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Agility TipsMemories…Running With The Winds
As the hot long days of summer are coming to an end, the pace of training will start to pick up in the crisp fall days. Before the conditioning, before the polishing of contacts and weaves, there is a lesson that it would be good to remember in this hurricane season. Dogs live too short of lives, many are starting to get old at four. You never know if the run you are about to enjoy is the last one you will every have together. You had better enjoy every single minute of every single run, practice or competition. For each time might be when that grand dog is taking his last run with you. I have known friends that had a minor car accident on the way home, but the crate came open in the crash and the frighten, bewildered dog was under another’s cars wheels before the driver knew what was happening. A beautiful young white boxer collapsed at an agility run and died the next afternoon. A cocker broke a shoulder and leg and was never able to jump and run again. These small tragedies happen, as well as much larger ones. Remember this at the starting line. This run may be what your loving, loyal canine will have in his heart at the last, make it the one you would want him to remember. And the one you will want to remember for the rest of your life. He gives you his love and loyalty to make it over the first 3 jumps, let alone a complicated course. Take a moment at the start line to remember what a remarkable thing it is that a dog runs agility with you without leash. Please remember in your frustrations in dog training, what really matters. Run the course like each one is your last. And make it a run that leaves you smiling, if not laughing aloud for the joy of the sport. Otherwise you will have missed the most important thing in agility, the love and companionship of a trusted, loyal and loving canine partner. If you finish with a blue rosette or nothing at all, you still go home with the best dog there,…… the one that loves you. As I write this, the waters are going down in New Orleans. There are thousands of dogs there perched on rooftops or in trees. They would not have made it there without a certain amount of natural agility. Would you take the minute to hug that big goof on the couch beside you that embarrassed you at the last run? And, maybe, if you can, hit the link below and contribute to the animal rescue in that area. No matter how many months later you read this, they will still need the cash. It will wait until after the next trial or next paycheck, the need will still be there. E-mail Kathleen at khi@theshop.net. Go to OK PetGazette Archives for more of Kathleen's agility tips. |
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