- May 6, 2024
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Although they didn't do quite as well as they hoped, Joan Digilio and her dog Jamie placed 70th out of thousands of dogs at the American Kennel Club.
BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER
In spite of the distractions of constant noise and curious canines, Joan Digilio and her English springer spaniel Jamie made it through their first ever American Kennel Club Obedience Classic.
According to the club's website, the pair scored a total of 365.5 during the two-day event, which included exercises such as heel on leash and figure eight. Though the event itself was stressful for both Digilio and Jamie, Digilio called it a great experience.
"We had fun and hopefully we get selected for something next year and do a little better," Digilio said. "The convention center in Orlando is a very huge venue, and there were probably a couple thousand dogs there. There are a lot of hair dryers, blowers and things going on, and he was just a little stressed, I guess."
Digilio hopes to continue training for next year's event. They are aiming to win their next two qualifying legs in order to be selected again. And though they didn't place top dog, they still came out with a smile.
"But hey, being No. 70 out of all of AKC, that is great," Digilio chuckled. "We really had a great experience. It was amazing."
