Finding something to do

I also enjoy the “Fly Ball” competition in which a relay team of dogs must run down a lane and hit the board at the end which pops out a ball and then they have to catch it and turn and run back. They are out if they drop the ball and the fastest team wins. There’s so much screaming I don’t know how the dogs can concentrate.

There are also exhibitions by dog rescue groups. These are the dogs that were abandoned and some abused and ended up being saved by shelters or rescue groups. They are without a doubt the most fun to watch. After seeing so many beautiful cultivated dogs run a perfect course then here come the ones which are very nicely called “crosses.”

These guys come out with their handlers and some run the course (sort of) and some are more interested in the audience or sniffing the carpet. My favorite was a big, furry fellow who looked like he was going to stay on course and then like the clown that he is, he took a sharp turn and loped across to the tunnels and would go in one end and then the handler would have to wait to see what end it might come out of. Sometimes it stopped inside and after a long while was seen just playing peek-a-boo and getting a huge laugh (which you could tell it loved). On its way back around the course he pulled one of the jumping poles down and dragged it along in his mouth as he continued on.

Beyond all the American Kennel Club perfect examples, that guy was the one that melted my heart. I really think that he and Ivy Claire (my wire hair fox terrier) would have clicked.

He was the best example of a true clownish, big-hearted dog that would love kids and cats and other dogs — and most importantly could make his people laugh every day!