JOPLIN, Mo. —
One of the coolest things about writing this column is the opportunity it gives me to meet people who value time with their pets. I get to meet people who see their animals as more than just a pet with which they share a house.
I am a huge fan of people who take time to work with their animals and who find a connection above and beyond normal pet ownership.
I found out about three local pet owners who will travel to Tulsa from March 15 to 17 to compete in the American Kennel Club Rally National Competition, which will celebrate top dogs and trainers through a series of challenges to demonstrating teamwork.
I love this kind of thing because I have a small inkling of what people have to go through to get to that level. I like the dedication, the drive and the bond developed in that situation, and it's something that I hope I can reach at some point.
For Ronda Murphy, Jill Van Dieren and Linda Scorse, this is a chance to let their participation in the Tri-State Kennel Club of Joplin shine. The club provides scores of classes, ranging from agility to obedience and pet therapy. Murphy trains with the club and is an advocate for what training can do for a dog and its owner.
"It comes down to a little bit of everything in how dogs are trained," Murphy said. "But the most important part is that the time spent with them teaches them good behavior and enhances a strong bond."
Scorse and her border collie, Taz, will also compete next week in the agility portion of the competition. Scorse described the level of commitment that's required for getting dogs to a competitive level.
"It becomes a team sport, with one on two legs and one on four legs," Scorse said. "Win or lose, it is a relationship-building thing. You praise your dog to help motivate them because they are looking to you for support. You get to know your dog and know what you both are capable of."
The Tri-State Kennel Club facility, located at 4191 W. Cactus Lane in Joplin, has several tools available for those who want to work on agility.
"It really is nice for the dogs to train at Tri-state," Scorse said. "It was really built with their safety and happiness in mind. It really comes down to the enjoyment and the benefit to what they get out of it."
Murphy added that the agility ring was set up specifically with pets' safety in mind.
"They have the competition matting set up at the facility for them to get used to and to keep them safe," Murphy said.
As an owner, I'm excited to see something like this in our own backyard. I support even basic training for a new owner because of the benefits, but these owners have gone way above that. Murphy summed it up best when she told me how she got to that point with her dogs.
"Any dog can get to the point of competition," Murphy said. "But it is the time spent with them that teaches them good behavior. And competing is motivation to have a better bond with your pet. It is competitive, but everyone is there to motivate each other. That's what this is about."
Contact Ryan Richardson about this column or other topic suggestions at rrichardson@joplinglobe.com or 417-627-7363.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Ryan Richardson
Discussion
Ryan Richardson: Competitive training connects dogs, owners
- Lifestyles
-
-
Raised voices: Trio brings energetic, spiritual show to Branson
From singing in church and at their mother's bedside following her near-fatal accident, Michael, Avery and Nadia Cole, the Voices of Glory, have had an effect on people.
-
Glass instruments featured in special program
Dennis James' obsession started when he was 6 years old. During a visit to the Franklin Museum in 1956, he spotted a glass armonica and was transfixed.
-
Farm Girl Fest to hold spring event at school
A group that re-creates historic farm life at Red Oak II in Carthage will take their event to school this weekend.
-
Historic ghost tour features Victorian-era seance
Now the spring season of the historic ghost tours has a new stop: Caldone's After Dark Speakeasy at 218 S. Main.
-
Rummage sale to benefit foster parents
A rummage sale this weekend will help raise funds for foster parents dealing with cancer.
- Parents' planner (May 16-22)
-
Sarah Coyne: Family stories help children understand
Snuggled in her daddy's lap, though, was my oldest girl. As the adults talked and laughed, she watched our faces, and I knew what would happen next. It's the same almost every time we have visitors. "Can we tell stories?"
-
Cheerful cheers: Brush up on toasting skills
Only a very small percentage of people can stand up in front of strangers and pull off a toast that strikes the perfect balance between humility and humor.
-
Cheryle Finley: Appetizers can be a bite or a whole meal
Hors d'oeuvre, a word we all can pronounce but have trouble spelling, is from the French word meaning "apart from the main work," as in food set aside to supposedly give you an appetite for the main course that follows.
-
Amanda Stone: Radishes go well in salads
I was once asked this question: If you could only eat a food based on its texture, what would it be? My first thought was radishes.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
