It was the Monday after my high school graduation. I looked down at the fuzzy, foxy puppy in my arms: My first dog. After eighteen years of high hopes, Birthday wishes, and Christmas lists, my childhood dream of having a dog to call my own (a CORGI at that!) had finally come true.
Complete with short legs, a long body, and a stubby tail, she was nothing short of being irresistibly adorable. Don’t let their stature fool you - corgis can be quite agile and fast, as I would soon learn from competing in dog agility with my dog, Daisy.
Our first treks began early with puppy classes, where we learned foundation skills and played with puppy-sized agility equipment. After starting beginning agility classes, we soon gained the skills necessary to start competing as a team. While I always wanted to bond with a canine companion, I never imagined just how much that bond could be strengthened through competition.
Agility (as any competitor can attest to) is not an easy sport. Copious amounts of consistent training, time, and problem solving must be invested by both handler and dog in order to navigate difficult courses and obstacles. Techniques and new ways of communicating together are always being learned.
Daisy soon associated the sight of jumps, teeter-totters, tunnels, and dog walks with playtime. Every class and competition signaled an exciting game and another opportunity to spend time together as a team. Negotiating difficult courses with handler guidance (complete with lots of customary beginner errors by me – sorry Daisy!), we soon accumulated numerous titles and placements by the end of our first year; the titles, however, paled in comparison to the type of bond developed between handler and dog.
Personal life and time away at college could not separate us. For me, Daisy helped in a major transition that so many of us go through: college. Despite overwhelming issues with roommates, classes, and schedules, I could always count on Daisy to be consistently waiting at home for me, excited to see me and even more thrilled to play the game of agility with me.
I spent so much time on training, yet in the end I believe I learned more from her than she did from me. The importance of perseverance, loyalty, and friendship can all be learned from our canine counterparts. Regardless of the circumstances, I can always rely on Daisy to be there, complete with a wagging nub and that distinctive corgi smile to make all my days that much better.
I like to think this is what all our four-legged companions do for us: act as a glimmer of light during our darkest times and make our best moments shine a little brighter. Daisy has certainly done that for me, and every moment I spend with her – whether it be in the agility ring, at the park, or lounging at home – is a moment that will forever be cherished. Regardless of the future, I am always looking forward to our next adventures in agility together.
