Show binds dogs, owner

Abby and Alex have performed better, but they conveyed no disappointment Saturday at the Qwest Center Omaha.

They seemed perfectly happy with themselves as long as their master, Deann Hecht, was with them. Of course what they thought about their lives and their performances in the Nebraska Kennel Club Show is pure conjecture. They're border terriers.

Hecht, of Lee's Summit, Mo., led both of her little dogs Saturday through the agility competition. The three-day show, which concludes today, features about 1,500 dogs and 130 breeds from around the country. Among other events, dogs participate in obedience, agility, confirmation (something of a beauty contest) and special demonstrations.

Abby and Alex were there for the agility drills. They and their rivals climbed teeter-totters, raced through tunnels, weaved in and out of poles and jumped over obstacles.

Hecht has entered these competitions with her dogs about four years. She loves her border terriers.

“They're wonderful dogs,” said Hecht, who, at 5-foot-2, seems a fine fit for 14-pound Abby and 17-pound Alex. “If you ever want a dog, these are the ones to get.” They're not prissy, she said, they like people and kids, and they aren't yappers.

These events strengthen her bond with them and enable her to set goals for them. Strong performances before the judges allow them to gradually advance through various classes. Both Abby and Alex are seeking “excellent” designations, which would indicate consistent mastery of obstacle courses over several shows. Abby, 8, achieved the excellent designation when she was younger and now is seeking it in the veteran class, which generally features older dogs.

Abby is more focused and eager to please her master, Hecht said. Alex, soon to be 6, suffers from a bit of attention-deficit disorder, Hecht said. He'd much rather play with a ball than run through the obstacle course. Sometimes he loses concentration in the ring and dashes toward whatever has caught his eye.

It can be frustrating. “Really, we should be at a higher level, and we're not,” Hecht said of Alex. “I'm fine with that.”

Alex made several mistakes Saturday. Dogs in the agility event are supposed to rest on a table for five seconds in the midst of the frenetic event. It's a demonstration of discipline. Alex jumped off too quickly.

Abby entered the ring and started sniffing the dirt. Hecht snapped her fingers. “Hey,” she said, to get Abby's attention. Abby looked up. Then the run began. Hecht clapped to communicate, and Abby raced about as ordered. Abby went through a tunnel when she should have jumped over an obstacle. That was a no-no.

She completed the one-minute adventure to polite applause from the audience, sitting in temporary bleachers beside the course. Hecht picked Abby up. Abby looked at her lovingly, and put her snout right next to Hecht's face.

Oh well, Abby seemed to be thinking, life is great anyway.

Contact the writer:

444-1123, rick.ruggles@owh.com