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 ...'