, the Columbia Agility Team Newsletter, is now available on line.  Download the Oct 2008 edition.  Past Issues available as well. 

The editor is M'lou Thompson. She would like to hear from you if you have news or ideas about the newsletter. To the extent you can provide copy in electronic form, it is greatly appreciated.

April CPE Trial (1/22/09)

By all accounts, it was a great trial.  Here's how everybody did: (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

2009 CAT Board of Directors Elected (1/12/09)

CAT's annual meeting was held January 11 Clackamas Denny's.  Along with the free deserts, the reports and reading of the minutes, the main course was the election of CAT's Board of Directors for 2009. The newly-elected Board is shown below.

Left to Right, Mike Chapman, Member at Large; Tanya Sacks, President;
M'Lou Thompson, Secretary; Kevin White, Member at Large; Trey Winthrop, Vice President;
 Pamela Brown, Training Director; Judy Bluett, Treasurer; Debi Runyon, Member at Large;
Pat Weinkauf, Member at Large

Thanks is in order for 2009 Board. CAT has continued to grow and prosper under their leadership.  Retiring members of the Board are Members at Large Karla Forte and Julie Jones, and Secretary Kim Booth. 

2008 Holiday Party (1/12/09)

Neither snow, nor sleet nor freezing rain will stop CAT from having its annual Holiday Party...but they might delay it.  That was the case this year when the big pre-Christmas storm snowed out the original date.  Not to be deterred, the ever resourceful Janelle Jeli coerced the management at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn into letting us reschedule the party to January 10 and almost everyone who had signed up for the original date were able to make it.  Folks showed up with human and canine food donations and wrapped gifts for the annual agility gift exchange (you know, the cut-throat kind where you can swipe the gift that someone else drew). 

Entertainment during the appetizers and dinner was provided by a great slide show put together by Barb Persson -- agility dogs and people from past and present.  After the dinner it was time for the annual awards to CAT members who have distinguished themselves by their hard work and achievements over the years. 

Deena Lavine was awarded the Top Kitten award for the novice handler who had demonstrated successful skills and good sportsmanship	Barb Watson was awarded the Top Cat award for an advanced handler who has demonstrated advanced skills and good sportsmanship		Judy Bluett was awarded the Trudy Mischler Award for an outstanding contributor to the club.  This award recognizes Judy's hard work as treasurer and a trial secretary.
Kyle Watson was awarded the Member of the Year Award.  Everyone knows Kyle.  As equipment manager, he's the first one there at a trial and the last one to leave.  He keeps the equipment functioning and does it all with incredible good humor.		Kitty Ware was awarded the Sportsmanship Award.  It recognizes both her good sportsmanship as an agility competitor and teacher and her general hard work on the Club's behalf.
This was also an opportunity to recognize CAT's charter members -- the folks that got this whole thing started 15 years ago -- who are still club members.
Jim and Carol Hibbard
JoAnne Huntly			Martha Mullis
Other still-active Charter Members are Claudia Weiss, Janet Peck and, although they now live in Arizona, Patricia and Barney Riley.

All in all, it was another successful Holiday Party.  No fights broke out during the gift exchange and everyone seemed to go home happy.

Let's do it again next year.

  2008 Northwest Agility League Wrap-Up (1/13/09)

The Holiday Party was also the opportunity to hand out the awards for the 2008 Northwest Agility League.  Before handing out the awards, Dwight Cash, the League originator, organizer and head honcho, cited some impressive statistics. The League, which includes teams from RAT, Fleet Feet and BAAD, as well as CAT, had a total of 54 teams, 4 dog/handler pairs per team, and 65 For Exhibition Only pairs.  The League ran for 7 weeks with a standard course and game each week.  If I did the math right, that means almost 4000 individual runs over the 7 week period at a cost of $1.85 per run.  What a bargain and what a lot of fun!

