2007 Top Junior Handler - Agility
Emily Klarman


Emily and UACH Fast And Furious Homer. Photo Courtesy Sarah Nugent.

I always had a passion for dogs but I had no idea what my true passion was until I took my first agility class in November of 2005, when I was only 12 years old. I walked in the facility not knowing what I was getting myself into. It's been a bumpy ride, but it's always been worth it.

I couldn't have gotten anywhere if it wasn't for my best friend, Homer. I have never met a dog with so much passion and determination. To me he's not just a dog, he's my best friend. I know a lot of people say that but I never understood what they meant until I got Homer 5 years ago. I never was good at making friends. I'm very shy and not a lot of people talk to me. But everyday when I get home from school I have Homer wagging his butt and whinnying. But our agility career is something much more then just a friendship. We have a bond not many handlers and dogs have. We have hopes and dreams that one day will hopefully be accomplished, and I know with Homer by my side we can accomplish anything.

It all stated November 2006 when I went to my first agility trial. It was a UKC trial in Peoria, Illinois. I wanted to qualify so badly and possibly get our first title. Our first run we would have qualified, but Homer fell off the dog walk, hurting his leg. I was so worried. It was my first run and I had absolutely no idea what to do. I was scared to death and I was thinking to myself, is it really worth hurting my dog in order to qualify? That's when I decided that it’s no longer important if you qualify, get 1st, qualify for nationals or even win nationals. All that is important to me is I have a happy and healthy dog that loves me very, very much. It took me awhile to actually keep that in my head though. Deep down I still wanted to win and qualify, but once I started forgetting all that is when the Q's, 1st places and titles flew.

The whole year of 2007 was an adventure. We made it to UKC nationals our first year of serious competing, something I would not have ever dreamed of accomplishing - but we did it. During that time I was having trainer issues and when I started taking classes with a new trainer I started seeing Homer become happier, gaining not only speed but also accuracy. I want to thank Joyce Morse for all that she has done for me. Her nice, kind words have helped me through so much and made Homer and I a better team.

Early in 2008, Homer and I had a special day when I went to the UKC web site and found out we had reached #1 Total Junior Agility, point-wise. That was a huge accomplishment for us. I had a special dog on my hands - although I knew that from the start. You can look at all the titles, ribbons and the accomplishments Homer and I have had, but if you look in our eyes you won't see a first place and you won't see #1 junior, you'll see a team that never gave up. And we don't plan too. Nothing anyone can say to us will bring us down.

In June 2008, my mother and my grandma drove four hours to Michigan. I had a lot on my mind at that time. I qualified for AG-I, AG-II and Total Junior. We ran two times in all. They did AG-I first, which counted for both Total Junior and the AG-I category. I walked on the course with a billion things running through my mind. But there was only one thing on Homer's mind - winning. I gave Homer a hug and told him I loved him before I left for the lead out like I always do. I lead out about six steps. Those six steps were the longest six steps I have ever taken in my life. I looked back at Homer while he stared at the first jump so intensely. I looked out ahead of me and looked at Homer one more time. I took a deep breath and said "Okay". The crowd stopped in their tracks. Homer flew over the first jump and went on the dog walk as fast as his body could take him, then stopped on a dime for his two on two off. We ran to the finish line as fast as we could. When we crossed the line Homer gave me the biggest smile, telling me, "Yes, we finally did it." Everyone in that room started clapping as loud as they could. I got the most applause that whole day. We completed the course in 27.24 seconds. We had the lowest time out of all the dogs who ran the course, including twenty-inch dogs and eight-inch dogs.

In my eyes, I didn't get #1 Agility Junior in the whole country, I got something much more. I got a dog who came home to a big steak dinner and a lot of love from me, and more importantly a dog who loves me more than anything in the world. We accomplished something that day most kids would dream of getting. I know with Homer by my side we can do anything we set our minds to. We've come so far over the years. Homer and I have been fighting and always will be.

I know what it's like to fly, I know what it’s like to take people's breath away, I know what it's like to hear a judge say “Whoa”, I know what it's like to make people stop and stare, I know what it's like to make people's jaws drop. It all started when I was only 12 years old, watching people who I admired and learning how to become an amazing dog trainer. Now I'm turning 16 and I've learned more than I imagined. Life is like a roller coaster, there are many ups and downs. I've overcome many obstacles with all my dogs and in the end it's always been worth it. No matter where I go in life I know I'll have all of my dogs by my side.

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