Queen of the red
collies...
 When did it all start? The seed was probably sown
for Jane Cameron when she saw her first agility demonstration at a local
agricultural
show many years ago. At the time, however, the pressure of work left her little time
over for anything apart from walking her dogs. She had kept Collies for many
years, so it was not surprising that at the age of 60, she discovered Agility and
found a whole new way
of life although, at that time, she had no idea of how it would take over her
life.
I was born hyperactive and must have
been an exhausting child to live with! I suppose I have spent much of my life
running... catching up, running away, sprinting and indeed purely running for
the sheer pleasure or perhaps the sheer exhilaration of feeling the ground speed
by beneath my feet.
Falling came naturally
to me having suffered numerous unsuspecting Rugby tackles from my brother, six
years my senior, who took great delight in coming up behind me and felling me to
the ground.
Taking up a new sport in
retirement gave me a purpose and enabled me to enjoy a life travelling the
country which previously, due to my work, was never possible. I found most of my
fellow and indeed younger competitors very supportive, even when I beat them!
But I learned so much by example and watching others run their dogs and, of
course, from my ever patient trainers at Scrambles, Pachesham and Sunniday.
 Starting
Agility in later life has its drawbacks
Realistically one is slower to learn and it was
many weeks entailing a great deal of patience from my trainers before I finally
mastered ‘the snake.' Directional commands could be problematic and,
although the brain would process the information, it did not necessarily reach
the voice on time. Having what was so aptly described as 'windmill arms' had
it's drawbacks, leaving my dogs in some confusion as to where they were supposed to go!
Remembering
courses as one progressed through the grades became harder especially running
multiple dogs when at times I had as many as six courses to walk first thing in
the morning. While running my dogs on several occasions, I can recall coming to a
full stop frantically trying to remember where I was going.
I was never going to do
shows let alone travel long distances and camping was definitely out of the question.
So
what happened?
Under pressure I entered my first show.
After my first run, I left the ring elated. We had not been eliminated. I loved the
experience!
Competing at agility
shows opened up a
whole new way of life. I led an almost Nomadic existence during the show season, fitting in training,
household tasks, gardening and preparing the caravan for the next trip during
the few days spent at home each week. We went to some amazing venues, had
wonderful walks in many counties and met so many delightful people whom I miss
seeing. I loved running my dogs and discussing the days events with friends
over a glass or two of wine before retiring to my tiny folding caravan with my
six
dogs.
I did a judging course
which was an interesting and an enlightening experience made really enjoyable by
the humour of Roy Napper, our instructor. I earned the required certificate and
judged at a few shows including one memorable occasion during April in the
snow!
 My red dogs
I love collies and most of my mine have been red, possibly to do with having
a red headed Dad! The exceptions were Leo, my first agility dog, Brigg, black
and white and Chart who is a black tri.
Leo became my 'clear
round' dog. He loved his training but was badly affected by an unfortunate
experience which took a great many months and much encouragement to overcome.
Roli was the
first of several red collies joined later by his brother Tambi who became my 'clear
round' dog. They were something else. Both were tremendously fast. Tambi
was like an unmanned rocket around the rings while Roli was like a Kamikaze pilot annihilating courses!
From the start Roli lived for his
agility. What he lacked in accuracy, he made up for in enthusiasm. He loved his
training but was badly affected by an unfortunate experience which
took a great many months and much encouragement to overcome.
At the end of one particular round, I recall the judge coming up to
me to tell me that Roli had actually left one jump up. Another commented that he had never seen a dog turn in mid-air to face his handler while
jumping! Roli was blessed with a wonderful wait and always had great contacts.
On another occasion when I fell - as I
frequently did - he waited at the bottom of the A-frame until I picked myself up
to release him. It was a great day when he won me out of Elementary.
 Kai was something special
My real passion for Agility started and ended with him. He was not an easy dog to run at shows,
but he taught me so much.
He would become frustrated with his elderly, inexperienced handler. At times, his
adrenalin rush would be so intense that he would fly at me at the end of the
round, sometimes drawing blood! Eventually this habit was cured by training him
to go to his lead which was fine if I got there first but should he beat me to
it, he would race off, knocking hell out of the lead until I eventually caught up
with him!
He and Tambi won out of Starters on the same weekend.
It was the
only win Tambi ever had. Kai, however, had many wins and progressed to Grade 6,
competing at that level until he was 12 and finally retiring from Allsorts
shortly before his 15th Birthday.
My other dogs
Keeto, my fourth red Collie, was a kindred spirit. We had a real partnership. I
loved running him and he, in turn, adored his special time competing with me. It broke my heart when on a glorious sunny day, two days before Christmas,
he dropped down dead at the end of a walk.
 His
half-brother Chart was possibly the naughtiest dog I ever owned. When it came to Agility, he would delight in playing the clown. Many
was the time we went clear up to the final jump when he would give me one of his
looks and run around to back jump! At other times, he would play hide and seek
around obstacles. He quickly learned to locate the bucket containing his toy
before the end of his run and it became a challenge to hide his reward without
his noticing and leaving the ring early to claim his prize.
