Canine Competition

Canine competitor works the weave poles

If you live near the St. Louis metro area and enjoy seeing talented canines in action, take a drive out to Gray Summit, Missouri this weekend for the National Incredible Dog Challenge. Winners from regional competitions across the country will converge on Purina Farms to vie for the title of National Champion. Among the competitions are diving dogs, a Jack Russell Hurdle Race, agility, weave poles, and disc dogs. The scheduled events begin today, Friday, October 2 at 9:30 a.m., and resume October 3 at 11:25 a.m.

Canine spectators on leash are welcome to come.

I attended the competition a few times in previous years and was blown away by the energy and focus of the dogs. Let me just say that they don't call them "Incredible" for nothing!

Media coverage is heavy. In a few months, highlights of the event will be shown on ESPN. And you never know who may be there. One year, I met and spoke to Tony LaRussa, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, along with a few Cardinals players who came along to do an autograph session. Tony has an animal shelter in California, and received a mega-donation from the event for his foundation.

The weather looks perfect, but darn the luck, I'll be out of town.

Whatever you choose to do this weekend, please enjoy!