Awards (cups) were handed out to the top 20 placed teams as well as to the League leaders and course designers.  The first 2 teams were from RAT (rats!).  But third place was captured by CAT Baconfury, made up of Heather and Bruce Christenson, Justine Merril and Cheri Kanaan. CAT Gone to the Dogs (Justine Merrill, Vivienne Boogaard,. Rebecca Johnston and Bonnie Johnson) captured 5th overall and CAT Be Quick (Paula Cash, Dwight Cash, Molly Plover and Michele Hall) captured 8th overall.  All the results can be founds here.

But placements aren't the big thing (from one whose team didn't place).  It's the fun and the experience of running in near-trial conditions that counts.  Many thanks to Dwight and his helpers for making this happen.

The 2008 Northwest Cup is in the Books (10/31/08)

First of all, apologies from your humble web handler.  This should have been up a couple of weeks ago but...the road to you know where is paved with good intentions. 

Apologies aside, the 2008 edition of the Northwest Cup was another great trial.  Kudos to Trial Chair Tara Choate, Secretary Kathy Stump, Equipment Stud Kyle Watson and all the others who worked so hard on this trial. 

Awards are given in the Performance class for Mini (!2 In. and under) and Open (22 and 16 in.) amd in the Championship class for Mini (16 in. and under) and Open (26 and 22 in.) The winners of the NW Cup are decided by who has the fastest average course time (yards/second) for two Clean standard runs.  Not and easy thing to do.  And (drum roll please) the winners are:

It is with some home town pride that we note that the Performance Open winner was none other than our own Megan Johnson with Nessa.  You remember her.  She used to be that little kid running around out there with a JRT.  Congratulations to Megan and all the competitors. The top finishers are shown below.

Another Columbia Cup Delivers Fun and Great Runs (9/10/08)

The Columbia Cup NADAC is, along with the Northwest Cup, one of the Columbia Agility Team's premier trials.  The Columbia Cup trophy is awarded on the basis of faults and average yards per second for the four standard runs.  Practically speaking, you need to put together four clean and fast runs to be in the running for the Columbia Cup.

Well, several teams did precisely that.  The results for the top finishers in each class and overall large and small dogs winners are tabulated below.  Susan Perry and her outstanding Aussie Lacey won both the Overall Large Dog and Overall Veteran Dogs awards.  CAT's own Lisa Neushin and her small Aussie Zoey won the overall Small Dog honors. 

Trial chair Barbara Stone and her trial committee did an outstanding job as the trial ran very smoothly, with the exception of tear down.  Three people plus Equipment Manager Kyle Watson stuck with it to the end to load the trailers.  Come on CAT members, we can do better than this! 

August CPE Trial Results (8/22/08)

The weather gods must think that CAT likes it hot because hot it was.  But many braved the heat and turned in good runs.  Here are the results:

Saturday

Sunday

The 2008 USDAA Northwest Regional is in the Books  (6/30/08)

This year's regional was hot in many ways.  Lots of smokin'  runs by many of the best in the west and some weather that was smokin' too (gosh, Saturday was hot!!!).  The heat didn't appear to slow anybody down very much and the weather moderated somewhat on Sunday for the finals of the Grand Prix/Performance Nationals and the Steeplechase/Performance Speed Jumping.  And thanks to the hard work and great organization by Trial Chair Barb Persson and the many others who worked so hard, the trial ran smoothly and we actually finished up at a reasonable hour each day. 

If you are interested, here are the results:

Some outstanding performances by local (or recently local teams) included a 2nd in the 16" GP by Lindsey Heather Christiansen and Fenwick (I swear, I DID teach them how to do a front cross!!), a 2nd in the 26" GP by Daisy Peel and Jester and a 5th by Janice Tsuchida and Trip. Heather and Fenwick also managed a 5th in the 16 in Steeplechase.  In the DAM tournament, Shannon Willis/Vegas, Karla Forte/Mike and Liz Dodge/Mick came in fourth while Hilary McGaughey/Boomerang, Barb Watson/Coal and Dick Watson/Rrrip came in 6th. In Versatility Pairs, Kathy McDaniel/Nash and B. Powell/Tex came in 9th.   Lots of great runs and a great time.  Now, will someone step up to chair next year's regional??

