THE CHESHIRE SET FLYBALL TEAM

Crumble aka Rumble ....
Crumble was found wandering the streets as a stray
Eventually and thankfully she came our way
A ball she will carry until it becomes a gooey froth
And when she shakes her head, you're glad of a cloth
The queen of chase is certainly no slouch
Then loves nothing more than being snuggled up on the couch
At flyball sometimes gets distracted and in a bit of a muddle
But always comes back to us for a great big cuddle.

We rescued Crum when she was about 8 years old, a very high energy girl and remained so all of her life. For the first year I spent hours and hours chasing her through brambles and shrubbery, getting cut to ribbons as she'd found a hole in the fence to chase rabbits. On the beach, we would just see a white blur razzing up / down the tide line at dusk chasing the seagulls.  She loved the beach, swimming and any excuse to jump, catching the ball about 6 feet in mid air was one of her favourites.

Crum spent 3 years in starters at flyball as she chased anything that moved and I would be overjoyed if I managed to get her over more than 2 jumps going up to the box. Then finally into open but initially she always knew she could beat the dog to the ball in the red lane - problem was she was meant to be in the blue - sound familiar - Zel??

She became a rock solid flyball dog as long as her entourage was by her side (Ali and I) and that there was a clear way for her to jump the back netting straight into the pool after every leg. Crum would be the one to let the judge know when she was ready by raising her front leg. She always gave 110% and loved nothing more than coming back to her ragger and loads of cuddles from of us. 

We retired Rum only 12 months before she sadly left us (aged about 16), she must have been the most senior dog on the circuit and when fresh still running sub 5's over full height and just prior to this running 4.2 - 4.4's - not bad for an old girl and not one bit of arthritis. She gained her gold award, represented Wales at the European Flyball Championships 3 years ago and the year before became a British Flyball Champion - how proud were we!

We are absolutely heartbroken. You were such a sweet beautiful girl who loved everyone you met, we were so so lucky to have been able to share our lives with you. We will certainly miss that magnificent tail of yours!

Always in our thoughts and hearts, Rumbley, Crumbley - Lou, Ali and the Gang