Clean Run Magazine - November 2007 - 5

Editorializing… The Changing Of the Guard By Elizabeth Dott “I am breeding my male and wanted to know if you ready 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 til 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 Dott 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. November 07 | Clean Run 5

Clean Run Magazine - November 2007

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