Page 19 - K9News_Issue13_October2020_download_Neat

trying to train by myself without having
my teammates or coach there. I started
running my local road daily to at least
stay at some fitness level and even
brought some of the dogs with me along
the way! I started watching old fights
and once the government announced
that we could meet up in groups of four
I got the shock of my life when I walked
out into my garden to see my idol in the
fighting world, Ciaran Clarke standing
with the pups!

What do you love most about dog
shows/ what are you missing most
about them at the moment:
I think the thing I love most about dog
shows is that I have gained a lot of
friends from showing and made some
unforgettable friendships! When I turned
thirteen I had to move up to the next my time involved in dogs was when I
age group in Junior Handling, and to say qualified and got to represent Ireland
I was terrified was understatement, but at the Young Kennel Club in Crufts which
with the help of many lovely people I was definitely ten-year-old Meabh’s
gained the confidence to move up and dream come true! When I went over to
while it was definitely a big change, I Crufts I spent most of the time watching
enjoyed every second of it. This was all the dogs and watching fight videos,
thanks to the great friends I made. From at the YKC they announce your name
there I got the chance to help out the and your interests, my Mam failed to ,
new handlers who were just starting off mention she had told them I trained in
in the show world, and I also got many BJJ and I was shocked to hear it over
opportunities to handle other people’s the speaker as I did my straight up and
dogs and get to know different breeds down, it was huge experience for me to
and have experience of handling new represent Ireland and I thought it was
[ breeds with completely different energy dream.

levels and temperaments than what I
was used to - this was a big step for me Who inspires you most and why (both in
in Junior Handling and one I really loved! and out of the dog world):
At the moment I think the thing I am My idol in the fighting world is definitely
missing most is seeing all my friends at Ciaran Clarke. I will never forget the day
the dog shows! I went outside after the Covid lockdown
and saw him standing in my garden
What is your favourite or most with the pups! I think I started crying
memorable experience from your time at one point, Ciaran is one of the most
involved in dogs (just one!!): impressive fighters you will ever watch
Probably my favourite experience of or see in person. Ciaran is signed to a

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / OCTOBER 2020