Blame it on the Bossa Nova

Ever tango with your terrier? Or boogie with your beagle?

Well there's now a class right here in the South Bay -- offered by the Lomita Obedience Training Cub at Lomita Park -- to teach you how to liven up the dance floor with Fido.

Who knew? 

Here's part of the Dancing with Dogs class description:

 "This is a relatively new sport that combines precision obedience with the fun and entertainment value of tricks, forming the visually exciting of a dog and handler moving together to music. Amaze your friends at parties!" 

Indeed. 

I suppose the closest I've ever come is some coordinated stepping with my dogs is something that all owners are forced to master:  "dancing" around twisted and tangled leashes on a fast-paced walk, usually quite ungracefully. 

Throw in sightings of some furry urban wildlife, and things can get even more exciting. Walking downhill in a local park one morning a few years back, my two dogs spotted a squirrel. We were off and running, faster and faster we went. I literally had to slam myself into a tree to break what would have been a headlong race to disaster.