K9 Acrobats go to charity fair

24 June 2006 – Ti-Ratana Family Day fair, Brickfields

D biggest charity event v hv attended so far designed 2 raise funds 4 d orphanage. Held at d large La Salle Brickfields school field n opened 2 public. Plenty of food, game stalls n entertainment were lined up 4 d day 2 get people 2 part with deir cash, all 4 a good cause.

'Yup, even d K9 athletes hd 2 parade as well ...'

Dis time v hd a larger stage n proper field 2 perform in so v cld fit in more items. Waggie Tails hd deir customary dog parade with Taro d Bully being d star attraction, followed by OB demo by Lotus n Angel n ending with d K9 Acrobats featuring Russell, Angel n myself. Angel was an impromptu addition 2 our act n was glad dat she cld make it as she’s a pretty talented OB n agility dog … definitely helped 2 take some of d pressure of us. Nice 2 hv a lady along in our team as well.


'Angel n Taro stealing d ladies' hearts during d parade.'

Our line up of entertainment included (thks Fiona 4 d cool action shots):
Frisbee – managed 1 notable distance catch n den decide dat d puddles n muddy field was way too inviting 2 just keep playing with d frisbee alone. Dived straight in2 a puddle much 2 d amusement of d crowd n den headed towards d spectator tent 4 some shade. End of Act I.

Tricks – Russell did his stuff n added in some impressive jumps over his owners arms plus spins 2 boot. Very nicely done considering dat he only started on d move a couple of days ago.

'In order 2 fly, it helps if u hv a large wing span ... or long ears.'

2 catch us in action, click on ’Tricky Mutts’.

My owner decided 2 try something new n showcase my abilities as a sniffer dog … yup unfortunately, I do hv a very ambitious owner. 1st attempt, managed to locate my icecream toy hidden under some plastic cones fairly swiftly. 2nd attempt, icecream toy was hidden in a volunteer’s pocket instead n I took some time trying 2 sniff it out, stumbled thru some cones until my owner pointed me 2 d right direction. Guess I’ll never make it as 1 of dose professional K9s who work d airport shift.

'My fav moves involve jumping n climbing all over my partner, sweet.'

Musical freestyle – did my regular dance, started fine but den missed some heelwork moves, yet again. Otherwise was a fairly decent performance n my jumps n tricks sequences were smooth. Encore piece was good as well n finally nailed d ‘Back flip 2 catch d ball’ move, groovy. Again d muddy patches proved irresistible n I plonked myself deep into 1 immediately after d routine. Dis time I choose a really thick slosh 2 soak in n funny enuf, d crowd kept far away from my dirty paws after dat.

Agility – Russell n I ran a mini agility course made up of homemade hurdles, broad jump n weave poles. Russel needed some warming up on d poles n Angel also joined in d fun after awhile. After all d tricky n demanding stuff earlier on, v finally get 2 put in some speedy runs n jumps.

Flyball – 1st time v were showcasing dis sport. Long time no play, so v were a little rusty. Runs 2 retrieve d ball was good but returns over d hurdles were certainly out of sync. Well back 2 d drawing board den n hope 2 hv a more complete relay run 4 d next event.

As u cn c, there were a number of 1sts for d K9 Acrobats on d day n plenty of variety in d acts 2 keep d audience suitably entertained. Our performance wasnt perfect but v hd a swell time n v spotted a number of smiling faces amongst d audience … n in our books, dat’s d only thing dat really matters.

'Venus, proving dat dogs r a smiley lot.'

Was supposed 2 do some goalkeeping stunt as part of d World Cup euphoria 2 end d program but guess who forgot 2 bring my favourite football along. Next time, I shall pack my own stuff n carry my own toys instead.

Taro, 'I really need 2 sit down after all dat posing around .'

Also d 1st time dat d Waggie Tails mutts demselves attempted 2 raise funds by offering 2 pose for special 3D photos with members of d public. As v didnt hv a designated booth, most people werent fully aware of our services but v did ok in d charity stakes. Angel did well n managed to raise some $$ by posing with a family.

As I was half-covered in mud, there werent many takers who wanted 2 b seen with me, much less b photographed together. Well wat do dese people know bout taking natural shots anyway.

After a quick hosing down, I was reasonably white again n did my bit to collect RM15 for charity, although d money did come from my owners own pockets … ha ha, cn always depend on dem 2 sponsor my photo sessions.

Dogolympics n D 1st agility trials

18 June 2006 – Dog Olympic Day, BU park

'World Cup fever at d Dogolympics.'

A puppycom event n dis time it's d Dogolympics. N yes, dey r organising d very 1st agility trial in dis country … cool, never thot I’ld live 2 c d day. There will also b Schutzhund trials n a number of sporting events on d day itself.

