July 9th,10th & 11th at the Newport Middle School is the site of an annual event sure to please the whole family.  This is the Willamette Agility Group (WAG) trials.  In these events, dog athletes and their handlers run a timed course of obstacles including jumps, ramps, tunnels and pole weaving designed to test their speed and agility.
WAG has been active on the Coast and Willamette Valley for 20 years this year.  In the beginning it was a forum for training working dogs in herding skills.  Now it is largely done for fun and ribbons.  To watch these dogs do their work with such joy and abandon is a wonderful treat.  Some are faster than others and all seem to take great pride in completing the course for a reward of kind words and pats from the handlers as well as applause from the spectators.  Excellent entertainment here on the beautiful Central Oregon Coast and yet another good reason to live here.
