Introducing a Member - Vol 4

February's member to meet is one of our original members and one we all admire. Please meet Claire :)

Name: Claire Spencer (aka Dave)
Member since: The beginning ...
No of Dogs: 6
Dog(s) name(s), sex, age(s) and breed(s):
Fagan Irish Setter age 12
Jack and Vinnie Australian Kelpies age 6 & 4
Murph Pointer X age 3
Tinkerbell JRT age 1
Anton Dalmatian X pointer age 5 months
All boys except Princess Tinkerbell

Occupation: Dog Walker and K9 fit club instructor at Kinetic K9s
Lives in: Oakley, Hampshire
Dog sports participated in: canicross, bikejor and scooter

Question 1: How did you start in the sport?
I did my first canicross race in 2007 with my 2 Irish Setters, I was trying to keep them fit for the show ring and agility. 
My first bikejor was in 2009, not long after I had my little girl and wasn't fit enough to run. 
Later when I got the kelpies I wanted to run both of them on wheels so along came the scooter in about 2012!
        
Question 2: Which was the first dog/dogs you raced? 
Fagan and Alfie my Irish Setters were my first canicross and bikejor dogs.
        
Question 3: How did you come to own your dog(s)? 
I grew up showing Afghans, I also had my own little dog, a Bichon Frise. When I moved out of home it took me a year of research before I got Fagan my Irish Setter, 6 months later he was followed by Alfie another Irish Setter who sadly died last year. 
Jack was a rescue, I got him aged 10 months, he was a failed sheepdog. I had always wanted a Kelpie for agility then decided one would possibly be quite good at bikejor, 
I believe he was the first bikejoring kelpie in the UK and is admired by many as he is a truly amazing dog. 
Vinnie was an "accident" went to look at him in the rescue aged 4 months with a view to fostering him and ended up adopting him! 
Murph was another who just "happened" he was a rescue from Greece who's home in the UK didn't work out, he needed an active home and I went to see him, took him on a 2 week trial and he never went back!
Tinkerbell belongs to my 6 year old, she wanted a small dog she could manage easily and canicross, after lots of let downs we found Tinkerbell at the same rescue Vinnie came from, 
it was love at first sight and there was no way Elsie was going home without her! 
Anton is the most recent addition, his rescue and just kept coming up in my Facebook newsfeed and eventually I made a tentative enquiry ... The rest is history!
        
Question 4: Interesting fact about your dogs - 
All except Fagan are rescues, they are a multi lingual bunch, Tinkerbell is from Southern Ireland, Vinnie from Wales, Murph from Greece and Anton from Cyprus.
       
Question 5: Interesting fact about yourself - 
I once spent 3 weeks kyacking on lake Malawi counting hippos.
       
Question 6: Biggest achievement in a race ... 
Over the years we have won many podium places, including ones in national championships and even won some league championships. 
We have completed many races - half marathons, marathons and Brutals included!
I am always so proud of my dogs, their behaviour on course is always impeccable and they always give me 100% effort. 
In "human" races they are great ambassadors for their sport and are often admired. 
       
Question 7: Dogs favourite treats - 
Chicken feet and dried liver .... and trips to the beach !
       
Question 8: Favourite Song .. 
Mr Brightside, The Killers
       
Question 9: Favourite Film ... 
Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason
       
Question 10: Favourite cake .. 
Chocolate