a very HAPPY TAIL
BARC Shelter dog is now a National Agility Champion
I stumbled upon her photo and description when checking
out the Petfinder website. She was cute and looked like the perfect
agility dog but I wasn't looking for another dog so I let it go. But I kept
thinking of her and after a couple weeks, I e-mailed BARC hoping that she
had found a home. When I found out she hadn't, I went to have a peek. Our
first meeting was not pleasant. She wanted nothing to do with me
and shredded my hands when I'd go near her or her toys. After an hour of bloodshed
(mine) and attempts to "connect" with her, I gave up. I concluded
she was probably "unreachable" by humans. Too far gone. She seemed
almost autistic. But a few weeks later, she was still there and I took on
the challenge. A little voice in my head kept saying, "if you're a dog
trainer, this one's for you." I realized if not me, then who? I knew
she was right for agility (long legs & stride, incredibly flexible body,
high drive, speed, etc.) but turning her into a team player continues to be
the tough part.
SEPTEMBER 2001: Gripper is an Agility Champion dog
winning both titles recently: the NADAC NATCH and the USDAA ADCH. These
are the highest titles you can get in agility (aside from the AKC
which she's not allowed to compete in being a mixed breed dog).
SEPTEMBER 2002: A few weeks ago Grip got
her Double NATCH in NADAC (something most dogs never hope to accomplish—
and she's getting close to her Triple— most likely next year) and this
year she's been very consistent in USDAA (she's on all kinds of Top 10 lists
which is a really big deal. Especially for a mixed breed. (If you want to
see her name in lights, go to http://www.usdaa.com
and poke around at the bottom of the page under "Performance Awards"—
Grip jumps 16" and she's on all four Top 10 games lists for 2002 (Standard,
Jumpers, Gamblers and Snooker). There's a new award they've just come up with
that she will very likely complete next year: A Lifetime Bronze. We're going
back to Minnesota in a couple weeks for the NADAC Nationals.
Oh, and I've just started to train her to skateboard.
So hopefully we'll have something to show you the next time we see you.
Read more about GRIPPER on her very own site at: http://www.agilitynut.com/gripper.html
back to main happy tails page
BRENDA
Brenda is a petite, endearing grey and white lady who was
first rescued more than a year ago. She has spent this time in an excellent
home with a true animal lover. Unfortunately, Brenda is tremendously fearful
of other animals, and the other cats in the home picked on her endlessly.
(She never even gave the dog a chance!) She ended up confiining herself to
a tiny hiding place and being miserable. Her person was right to try a new
environment, because Brenda is blossoming at BARC. She seems happier by the
day and rolls around to get people to pet her. She would be an excellent companion
for someone with a quiet household. She absolutely must be an only pet. We
estimate that she is 8 to 10 years old. She is missing most of her teeth,
but that's fairly common in mature cats who have had difficult lives. She
has no trouble eatiing wet or dry food. Please consider giving this lovely
lady a new home.
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Color: Grey & White
Age: Senior
Size: Small Sex: Female
MILES
Miles came to BARC from the city shelter, where he was brought as a stray. His back leg is deformed due to a birth defect. However he doesn't seem to notice his disability, and still walks, jumps and plays like a regular dog. Miles is a happy, good-natured dog who likes to give kisses.
Breed: Pit Bull Mix
Color: White & Brown
Age: 1 year
Weight: 51.9 lbs.
Sex: Male
MILES
Miles came to BARC from the city shelter, where he was brought as a stray. His back leg is deformed due to a birth defect. However he doesn't seem to notice his disability, and still walks, jumps and plays like a regular dog. Miles is a happy, good-natured dog who likes to give kisses.
Breed: Pit Bull Mix
Color: White & Brown
Age: 1 year
Weight: 51.9 lbs.
Sex: Male
BRENDA
Brenda is a petite, endearing grey and white lady who was
first rescued more than a year ago. She has spent this time in an excellent
home with a true animal lover. Unfortunately, Brenda is tremendously fearful
of other animals, and the other cats in the home picked on her endlessly.
(She never even gave the dog a chance!) She ended up confiining herself to
a tiny hiding place and being miserable. Her person was right to try a new
environment, because Brenda is blossoming at BARC. She seems happier by the
day and rolls around to get people to pet her. She would be an excellent companion
for someone with a quiet household. She absolutely must be an only pet. We
estimate that she is 8 to 10 years old. She is missing most of her teeth,
but that's fairly common in mature cats who have had difficult lives. She
has no trouble eatiing wet or dry food. Please consider giving this lovely
lady a new home.
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Color: Grey & White
Age: Senior
Size: Small Sex: Female