CAT Gear is Back!!! (6/30/08)

After an extended vacation, CAT Gear is back with some of your old favorites and some cool new stuff too (wait 'til you see me in my new CAT Jersey). CAT Gear is provided by Stitch Hounds (www.stitchhounds.com) , which is operated by former CAT member Denise Sproul.  Go ahead!  Check out the CAT Gear and show up at the next trial looking cooler than ever. 

CAT Dogs (and Handlers) on TV (1/28/08)

How do I get on the !@@)(*)_*&$!!! agileCAT list? (9/3/02)

The agileCAT list is a e-mail list specifically run by and for CAT members.  It is hosted by Yahoo groups, "owned" by Helix Fairweather and moderated by Debbie Sikes.  Some of you have been frustrated  attempting to get on the list.   Here, thanks to Helix, are the steps for signing up. 

  So you want to be....(2/28/02)

A member of a trial committee?  It's not as daunting as it might seem.  Jeanne Rice demystifies the trial committee positions HERE . 

Your Dog could be a Blood Donor!

Kitty Ware's CodyBear ( the white dog) has been a long time blood donor for Dove Lewis.  Cody has give 13 units to date!  According to the vet,   Cody's donations have potentially helped 26 dogs.

Dove Lewis will be having its annual request for blood donors on February 12 from 10am to 2pm. at the downtown clinic- 1984 N.W. PettyGrove.  Portland, OR.

Dogs must be 2 years old and weigh 55 lbs.  For more information call Dove Lewis and ask about the "super heros" program  at (503)228- 7281. 

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Junior Handlers

CAT has an active Juniour Handlers program with special programs and regular training.  If you have questions about the jr. handler program, please feel free to contact Bonnie Johnson

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Doggy Humor

The Laughing Dog Press web site nails Border Collies (and their owners) and agility enthusiasts with some deadly accurate and very funny observations.  There's got to be something good about that.  More breeds and dog sport fans to come. Check it out.

HOW MANY DOGS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?

You know you're addicted to agility when . . . . .

DOG HAIKU

"Say cheeeeese"
How to photograph a new puppy.........

1.  Remove film from box and load camera.
2.  Remove film box from puppy's mouth and throw in trash.
3.  Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle.
4.  Choose a suitable background for photo.
5.  Mount camera on tripod and focus.
6.  Find puppy and take dirty sock from mouth.
7.  Place puppy in pre-focused spot and return to camera.
8.  Forget    about spot and crawl after puppy on knees.
9.  Focus with one hand and fend off puppy with other hand.
10.  Get tissue and clean nose print from lens.
11.  Put cat outside and put peroxide on the scratch on puppy's nose.
12.  Put magazines back on coffee table.
13.  Try to get puppy's attention by squeaking toy over your head.
14.  Replace your glasses and check camera for damage.
15.  Jump up in time to grab puppy by scruff of neck and say, "No, outside!   No, outside!"
16.  Call spouse to clean up mess.
17.  Fix a drink.
18.  Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink and resolve to teach puppy "sit"   and "stay" the first thing in the morning.

This stuff just finds it's way to me on the internet.  Hope you enjoy it.

DOGGY DICTIONARY
LEASH: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your
person where you want him/her to go.
DOG BED: any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the
guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.
DROOL: Is what you do when your persons have food and you don't. To do
this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the
drool fall to the floor or better yet, on their laps.
SNIFF: A social custom to use when you greet other dogs. Place your
nose as close as you can to the other dog's rear end and inhale deeply,
repeat several times, or until your person makes you stop.
GARBAGE CAN: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to
test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push
the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with
margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of
bread.
BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control
body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush
and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person
then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.
DEAFNESS: This is a malady which affects dogs when their person want
them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at
the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.
THUNDER: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans
remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn
them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your
eyes wildly, and following at their heels.
WASTEBASKET: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old
candy wrapper. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the
papers all over the house until your person comes home
SOFAS: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is
polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers
clean.
BATH: This is a process by which the humans drench the floor, walls and
themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently.
LEAN: Every good ACD's response to the command "sit!" especially if
your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before
black-tie events.
BUMP: The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking
a fresh cup of coffee or tea.
GOOSE BUMP: A maneuver to use as a last resort when the Regular Bump
doesn't get the attention you require..... especially effective when
combined with The Sniff. See above.
LOVE: Is a feeling of intense affection, given freely and without
restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail.
If you're lucky, a human will love you in return.

