Daisy was having a “ditsy blond” day.
The golden retriever couldn’t stay focused, stopping halfway through the weave to dash toward the jump. Her handler, Holli Pfau of Durango, smiled and called her back.
“She had a perfect run on the weaves the other day,” said Pfau. “Sometimes she’s just a ditsy blond.”
Pfau and Daisy took part in the agility competition at the 13th annual Rocky Mountain Cluster on Sunday. The event runs through today at the National Western Complex.
The competition is serious but friendly, said Alan Krenek, assistant show chair for Friday and Saturday. “The thing is, everybody out here is rooting for everybody else.”
In addition to agility, where dogs run an obstacle course and are scored on time and ability, the show included conformation and obedience and rally events.
But judging in those categories isn’t just about communication. Carmen Garrison and Andrea Johnson of Westminster took great care combing Ace’s fur until it looked just right, trying to accent the angular features of the Bedlington terrier. Johnson, 16, began helping Garrison with Ace nine months ago at Blue Diamond Bedlingtons.
“She was getting into the goth scene, and so her mother and I thought that getting her into this would be good,” said Garrison. “It’s changed her entire outlook on life.”
More than 2,800 dogs were registered to participate in the event, which began on Friday, according to Louise Leone, president of the Colorado Kennel Club. Rough estimates put attendance at 3,100 by noon on Saturday.
For Daisy and Pfau, winning is nice but even on the ditsy runs, it’s about having fun.
“It’s like dancing with Fred Astaire when it’s good,” she said. “But, even though it wasn’t a qualifying run, we had a blast.”
Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier: 303-954-1661 or jsteltonholtmeier@denverpost.com
