As told by Maverick and Darla
Not too long ago when Nonna visited we were playing with our toys, running around outside, and wrestling together when Mamma said, “I think I should start training them for an agility contest.” Nonna laughed and said, “maybe they should sign up for the Dog Olympics!”
“There are no official Olympics for dogs,” she told mamma, but Olimpiadi (O-limp-e-ah-dee) Olympic-style events do take place
across the globe to raise money for dog-related charities or rescue groups.” We thought that was interesting, so we listened to nonna explain as we cuddled on the couch with her. Now we will tell you what we learned!
These events might include allevamento (ahl-lev-ah-men-toe) herding, dog Frisbee, agilità (ah-jil-e-tah) agility, il puntamento (eel poon-ta-men-toe) tracking and la corsa (la kor-sa) running. There are also other activities which focus more on fun and lighthearted games.
We thought of a few which could include all types of fur babies. One of these could be a squirrel chase with the squirrel and pup separated by a fence to protect the squirrel. This would be really popular with labradors and pointers who love to chase squirrels. The squirrel and the pup are released at the same time and dog’s speed and agile moves such as leaping or rolling as they run along would be part of the score. Our cousin Bonnie loves to chase gli scoiattoli (yee sko-ya-toe-lee) squirrels so she would definitely love to sign up for this type of activity.
Malamutes, Greenland Dogs, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyed could compete in gare di slitta (gar-a-d-slee-ta) sled races and Jack Russell terriers would be perfect for un salto in alto (oon sal-toe een al-toe) a high jump event!
English Bulldogs, Bassett Hounds, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Mastiffs, bloodhounds, and other large breeds could certainly compete in a drool-off for the longest string of drool. They would be given something wonderful to smell and their drool would be measured by a string. Of course, they would be disqualified if they shook it off!
The next event could be a concorrenza di muovere il sedere (cone-kor-en-za dee mwo-vair-a eel seh-dare-a) a butt-wiggling competition or a speed walk venue. Corgis love to do this, but labs, boxers, bulldogs, golden retrievers, pit bulls, shepherds, and beagles would be stiff competition.
An all-out long-distance run is a sure bet for maximum excitement. Border collies, Vizsla, Weimaraner, shepherds, retrievers, pointers and Belgian Malinois would be best to enter this event because they are full of stamina and energy.
A zoomies competition would also be a perfect event which would feature most types of dogs except maybe the largest breeds.
If Darla and I participated in an Olympics competition for dogs we would definitely sign up for racing, zoomies, and butt-wiggling. I predict we would place at the top!