation shelter. When we met him, although he weighed only 20 pounds, he stood tall and proud and full of himself. He was a presence to be dealt with, and that has not changed. We chose Elvis very carefully. My husband and I put him on “hold” and went home to think about it. We talked at great length. As a puppy, Elvis’ small size was disconcerting. We finally came to our senses and realized he had all the important characteristics we wanted. We wanted a very interactive family member. We were looking for a dog with a confident attitude, intelligence, and athleticism, and one that could provide companionship for our older dog and be good with small children. LB: Did Elvis seem good for agility at the time you made the choice? speed, taking every obstacle he could find in rapid fashion. My perfect little soldier had suddenly run amok in a very big way. I was speechless and irrelevant. Elvis had his own plan. The smile on his face, the glint in his eyes I have never witnessed such a pure exhibition of sheer ecstasy at simply being alive. It was truly magnificent. LB: When did you realize Elvis could be a champion? Elvis By Lisa Barrett Call Name: JK: Our first trainer said, “Julie, this dog can take you as far as you want to go.” Karen Moureaux felt the same way, from day one. Without Karen, none of this would have happened. But in the beginning, I never thought about championships. It was all I could do to walk onto a course without a barf bag. With experience, I decided I wanted to get Elvis into the Finals in the Grand Prix. He certainly had the talent, but I needed to rise to the occasion. Elvis Titles Earned: JK: Yes. We knew he was quite bright, strong as an ox, and very athletic, in spite of having to cart that big head around. He seemed biddable, totally uninhibited, and absolutely fearless. LB: What was easy about Elvis’s agility training? ADCH, TM-Gold, SACH-Bronze, JCH-Bronze, SCH-Bronze, EAC, EJC, EGC, 22" USDAA Performance National Standard Champion, 2004 “America’s Top Dog” Adopted From: JK: Everything. No joke. Absolutely everything. He’s very logical and an incredibly quick study. He attacked every obstacle and each exercise with gusto. He constantly challenged us to challenge him. He did everything we asked of him with sheer glee and joy and tons of enthusiasm. It was never about his shortcomings. He had none. They were all mine. You know, “Great dog. Shame about the handler,” kind of thing. LB: Please describe your favorite agility moments with Elvis. The Lange Foundation in West Los Angeles, California Handler: Julie Koblin © tIeN traN Elvis over the second jump. All bars were still up. I directed Elvis onto the table. He lay down immediately. The BC followed suit. He and Elvis lay side by side on the table. Elvis never missed a beat. He was totally into his job. Honestly, I don’t think Elvis has ever done a faster table. He was not about to be bested by a BC! Another time was when we were running in Team Gamblers at the end of a long day and dusk was setting in. The natural light was breathtaking. For me, that time of day has always been magical. For just a moment, there is complete peace, tranquility, and harmony. I set Elvis up on the start line, caught up in the magic of the moment. Suddenly, my dog broke his stay and went flying by me at breakneck LB: When did you realize he could be a contender, and even win, at USDAA’s Cynosport World Games? JK: I have several favorite agility moments. As Elvis entered the weaves on a Masters Standard run, my friend’s Border Collie got loose and ran out onto the course. He entered the poles, right behind Elvis, nipping at his tail. Elvis completed the weaves, did a 90° turn to take two jumps to a table. The BC finished his weaves, caught up, and jumped in tandem with JK: Elvis has always been a contender. His talent, smarts, and heart are exactly what champions are made of. We had earned a bye to the 2007 Finals by winning the 22" Performance Regional Championships at the Bay Team trial. I was so thrilled to have gotten into the Finals. I never seriously contemplated the possibility of a win. My goal of getting into the Finals had been accomplished. What mattered was that I focus, get my game plan, stick to it, and give my all. My dog deserved as much. Strangely enough, I wasn’t nervous as we stepped to the line. Elvis is really steady and reliable, and I knew I could count 79 July 08 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - July 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - July 2008