Brigg was special to me
because he came from my home county of Lincolnshire, hence his KC name
Borderstorm Lincoln Imp. He was the most laidback puppy I have ever had and
fitted into the pack like a glove. He was a joy to train, and I soon became aware that I had a really
outstanding dog. That we made it to Grade 7 despite my faults is a tribute to
Brigg who, like Kai, was a dog in a million.
Brooke was my first
bitch in many years. She took to Agility like a
duck to water and was seriously fast. However, when it came to competing, she
was wild and her frustration at my inadequacy to guide her showed in her biting
my legs. I became expert in pirouettes and other moves to avoid confrontation,
but I must have done something right to get her to Grade 5!
Finally Kofi joined us.
He was a delightful little chap of mixed parentage whom the pack chose to ignore until
he was almost six months old when Brooke deigned to play with him. Starting
Foundation training, it became obvious that at times Kofi had an off button when
his enthusiasm waned and when it came to competing he was ring shy. He only
competed in two shows. Perhaps his reluctance might have changed with
encouragement and patience as time progressed but this was not to be.
 Things I don’t miss about Agility
-
Early starts
-
Relying on my SatNav which,
at times. would direct me down single-track lanes towing my caravan with few
passing bays, praying I would not meet oncoming vehicles.
-
The long journey home, stuck in traffic after a day running my dog.
-
Setting up in the pouring rain
-
Course walking in
the rain, trying to avoid people practising their manoeuvres while
holding an umbrella.
-
Queues which on occasions would snake
around two sides of the ring meaning a good half hour wait until one finally got
on the line only to rush off with another dog to join another lengthy queue.
Anyone who runs multiple
dogs knows the nightmare of trying to get to various rings on time and
especially when doing Ring Party. On more than one occasion as they were calling
to the end of the class I had to take three of my dogs to one ring and run them
consecutively, no mean feat for someone in their 70s!
Little did I know that
in May 2017 when Brigg won a Grade 7 Agility that this would be our final run
together. I recall walking 16 year old Kai around the rings and people
commenting on how fit he looked and the next day he had gone. The following day
I was struck down with Labyrinthitis from which I have never fully recovered so
my agility days which really started with Kai ended with his passing.
Memories I
have in abundance of a really happy period in my life with my wonderful dogs. It
really was fun while it lasted.
 About the author...
Jane Cameron was born and grew up in Cleethorpes.
She studied at The Royal College of Music,
prior to Grimsby and Kingston Schools of Art, and taught Music and Art at St.
Martin's Preparatory School Grimsby, before moving to Surrey. She then became
Director of Music at Woburn Hill School, now known as St. George's College
Junior School, until her retirement.
Feedback
Jane
Godding
I remember the lovely big brown boys Tambi
and Roli. When I first started, despite being busy, Jane always had time for a
chat and to help me walk a course and show me the ropes as a total newbie.
(25th February 2020)
Jill Spurr
Wonderful, wonderful lady, whom I first met as a show secretary, and
intrigued by the name of her dog, found him on Anadune and discovered he was
litter brother to Matisse's father. She popped over to see me at the show, armed
with copies of photographs of some of the relatives that were only names on the
pedigree to me. Enjoy your retirement, Jane, you are an inspiration.
(24th February 2020)
Robyn Fell
Having discovered agility well
into my sixties, I can resonate with much of that. Though we’ll never scale any
dizzy heights of accomplishment we do have huge fun!(
24th February 2020)
Stefanie Dawson
Jane was always my role model
and I loved training alongside her! She always had so much energy and it was
really sad when she had to give up her agility. (24th
February 2020)
Marion Mcilherene
Jane is an amazing person. Her
energy and enthusiasm always left me in awe!.(24th
February 2020)
Debs Fawcus
What a fabulous article! I met
Jane training at Scrambles when I first started agility (around 2002/2003). Her
lovely red boy, Kai, and my Meg were best of friends back then. Jane always had
time to chat and was such a great role model. She had boundless energy and still
gets a mention today when one or other of us is moaning at having to get to a
ring. We will recall Jane rushing back and forward, often running four dogs as
well as doing Ring Party. Such an amazing lady with her family of beautiful
dogs. (24th February 2020)
Joanne Richards
Was only thinking of Jane the other day. Lovely lady. I used to
always be in awe for her stamina at the shows and with four dogs running!
(24th February 2020)
Nicola Hart
I'm so glad you have written this
article on Jane Cameron who is quite simply unique. I reflect all the comments
before about her being inspirational but she also has a big heart. I sadly don't
get to see Jane anymore but can keep tabs on her through FB.
(24th February 2020)
Ruth Fox
That was interesting. Thanks for posting.
(24th February 2020)
Georgina Davies
Beautiful, thank you for sharing.
(24th
February 2020)
Julia Maxted
Miss seeing you at shows.
(24th
February 2020)
Jennie Thorpe
Love this! Jane is an inspiring lady,
definitely a sad miss for agility. I still see her walking her pack locally, and
she still strides along so fast!
(24th
February 2020)
Linda Evans
Really enjoyed meeting up with Jane at lots of shows and really miss our chats
putting the world to rights.
(24th
February 2020)
Shirley Elkins
This is such a lovely story, really enjoyed
reading it.
(24th
February 2020)
First published
23rd February 2020 | 