Scooby the French toy poodle – always the star of the show – sadly died on November 9, 2021, from old age. Born on April 4, 2004 in Johannesburg, much-loved Scooby belonged to Gaby Frey for 17-and-a-half years.

Scooby loved doing the sport of agility and had unimaginable courage and determination and a zest for life unlike Frey has ever encountered in any other living being. “She had such an impact on my world and my heart. Scooby wanted to be friends with everyone and was intent on making her world a better place. She was such a happy little bundle. We achieved things that I never dreamed of,” she said.

In 2008, Scooby qualified to represent South Africa at the world champs in Finland, and her best achievement was finishing 14th in the world. About 28 countries competed from as far a field as the USA and Japan. What an amazing achievement as most overseas handlers do the sport full time and have professional coaches, and Frey said they had no coach, just her and Scooby.

Thereafter they qualified to represent South Africa at the world champs in Austria in 2009, Germany in 2010, France in 2011, South Africa in 2013 and in Belgium in 2014. Scooby travelled well and was very outgoing and made many friends worldwide.

In 2012, she was viciously attacked by three huge boerbul crosses that were roaming on the Port Shepstone grounds where they were training, but thanks to brilliant vets and her fighting spirit she slowly recovered. This is where her nickname ‘mystical, miracle Scooby’ came from because she was an absolute miracle.

Seven months later after having learnt to walk again and slowly regained fitness, and to Frey’s astonishment she showed her that she still wanted to do the sport by taking herself over jumps in her garden.

She lived for agility which used to be such fun for her and barked the whole way around. In August 2013, she became the triple SA Kusa national champion, which no small dog has ever achieved and still qualified for another two world champs in 2013 and 2014.

Scooby also still holds the record for most qualifying certificates, and was a grand champion in three disciplines. She also received a life time achievement award. Such an amazing little dog so in tune with Frey, and she did not like it if she was upset and would immediately try and comfort her with licks on her arm or even her face. Truly, Scooby was one in a million.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram