D fastest sport in town - Flyball

Flyball 101
Sport invented 4 speed junkies who luv 2 hurtle over jumps 2 catch a ball popping out from a wooden box contraption. Run over a distance of 102' in relay teams of 4 dogs n is pretty much over in 20 - 30 secs. Current world record is less den 16 secs which works out 2 bout 4 secs per dog, bloody fast!

Hurdles r set at 4" below d withers of ur shortest team member subject 2 a minimum of 8". So shorties n pocket dynamites r more den welcomed in any team.



'0 - 60 in 6 secs ... '

Most challenging elements:

Single step jump: constant leaping motion over hurdles without taking additional steps ... very much like a bouncing kangaroo.

'Oi, u mind letting go of d ball ...'

Swimmer's turn: angled leap onto flyball box 2 catch ball + 180 turn + push off d box ... all executed in 1 sweeping motion.

Return: with ball in mouth, need 2 maintain d same speed n momentum during return over d hurdles.

Changeover: perfectly timed 'passing of baton' ie. ven d returning dog's nose n d next runner's nose crossover at d start/finish line at d same time.

Owners hv got it easy coz dey just hv 2 stand at d start line n cheer like mad. Can get pretty noisy ven 2 teams r racing against each other n owners r yelling demselves hoarse.

Flyball sessions
'Jojo on d go!'

' Jojo going, going, gone ...'

Nov 2005 - Russell n Jojo invited me over 4 d 1st session with deir spanking new flyball box made by deir resourceful humans. Possibly d 1st ever flyball box n practice run in M’sia, cool. Since I was really fond of catching tennis balls, took 2 d sport like fish 2 water n pretty much figured out dat d ball was going 2 pop out from d hole in d box. Just hd 2 stamp ur paws on d release panel n its flyball time!

'Flyball rule no.1 & 2: Dun look behind u n dun drop d ball.'

Jojo went a step further n figured out dat d ball cld also b retrieved from behind d box, where all d spare balls r kept … wat did I say bout mongrels being smarter den other breeds. Great fun n speed involved but need 2 work on my return sequence over d hurdles, coz seem 2 slow down somewat whenever I hv a ball in mouth. Loose balls phobia, perhaps. Click on video sites on d right of dis page if u wish 2 c 3 mutts attempting flyball on amateur nite.

'Do not disturb, I'm in full concentration mode ...'

Due to several demos, doggie events n agility trials, flyball practice hs bn infrequent. But v r back 2 speed again n even managed to showcase d sport on a couple of occasions including Dogathon 2006. Still running a 3 dog relay team n need 2 work on ball catching skills n swift returns. Henna n Piper look like good bets 4 joining our flyball team, both being certified ball addicts as well. V hope 2 hv a complete demo team n decent runs come d PetnU Dog Carnival in Nov. Watch out 4 flying dogs n flyballs den.

Hope 2 get enuf mates to form 2 relay teams, den v cn hv a real race! But v’ll also b needing 2 flyball boxes den … ok, 1 step at a time. Am scouting around 4 more greyhound aspirants, so paws up any1?

Just 4 d record, our current runs r timed at 6.5 - 8.5 secs per dog.

Fashionable pooch or fashion victim

My exploits at d recent Dogathon event ended with a decent haul of prizes. Was really looking forward 2 d customary treats n toys in d hampers but boy, wat a letdown. My frantic pawing n sniffing only revealed layers of d single least exciting item in a dog’s world … doggie attire. Yup clothes n enuf 2 fit an entire dog’s wardrobe. It’s time like dis dat u wished dat d sponsors hadn’t bn so generous.

Needless 2 say, my owners began deir own fashion parade with me as d hapless mannequin.


D Royal attire. Was made 2 wear dis in conjunction with d Dog Idol prize giving ceremony. Cape may look fine but d crown is way out of my league. Thot only d Pope was allowed 2 wear such elaborate headgear.

Owners reckon dat dis outfit is d best fit. Muscle T with pink motif n shades goes well with d SNAD = Sensitive New Age Dog tag. Dis may just b wearable on clubbing nites.


D Overalls. Rugged, casual DIY gear n fitted reasonably well. D only decent outfit in my books, with nice airy feeling around d crotch area.

D Black Tie outfit. Ven worn by me, looked more like a school ruffian out 2 play truant. It fits, so my owners r keeping it 4 formal occasions.

D Rugby jersey. Soft n comfy collared striped shirt but way too big 4 me.

D Hells Angels denim vest. Wings n cut r a little feminine 4 me … pass.

D wedding cravat. Supposed 2 b some formal handsome attire but I ended up looking like a waitress instead.

D mini shoulder jacket. Know dat tight n fitting is in vogue but dis is way too small. Hell, even my nipples r exposed so why bother wearing it in d 1st place.

D Kimono/Samurai look. Definitely way oversized n makes me look like an overdressed doll. D low cut V neckline just doesnt quite work 4 me.

D Batdog suit. 1 for d superhero’s pooch. Unfortunately on me, doesn’t quite exude sufficient character n confidence to pull off d superhero theme. Wats even worse, some1 forgot 2 cut out d eyeholes.


D Dogasaurus suit. Roars … of laughter from my owners 4 obvious reasons. D person who designed dis suit shld b placed in an asylum 4 d rest of his natural life.

My facial expression says it all, fashion shows arent exactly my cuppa tea n prefer walking around in d buff instead. Think dat d only attire I ever need 4 d rest of my life is d army influence mud camouflage gear, perfect for regular park outings … enuf said.

Star appearance

Not quite d interview with d rich n famous but still made it in2 daily Star newspaper – Metro section as part of d write up on d Dogathon 2006 event.

'Dat's me in d middle ...'

Pixman managed 2 catch a shot of my ‘Hop onto Feet’ trick which was prominently displayed in d middle pages n as a result, both mine n my owner’s rear ends also got more exposure den was necessary. Dey also got my owners’ names mixed up but must give dem credit 4 getting d rest of d description spot on!

'Look ma, I'm in d papers!'

Owners n me mates were sniggering ven dey read d photo caption, especially d part on being ‘extremely obedient’. Dey cn laugh all dey want but d article only serves 2 confirm my personal suspicions, dat I cn actually b rather tricky n obedient as well. Surely d newspapers cant b wrong, rite!

Tagged - 5 Peculiar Habits

Aargh, hv bn tagged by Jaffe PRT from Spore. Nothing serious really, just a game whereby fellow dog bloggers hv to share deir 5 most peculiar habits, so here r mine:

1. RUNNING HELTER SKELTER 2 check out d washing machine ven it goes into water draining mode. Something 2 do with d sound of dirty water gushing which gets me all fired up.

2. COCKING MY HEAD wolf like n singing in unison with d prayers reverberating from mosque. Mind u, dis is a sophisticated howl - thin, smooth n extended pitch which my owners seem 2 enjoy n find soothing at times.

3. SLAPPING MY FACE around with a balloon, by swinging it wildly from side 2 side … bit of S&M on d side dun really hurt.

4. SKINNY DIPPING in d muddiest puddle in any park. If there’s 1 around, u cn bet ur last cent dat I’ll find it n dive straight into it … times like dis dat I feel like I’m a water buffalo trapped in a JRT clown suit.

5. CONSTANTLY HARRASSING PASSERBYS 2 play fetch with me. Just throw d ball n dun expect me 2 perform any tricks.

Will try n add some pics later on as evidence. Hv a few more but he only asked for 5 so shall stick to d rules of d game. All r welcome 2 join in. Just leave a comment n I’ll definitely visit ur blog 2 check on ur deepest, darkest secrets …

Dog Squad goes to Dogathon 2006

13 August 2006 - Dogathon, UPM Serdang

Dogathon Race

3rd time running in dis annual 2 km affair. Almost tripped over a number of overzealous dogathoners at d start including dis Bull Terrier dat kept going 4 my tail. Just count urself lucky BT dat I hv a race 2 run, otherwise …

Midway thru d race, decided dat I deserved a short break n abruptly sat down on d cool grass 2 catch my breath, till my owner reminded me dat v were in a race n not a Sunday school excursion. Was politely asked 2 get off my butt n get moving along smartly.

'Make way, make way ... JRT coming thru!'

Didnt train much 4 dis yr’s race n it showed, as v were huffing n puffing 2 d finish line. Still secured runners-up position in d Small breed - Female handler class for d 2nd year running. Pacco n Rusty, my JT mates, also managed a top 5 placing in d small breed category, nice 1 guys.

