(This story ran in a Gannet paper Nov. 17, 1992. We're so proud, and we think it shows how great all our dogs could be - or almost as great as Sid - if they were given a chance.)

By Barbara Nachman

See Sid run. See Sid jump. See Sid crawl and scramble and weave.

See Sid do all the things he had to do to become New York's most agile canine.

Meet the champ

Sid's full name is Snowflake Obsidian Smith. He lives in Pound Ridge and he's a 4-year-old, 36 pound dog of many breeds and spots.

But what's most remarkable about the Pound Ridge pooch is this: He's the only dog in New York that holds the Advanced Agility Dog title. That means he jumps over hurdles, crawls through tunnels, weaves around poles, and traverses see-saws faster and better than any other dog in the state.

In the backyard with his owner and trainer, Anne Smith, Sid has an obstacle course much like those used in competition. With an occasional polite bark, he zips around the circular course, jumping over hurdles and through a tire, crawling through the collapsible tunnel and scrambling over a see-saw and A-frame. The hardest part for this agility enthusiast is the five seconds he's required to sit on the pause table. Sid just wants to keep going.

You might say Sid's one special dog. And not only because of his Advanced Dog Agility Title. Sid also earned the Briarcliff Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Adoptee of the Year Award!

A humble hound

Yes, Snowflake Obsidian comes from modest beginnings. The stray-turned-star was a mangy mess when he was found on a Somers street. Making matters worse, Sid's first adoptive parents quickly returned him because he had a habit of soiling carpets.

Smith's daughter Becca was the next to adopt Sid. He was quickly housebroken and Becca Smith, who is a geologist, named him after a black and white gemstone. When she moved to a no-dogs allowed situation, her mother inherited the humble hound. ... Smith says Sid's calm disposition and desire to please is what make him a world-class contender. These days he's working hard - no, make that playing hard - to earn the sport's highest honor - the Master Agility Dog title. To date, no American dog has ever received this title.