Buddy’s Run
The highlight at every ARFF Labor Day weekend agility trial is "Buddy's Run", a special exhibition class open to all retired agility dogs. We first offered this class in 2006 after ARFF member Pam Enion asked if we could find a way to honor agility dogs, like her Buddy, who could no longer compete. The dogs run on a simple course of tunnels and jumps at whatever jump height desired or with bars on the ground.
Buddy's Run is the first event of the Labor Day weekend trial. An announcer introduces each dog and reads a brief bio before the run starts. The crowd cheers for the dogs as they run and then receive a special rosette at the finish line. There is rarely a dry eye as we celebrate these dogs and their handlers.
For more details on Buddy's Run, please see the premium for our Labor Day weekend trial or the link to the 2009 USDAA.com article written by ARFF member Nini Bloch, which was nominated for a Dog Writers Association of America award.