Chapter 1 CATCHING AIR It's a sunny summer day in California Hundreds of teams of disc dogs and their human handlers have gathered at a huge grassy field Some dogs are having one more drink of water Others are barking excitedly A young handler makes her way to a quiet spot in the corner of the field She looks at her canine partner They squeeze in a last quick practice session After a few jumps and tricks she hears an announcement It's time to clear the field She pats her Border collie on the head They make their way to the sideline
disc dog is a fun sport for both competitors and the audience
Disc dog Torch handled by Kirby Mcllveen makes huge leaps in the air Dozens of dogs perform before it's this team's turn to participate in the freestyle competition One handler does a somersault as part of her routine Another has his dog jump on his back then launch off to catch a disc midair Even though many teams have stunning routines the young handler feels confident She and her dog have been training for this competition for months After what seems like forever the handler hears her name announced She leads her dog onto the turf
The music she has selected for her performance booms over the loudspeakers The handler and her canine partner twirl and glide across the field She throws the disc to her dog again and again Some of the throws are long Others are high The dog digs his claws into the soft grass racing to catch a disc At exactly the right moment the dog uses his powerful back legs to spring into the air The crowd gasps as this canine athlete spins 180 degrees in midair He expertly snatches the disc and lands gracefully on the turf Before the choreographed routine ends this amazing Border collie leaps onto his handler's raised knee before taking flight for one last catch of the disc Spectators whistle and clap when the performance is over FLYING DOGS Disc dog is a fun yet challenging sport The canine athletes that participate in this sport are expert jumpers and catchers Handlers compete on the field with their dogs But the dogs are the true athletes
