DAWG's first Agility Veteran's Parade

Pictures from our 2nd Parade of Agility Veterans (Spring USDAA 2003)

DAWG held our first Parade of Agility Veterans at our Spring 2001 USDAA show. The brainstorm of Elizabeth Evans, and made reality by Tev Brannan, it sure was a hit. From the program compiled by Tev:

 "As I wrote the entry for the test schedule, it dawned on me that this is a very special time in the sport of Dog Agility when it comes to the veteran dogs. An era is passing. Those dogs that started when the sport was just beginning are coming to the end of their careers and for some, the end of their lives. We have some of those dogs right here in Texas. These are dogs that performed the A-frame at its full legitimate height, jumped those full heights (12,18,24 and 30!), walked or ran those narrow planks, and did it before there were a bunch of titles or Top Ten points to earn because they did it for the best reason of all - FUN! These dogs that are now 11 years and older and some of them are STILL competing. Somehow those heights and A-frames didn't harm them. Somehow the equipment wasn't unsafe or faulty. Somehow it was more fun back in the "old days" before the sport became so technical, precise, and clinical..... I wonder sometimes if the dogs of today will be competing when they are 11, 12 and 13?"

Dogs had to be 9 years and older to participate. Owners of these dogs got to wear a wonderful ribbon indicating they owned a Veteran Agility Dog. Each dog listed below was allowed to run a jump, jump, jump, tunnel to an exit. As each dog performed the obstacles (at 12") the crowd clapped, cheered and, well, cried. Each of these dogs ran with their heads and tails held high, if a bit slower. The dogs were run in order of age. This was followed by a parade, then a group picture. We had people come to this trial just because of this exhibition! The dogs that participated in order of age:

Katie AD,OA: Westie, 9, Owned by Jo Unbehaun

Lacey ADCH: Sheltie, 9, Owned by Joanne Lutterman

Sophie MAD,JM,GM,RM: Sheltie, Owned by Dianne Eldredge

Molly U-AG1,OA: Rottweiler, 9, Owned by Pam Riney

Lucchese AD,OA,NAJ,V-RSE,V-JSO,V-GSO,U-AGI,UAGII: Aussie, 9, Owned by Jason Meeks

Raleigh AD,OAC,NJC,NGC: English Cocker, 9.5, Owned by Susan Abhrahamson

Keno AD,NA: Gordon Setter, 10, Owned by Heather Smith

Chip MX,OAJ,AD: Cocker, 10, Owned by Cathy Teff

Shasta AAD,OA,OAJ: Labrador, 10, Owned by Terry Casey

Wulf OA, AGI,AGII: German Shepherd, 10.5, Owned by Becky Slanker

Chip ADCH,MX,MXJ: Border Collie, 10.5, Owned by Felicia Whalen

Ted ADCH: Sheltie, 10.5, Owned by Linda Barrett

Sooty ADCH: All American, 11, Owned by Virginia Gilmore

Kyesha NAC,NJC,NGC,U-AGI,U-AGII: All American, 11, Owned by Sonya Eisele

Susie NA: Westie, 11.5, Owned by Jo Unbehaun

Andre AAD,RM,MX,AXJ: Cocker, 11.5, Owned by Charles Venable

Princess AAD,AX,AXJ: Border Collie, 11.5, Owned by Pat Corl

Amber MX,MXJ,ADCH: Sheltie, 12, Owned by Tev Brannan

Duncan ADCH: Sheltie, 12, Owned by Elizabeth Blanchard

Dash MAD, GM,RM: Border Collie, 12, Owned by Felicia Whalen

Roxie NA, NJC-V,NAC-V: Border Terrier, 12.5, Owned by Elizabeth and JP Evans

Freckles AAD,AX,OAJ: Cocker, 12.5, Owned by Cathy Teff

Catcher AAD,SM,JM,RM,MX,AXJ,OAC,NJC,NAC: Border Collie, 14, Owned by Debbie Spence

Princess coming out of the tunnel

The Parade

The Veterans

Debbie's Catcher did not leave a dry eye!

(he got to go through the jump uprights and skip the tunnel!)