Channan Fosty Realizes Childhood Dream with 2009 AKC World Agility Team

Channan Fosty is making up for her childhood by participating in the 2009 AKC Agility World Team.

Fosty, 35, couldn’t have a dog when she was living in Brantford, Canada because her parents forbid it. So as a child she would watch dog shows on television and yearn to be in them. When she grew older she lived in apartments, further delaying her chances to own a dog. Fosty moved to California in 2001 and got her first dog, Foster, a Beauceron. She also expanded her canine family to four dogs, among them a Border Collie named Icon.

The three-year-old dog always strives to do his best on the agility course, Fosty said. channanakc2

“Icon is good at reading me,” Fosty said. “He’s very honest. He wants to do right, he wants to work as a team, and he wants to please.”

Icon is half-brother to Focus, who is also on the 2009 AKC World Agility Team. Both dogs will aim for medals at the FCI Agility World Championships in Dornbirn, Austria from September 18-20. Focus belongs to Geri Hernandez.

The canine siblings are competing in both team and individual events for the large team. i Love Dogs, Inc. is a proud sponsor of all three American Kennel Club teams – small, medium and large.

This is Fosty’s first year participating in the international arena, and she says she is “thrilled.”

Teammates such as Ashley Deacon and Marcy Mantrell have been friendly, helpful and generous with advice, Fosty said. She knows the two from previous years.

Fosty began her agility career in late 2002 after trying obedience. She likes guiding her sprinting canine partner through obstacle courses because it comes naturally to dogs.

“There is nothing more thrilling than doing what dogs like to do,” she said.

While Fosty is exhilarated about performing before thousands, she won’t let it distract her.

“It feels like just you and the dog,” Fosty said. “People are yelling and cheering, but it’s really like our own little world.”

Do you and your dog practice agility? Tell us about it here.