Are you the budding Wordsworth or Keats of the canine world? Or do you think that iambic pentameter is a type of jump and a haiku is a new turn? Sometimes only a poem will do to express your feelings. So if you have ever scribbled a poem on the back of a show schedule while waiting in the queue or written a verse to show how you feel about your dog or agility, email it to:- Agilitynet.

From Agility Training to Your First Show
Anon

You go to training.
You learn new skills.
Your dog watches and listens to your commands.
You then form a special bond and nothing can take this away.

You enjoy agility.
Your dog enjoys agility.
You're starting to get good.

You decide to enter your first show.
You have to register with the KC.
You have to read all the rules.
You print off your first schedule.

You have to have your dog measured.
Your get to your first show.
You got to see the Show Secretary

Your class is called.
You walk the course.
You line up on the line. 
You're watching the others.

You play with your dog to get it excited.
Your dog's excited.
Your turn.
You get to the start line.

You take the lead off.
You wait 'til the scrimer says okay.
Your time!

You position your dog.
You glance at the course.
You take on last breath.
You're off.

Your first jump...
Your second and third...
Your touch points.
You're half way around the course.

Your dog sees/smells something.
You've lost your dog.
You leave the ring
Your head hung low.

You praise your dog.
You're not sure why though.

You feel disappointed.
You feel gutted.
You know if the dog didn't see/small something
You could have had your first CR.

You then realise that it wasn't all your dog's fault.
You learn from your mistakes.
You then book your next competition.
You're going to try again.

You realise that you have a bug.
This bug is apparently an Agility Bug.
You're hooked.
You don't know why

But does any of this really make sense?

Agility
Anon

When
by Richard Partridge

…it's blowing a gale

…it snows at Easter

…it's raining stair-rods

…My dog knocks the last pole down

…The judge is completely blind

…The dog misses his contact - yet again

…I’ve hung around all day and now got three runs all together

…I’ve missed the placings by 1/100th of a second

Please remind me...

AGILITY IS FUN

Rule Thirty Four!
By Iris Richards - Tamisje Agility

The KC have more rules, yes, there is more.
I hope you have all read, the new Thirty Four
It is for 'Dogs in cars on a hot day.'
It is very long; I’ve heard you all say.

When travelling along to an agility show
Leave three days early; your route may be slow.
You really must have a contingency plan
To avoid the inevitable long traffic jam.

Without air conditioning, it isn’t much fun.
Keep all windows open, remember that sun.
Hydrate your dogs, have water bowls full
Plenty of stops, is this a good idea at all?

On arrival at the venue, all dogs must depart.
Never leave them in the vehicle, why that is so smart!
But then dogs need shade, forgot your umbrella?
Oh, never mind, more water to hydrate your fella.

Unnecessary exertion is not to be taken
But that’s part of agility, if I’m not mistaken?
I, therefore, conclude that no more shows should run
No exercise, no competition, with KC no fun.

The KC and rules, just seem out of control.
I’m sure this is not the opinion of all
But most of the contents of rule Thirty Four
Just cannot be practised, and that is for sure.

Decisions, Decisions…
Leo’s thoughts from the start line

 By Fickle Lickall Leo
With help from desperate handler Janet Dilloway

Agility – It’s Tough at the Top!
By Iris Richards - Tamisje Agility

Where have the good old Agility days gone?
When we’d all cheer and clap, just for anyone,
But now there is no atmosphere,
The fun has gone, it's disappeared.

Remember the times of very large classes,
Time to mingle, with beer in the glasses,
Relax and enjoy three runs a day,
But now only two, and more pricey to pay.

No Novice, No Starters, No Elementary,
Classes all timed now electronically,
Grades 1 to 7, we know where we are,
But do we really like the new system so far?

Smaller classes, lesser prizes,
Unhappy competitors, no surprises,
Only the fastest dog wins, we know that’s true,
But some lower placings would be very nice too.

Hard work and training is being passed by,
Just clear rounds, not places, we know not why,
We strive to be the best in Agility – It’s tough at the top,
But is it all really worth it, when will these changes stop?

That Elusive First Clear Round

By Teresa McAteer

Every weekend the calendar’s booked
This agility lark has you totally hooked
It draws you in hook, line and sinker
Even when the course is an absolute stinker.

Before you know it you are totally addicted
Even when things don’t go as predicted.
You arrive at a show full of anticipation
But all you get is another elimination.

