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Or so my trainer tells me...
 Denise
Newbold, aged 82, had full knee replacement surgery in April 2024. Her goal was
to return to the sport she loves as soon as soon as possible. Fast forward and
five weeks after her operation, she was back at training doing some small
sequences. She wrote this article that was first published in The Agility
Voice, dedicating it to all her dogs - past and present - that continue to
give her unconditional love, companionship and real joy.
Hello, firstly let me introduce myself, my name is Denise Newbold, I am 82 years
young and share my life with my wonderful husband Pete and my two Working Cocker
Spaniels Nellie and Fen.
My beautiful speedy
Nellie Jelly Bean and I have just won into Grade 6, winning our last Grade 5
Agility at Kelluki on 4th February 2024, held at Merrist Wood.
Nellie always gives me
110% despite me giving her the wrong cues and trying to run with a worn out knee
(waiting for replacement). I thought that getting to
grade 6 would be unreachable!
I yearned all my
working days to share my life with dogs but work commitments forced me to wait
until I retired at 5 6years. There were no dog walkers or doggie daycare.
I finally got my first
dog Winnie - a show bred Cocker Spaniel. We eagerly enrolled in obedience
classes and in the summer, when this club offered agility classes, that was it.
I was blown away and hooked from the very first go at agility.
A whole new wonderful
doggie world opened up to me. We also took part in trick training, gundog
training and obedience classes and, after a while, I entered our first agility
show and have never looked back.
Winnie was a stocky
dog with only one gear, but we had many wonderful years together. Then came
Georgia, another show cocker with whom I spent 13 fun years with, remaining in
Grade 1. We learnt a lot.
I was 65 years old
when my next dog Merlot joined us. He was a working cocker from a gun dog
breeder.
Merlot was a beautiful
gentle lad but wasn't so keen on agility. He did love gun dog training and
learning tricks.
At age 70, Duffy
entered my life. He was another working cocker who exceeded all my expectations
by winning up to Championship level. Thanks to him, I became more knowledgeable
and skilled, and was able to handle the challenges of Grade 7.
We started camping at
shows - first in a tent and then in a camper van, and now towing a caravan.
 Nellie
Jellybean joined us when I was 72 years. Super speedy working cocker but my body
was beginning to let me down. Giving up was not going to be an option
Then along came Fen
who we rehomed during lockdown. I was 78 years old. My wonderful trainer Lisa
Jordan is teaching us distance handling and Fen, who is now four, adores
agility. He is very, very fast and, although we can get it together in training,
shows we find more challenging. He likes to run very fast, often in his own
direction. We've had some cracking ‘nearly' runs but, more importantly, we have
fun trying to work together.
Nellie Jellybean is
now eight years old and not ready to retire from agility yet. It's our passion
to continue as long as we can.
My
message to you
I urge anyone
of a Senior age to have a go. Dogs keep us fit. They have to be walked, We get
out in the fresh air in all weathers and taking care of them makes you forget
about your own health limitations and problems.
I love running my
dogs. It's fun and exhilarating. They love it, too. Slow or not, I want to
continue for as long as I can. I enjoy camping at shows, meeting up with many
agility friends. Though I may only get a clear round once in a while, I'm having
the time of my life with my dogs. Sharing your life with a dog is truly
beautiful, precious and fulfilling.
who had never been handled with her using a stick. They both
loved being back at agility. Truly inspirational!
First published on 15th
July 2024
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