Reel Pets

Apr 11

Pet Day

Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day

Pet Day

Reel Pets

Pet Day

Animal Magic

Today's Musings, History & Folklore

"What a strange sight, to see those dozen dogs
gravely turning about in slow pirouettes, hopping,
spinning in schottisches, somersaulting over their heads.
The old man stood there, watching,
slowly nodding, bidding them persevere
with squashed bits of stale bakery trash.
They silently waited with anxious fortitude
and gnawed crumbs in the wings like refugees.

On a tiny lady dog he strapped a pink skirt.
She treadled beneath the ruffles.
While the needle squeaked a bagpipe wail,
she did a slow and mystic spin
with paws upraised and eyes in a heavenly transit,
turning and hopping, mincing her toes below.
When she’d done her turn, she took the old man’s tambourine
between her teeth and grandly made the ring
of those who watched, and took their nickels and dimes."

~ excerpt from "Dog Dancing", Andrew Glaze, 1985

At first glance, the poem “Dog Dancing” feels like a whimsical street scene—an older man, a Victrola, and a troupe of dancing dogs—but it comes from one of poet Andrew Glaze’s own early memories. He wrote it while reflecting on his time just after college, working at a Pure Oil station in Mountain Brook, Alabama—a job he later described as one of the best he ever had, marking the end of his growing up years before heading off to the army. The poem carries that sense of youth and observation: a real moment, slightly strange and full of life, where humor and the oddities of the world settle into something memorable and change us in ways we may not realize until much later.

And do we not all hearken to the demands of our dancing art and remember those significant moments?

And in that same spirit of unexpected movement and memory, it seems only fitting on Pet Day, that we turn to a dance that brings our four-legged (and winged, and whiskered) friends to mind!

If your own pet enjoys watching you practice at home, attends classes or rehearsals, or even has untapped talents, this reel is for them.

This 32 bar 3 couple reel includes tandem reels, of course, for barking and weaving, a leash-hands across, pas de basques for a bit of a joyful ump, and of course a "Pet"ronella. For experienced pets only. 😜

Here's to all the pets who make our lives better for their company, whether they be fishy or feathered, furry or scaly, small or even not so small! Woof! Woof! Wheek! Wheek! and Meow! 🕺 💃 🐶 🐱 🐹 🐾 🐾 🐾

Reel Pets

If you have a "reely" talented dog, you may be interested in The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) International Dog Dancing Championship, the highest level of competition in the sport often called canine freestyle or “dog dancing.”

In this event, handlers and their dogs perform choreographed routines set to music, combining obedience, tricks, and artistic interpretation. The goal is not simply technical precision, but a visible partnership—what the FCI describes as a dog working willingly and harmoniously with its handler in a creative, musical presentation.

At the international level, there are two main disciplines:

Heelwork to Music (HTM) – emphasizes structured heel positions and controlled movement alongside the handler.

Freestyle – allows more creative tricks, distance work, and interpretation of music.

Competitors may enter one or both disciplines, but can only enter once per discipline with a given dog. Each routine is performed to music and judged on a combination of technical execution, artistic impression, choreography, and teamwork. Judges typically evaluate elements such as the balance of movements, musical interpretation, and the overall flow and connection between dog and handler.

The sport is broadly inclusive—all breeds and handler types are welcome, provided they meet competition and qualification standards.

But for amateur dogs with a Scottish Country Dance inclination, see a talented trouope by clicking the photo below!

Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!