Every year at the beginning of December, I go to the local expo center to watch the flyball competitions. Dogs from many different breeds compete in this relay race activity. They run down a straightaway, jumping hurdles along the way, rebounding off a special box at the end which ejects a tennis ball when they strike it. The dog catches the ball, then rockets back down the track to the starting point where its owner awaits, enthusiastically cheering the dog on all the way. The event is electronically timed, and the team with the lowest time wins.

While any dog breed can participate, there are certain breeds which excel at this activity. There are a lot of border collies, also Australian Shepherds. The event is full of happy, excited, barking dogs, so it is rather noisy if you're used to peace and quiet. Also, there is a doggish scent in the air.
Example link:
http://www.pawsabilities.net/flyballDogs/

It's become an annual ritual for me, but I guess I won't see them this time around. For the first time in many years they're not having it here... it's not on the local schedule. Instead it's being held up near the Hershey, PA area on December 7-8. That is too far for me to travel as a spectator only, and it's also the same day as Furbowl. Oh well, I'll see if I can catch them in the spring.