PetnYou Dog Sports Demo Squad

PetnYou adopted d doggie playzone area n were given a spacious, shady spot at a corner 2 perform our dog sports demos. Our décor comprising of colourful buntings n flags lined d area n blended well with d agility obstacles.

D colour coordinated flyball box (from Russell’s warehouse) n hurdles also seemed 2 fit in well with d surroundings n looked impressive as part of d dog sports arena.

Frisbee
Frisbee session was a good warm up 2 get things going n gather d crowd around, even tho v didnt make a whole lot of catches. Owners certainly need more practice n d frisbee dogs, Cami n I, werent amused by d substandard throws.

'Ok guys, time 2 get serious n quit fooling around.'

So v made up our own innovative moves like tugging n clinging onto d disc with our bare teeth whilst being swung around in mid-air, n d crowd actually liked it … must do dat more often. Jojo decided dat d she didnt need d publicity n gave d session a miss.

Heelwork 2 Music
'High 5 n wiggle moves ...'

Heelwork 2 music routine got d crowd going n finally got up 2 speed with most of my moves. Crowd enjoyed d jumping sequences, wiggles n d reverse onto owner’s back move.

My partner hs dis peculiar habit of hiding my trick rubber ball in his pants pocket n he really shldnt blame me if I decide 2 hv a go at it in d middle of d dance routine. Crowd must b wondering why I kept snapping at dis fella’s pants in between moves.



'Pause table n Dogwalk were d most popular obstacles ... for taking a breather.'

Agility
Agility demo was a nice mix of slow, medium n fast paced teams 2 showcase d differing styles n breeds. After a cautious start, Cami n Archer produced some fairly neat n smooth runs. Russell n Sissy went 4 walkabouts in between obstacles … must hv bn a little bored with d course layout coz it's d same 1 v hv bn practising on 4 d past few weekends.

'Sissy, lining up 4 d next hurdle ...'

Angel n I stepped up d pace n managed 2 nail most of d obstacles except 4 a couple of missed contacts. A few stutters along d way but judging by d crowd reaction, it was very good entertainment n most importantly, fun. Audience were suitably enthralled by our antics n even d mistakes were greeted with encouraging laughter, sweet.

Flyball


D flyball relay runs were noticeably slower as Jojo, Russell n I were getting all hot n bothered in d midday sun. By dis time, I was already looking out 4 d nearest stall or shady spot 2 cool myself down. 1st time v were showcasing d sport of flyball n all things considered, it was a decent performance.

'Fellow doggies having a go at d agility playzone.'

N not forgetting our MC's efforts in making an already interesting line up of performances even more interactive n amusing. Dis fairly vocal lady kept d audience well informed n giggling with her candid description of d various doggie activities, nice 1 Susie.

D Dog Squad certainly stole d show on d day with yet another swell effort ... cant wait 4 d next 1. Demo clips cn b enjoyed at My Video Vault

Games n Dog Idol
Took part in Master Hunt n Dog Idol events. Got 4th placing for wriggling thru a short maze 2 find my owner.

Tried out my brand new ‘Hop onto Feet’ move, nailed it n as a result, also took home d Most Talented n Dog Idol titles.

'Now b4 u laugh, u shld take a good look in d mirror ...'

Was forced 2 wear a royal cape n crown during d prize giving ceremony which made me look absolutely ridiculous … now I know how it feels 2 b a fashion victim. I cld tell dat my buddies, Pacco, Jojo n Russell were sniggering away in d background.

'Pacco attempting d really tricky 'balancing balloon on head whlist jumping over leg' move. 3.2 difficulty level.'

'Jojo on d roll ...'

Russell captured d ambiguous subsidiary title of Most Original Dog n all of us were left wondering how he managed 2 impress d judges. Now he keeps calling himself ‘Russell d Real Deal aka d Most Original, d Uncensored n Unpirated’.

At d close, d Astro Indian channel made use of our agility area for a kids TV show n Cami was a big hit with d production crew. All of us agreed dat Cami will hv 2 buy drinks if she makes it as a regular in d local Bollywood scene.





Yet another fun filled Dogathon n d prizes were certainly novel … c ‘Fashion Victim’ blog, coming up next.