Miss Daisy, Canine Reporter

I Know Dogs

This article appeared in Star Tribune newspaper regarding dog team sports… Flyball.

“Flyball races consist of teams of four dogs and their handlers. One by one, the dogs race over a 51 foot course that requires each dog to jump a series of four hurdles, step on a box that triggers a tennis ball to pop out, catch the ball and return back over the course with the ball in it’s mouth and cross the line to start he next dog’s leg of the relay.

The first team to finish without any errors wins the race. Many teams complete the course in 20 seconds, with the world record nearing the 15-second mark.

In 2007,The North American Flyball Association reported a total of 342 tourneys entered 8,360 teams for 358 Clubs. The events attracted 5,697 different dogs representing 146 breeds.

While any breed or mix can participate, the small to mid-sized dogs have an advantage due to the hurdle height and raceway dimensions. Five of NAFA’s top 10 dogs last year were border collies. ”

I love those border collies. (What about solo sports for dogs?)

My reaction to Flyball is what can the ordinary dog owner do to for his Fido? A dog you don’t have to especially train for teamwork and still have fun and exercise.

I suppose you could organize a special race for dachshunds (which would have to be a very short one with low hurdles), a special race for Bischons and Poodles with mirrors for grooming glances, and a long course for Greyhounds using a track meet stopwatch.

St. Bernards could carry a rescue doll instead of a ball, and a rat terrier could carry a dead mouse. (Just kidding.)

There are many sports that feature agility, fetching, speed, and conformation. Local clubs would be the most help here. Call one.

All dogs are above average in their own way.

By the way if you love dogs, Click here, Five Great Reasons To Adopt A Dog.

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Miss Daisy,
Canine Reporter

There are famous dogs like, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Snoopy and now Miss Daisy Sawtelle to name a few.

I hate to brag but I can’t help it. These dogs are heavy hitters and world famous. My claim to fame is being a MENSA dog, above average that is. I know dogs and Robert, editor of the Dog Biscuit Gazette, has taught me about humans and what to report about for dog owners and their ‘best friends’.

I was covering a story in Los Angeles with Robert about cruelty to animals, when I was shocked to see a street named Sawtelle Boulevard. I looked up from taking a pee and there it was. I certainly wasn’t going to pee there again.

I speculated that it was because I was an above average, attractive, and irresistible. (Dogs have egos too…watch the Westminster Dog Show.)

It had to be the success story about my humble beginnings from Embarrass, MN to becoming a canine reporter. My reporting was apparently noticed by the Los Angeles city council and they honored my work with this tribute.

A small parade was ordered while I was in town and I was placed on the front of the float with a Hollywood trick monkey, a cursing parrot, and a fluffy cat (Uff Da.) Pet lovers lined the six-block street with their animals looking on enviously while a recording of “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window” played softly. This tune is very offensive to me. (But that’s another story.)

(Little did we know but the ‘parade’ was a funeral parade. We had accidentally stumbled into it and couldn’t exit for two blocks. Nevertheless, we waved and sadly smiled as if we were mourners.)

There were some Hollywood producers there naturally while the videos and stills were taken. They parted with the familiar words,’ we’ll be in touch’.

Just then a resounding backfire from the motorcycle escort woke me up and I realized I was back home in the office. What a nap. The picture on the wall of the parrot and the monkey hadn’t moved but the cat did so I went back to sleep.

However, that street sign remained: Sawtelle Boulevard.

By the way if you love dogs, Click here, Five Great Reasons To Adopt A Dog.

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Miss Daisy
Canine Reporter

I Know Dogs

Border collies are way above average. I wouldn’t be surprised if many are MENSA DOG members already. Many border collies keep emailing me bragging about their other talents and I am impressed. However, I am currently on line with Malcolm, a protector and collie that locates lost humans and is a real dude.

The following article in USA TODAY shows the versatility of this amazing dog.

“Southwest Florida International relies of an old fashioned remedy for runway safety: a smart dog.

Since 2001, a nine year old border collie has been patrolling the runway and chasing any birds in sight. A bird being sucked into aircraft engines is one of the most persistent safety problems at airports. Border collies scare the birds but don’t harm them.

The military was first to use dogs to chase birds from runways. Southwest Florida was the first commercial airport to begin using dogs in 1999, says airport spokeswoman, Victoria Moreland.

She says bird populations have fallen dramatically. Surrounded by lakes and wetlands the airport draws a variety of species, including sandhill cranes, eagles, wood storks, turkey vultures, egrets, herons, and ducks.

The Federal Aviation Administration has asked airports to update their wildlife management programs. Other airports have use used fake owls, firecrackers, and propane cannons to deter birds.”

Embarrass, MN doesn’t have an international airport yet but when they do, the birds to keep away will be Canadian geese, wild turkeys, and Mug Wumps…but that’s another story.

By the way if you love dogs, Click here, Five Great Reasons To Adopt A Dog.
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