Lucy was the only bitch puppy born in a litter of puppies raised by HEART rescue (Home Emergency Animal Rescue Team), and was originally destined for another home. However soon after she started life in her new home, her owner decided that a terrier puppy and children don’t mix very well unless you know what you’re doing. As I was still in touch with Angy who runs HEART, she asked if we’d be interested in her – we knew Toby was going to be a great dog so we willingly agreed.

This is the dog that I began agility with, the one that started it all. We joined Severnside Dog Agility club in September 2002 on a beginners class and have been members ever since.Back in those days there weren’t such clear methods for teaching contacts or weaving poles, and as a result Lucy isn’t that fussed about completely either accurately! In our early days of competing Lucy would regularly leave the ring, as my nerves made her too worried to complete a course. She taught me a valuable lesson – that agility is supposed to be fun, even when you want to be competitive about it. If it’s not, don’t bother – it’s something that I try and remember every time I enter a ring.

Toby was born in the same litter of puppies as Lucy, raised by HEART rescue (Home Emergency Animal Rescue Team). He was the smallest dog in the litter, so of course my mum had to have him! He completed various puppy and basic obedience classes, and is generally a joy to live with. ‘Blithe’ is for happy which sums up this little dog – life is good as far as he’s concerned.
This big-hearted dog started at Severnside Dog Agility club with my mum in January 2003, but rather quickly turned into a big of a handful for her. This dog loves agility – the buzz, the hype, the adrenalin rush – the whole package. He likes to do agility as fast as he possibly can, with somewhat haphazard results! Toby may never be accurate enough to win a class, but since he honours me by choosing me as his agility partner of preference, I’ve decided not to mind too much. If you’re lucky enough to count this little man as your friend, then you’re a very lucky person indeed.