¡Date: Sunday, 30th November, 2003
¡Time: 11:00 - 16:30
¡Venue:

Port Island Shibafu-koen
¡Organizers: Kobe City, NPO Knots
¡Joint Organizer: Kobe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
¡Special Sponsor: Nestle Purina PetCare
¡Sponsors: Asahi Breweries, LTD., Kinki Taxi, LTD.
¡Material Supplier: HOTTA Corporation
¡Subsidizing Organization: Tsutomu Nakauchi Foundation, Sompo Japan Chikyu Club
¡Supporting Organizations: Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education, Kobe City Board of Education, Veterinary Association of Hyogo Prefecture, Veterinary Association of Kobe City, Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR HUMANE CARE OF ANIMALS, Japan Animal Welfare Society(JAWS), Japan Pet Care Association, Japanese Animal Hospital Association (JAHA)
¡Competition Supporters: Japan Frisbee Dog Association, Hyogo Branch - Frisbee Dog;
OPDES- Dog Agility; Gig Race Association - Gig Race;
Dogs Life- K-9 Free Style, Dance with a Dog
¡Stand Supporters:

HOTTA Corporation, KINPEX International, POST, IZUMIGO Co, Ltd., Are You?, Juin Juin, Maison Doux, Marvelous Corporation, Digital Sun Gallery
 
Festival Start at 11 am
To open the proceedings, Mr. Yada, President of the Kobe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals delivered a speech in which he made the following comments. gIt would be wonderful if we could all value good manners as dog owners, be kind to animals, and as a consequence, develop more concern for other people. Please enjoy yourselves and try your best with your dogs all day long today.h
The event ground was divided into three sections for each competition?Frisbee Dog, Dog Agility and the Gig Race. After Mr. Yadafs speech, the participants went to each respective site. Then the competition began.



yFrisbee Dog Competitionz
Frisbee Dog is a sport in which handlers throw a light plastic disc called a Frisbee, and their dogs catch and retrieve it. Basically, the number of catches the dog can make is the key to winning, and the handlerfs technique is also important.
Two events were held: the Beginnerfs Competition and the Retrieve Competition.
Supported by the Japan Frisbee Association


@

Supported by Japan Frisbee Association, Hyogo Branch
URLFhttp://www.bunbun-tails.jp/jfa-hyogo

 
yDog Agility Competitionz
Dog Agility is a competitive sport for dogs run along the lines of a steeplechase race. Handlers direct their dogs to burst through tunnels, clear slaloms, etc. These obstacles are designed to challenge the dogfs skills and also test the rapport between dog and handler.
The competition consisted of two events: Novice 1 and the Beginnerfs Competition for First Jumpers.

Supported by OPDES
URLFhttp://www.opdes.jp

 
yGig Race Competitionz
In principle, each dog runs in front of his or her handlerfs bicycle. However, the handler may also run in front of the dog and lead the dog. There is a Short Distance Competition, which means that smaller and older dogs can also enjoy taking part. This is one of the attractions of the sport.
Events in two classes were held: 1-Dog for Sub-novice Class and 1-Dog for First Gig Race Class.
Supported by the Gig Race Association
URLFhttp://www.gigrace.com
 
Although ground conditions were poor on account of heavy rain up until the day before the festival, owners and dogs alike had a thoroughly good time and tried their best in every competition.
In particular this year, the establishment of a new rule for beginners allowed many more people and their dogs to participate in the competitions for the first time. People who in the past merely observed the competitions or who had little knowledge of the rules were also able to enjoy taking part.
Without basic obedience training, it was difficult for dogs to take part in the competitions. But participation provided a good opportunity for owners to rethink their daily training procedures and to deepen their relationships with their dogs.
 
 
Japan Frisbee Dog Association's Hyogo branch,
demonstrated Frisbee Dog
 
OPDES demonstrated Dog Agility
 
Dogs Life demonstrated
eK-9 Freestyle- Dance with a dogf
 
For each competition, we announced the names of the top three prizewinners and asked them to come up to the podium with their dogs. All the prizewinners seemed extremely pleased and satisfied and the dogs looked proud too. For the first-prize winners, Kobe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals presented commemorative plaques, and NPO Knots presented an award of merit to all prizewinners.
Prizewinners of the Frisbee Dog Retrieve competition
Prizewinner of the Frisbee Dog Beginners Competition
Prizewinners of the Dog Agility Beginners Competition for First Jumpers- Small-Sized Class
(40cm or smaller)
Prizewinners of the Dog Agility Beginnerfs Competition for First Jumper- Medium / Large- Sized Class
(40.1cm or larger)

Prizewinners of the Dog Agility
Novice 1 Competition - Small - Size Class
Prizewinners of the Dog Agility Novice 1 Competition - Medium / Large- Size Class
Prizewinners of the Gig Race, 1-Dog for Sub-novice Class
Prizewinners of the Gig Race, 1-Dog for First Gig Race Class
 

At the end of the proceedings, as a Knotsf tradition, a gjankenh game (paper-rock-scissors) took place between the participants.
For use as prizes, we received a substantial supply of free goods from Nestle Purina PetCare the special sponsor of the festival, and from the stand supporters. All the participants warmed up and played the game enthusiastically in an effort to obtain these extra prizes.
Janken Game (paper-rock-scissors)

@
Under the roof, there were booths set up by the Veterinary Association of Hyogo Prefecture and NPO Knots to introduce their activities, as well as a booth selling original goods and several other information booths.
In addition, nine companies operated stands in the Stands Zone to support the festival, where they conducted sales of goods, treats for dogs, etc. Visitors to the festival selected dog clothes and treats, and enjoyed the opportunity to go shopping together with their dogs.
Veterinary Association of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe Branch
NPO Knots
HOTTA Corporation
KINPEX International
POST
IZUMIGO Co, Ltd
Are YouH
Juin juin
Maison Doux
Marvelous Corporation
Digital Sun Gallery
 
Throughout the festival, many of the participants were able to experience that special sense of enjoyment and wonder that ensues when people and dogs accomplish something worthwhile together.
Many of the participants also made use of the occasion to strike up acquaintances and friendships with each other.
We sincerely hope that the many people who came along, had fun and left the festival with broad smiles on their faces will enjoy life with their dogs even more in the future.
@

LIVE LOVE ANIMALS - AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2003
A Joyful Life for Older People with Animals

 
@@@@@@@