Amy Koczalski

NAME

Amy Koczalski

HOME TOWN / AREA

Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire

WHAT DOG ACTIVITIES DO YOU TAKE PART IN?

Agility, Obedience, Flyball & more recently Heelwork to Music Freestyle!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A YKC MEMBER?

About thirteen months

HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU OWN?

I own a female tan & white Jack Russell Terrier named Frankie who is ten years old & a neutered male Patterdale cross called Jimmy who is nine years old

WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN/COMPETED WITH IN YOUR DISCIPLINE(S)?

I have never competed in a serious competition, although Jimmy has won a few Agility & Obedience competitions while Frankie has been involved in a fun Flyball team at a novelty dog show. When we get our new puppy we're going to find a Good Citizen Dog Scheme class & work on Obedience & I would also love to compete in Agility

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT DOGS?

Everything! They're amazing, whether they're a full time working dog or just a pet - they love you! They're easy to be around & don't stress you out like humans do

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN THE YKC?

I haven't really done anything yet but i'm hoping to attend the YKC Birmingham Activity Weekend as I can't attend camp this year. I am so glad when I receive things from the Young Kennel Club through the post

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE YKC?

I LOVE that they do Activity Weekends, it's such a lovely thing. You can meet new people & socialise as well as learning & having fun!

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR YKC MEMBERS NEW TO THE WORLD OF DOGS?

Well firstly, Well done! You've entered a world full of love & happiness. The most important thing to remember is that if you lose a competition, you are still the winner! Just like a school sports competition - your team are winners, it applies to your dog too!

CAN YOU SHARE A FAVOURITE / FUNNY MEMORY OF YOUR DOG?

My favourite memory with Frankie would be when my mother & I went to an RSPCA  fun dog show - Frankie came 4th out of forty five other dogs in best veteran! My favourite memory with Jimmy would be Agility as he was a pro at it right from the start

HOW HAS YOUR DOG MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY LIFE?

My dogs have made a huge difference to my life, my mum takes us out more, we're getting more exercise - even strangers walking their dogs have conversations with you! My life is lots more sociable since I've had Jimmy & Frankie!

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO TAKE YOUR DOG?

We have been exploring Cotgrave recently - I love to take the dogs down the Clipston fields, it's a good three & a half hour walk which they love

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

Yes! Soon, we will have a new family member joining us! The litter is due on 14th June & we're counting down the days until we will be able to see the litter for the first time. We're first on the waiting list for a male red & white Border Collie! I'm so glad that my parents have agreed as we have been planning on getting another one for seven years!