Walkin' the Dogs

The second Sunday of each month this winter, the Muskoka Agility Dogs come to play in our indoor arena.

It's fun watching the different breeds -- all sizes, shapes, ages and abilities -- ripping about learning to work the equipment. Hogan was a bit perturbed when the snow came off the roof -- it sounds like an enormous zipper, and can be unsettling for the uninitiated. The horses all get used to it very quickly and barely twitch an ear, but Hogan took a little comforting and a handful of treats before he began to relax. He still put in very good 'runs.' The other dogs seemed to take the noise in stride, just one more distraction in a working dog's life!

Bijou, who is very fast through the obstacles, scooped up the Best Dressed Award.

But the biggest thumbs up today had to go to Roscoe and Piper, and their "person" Lowell. In between taking their turns working over the teeter-totter, weave poles, jumps, tunnels, etc., the dogs burned off some extra energy ski-joring with Lowell.

This is an old sport that is starting to make a come-back. To play, you need an energetic dog (or two), sled-dog harness, and harness for the handler -- dogs and people are connected by a line. A set of cross country skiis and poles rounds it out, and away you go!