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It Could be Verse!
 Are
you the budding Wordsworth or Keats of the canine world? Do you think that iambic pentameter is
a new turn or that a haiku is a type of jump. If you have ever scribbled a poem on the back of
a show schedule while waiting in the queue for your go or written a verse to show how you feel
about your dog or agility, email them to:-
Agilitynet.
Memorial Corner
Two poems to ponder by Jane Tatum for those moments when words
are not enough.
Phone Call to Rainbow Bridge
I loved you well.’
‘Not always.’
‘I fed you well.’
‘I would have liked more bones.’
‘We played great games.’
‘But you were often grumpy.’
‘I took you for walks.’
‘Not long enough.’
‘I trained you well.’
‘You were inconsistent.’
‘I kept you healthy.’
‘I loathed that vet.’
‘I loved your company.’
‘I had to share you with the others.’
‘I kept you warm and dry.’
‘But you gave me baths.’
‘I groomed you beautifully.’
‘I hated that.’
‘But I loved you.’
‘I know. I loved you too.’
© Jane Tatam
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Gone now!
I saw you born,
watched you grow and blossom,
so handsome you were.
You were gentle and shy
and soft with your paw.
Your love was my pleasure.
And then, with all the
years gone by,
I saw you fade,
watched you grow thin and sick,
so ill you were.
About you came the
stench of death,
a cloying, sickly smell I hated.
No food or drink could pleasure you,
only my touch – not enough!
Gone now!
Only the bittersweet scent
of your dying remains.
I raise your bed,
hold it close.
Now it is the sweetest scent
in all the world to me.
© Jane Tatam
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Reclaiming Rebus
by Elaine Thomas
They said I was hyperactive, and that I had to chew
But really I was just a pup, bewildered and confused.
By the time I was a year old. I’d had too many homes
Then Christmas came, and my
Ninth home threw me out into the cold.
They hadn’t taught me much, but one thing I had
learned.
They had played so rough for a young pup,
That in over excitement and in fright,
I would lose my head, grab on hard and bite.
I didn’t know that playing is okay.
I didn’t know I didn’t have to fight.
I didn’t know there was a better way.
I didn’t know Mum would be thrilled I got it right.
I only knew that my excitement led to fear and pain.
Well, we hung on in, my Mum and me
And I began to see that
I didn’t have to bite or fight or flee.
Now I can do a training round without a bite
And Mum’s so very pleased and proud of me.
And this is only doggerel
But Mum says it from her heart
That some have run, and won their race
Just getting to the Start. |
What is a REBUS?
It's a picture representation of a name, work or
phrase. Each 'rebus' puzzle box below portrays a common word or phrase. Can you guess what
it is?
The answer is head over heels. Get it.
Here are some more.
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
Answer:..
More |
Conversations at Dundee
by Anna Dieckfoss
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'Time to get up!' I said to Skye.
'What for?' said Skye to me.
'We’ve got a competition today
And it’s up in the wilds of Dundee'
'It’s 7.30,' I said to Skye,
'That’s us here for the day.'
'Never mind that,' said Skye to me,
'Can I stretch my legs and play?'
'Time to run,' I said to Skye.
'No problem,' said she, 'I’ll fly...
I’ll even touch all the contacts for you!'
But I saw the glint in her eye.
'We’ll have to
queue,' I said to my dog.
'Oh, great,' she smiled, so sweet.
'It’s the road to Planet Boredom there.
I wonder who I can eat.'
'I missed out a jump,' I said to Skye.
'I noticed,' said she, with a frown.
'I was having a lovely run round there
Then you mucked it up, you clown.'
'Time for lunch!' I said to my dog.
'Hooray!' said she,'Praise be!
My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut—
Is that crisp there for me?'
'I’ll buy you something from Sammy’s,' I said.
'Will it squeak?' said Skye, with glee.
'No, it’s one of those things for round your neck.'
'Big deal,' said Skye. 'Whoopee.'
'Time for another run,' said I.
Said Skye,'I’ll give it a shot,
But please could you get it right this time—
I’m starting to lose the plot.'
'You took the wrong course,' I said to Skye,
'You’re a numpty, and deaf as well.'
'It takes one to know one,' said Skye to me,
'You’re surely the handler from Hell.'
'It’s the end of the day, and you’ve won us a prize!'
'That’s nice,' said Skye to me.
'I’ll wag my tail and pretend to look pleased—
Now, can we go home for tea?'
Footnote from Skye:
'She thinks I reply when she talks to me,
-- I know, it’s hard to take.
Perhaps one day she’ll realise
I’m a DOG, for goodness’ sake!! |
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Morning’s light awakens the champions
From their trucks, their vans and station wagons,
With a full body stretch and drowsy yawn,
They breathe in the crisp air that comes with dawn.
Nods of respect and of recognition,
As each goes about their preparation,
Are exchanged between the competitors,
The Judges, and trial coordinators.
The air is filled with excitement and noise,
Some are frantic, while others more poised.
Young amateurs are eager and quite crazed,
Experienced masters calm and unfazed.
The rings readied and equipment set up,
Courses and running orders all put up.
Finally, a quick check and prayer before,
They let loose all hell; they open the door.
Sunlight shines through the old arena gates,
The air cracks like lightening ready for fate.
