When did agility become about how in shape a handler is?  When did it become about having the most physically capable handlers?

Overhearing conversations at a trial real makes me ponder why certain people run agility.  Comments such as:

"oh that guy needs to get a handler for his dog, he is too slow"

"oh that person is too fat to keep up with her dog"

What happened to agility being about the game?  I find it fascinating to watch a person with some sort of handicap run their dog on a course.  It is inspiring to watch the distance many of these handlers are capable of getting as they cannot keep up.

A person does need to understand their own physical limits but I don't remember anywhere it stated they are not allowed to run their dog.  Why should they get someone else to run their dog when they are perfectly capable of controlling their own dog around the course?

If a person has the ability to play the game, then I say go for it.  Good for you.  The game is supposed to be about the connection between dog and handler and a game that is played TOGETHER. 

We play a game with our dog from one trial to the next.  We learn to communicate with our dogs on a level many have never experienced.  There is a connection created between dog and handler when the game is played.

Whatever your game, we have to look at the length of time we want to play the game with our dogs. As hard as it is to face, we will one day lose our beloved canine partners.

Sampson is a large dog to be playing the sport of agility. He is suprisingly agile and fast for his size yet many have compared him to racing a school bus around the course.  Is he built for the sport?  NO.

Does he love it? There isn't anything he would rather be doing.

So while he is mere points away from his MACH, I will finish that title, then he moves to preferred.  Many have asked why I don't bump him to the 26" class in order to earn some more points.  I just won't do that.  That extra 2" is a big difference to ask a dog that size to do.

So I look at my options... after his MACH I can continue to jump him at 24" because he is still able, or I allow him to jump at the preferred level.  In my eyes, I would love to see Sampson compete in this sport as long as he is able, therefore by allowing him to jump the preferred height, I can hopefully prolong his career.

Often times other choices are made.  Some dogs have the capbility of continuing their game but it puts them at risk of bringing forth some type of issue.  Do we allow them to continue doing what they love knowing that they may not live as long or do we prolong their life and take away that game they truly love?

Only you can answer that for yourself and your dog.  For me, I would much rather live my life doing something I love and enjoying each day I had even if it means I may not live as long.  I hope to make the same choices for my dog.

Our dogs time here with us is limited. They do not care about the titles, ribbons, awards, and trophies.  All they care about is going out and playing their game with you. 

One day, the day will come where you will gladly return every ribbon and title just to have one more run with your dog.

Play the game. Enjoy the game. And there is a lot to be learned from our dogs.