THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604090169
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Coastal Journal
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Sally, the Lakeland terrier, went flying through the hoop, dashing over the teeter-totter and scrambling through the tunnel over at Hunt Club Boarding Kennel and Cattery.
Her mistress, Debbora Schweers, ran along with her, encouraging Sally every step of the way.
``Hurry, hurry!'' Schweers would call out. ``Teeter-totter! Hoop! Good dog!''
Sally was so eager to please, you'd have thought there was a bone at the end of every obstacle, but there wasn't. The high-spirited dog was just plain having fun with her mistress.
Fun is what it is. Agility training is what it's called. Schweers is Hunt Club Kennel's agility coach, and she teaches classes for energetic dogs and their masters and mistresses.
The agility course of hoops, tunnels, jumps and teeter-totters is in a large fenced-in area at the kennel on London Bridge Road. The kennel boards cats and dogs and also offers obedience classes, said owner/manager Kathie Vogel.
Schweers has been offering agility training there for two years. The sport, popular in England, gradually has been growing here since the early '90s.
``It's like a team sport,'' Schweers said. ``The person is the navigator and the dog is doing the navigating.''
You can see what agility training is all about from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday when Hunt Club Kennel holds its Dog Extravaganza. Families are encouraged to bring their dogs for a day of games, contests and demonstrations. The rain date is April 21.
The extravaganza, to benefit the Virginia Beach rescue squads, will feature everything from a costume contest for dogs, to dog and owner gunny sack races, to bobbing for hot dogs for dogs only.
Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children. Dogs and children, 3 and under are free. All dogs must be on leash and have a valid city license tag.
A dog petting booth (rather than a kissing booth) will be manned for part of the day by Noodles the poodle, who belongs to Hunt Club owner Vogel. The friendly little poodle likes nothing better than to be petted by a child, Vogel said.
A blessing of the animals will take place at 2 p.m. Food from the Beach Grill will be for sale. There will be a silent auction for items, like dog food and pet supplies, and the kids can enjoy hayrides and face painting, among other activities.
``We're hoping people will bring their animals and participate and not just watch,'' Vogel said. ``Where can a family go where they can take a dog anymore? Not many places!''
And where can a dog go and watch other dogs show off their skills? Dogs and their families will be able to see dog ball and dog Frisbee demonstrations, as well as obedience demonstrations. And, of course, Schweers will be teaching agility dog classes throughout the day.
Her Lakeland terrier, Sally, is the first Lakeland to have an agility title in both the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, Schweers said. Energetic Sally looks like a small Airedale and is one of the rarer breeds on the American Kennel Club roster.
You and your dog can watch Sally do her thing Sunday and you also can watch Jewel, a pug belonging to Schweers' mother, Dot McClenny, go through the agility course like a little tank. Schweers' collie, Linda Sue, also will perform for dogs and people.
``Anytime you get people and dogs together, we always have fun,'' Schweers said.
Especially if its on an agility training course.
P.S. ARBOR DAY in Virginia Beach is Friday. Master Gardeners will be giving away tree seedlings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kempsville Library and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central and Great Neck libraries.
EARLY SEWING TECHNIQUES is the topic for programming from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at historic Francis Land House. Watch seamstresses make a dress for Mrs. Land on this special house tour, which is free with admission of $2.50 for adults and $1 for children. MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know about
Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555. Enter
category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet address:
mbarrow(AT)infi.net.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by MARY REID BARROW
TOP: Sally the Lakeland terrier, Linda Sue the collie and Jewel the
pug will be showing off their agility training at the Hunt Club
Kennel's Dog Extravaganza.
AT RIGHT: Sally the terrier gives us a preview.
by CNB