THE CHESHIRE SET FLYBALL TEAM

Well here it is, the turn of Monty, our Mad Moo
Spanollie he is, what next will he do?
Ball and indestructible toys he wrecks within minutes
Shoplifting at flyball, entertaining us all, we were in bits
Oh, where is he now? Down by the river I've heard a big splash
Yes, it's Monty gone for a swim, looking for something else to trash
It's in his nature to be boisterous and have no fears
Perhaps it's down to those big tatty old ears
He is really a big softy and just misunderstood
​Look into his beautiful eyes and you'll see butter wouldn't melt - but it could! 

Our Gorgeous Monty, The Mad Moo, we think was about 15 and rescued him nearly 13 years ago.He was an absolute nutter when we first rehomed him and we channelled his madness into flyball when in 2011 he became a British Flyball Champion. I was so proud of him that day but in true Monty style, I'd got him looking lovely for the team champion photo but no he had to shovel in the mud and brambles while waiting so he was covered in dirt and sticky buds.

As he was a toy fiend, over the years, he has stolen raffle prizes, toys from the stalls, food from people's awnings, oh and Vera's cuddly pencil case - he ran off with it, including the contents down to the river at Tai Lawr. I had to plan my route of how to get to the ring without Moo Baa spying the toys but I was always unsuccessful as he could spot a stall from 100 yards. At Drax one year we even had to use windbreaks to obscure the side of the blue lane as there were 3 stalls running along the side. He always managed to escape past the wall of Cheshire Set members trying to stop him, out the ring to pinch one, with me legging it behind shouting "LEAVE THEM" and as the stall holders were so used to it, I'd race past after him saying "I'LL BE BACK IN A BIT TO PAY" - he has cost me a fortune over the years.

His agility career lasted all of 10 minutes as he found the pond at the end of the ring. The swimming and rummaging round in the weed was much better than going through tunnels and weave poles and I couldn't get him out the water!

One time, on our favourite Anglesey beach, we were up on the island bit, one minute he was with us the next no sign. We thought well, where is he? Then we heard someone shouting to us "EXCUSE ME IS THIS YOUR DOG?" Yes, it was him, he had jumped in the water and was off swimming out to sea with a group of canoeists.

There are hundreds of funny stories I could tell you about him but these are just a few. He was our mad boy right up to the end but we wouldn't have changed him for the world and loved him to bits. We are absolutely broken hearted but he will always keep us smiling thinking of all his antics and funny memories. and I'm sure there is already someone waiting at Rainbow Bridge for me to pay for the toy he has stolen! 

Always in our thoughts and hearts, Monty Moo - Lou, Ali and the Gang