The Story of Mike & Sweep, An Agility Adventure

This is the story of 17-year-old Mike (of Mike & Pinky the Lovable Pit Bull and a graduate of the July 2009 Kids-N-K9s program) and Sweep (Sarah Scott Dow's dog). Mike competed in his first ever agility show New Year's weekend of 2010 and, with luck and generosity, Sarah offered to let him show Sweep. He'd JUST STARTED learning how to handle TWO WEEKS before this show. Sweep is no easy dog to handle (a bit like a freight train) and I bombed badly the one time I ran her, but Mike did great! It was a great experience for him and he had such a good time. He has amazing natural talent for agility and a VERY competitive spirit. He was trying not just to qualify, but to WIN! Gotta love that spirit!

Tragically, Sweep passed away just 8 months after this show. She is gone but will never, ever be forgotten. Dogs like Sweep only come along once in a lifetime and I will forever be grateful to her for being part of the start of Mike's agility journey. We miss you, Sweep!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• mike
• sweep
• border
• collie
• agility
• usdaa

[DonnaNPups]

@fourpaws123 Thanks! It was really fun seeing someone get so excited about the sport in such a short time. Mike had a lot of talent and it was fun to watch him just take off with it. Agility is a great sport with a great community behind it so Sarah and I were glad to help someone new jump in!

[fourpaws123]

I can't say enough about people that are willing to let "teenagers" run there dogs. I was lucky enough to have someone let me run their dog and still do and now in my twenties can't thank her enough. If it hadn't been for their generosity i would never have gotten into agility and now it has been 8 years of fun!!!

[DonnaNPups]

@animalfanatic19  Thanks, Marcella. He really did a great job.

[DonnaNPups]

@Bcgoldenagility Wasn't that great?! I was super impressed! And the leaving her in the ring was so priceless. Funny the things you take for granted when trying to explain something new to someone! Mike doesn't need a Border Collie. He'd kick all our butts! ;)

[Bcgoldenagility]

Thats jumpers run was awesome!! "Taker her with you! Mike...you have to take her with you!!" So funny. Hes has done a great job!! I think he needs a border collie ;)

[animalfanatic19]

Great tribute to Sweep and Mike as well as Sarah. He looks great handling her out there and I love the cute contact performances and antics. She was a great dog! And Mike is a great handler. Glad to see him in the sport!