Fastest. Agility Dog. Evah. Run Sprintie run!
By Gina Spadafori
November 2, 2008
For the second year in a row, my friend Teresa Rodney (a/k/a T-Rod) and her dog Sprint took their speed-jumping class at the World Cynoport Games by more than a full second over the second-place team. To win this once, amazing. Twice? Beyond words.
But wait, there’s more. T-Rod’s Jazz is heading into the finals today in the veteran’s division. Which would be notable under any circumstances, but especially this one: Jazz was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2007, and given just a few weeks or a couple precious months to live. The prognosis was so grim that last fall, when Teresa received Jazz’s invitation to the AKC nationals, she almost didn’t enter, figuring that Jazz would not live long enough to compete.
That was last year. This year, Jazz is still running clean and fast, and has again been entered at the AKC Invitational agility championships this December. It’s looking pretty good that she’ll run again. And so, too, will Sprint.
I adore both of these dogs — I went to Long Beach last year to watch Jazz compete, and asked Teresa to write the story of the miracle dog for our new “The Ultimate Dog Lover.” Last spring, when we were wrapping up the book, Teresa wondered aloud if Jazz would still be alive when the book came out.
Not only is Jazz alive, but she will run today among the best agility teams in the world.
I will be in attendance in December at the AKC event again to watch and cheer. For Jazz, the miracle dog who will not quit, and for Sprint, the fastest agility dog in the world for the second year running, who just happens to be the sister of my own darling McKenzie.
Image: From two years ago, McKenzie (left) and Sprint, taken at a USDAA regional event in Santa Clara. They were both about 18 months old at the time.
Great chicken reading: Heather over on Raised By Wolves writes about poultry politics. Marvelous stuff.
Gina, are you sure you have Jazz’s Dx date correct? I’m pretty sure she was Dx’d back in January of ‘07 — which only makes it more amazing that she’s still going strong!
Go Flat-Coats who have way outlived their prognoses! (Including my guy who’s going strong one year post cancer Dx. Knock on wood.)
Comment by Deanna — November 2, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
You’re probably right, Deanna. And yes, Jazzie’s survival is really incredible.
One year for your boy … yay!!!!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
You ARE right, now that I think about it. I saw T-Rod at a hunt test (the one I’m going to next weekend) in Nov. of 2006. She thought something was up with Jazz, but didn’t quite know what yet. She was waiting on results.
So that’s TWO YEARS and Jazz is still going strong. Wow.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
The video feeds are up on the web:
http://www.usdaa.com/specialevents.cfm Click “Video Stream.” You will be asked to register (free).
Teresa and Jazz are in the Grand Prix Veterans Showcase. Teresa and Sprint are in 22 in. Performance Speed Jumping. Woo hoo!
Comment by Debbie — November 3, 2008 @ 8:03 am
What a beautiful story. The spirit in Jazz shines so bright, that cancer can’t even slow her down. She really must be a happy doggy, not to let the cancer even keep her down.
I hope she does great in the AKC event and I will be rooting for her & sprint. I am going to check out the video now and I can’t wait to see them in action. :)
Have a wonderful day and God Bless.
Josy
Comment by Josy — November 3, 2008 @ 10:10 am
I absolutely LOVE IT when non BCs/Shelties/Aussies/JRTs shine in the AG spotlight! T-Rod and Sprint and T-Rod and Jazz are fabulous teams and a thrill to watch, and USDAA is my very favorite of all the venues! What amazing achievements!
Comment by Anne T — November 3, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
OK, I’m sitting here misty-eyed! My dog Bailey was diagnosed with cancer in December 2005. We were told she had 6 to 8 months max. Here we are coming up on 3 years later and she’s still running our lives! Thanks for sharing this, Gina! I LOVE these success stories!! I’ll be rooting for Jazz this December!!
Comment by Bev at Pet Care — November 3, 2008 @ 2:20 pm