B.C. agility dog with 3 legs wins national award
Although Fisher is partial to just laying about cuddling the cat, the dog’s determination is proving to be boundless.
“He waits until you close the door [to go outside],” his owner, Erin, says. “And then it’s all fair game.”
Like the time Erin came home to find that Fisher had climbed up on the counter and chewed through 10 tins of the cat’s food and devoured everything inside.
“Fisher lives his life with no regrets; 100 per cent would do it again,” Erin smiles. “That’s how he rolls.”
The canine first demonstrated his carpe diem demeanour when he was young, when despite losing a toe to cancer surgery, he developed a passion for competing in agility courses.
“He's just a goofy dog,” Erin says, showing me videos of Fisher running up ramps, scrambling through tunnels, and jumping over bars. “He’s having fun.”
But then Erin discovered that the cancer had spread and Fisher’s only option was amputating one of his front legs.
“It’s tough,” Erin signs deeply. “Realizing that everything we hoped was going to be OK wasn’t.”
Although the surgery was a success, Fisher struggled to find stability, both physically and emotionally. So after he healed, Erin wondered if a return to agility might re-ignite his spark.
“When he saw the tunnel, he was like, ‘I used to really like those!’” Erin says, showing me video of the three-legged Fisher’s tail wagging before entering the tunnel. “And he’s been running around ever since.”
Despite missing a leg, Fisher is finding his joy, and regaining his agility ability.
“I’m still in awe of what he can do and how happy he is,” Erin smiles.
But the fact is Fisher with three legs is not as good at competitive agility as when he had four. Turns out, he’s even better.
“He came first [in Canada],” Erin says, showing me a photo of Fisher with his trophy, the golden cup standing where his leg used to be. “It was an exceptional day!”
When he’s not taking home national hardware, Fisher spends his time taking part in local Terry Fox runs and playing patient at kindergarten veterinarian days.
Erin says Fisher is also offering a lesson for us all.
“If it brings joy in your heart, then give it a go, even if you’re not perfect.”
Because obstacles (whether they be cat-food cans or canine agility courses) are simply opportunities to overcome. Or in Fisher’s case, soar beyond.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.