Athletes and handlers enter side by side
Set to lay it all down for canine pride.
The Starters are first to test their training,
Some are good, others – humiliating.
Come back Fluffy! No Buddy, don’t you flee!
On course is where you run, not where you pee!
They give it their best, but clean runs are few,
All are in search for that elusive Q.
Yet Starters dogs always have a great ball,
For laughter and praise are given by all.
Busy and attentive the ring crews are,
Straightening the chutes and raising the bars.
Course builders argue how plans should be read,
Some work while others stand scratching their heads.
Next the Intermediates, next to go,
There is Zeus, Athena and Apollo!
Having tasted glory and early success,
These titans all compete to be the best.
Follow your handlers as they point and shout,
“Go tunnel” “Up A-frame”
“TEE-TOORR!” “Get Out!”
Refusals, traps and contacts are all key,
Perfect those and a Master you’ll soon be.
What a bizarre spectacle it must be
The antics, the language, the cacophony!
To those new to the sport and who don’t know,
I’m sure agility is quite a show.
Children, dogs, and cameras all in a crowd?
That gate steward who yells extremely loud?
Timers, scribes and runners playing their roles.
Where is the damn line? And who’s in a hole?!
The Masters at last step onto the stage,
Veterans and Specials of every age.
A calm hush of awe descends on the crowd,
So smart and quick, they make their owners proud.
Jumping and weaving without distraction,
Listening and following all directions.
Each is calm and graceful like a young doe,
How Kelsey got there, I don’t really know.
Clean run! That was his last leg. The gods are kind!
What? A fault?! That judge is blind!
The judge is blind!
There’s still Gamblers, Snooker, and Teams you say?
I’m 0.4 seconds over time? No way!
The handlers’ zeal is very contagious,
They’re competitive and quite outrageous.
They practice day and night – in rain and hail,
Wear all sorts of pins and paint their dog’s nails.
They get there early and they stay for days,
Enter raffles and draws; lug around big crates!
They join dog clubs, each with their own colours,
Mad Dogs, K-9s, and Dogwood Pacesetters.
When the last dog has completed her run,
The prizes awarded and ribbons done,
Athletes and handlers exit side by side,
They’re covered with dirt and beaming with pride.
For the volunteers, there’s still much to do,
Cleaning and sweeping, picking up the pooh.
Tired and hungry, there since 6:00 AM,
They can’t believe it’s almost 8:00 PM!
They look out to see the red setting sun,
It’s hard to believe that was just DAY ONE!
Some may like Flyball and some join Drill Team,
But agility will always reign supreme.
http://www.dogwoodpacesetters.com
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Over the first jump
Run up the A frame
Stop at the bottom?
That spoils a good game.
Straight through the tunnel
Ignoring the weaves
Why's my mum shouting?
She's nuts I believe.
All this equipment
Here for my pleasure
I'll just use the best bits
She'll come at her leisure.
What? time for the next dog
I've not finished yet
Two more rounds of the best bits
Good fun? You bet!
by Hazel Kitching
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Sometimes I fly over two foot
six
Which way I’ll go no one can predict.Moving so fast,
I’m having a blast,
Was that the tunnel I just went past?
Whoopee it was, and here we go
Racing through I start to flow.
Long jump next, oh what a feeling
Here they come, the weaves, so appealing
I love to bounce, dash in and out
I’ll show that judge what it’s all about.
What’s next Mum? A quick flick-flack?
Better show the judge I’ve got the knack.
A serpentine, then a pull-through
Nearly done the ends just in-view.
Three more fences the last ones a spread
The Taryntimer gives a quick flash red.
During the run we achieved our aim
To have tons of fun in the jumping game.
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Molly
by Andrea Russ
Round and round the course,
What a mad collie!
One jump, two jumps,
Melancholy Molly. |
A Goldie from Shute
by Ros
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There was a young Goldie from Shute,
Who thought agility a bit of a hoot,
Through the tunnel she’d run,
over the jumps, so much fun,
That mischievous Goldie from Shute.
There was a quick collie called Jack,
Who would stay on the ramp when told ‘back’,
He would glide through the weaves,
with the greatest of ease,
But his barking we just can’t hack!
There was Jo with Winnie the poodle,
and Lolly with Holly the collie,
Cowpat Kim, Jack with Tim,
and Speckle who’s doing so well,
But the one I like best,
I must confess,
Is Rosie, that Goldie from Shute. |
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What Rhymes with Honiton?
Congratulations to Selena Short, winner of the Honiton &
District CS Poetry Competition.
The prize was three, yes three free A-4 photographs, courtesy of Mick Morphey, Mobile
Photographer
Our 1st Competition
The adrenalin is rushing,
And my hands are shaking.
I start to walk up the Course,
Leaving Speckles awaiting.
We're ready, "OK" I say,
Over the first Jump he goes.
Then, charging through the Tunnel,
And Weaving around 12 Poles.
This is so exciting,
Next, it is the See-Saw.
Wow!, Great!, Fantastic!, he
Touched the Contact with his paw.
Specs loves the next obstacle,
I see him fly through the Tyre.
We compete at Element'ry,
But I know he can jump higher.
A Clear Round so far, over the last,
"Go Geddum" had ran his first race.
We did so well; Specs ran so fast,
And came home with sixth Place.
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