For once, beauty contests r taking a backseat n d limelight is on d natural prowess n abilities of dogs, n athletic mutts in particular. U cn tell dat I dun do too well at beauty parades n fashion shows. Personally prefer walking around in my birthday suit … just bcoz humans like 2 play amusing games like dressing up dun mean dat v all hv 2 follow suit.

'My best impersonation of a Pointer.'

D PetnU agility squad began earnest training a mth b4hand, during d weekends. Angel n I were pretty keen n were delighted dat Russell, my regular sporting buddy, decided 2 sign up as well at d very last minute. V did try out some intermediate level runs in preparation n my owner kept telling every1 dat d trial itself will b much easier coz it was supposed 2 b novice level only, being d 1st trial in Msia n all dat. He n his big mouth.

Imagine our surprise on d day itself 2 c an agility course jam packed with 20 obstacles, full 12 pole weave, n sharp twists n turns aplenty. To make it even more difficult, d designated area was fairly small n hence d obstacles were placed very close 2 each other, making it a run choc-full of traps just waiting 2 suck in any dog who stops 2 sniff n ponder even for a mili-second. Even d Thai judge was slightly taken aback by d difficulty level n decided 2 gv teams a practice run b4hand, nice fella.

Still v were fairly relaxed n took things in stride like all good dogs do, whilst our owners struggled to come 2 terms with d layout n remember d mazy sequence of obstacles.

D good thing bout agility sport is dat u cn mostly blame ur handler if anything shld go wrong coz only dey hv 1st hand knowledge of d course sequence. Its pretty much, humans guide n dogs follow. If dey hd allowed us dogs 2 map out d course sequence instead, den it’ll b a different story n there’ll b less faults n mistakes on d day. But humans r a funny lot n dey like 2 learn from mistakes, hence dey always try n assume d lead role as handler in any agility team. But v r not complaining … less pressure, just hv 2 run like d wind.

'Angel clearing d hurdles in fine style.'

Sure enuf, d course was way too demanding n tight 4 novice level n only 3 dogs managed too complete deir runs within d standard course time. D 3 being none other den Angel, Russell n me … all my training pals, wat a treat! Angel took top spot in d Maxi class, Russell n I secured d top 2 positions in d Mini class. Our runs were far from perfect n v registered our share of mistakes n faults but given d course set up, it was a decent performance.

N d nominations 4 ‘Most memorable way 2 upstage ur handler in an agility run’ r as follows:
1. Russell taking some time off at d top of d Aframe 2 survey d park for a good 5 secs b4 d descent;
2. Angel doing d rocking round d pause table jive with her owner plus a little jig at d 1st hurdle;
3. Groovy ... hey I've got a nomination as well, nice ... running flat out over d final sequence of jumps 2 leave owner way behind, all huffing n puffing.

Check out Agility trials clips 2 catch some of dese nifty moves.

'Hey who left dis pole here?'

I managed a time of 45 secs with 4 faults, missing 2 contacts n d weave pole entry. Time was pretty swift but too many faults incurred … not good but good enuf on d day. My owners tried not 2 b too enthusiastic bout d win so as not 2 gv me any false impressions on our performance, but I cld tell dat dey were grinning with delight inside.

D PetnU gang also turned up 2 support n were all smiles ven d results were announced. Nice run guys n am proud 2 b part of d squad who made a clean sweep of d agility titles.

'D Dynamic Duo strikes again!'

After much pestering from me mates, reluctantly tried out d Longest Sit stay n Tic Tac Toe games which r more suited 4 K9s with a good stay routine. Inevitably, I failed 2 do dis for any length of time n made a quick dash 4 d nearest canopy or available shade. Dats me, anything 2 do with running, jumping n dashing about is fine but anything which involves wait, stay, b still, or dun move is bad 4 my health. Piper n Russell showed how it was supposed 2 b done n took home prizes 4 d longest stay, plus great effort by Pacco at d very end 2 win a long jump medal as well.

'As long as there's running n activity involved, I'm keen.'

In addition, took part in d Olympic run, Hurdle race, Leader of d troop n Long jump events. Managed a podium finish in all events n won some kibble 2 keep my food supplies healthy n going 4 a few more mths … phew. Yah, rightly or wrongly, my owners make me work 4 a living … wonder if dey hv also set aside something for my EPF n retirement.

'Oi, dun look away everytime I try 2 say something ...'

'Life's tough trying 2 b a K9 athlete ...'

An eventful month of June

4 June 2006 – Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, Desa Petaling

Another eagerly awaited ‘Waggie Tails’ production n visitation to a large orphanage with > 200 kids. Some of me mates took part in d Dog Parade n Fashion Show b4 dinner as part of d entertainment. Missed dat coz hd agility training b4hand, arrived late n just in time 2 perform a musical freestyle routine. D exuberant chief organiser continued 2 provide us with top billing: ‘K9 Acrobatic Performance with Special Star Appearance’ … sure sounds over d top, I reckon. Fancy heelwork with some tricks thrown in wld hv bn more apt.

