The parade of veterans was created to pay tribute to the old dogs that have loved the sport of agility all of these years. It is a way to bring these handlers and dogs together and let them in the ring "one more time."
Whether they have acquired multiple titles and NATCH's or they just ran to have fun, we honor them today for all of their achievements in the agility ring. Some teams accomplished everything they set out to do and others achieved more then they could have ever dreamed.
Remember when you first saw a particular dog run and how much fun they were having and how they still enjoy it even now? Maybe at a slower pace, but still with enthusiasm.
So put your hands together and applaud these best friends who have shared so much with their handlers. Let the owner know it was nice to see them out there again. Give the dog a pat on the head and a hug - and if you shed a tear or two, it only means you understand that your time in the agility ring is limited with your canine companion.
Here is a video of the Parade of Veterans
All participants were given a commemorative t-shirt when they checked in.
The back of the shirt listed the names of all of the veteran dogs.
Kelly D was our MC for the event.
She read bios for each dog that had been written by the owners and were printed
in a booklet.
Lots of vets waiting their turn to parade around the ring.
They did a mini course of jumps (with no bars up) and a tunnel which ended on a
table.
Handlers received a laminated copy of their dogs bio including a photo of their dog
and a gift of dog cookies.
Dog Entered
9 Years Old
Mushtown's Maggie Pollitt "Maggie" and Chris Mosley
Brady's Brother Max "Max" and Niki Manning
Milo and Terri Lewis
9 1/2 Years Old
Diamond Aire Aviator "Ace" and
JoAnne Schwietz
Sir Anselot "Ansel" and
Kate An Hunter
Maya and
Leo Fuerst
10 Years Old
Fabian and
Laura Breckheimer
The Good Shepherd's Bad Habit "Ginger" and
Gina Pizzo
Bushbusters Kayley of Camelot "Kayley" and Janet Ingersoll
Murphy and Deb Rickard
10 1/2 Years Old
Skeeter Jo and Joyce Johnson
11 Years Old
Hamilton's Copper Devil "Copper" and Heather Sather
11 1/2 Years Old
Nordic's Munge Tak "Garrett" and Lorelei Purdy
Zerlahn Cody's Wild Hunter "Hunter" and Jan Poole
Kallie and
Jolynn Wedekind
12 Years Old
Gina's Thousand Dollar Rescue "Kip" and
Jim Nally
Ramsay's Boomerang Aussie "Shep" and
Jim Nally
12 1/2 Years Old
Brady and
Deb Rickard
Riley Roo and Becky Hart
13 Years Old
Susie and Barbara Davis
14 1/2 Years Old
Maggie and
Gina Pizzo
Trilogy Firepower Salutaire "Tigger" and
Lorelei Purdy
15 Years Old
Banditt and JoAnne Schwietz