These dogs got the runs and then some!
Meet Plop
I wasn’t really looking for another dog, but when I saw this hilarious, energetic vibrating bundle of joy on a rescue site on facebook, well the rest is history. Plop was sent to a shelter for having too much energy. But really, all he needed was an outlet where he could express it. Agility was a perfect fit for him.
Plop is a cattle dog rat terrier mix and has had huge success in agility, becoming among other things. a two-time Westminster agility champion and a multiple world team member.
Plop doesn’t have your typical agility build, but he makes up for it with the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.
Plop has an international fan club, and when he runs you might just hear people yell “can’t stop the plop!” Truer words have never been said.
Photo: Michelle Pedone.
Meet Schmutzy
Schmutzy is a rescue dog who came to me in one of my saddest moments when I had suddenly lost my beloved dog, Oscar, to cancer. Schmutzy’s human mother suddenly passed at the same time, and she needed a home. I think we were meant to mend each other’s hearts. She was such an athletic dog, and it was her energy and drive that led me to agility.
Schmutzy is a sassy mix of Cattle Dog, Labrador Retriever and Doberman. Throughout her career she showed the Border Collies how it’s done, winning multiple gold medals in everything from regional to national to world level events.
Schmutzy’s nickname is “Drama Llama” because howling is her favorite pastime!
At 15 years old , Schmutzy is now retired and the grande dame of the house, living the good life playing with Jolly Balls to her heart’s content.
Photo: Michelle Pedone.
Meet Wedgie
Wedgie is a rescue border collie from Glen Highland Farm. She’s the fastest dog I’ve ever owned and she racked up big regional wins.
But early in her career I learned that she had a compressed disk and I did not want to risk serious injury, so we decided to stop competitive agility and enjoy it in a more casual setting.
Wedgie is now 14, but will still spend hours sitting in front of a tunnel eagerly awaiting her command to run through it! Nothing gives her more joy, except maybe cuddling on the bed.
Photo: Michelle Pedone.
Meet Tinkle
Tinkle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Hungarian herding dog known as a Mudi. However, I think she looks more like a cross between a lamb and a bear.
Tinkle is the most physically gifted I have ever owned. She is an insanely sweet gazelle, and she’s also quite a sensitive soul. Because of this, big, new or noisy events can be a bit scary for her.
But we were ready to take on that challenge together. Training Tinkle required me to flex different parts of my training brain, and really understand how important it is to listen to your dog and work on THEIR terms.
Tinkle is two and we are just about to start our competitive journey . Her speed and skill is incredible and I’m so proud of how much she has grown, how brave she is, and how we trust in each other. I can’t wait to see where we go.
Photo: Michelle Pedone.
Meet Poopsie
Poopsie is one year old and the newest member of the family .
Poopsie was a stray found in an abandoned RV park in Mississippi, but Australian Cattle Dog Rescue took her in and gave her a second chance. When she appeared on facebook, I must have gotten 500 messages about her!
I was just going to help evaluate her, but I evaluated that she HAD to be my dog. She loves to climb anything and everything, she enjoys sitting on my shoulder during video calls, can catch a frisbee like nobody’s business and is a brilliant operant learner.
And yes, she looks a lot like another member of the household. I call her my “ploppleganger”!!!