Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... November/December 2008

Please accept my, and the Board’s, best wishes for the festive season. We trust that you, and your family (both two and four-legged), will be safe and enjoy at least a few days of rest and relaxation before the New Year arrives. I hope the man with the red hat and coat, towed along by his reindeer, drop in and deliver some well deserved gifts.

In the last competition of the year, in both Qld and NSW, a number of ADAA Awards were presented to members. The Certificate of Appreciation is the minimum Award available and is intended to provide encouragement and recognition for the valuable contributions and achievements of excellence of an individual within a Club or ADAA. The Outstanding Service Award is intended to recognise those individual members who have continued in their service towards ADAA and have extended their commitment. Congratulations to the following:

I would like to thank the club members who assisted by undertaking much of the initial work that enabled the Board to finalise these Awards. If you have someone that your club would like to nominate for an award, details of how to make a nomination are available in Policy section of ADAA’s website.

In Qld, Pine Agility Dog Sports Club (PADS) has now held its second competition for titles especially for beginners. This was a “short” programme for those in the Elementary and Starters level to specifically enjoy. It is great to see those newer to the sport (or not so new with newer dogs) getting the opportunity for more runs in a relaxed atmosphere.

In NSW, PAWS 4 Fun club has accommodated a Sunday afternoon/evening ADAA competition at their grounds. Originally expected to be a small event (also with a shorter programme), it was great to see many new, old and renewed faces come along. Thanks to PAWS 4 Fun club members together with Nicola, Penny and Julia for putting it all together.

Over ADAA’s 14 years of operation each of us has formulated our own thoughts and ideas on our favourite dogs however there are a few dogs that have embedded themselves as foundation/pivotal to the sport and Association. After BADC’s December competition, Natalie Kirkwood announced Skye’s retirement after 12 years of competing with the Association and a few months before she turns 14 years old. Natalie and Skye have achieved many accolades and titles during this time however it hasn’t always been a simple and easy road for them both, Skye with her own point of view of how things should be accomplished as well as having to deal with a variety of challenges away from the Agility training/courses. I am sure Skye will continue to determine the course of events at home for quite a long time to come.

With the temperature increases please keep an eye on your dogs and watch for signs of heat stress – safety is the most important thing. This especially applies to exercise in association with eating and drinking, as well as not leaving your dog in a hot environment such as your motor vehicle.

May you enjoy your training with your dog and achieve your goals.

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

[Top]