Some people arrive at the refuge knowing exactly what kind of dog they want, in terms of age, breed and sex. Others just wander round and see where their heart goes. A third type of person knows what they want a dog for. One such person is Isa, and today’s blog is about her and the dog she adopted from the SPA Carcassonne, Canelle (formerly Brindle).
Isa is an athlete. She competes at a high level on the track, and wanted to move into a sport called Canicross, which some of you may know. Basically a huge elastic waist belt attaches you to your dog, and you race round tracks or cross country together. So Isa had a very clear idea of what she wanted in a dog. But it had to be love, too, not just a tool. I have been to several canicross events (as a spectator, I hasten to add), and you see lots of huskies and other pulling type dogs. But Isa is drawn to a different type of dog completely.
After much deliberation, Isa adopted a dog from us in February this year and immediately enrolled in classes at the Club Canin, Carcassonne (with whom we have an ongoing and successful partnership). Pretty soon Canelle was ready to join Isa on the track. She was a natural. Isa was over the moon, and in her second ever competition they were on the podium! And guess what? Isa donated her prize (of dog food) to the SPA!
At this very moment Isa and Canelle are taking part in the Trophy of the Mountains. This is a huge canicross competition, with participants from 18 different nations. There are ten different stages to run over the course of nine days; I heard from Isa this morning from somewhere in the region Rhone Alpes, where she and Canelle are just about to enter into the top ten senior female category.
Before entering the competition Isa wrote to ask if we would mind if Canelle’s official race name could include the words “SPA Carcassonne”. Of course we were only too delighted to agree. Isa describes Canelle as a real warrior, she is massively proud of her dog, who just 5 months ago was in a kennel at the refuge. She says that together they are Team Freedom!
It is wonderful for us too, to see an owner and dog so in tune with each other. We are proud of them both!
Go Team Freedom!
Isa and Canelle at the start line (with Canelle obediently posing for the camera!)
And in full flight during the Trophy of the Mountains