Meet The Speed

Archived Posts from this Category

February 21, 2010

Meet the Speed- Dennis

by Kelly

Dennis was an abandoned and neglected vizsla, who was nursed back to health by Kelly, and her husband Jim, a little over two years ago. The vet ballparked his age as between one and two years old at the time.

Flyball has helped Dennis continue his healing journey. He has gained a confidence that he did not have before. Initially he was super afraid of the flyball box, and approached it like he was being asked to remove a ticking grenade from it. He would “suck” the ball out of the hole, ever so careful not to touch the box, lest he touch and trigger the box. Eventually he learned that he could earn treats by touching the box, and it was at this point that he decided the box was not his enemy, but a slot machine that would dispense yummy chicken treats if he could just find the right place to touch. He would stand with his front feet on top of the box, touching it with his nose, tapping it with his foot, even checking behind it for a secret button, much like an addicted canine gambler at a slot machine!

Nowadays, Dennis has no trouble at all getting on that box and whizzing back with the ball. He has even earned himself a few flyball titles!

December 11, 2009

Meet the Speed- Bailey

Posted by Brian and Joanne under Meet The Speed
1 Comment

Bailey was adopted from the shelter in Phoenix, AZ, by her dad Christian. At
the time he was a single parent and it got rough for awhile when Bailey came
down with parvo. She pulled through and has been a fighter ever since.
However, Bailey did lack, shall we say, manners. She was somewhat sheltered,
kept indoors and not socialized as a puppy. Bailey spent all her time with her
dad so when Christian decided to move to San Diego California and get married
to Tiffany, she was not thrilled.

San Diego was great, great weather and a new step-brother, Maddox the pug,
and they have DOG PARKS!!! But still Bailey had a hard time adjusting, she
ate a few couches, a couple of doors, several pairs of shoes and an un-named
number of remotes! One thing bailey always loved is playing ball…she loves
the ball, a little obsessed. In 2008, her dad was called to active duty to
go overseas for a year. Bailey and her step-mom, tiffany had to find a bond.
Tiffany found Ballistic Racers on-line and took bailey to an evaluation. She
was barking and growling, scared of the box and the box loader. However,
brian and Joanne saw potential and Tiffany was dedicated.

Today, bailey is an amazing dog. She LOVES flyball and she is good at it.
She loves having a job to do. At home, she is calmer and no longer has to be
crated to protect the couch. She has good manners and loves her step-mom!
She never misses a jump! Her dad has returned to the United States and hopes
maybe she will run for him too!

December 11, 2009

Meet the Speed- Indie

Posted by Brian and Joanne under Meet The Speed
[2] Comments

The true hound on the flyball team. Indie, the beagle-daschund mix has the biggest bark on a team and is often named by the team captains “the cheerleader.” Indie finds flyball irresistible. Why not if he gets everything: exercise, attention, praise, treats, chat with his doggie friends, and fresh air. Indie and his mom Linda have been on the flyball team for a year now. When not “ballistic,” Indie is a keen eater, kisser, and a shy admirer of the after tournament massages. Life couldn’t be better!

September 1, 2009

Meet the Speed- Vegas

Posted by Brian and Joanne under Meet The Speed | Tags: Ballistic Racers, border collies, canine athletes, Dog Sports, Flyball, rescue dogs, split faced |
[5] Comments

Vegas or Vegie is a rescue split faced border collie who is a flyball fanatic. She and her mom Joanne, have been racing in flyball for seven years and hold numerous titles. Vegie loves flyball more that anything else in the world. She usually is in the start dog position and smiling as she clears the jumps. She enjoys walks, playing frisbee and likes to ride in the car. She recently took up swimming which she enjoys immensely. Vegie has great flyball skills and is the border collie on our team logo.

September 1, 2009

Meet the Speed- Coco

Posted by Brian and Joanne under Meet The Speed | Tags: canine athletes, Dog Sports, Flyball, miniature poodles |
[5] Comments

Coco the mini poodle is not only a flyball dog, but quite a performer. She is still learning the sport, but always looking for applause whenever she can get it. A brief pause at the box, a look to the right as she goes over a jump, or a prance at the finish line are all good places for little Coco to get extra recognition. Coco is fast, loves to play flyball and visiting her flyball friends. She and her parents, Erich and Sara make up a great flyball family.