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Are You Agile?

My dictionary defines agile as the ability to move quickly and easily. Does that fit you? Does that fit your pet?

Recently I attended dog agility trials. Yes, the dogs were agile. The handlers needed to be also. While the dogs did the jumping, climbing, and tunnel runs — the human trotted along giving hand signals and soft words of direction and encouragement. Knee braces were a common accessory for the humans.

A good many of the dogs wore happy expressions at the end of the run. A few asked via body language “can we do it again?” Others “helped” the handler collect their leash for a quick round of “Keep Away”

Some of the humans were panting also. But they remembered to reward their charges with kind words, an affectionate rub, and a treat from their pocket.

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Are you ready? Multiple jumps. Climb up — and down. Into the tunnel. Weave through the poles. Remember to pause on the table while the official counts off the seconds. Short legs? No problem — the jumps are adjustable.