In September of '96 Olio left the Monadnock Humane Society as a 1 1/2 year old pup adopted by a young woman, Kim, as her first dog. Turns out Kim was the caregiver for Leslie Vassall's mother, "Mrs. W." who suggested the name Olio which is a crossword puzzle word meaning hodgepodge or stew. Olio's history is very tied into memories of Mrs. Witherell who died in 1998. Kim often left Olio on weekends with various dog sitters and more than once the little golden dog was picked up as a stray and returned to MHS. Seeing that things weren't going particularly well for Kim & Olio, Leslie offered her home if needed. In the fall of '97 Olio joined Pax & Millie in the Vassall household.

Before beginning her agility career, Olio would first learn to earn her twice daily lap time with Leslie. Once in her lap Olio would growl at the other 2 dogs upon which she would be unceremoniously dumped off. Olio quickly learned that a growl earned her nothing. She's clearly a people dog and despite living in a multi-dog household doesn't interact with other dogs.

After years and years of running her large dog, Pax, adjusting to a small dog was not an easy transition for Leslie. She felt clumsy. Olio liked to be close which often inhibited Leslie from turning. And yes there were tripping episodes. But, oh the joy of traveling with a small dog.

Olio and Leslie had their maiden performance in 1998 at Nomad's Stowe event. The little dog that wakes up happy each morning with a "let's go" attitude had found her calling. Since then they've gone on to earn a USDAA Masters title in 2004 and compete in the USDAA Nationals on several occasions. Leslie says, " Olio is a natural."

There is a long list of stand-in handlers who have had the distinct pleasure of running Olio on course and who Leslie would like to thank:

Many of these pairings resulted in Qs, including winning the 2003 CPE National Championships with Kim Farley. Leslie says, " The things that were a mental block for me, were not a problem for others. It's my greatest thrill to watch her run with someone else having fun. You don't get to see that when running your own dog."

Olio has taught Leslie to have fun and she's learned not to shut Olio down. Running with her second agility dog Leslie trained differently and is more relaxed on course. She understands how handler cues can send a dog off-course. Leslie gives the CATS instructors high praise and says their quality " translates into our dogs being better." Olio has her turbo jets and when she turns them on, she's zooming. Leslie says it's a high running on course with Olio. Today in 2005 Olio is 10. She's aging more quickly and the runs are getting slower. More often now, Leslie is reminded the years have been passing and says, "Olio will be a hard act to follow."

Olio, All American shelter dog!