  You know it has got you when you travel for miles
And the weekend ahead fills your face with smiles
When you put up an awning in the pouring rain
Hit your thumb with the mallet but smile through the pain.

You arrive at the ring for your first run of the day
And hope to get round without losing your way
If you get this one wrong it will leave you deflated
If you get this one right you’ll be totally elated.

You take off the lead, check there’s no treats in your pocket
But you don’t work that ‘wait’, your dog’s off like a rocket
For one split second you dared to believe
Then frustration sets in when you miss that last weave.

So you eagerly await your very next run
Constantly wondering “will this be the one”
Can we get that elusive first Clear
It’s only a few hurdles – nothing to fear.

You put your dog down with an impressive ‘stay’
There’re 19 obstacles that stand in your way
Clear over one, two, three and four
Don’t count your chickens, there’s still plenty more.

Five, six and seven lead into a box
The judge thinks he can trick you, that wily old fox
Eight, nine and ten and your half way there
A pull thru’s approaching but you don’t really care.

Your contacts are all perfectly nailed
Missed just one and you would have failed
A few more hurdles to the finishing line
Could you possibly do it, and do it in time?

Yes you can, you hear the Judge clap
'Thank you, Judge.' What a nice chap
You praise your dog for a job well done
In the last 30 seconds he’s had THE most fun.

When you take up this sport you have no idea
Of the feeling you get when you earn your first Clear
And if you are lucky it might be a place
Which will put an even bigger smile on your face.

But even when things don’t go perfectly well
And you don’t come out feeling particularly swell
You are cross with yourself and your mind’s in a fog
Please remember to praise your dog.

He has gone out there and tried his best
Just to please you in your quest.
Do not ignore him or show you are cross
He’ll not trust or respect you which will be your biggest loss.

From Anna Dieckfoss...
Have to say, I loved the poem about remembering your first clear round. I had to laugh, as I can so clearly remember the first time I didn't get eliminated. As I came off the course, a friend said,'She missed a contact and knocked a pole, and that's all.' I replied, 'You mean, I wasn't eliminated?' And was on Cloud 9 for about a week!

The only change in the five years that I've been competing is that if there's a knocked pole and a missed contact, I'm definitely not on Cloud 9!

Winning Out
A poem inspired by the Winning Out Certificates
by Cyd Griffin

MOLLIE     
    by Wendy Longbottom                                                                                                                                                

She came to meat six months old
Full of mischief, not too bold
Little collie, black and white
Friendly eyes shining bright

                                    That was Mollie

.........................................

Full of life she needs a run
We’ll go out and have some fun
Off she goes I can’t keep up
Now she’s gone the naughty pup

                                    Where’s that Mollie

                        ......................................

Some obedience training I will book
She’ll do as she’s told with any luck
Walk by my side, not run away
Learn to retrieve, sit and stay

                                    Good girl Mollie

                                ..............................................

Doing heelwork nice and neat
Go to a show and compete
Oh dear me we’re making a mess
She’s not relaxed but full of stress

                                    Poor little Mollie

.............................................

Take her to agility training
Over jumps, do some weaving
Up the A frame and back down
Over the see saw, she’s happy now

                                    Well done Mollie

.....................................................

Go to a show, how will she cope
On the other side of the rope
Round the course with no fear
Racing over jumps and gone clear

                                    Wow! That’s my Mollie

Gael
Written by Ian MacDonald, 
following the death of Anna Dieckfoss's first collie Gael

Who is the Lady?
She tickles my neck
Ruffles my hair
Caresses my cheek
Skips across the grass

Her lightness belies strength
Leaves flutter at her passing
We pay little attention
Clouds scurry in Heaven

She moves faster now
Raging patience has gone
Her voice once soft
Does not become

What upsets we do not know
Rage has overtaken reason
Swift along the forest path
Chasing all from her way

The weak the aged fall before
The lady she is Gael.

Anna  keeps a copy of it in her purse all the time,
and sometimes it makes her cry still!

One Small Leap Forward,
One Giant Step for Dogkind!

by Jane Tatam

Twenty-four or thirty?
They’ve been going on for months
Can’t we talk of something else?
Oh please, just for this once.

The Forum lacks decorum
As they fight it out with bile
Is it kinetic energy
Or simply jumping style?

My head is simply reeling
From this hopeless long debate
When all I really want to do
Is teach my pup to wait!

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