Paws For Agility

A Philosophy on Agility:
By Pamela Spock,

 ”Agility is like life…you have to take it one obstacle at a time”.

My name is Pamela, and I am the founder and president of Affordable Agility, Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of dog agility equipment.

When I started my company about a decade ago it rather ’snow-balled’ into what it is now, rather than starting off as well-planned company of vision. Not to say that it didn’t have any.  Vision was birthed with frustration, particularly over trying to make backyard equipment for this crazy hobby I was caught up in! As a single woman who still holds a hammer up close near the head (the hammer’s head that is), and who is about as confident walking through the isles of a Home Depot as I would be walking the streets of India, trying to design a teeter-totter base for my dog was more than I could emotionally handle! I remember my sad attempt at building an a-frame. I used a small hinged garage sale sign and nailed carpeting on it! My Springer Spaniel either flew over it, or knocked it flat.  She was so patient with me back then. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my dog loved agility more than I even did.  And that is where the real philosophy and vision of this company comes into play. Agility is more than just a fun thing to do with your dog. If that was the sum and whole, you would get bored of it, because while your dog appears to be in his glory, you yourself are doing soul-searching. Soul-searching about what, you ask?  Well, if you’ve been involved in agility training for any length of time you have surely experienced the subtle affect that body language, tone of voice, and attitude has on your unusually sensitive dog. Anyone who has competed in agility competitions knows, for example, what happens to their dog’s confidence when you feel nervous or discouraged. Suddenly a sport that started off being fun (and still is) is also becoming a way of seeing yourself for who you really are! 

 

Cristina Popa

A dedicated Dog Agility Enthusiast 

I met Cristina when she inquired about Agility-in-a-bag travel set. She has been doing agility since she was 14. Now at 25, she has participated as a handler for agility, obedience and conformation showing in many countries and is an instructor specializing in agility and zootherapy.  She started her training with an American Staffordshire Terrier and then discovered that Border Collies are faster. I have seen many pictures of her competing with Odin, her Amstaff, and she has him competitive.

Determination could be her middle name, as she doesn’t give up easily when it comes to things about dogs. She has even fought the Mayor of Oradea when he wanted to restrict the number of dogs in apartment dwellings. (There is always some politician that seems to think more regulations are needed without researching the consequences.)    

When she was in Bulgaria, she saw some really nice agility equipment that is portable. “From that day,” Cristina said, “I must buy something like that to fit in my car (a yellow Seat Ibiza with a murial of Crazy, her first dog, on the hood) so I can do agility demonstration anywhere.”

 She then began her quest to find it. She googled “agility in a bag” and the Windryder web site, Agility Tools was on page 4 of the search.  Until she found us, she either had e-mail returned, “failure notice”, or they delivered only in the U.S.  She has a Master’s Degree and works in an accounting office. She is a member of her national kennel club and Vice President of her agility club.  She is currently training 3 client dogs, 2 for obedience and 1 for ring (show) training in addition to her own dogs.

When she needs a break, she visits her grandfather’s farm where she and Odin can play with the chickens, hogs and other farm animals.

 “I consider myself a sociable person, conscientious, perseverant and competitive.” Said Cristina, “I aways had a passion for animals, especially for horses and dogs. In time, the love for dogs has become a job ….”

 She was living with 2 dogs and a cat until her birthday when her boy friend gave her a Jack Russel Terrier which she named “Party.”  Sorry guys. You didn’t really expect that this beautiful, talented young lady not have a boy friend did you?