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THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • 2026
2026 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
Local dog stars part of epic Canine Circus By Tessa Adamski
Soon after, she was diagnosed with Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy, a progressive, incurable nerve disease that causes breathing and mobil- ity issues. Mills got choked up reflecting on how she adopted the Australian shepherd and labrador mix at age 16 and began taking training classes at Brandon’s Crocus Obedi- ence and Kennel Club. Davidson went on to compete locally, regionally and nationally in agility, flyball and frisbee and performed
north of Toronto at Canada’s Wonderland. “She’s done it all and she was amazing,” Mills said. It takes an unwavering devotion to be involved with the Canine Circus, she said.
“My dogs are having the time of their life out there” — Sarah Mills, Professional Dog Trainer
Sarah Mills, owner of Forrest River Canines, feeds her dogs treats at her boarding, grooming and training facility north of Forrest, Manitoba. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun
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Sarah Mills trains with her border collie/whippet mix Zero. Mills and her dogs will be performing as part of The Canine Circus at the 2026 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun
C hildren in Westman may recall the feeling of rapidly kicking their feet against the main arena boards to cheer on dog show performers during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. This childhood memory highlights a pivotal moment for Sarah Mills, who grew up to become a professional dog trainer, and gets an adrenaline rush from hearing the crowd rumble from inside the arena with her dogs. Mills has participated in dog shows since 2013 and will be returning with her four youngest dogs to perform in the Canine Circus presented by Fusion Credit Union.
“I just love to see my dogs enjoy it. My dogs are having the time of their life out there,” said Mills, who operates Forrest River Canines, a small boarding, grooming and training facility north of Forrest, Man. Her seven-year-old border collie and whippet mix named Zero is a “big star of the fair” because he’s the fast- est relay dog and can leap very high to catch a frisbee. “You can see him smile when you start hearing the crowd go crazy,” she said. “He just loves to do tricks. He loves to weave.” Her terrier mix Voltage excels in high jump and June, one of her two labradors, likes frisbee while the other named Thor, enjoys meeting children after the shows. Mills’ oldest dog Davidson, 14, retired from performing two years ago.
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