"What we have once loved, we can never lose."
A loving tribute to our teammates that have passed on.
On The Value of Titles
People always question: What's the deal with titles? Why do you spend so much time worrying about those letters? The dog doesn't care, why should you?
To which we would answer:
You're right. To our dogs, titles have no meaning. They are not aware of them, and would probably not care a single bark or growl for them if they were. They are labels in the human world, which have no bearing on how a dog lives day to day.
But they are not meaningless.
Those letters are a representation and recognition time spent together. The hours of training where dog and handler work together as a team. The exercise, the challenges, the fun of running full tilt. The happy, grinning doggy faces after a race. The moments captured with a tongue-flapping smile and fur flying.
And when your dog has gone and is no longer with you, there is a record - a permanently recorded testament for all to see - of the fact that you cared enough to dedicate a large part of your life to them. That their dedication to you was rewarded in kind, that you did things that made both of you happy together.
This is why sport titles are important. They are a memorial to a special bond between dog and human that few share.
And that's what we celebrate.
People always question: What's the deal with titles? Why do you spend so much time worrying about those letters? The dog doesn't care, why should you?
To which we would answer:
You're right. To our dogs, titles have no meaning. They are not aware of them, and would probably not care a single bark or growl for them if they were. They are labels in the human world, which have no bearing on how a dog lives day to day.
But they are not meaningless.
Those letters are a representation and recognition time spent together. The hours of training where dog and handler work together as a team. The exercise, the challenges, the fun of running full tilt. The happy, grinning doggy faces after a race. The moments captured with a tongue-flapping smile and fur flying.
And when your dog has gone and is no longer with you, there is a record - a permanently recorded testament for all to see - of the fact that you cared enough to dedicate a large part of your life to them. That their dedication to you was rewarded in kind, that you did things that made both of you happy together.
This is why sport titles are important. They are a memorial to a special bond between dog and human that few share.
And that's what we celebrate.
Solo (FMX, MBDCH-G), Shetland Sheepdog owned, trained and handled by Kathryn Bobb. Competed 2005-2012.
Tammy (FM, MBDCH-S),
Shetland Sheepdog owned, trained, and handled by Lucille Maczis. Competed: 2004-2009.
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Chase (FMX, MBM, IRONDOG), Shetland Sheepdog owned, trained and handled by Lucille Maczis. Competed: 2000-2008.
Cephus Stands Strong (ONYX, MBM), Boxer owned by Heidi and Paul DiAngelo and trained and handled by Kate Bobb. Competed: 2008-2012.
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Mischief (HOBBES, MB ONYX, IRONDOG). Border Collie, owned and handled by Russ Bobb. Scallywags' grand dame retired at NSL's 2018 Bloomin' Flyball on our home turf after competing from 2007-2018.
Nani (FDGCH, MBM), Mixed breed owned and trained by Lorinda McKisson. Competed: 2009-2013
Annie (FGDCH,MBDX), a mixed breed owned and handled by Wendy Midgette. Competed: 2012-2020.
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Fallon (FMX, MBDCH-S), a mixed breed owned and handled by Wendy Midgette. Competed: 2012-2019.
Riggo (FMX, MBDX), Golden Doodle owned, trained, and handled by Tina Hayden. Riggo ran his last races at Fur Fun's 2017 Coconut Classic. Competed: 2011-2017
Bella (FMX, MBDCh), Golden Doodle owned, trained, and handled by Tina Hayden. Competed: 2011-2016.
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Photo Credits: Some photos provided by Jim Geiser Photography
