SNOHOMISH — This could be the first and last opportunity for the two.
Sandra Green and her pointer, Laverne, are set to compete at the American Kennel Club Agility Invitational today and Sunday in Long Beach, Calif. About 470 dogs will participate in the competition, which was first held in 2006, Green said.
After Green registered for the event, Laverne was diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in white blood cells, earlier this month.
“You couldn’t tell whether she was ill. There was no indicator,” Green said.
Laverne, 8, has been taking Chinese medicines; she also started chemotherapy the week of Thanksgiving, Green said. Veterinarians told Green that Laverne may live for about a year.
For now, Laverne is feeling well enough to compete. Green and Laverne are set to run the time agility course at the national event, striving for the top spot.
“It might be our last opportunity,” Green said. “It’s what Laverne and I do together.”
The pair came a long way, getting ready for the competition.
They tried to participate in the competition last year. But Green, of Snohomish, said she was in a car accident on Nov. 19, 2006.
Green was pregnant with her first baby at that time. The baby lost some blood due to the accident. That forced Green to pass on the competition.
“I was really disappointed not being able to go, but I knew it was the right decision,” Green said.
Green gave birth to Lily on March 29 this year. As she took care of the healthy baby at her Snohomish home, Green resumed training Laverne. They competed in local dog events and gained enough points to be eligible for the national competition this weekend.
Green hopes that her dog will advance to the finals, which are expected to air at 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 on cable television’s Animal Planet.
Green said she isn’t sure how long Laverne will be able to compete in different shows after this competition, but she plans to let the dog decide when to retire.
The single mother said she will do what she can to extend her dog’s life. Laverne has offered her great companionship. The dog always has been with Green whether she was crying, smiling or grieving.
“The relationship with Laverne has been wonderful,” she said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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