Russell, 'Hey, dis sure dun seem like a hurdle to me.'

Plenty of smiley young faces greeted us as v entered d hall. Nice 2 c some familiar faces from previous visitations n dey even asked bout my latest tricks, neat. Kids gathered round n plonked demselves on d edge of d already cramped stage. Chose a dance anthem dis time n grooved 2 d beat of ’Sunchyme’ by Dario G’. As usual, was a little excited at d start n missed a few steps but warmed up soon enuf n managed 2 nail most of d moves thereafter. Russell’s owners put together a very cool n creative short clip of some of d moves, c Russell’s Blog n lookout 4 a TV screen with a hopping mad JRT in it. Thanks guys, absolutely luv it! U cn also switch on d screen below 2 view.

V did wanna try out a new move but my partner’s pants drooped 2 a new low, which just bout hindered anymore weaving thru his legs, sheesh. If u know of any good dance partner available, do gv me a buzz … dunno how much longer I can put up with my owner’s odd antics n dress sense. He says dat I lack fashion sense n dat drooping pants is d latest street wear fad. I say if he allows it 2 droop any further during our routine, v’ll b arrested 4 sure.


As d stage was small, Russell n I cld only gv a simple jump demo as part of d show. Played fetch afterwards n there was no shortage of volunteers 2 throw my ball. Got a little frantic with all d children wanting 2 hv a go, but managed 2 keep my composure n tried 2 pass d ball around so dat most hd a fair chance 2 play. My owners were glad 2 c me handling such a boisterous young crowd pretty well.

No big deal really, just part of playtime n JRTs r natural born performers anyway. Was bloody thirsty at d end of it all n emptied Russell’s water bowl b4 he cld say ‘Oi!’.

10 June 2006 – Health Awareness Fair, OUG

PetnU put up a demo at a Health Fair for OUG citizens. Fairly small turnout with some VIPs attending as well. D training school managed 2 pool together quite a good mix of talented dogs 4 d day’s performance n here’s d line up:

Agility squad
Angel, Russell, Henna n me – nice 2 c Henna d Malinois joining us 4 d demo coz v r certainly short of large breeds in dis sport. She was still unaccustomed 2 d collapsible tunnel but managed d others nicely. D rest of d squad also missed an obstacle or 2, but fine performance overall considering dat v were running on hard court. Jr d Silky hd 2 sit out 4 dis 1 coz he just wasnt in d mood.

Musical freestyle solo
Myself – was called upon 2 do d ‘Sunchyme’ dance routine immediately after d agility session. Didnt hv enuf time 2 catch my breath n struggled a little 2 get in2 d rhythm. Also hd a lingering tummy ache since d nite b4. So my partner decided 2 go slow on d moves n hd 2 forego some. Still, it’s not every day dat u get 2 c a dancing dog in d neigbourhood, so d crowd didnt really notice too much n v managed 2 entertain dem with my regular moves.

'd wiggle backwards round d body move'

OB team
Sissy, Bank, Jr, Angel, Champ, Henna n Flash – Simple demo performed n d OB team looked pretty good ven in formation, with d ever reliable Champ leading d team. Cant wait 2 c a more elaborate routine.

K9 protection n scenting

Henna – dis was new n Henna showed some muscle n aggression in d mini S’hund exercise. Jumped thru a couple of high hoops, did some bite work n managed 2 sniff out her owner’s keys n wallet amongst d obstacles, sweet.

Champ, 'Protection dog, ur up next Henna.'

Henna, ''(Gulp) oh er ... help me, God'

Tricks
Champ,Jr, Sissy – Champ’s unbreakable down stay, Sissy’s counting ability n Jr’s spins were all well executed.

Not a bad line up of doggie entertainment with enuf variety 2 keep d audience enthralled for bout 45 min or so. Now if only v hd a consistent frisbee dog n perhaps another who cn perform some cart pulling maneuvers, den d show wld just b bout complete. A local version of d Superdogs wld b d really cool … who knows, someday.

'Trying my best 2 blend in amongst d locals'

Pity bout d turnout. Still, v hd a swell time at d playground. As v were preparing 2 leave, d transport lorry got stuck in mud n our owners spent another hr in d hot sun trying 2 figure how 2 get it out. Meanwhile, v just lazed beneath d shady trees n sniggered at d hapless humans … bout time dey provided some entertainment instead.

Watch d space coz it looks like a busy mth of June with d coming events:

18 June 2006 – Dog Olympic Day, BU Park
24 June 2006 – Ti-Ratana Charity Fun Fair, Brickfields