Registered Name:Ripley U Better Believe It
DOB: September 30, 1997
Owner: Erin Saywell
Gender: Male
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Fastest time: 5.620
Average time: 6.380

Ripley was a pet-store rescue. I got him free from a pet-store that was going out of business and needed to unload the last remaining pups. I had always wanted an Aussie, and I jumped at the chance to take him home. He was a crazy little pup who went through numerous fear periods. He was extremely fearful of men. With lots of time and patience, he has come to understand that people are pretty nice for the most part. He thankfully has always loved other dogs and is very good at making friends with even the most under-socialized dogs.

Ripley has now retired, after being diagnosed with arthritis in his hips. He was running on Veterans teams all last year, and made it to his FM (quite an accomplishment for him!). When he started slowing down to 9 seconds, I knew it was time to retire him. He still comes out at practices to run a little, but only if he feels like it (when he starts barking, we know he wants to play!) He never set world speed records in flyball, but he got the job done, and had a good time doing it. His signature move was the leap and pounce on the box from about 10 feet away. He managed to get four feet on most of the time…but itt was strange to watch!

Rip also enjoys agility, lying in the sunshine, long walks on the beach and eating.