Spring 2024 Season Patch

Description

Spring 2024

Dog: Nala (2013 – ?)
of Chaple Hill Captain Timothy Lake

Season Champ: Anthem, Arizona

Complete Season Results

 

NALA MAKES A SPLASH ON SPRING 2024 PATCH

A Labrador retriever/Dalmatian mix in an over-crowded shelter in North Carolina was adopted just hours before she was to be euthanatized in 2013.

Saved by Melanie and Tim Lake, Nala’s drive and athleticism led the young couple into the dog-sporting world and soon inspired the young couple to start the Tar Heel K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch Club in Chapel Hill.

Now in her 11th year, that lab-mix christened “Nala” is greatly responsible for the Tar Heel State’s booming dog-sport community and is honored on the K9 Frisbee Worldwide League’s Spring 2024 Season Patch.

Here’s Nala’s story, as told by Melanie:

“Back in 2013 when Tim and I were in our young 20s, I wanted a black lab so Tim and I began visiting local shelters in search of one to adopt.

We learned a nearby shelter had 2 lab mix pups who were soon to be euthanized due to overcrowding, so we quickly scheduled a “meet & greet.” Nala was brought in and we instantly fell in love and adopted her.

“When we got her home, Tim threw a ball for her and her fetch drive was instant! I remember Tim saying with a huge smile “oh ok . . . this is going to be fun!”

“The first few years of her life we dabbled with her in agility until her toy obsession made us realize Dock Diving was where she excelled and was more her passion.

“At a Dock Diving event, we watched a team throwing a disc for their dog thought that “Nala would love that.” And she did!

“This began our deep dive into the disc world. Tim and I went full speed ahead learning to throw better, watching you tube videos, and traveling to wherever we could go to learn from the best.

“Nala’s passion for Frisbee was the inspiration for Tim and me to start the “Tar Heel K9 Toss & Fetch” in 2018 and join the K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch League as the Chapel Hill Club. Over the years, Tim’s efforts and enthusiasm has helped to grow the sport significantly in North Carolina. Our club today has close to 50 members and this upcoming Spring 2024 Season will mark our Club’s 35th active League Season.

“Throughout it all Nala has amazed every season she plays scoring right up there with the experts in the 50-point range! In a few weeks she will be turning 11 years old. We have had to be a little more selective with how much she plays and practices, but she won’t let us miss her league week! She looks forward to it every Wednesday as much as we do.

“Nala has been our inspiration for our dedication to dog sports and will always be going forward. She’s our heart dog 💗”