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Dogs Needing Homes

Leo (4/28/09)

I’m Leo’s foster mom and I’m contacting you to inquire if anyone in your organization might be looking for a dog for agility. Leo came to OFOSA (Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals) from the SW Wash Humane Society. He is an energetic 9 month old Dutch Sheppard puppy who is looking for an active home. He is housetrained and is working on his obedience training. He knows sit, down and is working on his leash manners. Leo gets along great with all of the dogs in his foster home. He goes to doggy daycare twice a week to work off some of his puppy energy and to improve his socialization with people and other dogs. The staff at the daycare says he has tons of energy and loves to play. Leo would do best in an environment where he has a “job” such as fly ball, agility, etc. Leo’s adoption fee is $250.

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting Leo, please contact Sandra Graham (OFOSA Dog Coordinator) at 503-709-9195 or via email at sandra.graham@comcast.net. You can also visit OFOSA’s web page at www.ofosa.org

Where to Find a Few Good Dogs

Many fine agility dogs are "rescues" -- good dogs that didn't quite fit in with the home situation, frequently because the owners didn't appreciate the needs of an intelligent, active, high-drive dog -- just the characteristics you want for agility.  We list dogs that individuals have brought to our attention.  But local shelters and rescue organizations are also likely to have great agility prospects.  Here are a few links for you to track:

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Classifieds

Use the classifieds to advertise something dog or agility related that you want to sell, trade, buy or whatever.  Send your advertisement to catnews.

Finish Line Frames

Pat and Bob Weinkauf's Finish Line Frames now has a website. Go to www.funagilityframes.com for easy ordering. Unique handmade agility frames are the perfect way to show off those well earned photo's.   They will soon be adding herding frames and other fun dog sport items.

Wheat-Free Doggie Treats (7/13/03)

Is your dog one of those wheat-intolerant critters?  Well, here's a source of nutritious, wheat-free treats from CAT's own Kathryn King.  Check out Kathryn's web site,  www.kingislanddoggietreats.com

Pet Sitting Service in Vancouver (5/17/02)

Announcing a new choice for pet sitting in the Vancouver area! Sit and Stay! Pet and House Sitting Services is up and running. Many of you may have seen me volunteering at competitions over the past couple of years. After being in the corporate world for over 10 years, I decided to get back to my love of animals and start my own pet sitting business. Previous to my corporate life, I was a Vet Tech and I have experience handling and caring for all kinds of animals from small to large.

If you live in the Vancouver area and are interested in my services, feel free to call me at 360-574-6855 or visit my web site

Colleen Waters - Owner
Sit and Stay! Pet and House Sitting Services
Phone: 360.574.6588
Email: SitStayPets@aol.com
Web: members.aol.com/sitstaypets 

Agility Training Equipment (1/30/05)

1" PVC jumps for sale with one pair of snap on adjustable height jump cups and one jump bar $15.00
with two pairs of snap on adjustable height jump cups and two jump bars $18.00 
Junior handlers receive 10% off jumps.

We also sell the snap on adjustable height jump cups, for those who prefer to build their own jumps, for $3.00 a pair

Contact Amy Legg or call her at 503-829-7484

    

ON COURSE AGILITY RECORD BOOKS

A great training aid that allows you to track you and your dogs performance.
Keep track of your dogs legs and titles. Record show location, course flooring,
make comments on weather, camp grounds, showers, hotels, and the overall
show site.  This can help you choose the most desirable show sites that best suit you
and your dog.  With laminated covers it will withstand the Oregon rain as well as dog slime.

Available for NADAC and now USDAA.  Price: $15.00 each.  This does not
include shipping. Special delivery arrangements can be made.

Contact Connie at csdirks@proaxis.com or call 541-367-8130

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If you have news for the web site and the news letter, send it to catdogs@columbiaagility.org