Alexandria's Animal Welfare League, which runs our local Animal Shelter, holds an annual fundraiser called the Canine Games. For about 500 contestants, dogs and owners, the competition is fierce. Daniel and Dylan decided to enter this year, so they trained by frolicking around the family room and watching a lot of TV together. Although they didn't win any prizes this year, they are even more determined to go for the First Prize next year!
Click on any of the thumbnails for a larger view of the pictures.
Contestants number 16
The games are a series of contests wherein the dogs and owners are measured by size of dog against similar sized dogs for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention prizes. Below are some of the games Daniel and Dylan entered.
The 40-yard dash - where Daniel stood at the other end and encouraged Dylan to "Come!" as fast as his legs and desire would allow. Dylan improved his time in the second heat, where he ran in a lane that had shorter grass. See Daniel & Janet at the end?
In this game, the owner hid in one of the three large boxes while the dog couldn't look. Then the owner had to call the dog who had to find the owner in the shortest time. Dylan took his time and enjoyed all the sights and sounds around him!
This obstacle course required skill and endurance, both of which Daniel and Dilly handled very well!
The last obstacle required Daniel to get Dilly to sit on the platform. Daniel stood on the platform himself to lead by example!
In Beach Bonanza, Daniel had to do all of the work while Dilly just had to try hard not to interfere!
The Alexandria Animal Hospital, where friend and house-guest Dr. Shannon works, embeded a Microchip under Dylan's skin to help locate him if he ever gets lost. Animal Shelters are able to use a detection device to read the Microchip, which contains our location data. Dilly let out a heart-wrenching yelp when the needle pierced his skin. Here, Daniel, the Doctor and helper comfort Dilly.
Friends Steve, Jean and Arlo came to the Games also. Arlo is a veteran of the games. He wins a prize every year for his efforts and personality. This year he won "Most Persistent."
