The spotlight shines on a unique team of all veteran dogs that hail from Anchorage, Alaska. Relics in Action competes in the Limited Senior division. Seven senior dogs, ranging in age from 10 ½ to nearly 13, comprise the team that runs at Alyeska Canine Trainers, along with six other League teams! Captain Sherri Spangler tell us how the team came about and how special it is to compete with a veteran.
How did you come up with the great name – Relics in Action?
All seven teams sponsored by our club have the word ACT in their names because that is the initials for our sponsoring club, Alyeska Canine Trainers. We wanted a name for our veteran team that reflected the veteran aspect to the dogs participating on our veterans team and came up with “Relics.”
How did the idea develop to create a team of all seniors?
The team came about when one of our members, Sabrina Willis, attended the AKC National Agility Championship, competing with her younger dog. She happened across the AKC Agility League booth and discovered that veteran dogs can run at two height classes below their regular height class. She shared that information with other team members, who also had veteran dogs at home, and many who had competed together in their earlier years. They jumped at the chance to get their dogs back on the playing field.
How has League play benefited your older dogs?
Among the pros that the Limited division offers the veterans is the smaller course size, which plays to the stamina abilities of the dogs. Team members also said they think the older dogs like the more relaxed atmosphere that league offers. Most dogs on our team have a long list of titles attached to their names showing the dedication to training over the years and the bonds between handler and dog. It’s hard when the aging process limits the opportunities to be out and about with our dogs.
What suggestions do you have for keeping older dogs fit and competing?
Our handlers stress the importance of learning proper stretching exercises, cavalettis, and balance work, Our dogs benefit from living in Alaska as we have unlimited hiking and outdoor opportunities so they typically live a very active lifestyle that keeps their joints and muscles in shape.
Tell us about your team members:
- Taliaa 12 year 9 month old Cardigan Welsh Corgi, owned by Sharon Young. She is the oldest member of our team, but she certainly doesn’t let that slow her down. She made her entrance into league play with a bang ranking #1 for 4″ veteran dogs in Round 1 of the spring/summer season. Sharon says working with Talia is extra special because of the “incredible bond and relationship we’ve developed through all the years of training and trialing in multiple sports we’ve experienced throughout her life. Honestly, our connection began the day I caught her when she was born.” Sharon said she appreciates the opportunity to participate in league “since Talia is retired now from regular agility trials. The League has been a wonderful outlet to keep Talia active in a sport she obviously still enjoys. It has been a lot of fun for both of us and to be on the same team with veteran dogs we used to regularly trial with when our dogs were younger is very special.”
- Pisten, a 12 ½ year old Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, is loving getting back out to play agility. His owner, Rebecca Pauli says one of her favorite things about running Pisten is seeing the joy he has being out there with her and doing something they both love. “I love seeing him light up and jump around like a young pup just waiting for the opportunity to play the game with me. I am in heaven seeing him transported back in time. Then listening to him snore all the way home.”
- Zoey is a 12 ½ year old Miniature American Shepherd, owned by Sabrina Willis, who said the opportunity to run Zoey at a lower height is a huge help. “Because of her personality and my inexperience as a handler and trainer, Zoey wasn’t taught to jump correctly or have any self control. Consequently, she runs at obstacles without any sense of control, often crashes and slides and hurts herself. But she LOVES agility and really wants to play. In my yard I train with her at either 4” or 8”; she doesn’t need to use any effort to jump those heights. I really have been missing running with her. Her enthusiasm energizes me and really makes me smile.”
- Kanga an 11 1/2 year old All American Dog, who Robin Cope adopted from Alaskan Animal Rescue Friends at age 8 weeks. “Kanga is fun to work with and will do almost anything I ask of her. She was my first obedience titled dog and worked hard in agility. I know when she is excited and when she has had enough due to our long working relationship. She learns very quickly and does agility now without much practicing. She enjoys the league courses as they are shorter, and there is a more relaxed atmosphere in the league! She stays in shaped by hiking, swimming after sticks, and doing Barn Hunt.”
- Abbie is an 11 1/2 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever owned by Sabrina Willis who said Abbie quickly became the do-it-all dog shortly after joining her family. Abbie loves obedience and hunt and, because she loves to run fast, she tolerates agility. She loves to work. “Sadly, this past year her body has accelerated in age; her jumping days are over. But she really wants to play. Nothing gives me more joy than walking to the line with my two old gals (Abbie and her sister Zoey). I’ve never been an athlete or athletic, but my girls don’t care how good or bad I can run, they just love being out there with me. I believe they also love the opportunity to tell me off with excessive barking when I’m late or slow. I hope everyone has the opportunity to celebrate their veterans. The ability to choose the jump height has given us the game back. I hope to always have the opportunity to participate in league. Thank you for giving the veterans a place to participate!”
- Clyde is a 10 1/2 year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi owned by Jeff Benedict. Clyde has only seen limited action in agility trialing but loves to come play at weekly classes. When he isn’t doing agility, he hangs out with Dad and Mom, helping as a demo dog for the classes his owners teach at ACT.
- Gwennie is a 10 ½ year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi owned by Alexandra Jeffries. Gwennie participates in a variety of sports, including agility. When not competing, she enjoys going on hikes with her mom.