PERRIS, Calif. — Opee is only 8, but he's already a popular veteran in the down and dirty sport of motocross.
Posted on 01/25/2010 1:45:54 PM PST by JoeProBono
He can pull 6 Gs. He's been the centerfold for Cycle News and poses regularly for fan photos. He's a survivor of the grueling Baja 500 and has racked up more than 10,000 hours on a dirt bike. Sometimes, you can barely see the 70-pound pooch -- a blue merle Australian shepherd -- through the dust on his goggles and his custom helmet, complete with cam.
"I am his biggest fan," said Mike Schelin, Opee's owner, race partner and a purveyor of used motorcycle parts from a shop next to his mobile home. Schelin got the dog in 2001 shortly after his divorce. He raises him with other dogs and two horses at a spread he calls Miracle Flats. Known as "The Dogfather" to some in the sport, Schelin always takes a back seat to Opee.
"He was my instant best friend," Schelin said. "He slept in my tool bag. There was something about him. He's had charisma since Day One. I knew I had a dog who could make a difference." Schelin, 41, realized he had a four-legged motocross fan as a pet when he started riding in the desert with Opee on the chase.
"I felt bad for him, he would run so long." So Schelin bought a four-wheeler and they went desert riding together.......
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
PERRIS, Calif. — Opee is only 8, but he's already a popular veteran in the down and dirty sport of motocross.
Best breed of dog in the world! Can’t imagine my life without one.
Cindie
My 15 year old blue merle is my third Aussie.
Aussies are the smartest breed out there, and don’t get nearly the recognition they should.
Dogs just wanna have fun!
Ha.
Joya ping
Great pics.
I think they should be able to make some goggles which fit his nose better, however.
I love such dogs. Sigh.
My guy is half border collie, half aussie.
Bright and fun.
Great!
I’m totally unsurprised that out of any breed of dog, it’d be an Aussie that’s into extreme sports. They’re insane, in a good way. :)
}:-)4
“Aussies are the smartest breed out there, and don’t get nearly the recognition they should.”
Keep it quiet. More publicity could ruin the breed. In fact, it already has harmed it somewhat. Hard to find an Aussie that can herd well.
BTW - in the 70s, my college roommate had an Aussie that loved to ride on motorcycles.
Interesting. Thanks.
Off Topic,
http://stevecoburnpottery.com/
link to guy’s site, the guy who has interesting glazes on his pottery.
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