This trial is being put on by Baldwin Agility in Ocala, Florida. The trial is being held at the local Sports Complex. It is a large complex complete with four full sized baseball fields that are totally enclosed and complete with dugouts, dirt infields, and perfectly manicured grass outfields. The trial is being held in one of the fields with the crating along the outside of the fence along the first base side. One of the competitors has a little food business and is offering various sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, and snacks.
Today the trial started at 9:00 instead of the usual 8:00 start time. In my opinion that was a big mistake as we didn't get finished until 8:30pm. Fortunately, the baseball diamonds had very good lighting as we still had two complete classes to go when it became dark.
We ended up working a LOT at this trial. Mike and I both helped with all the course building in addtition to working almost every class. We didn't mind helping but the dogs didn't care for it one bit. They were basically left alone all day except to quickly get taken out to do their run and then right back to their crates they went.
This made Sparkie even more excited than usual. So the first couple runs she just didn't have time for contacts. Mike was so busy multi-tasking that he even forgot the Touch N Go course right near the end. Too bad as Sparkie was really burning up that course. (That left the coast clear for Wazzu!) So while they only ended up with a couple Q's the first day, Sparkie and Mike both had a great time. Sparkie loves nothing better than to be on the agility course with Mike.
Sweet little Wazzu started feeling not so good the past few days but she tried to play today. She also wasn't happy about not getting any attention today except to be taken out to run and then go back. Of course Wazzu wasn't in the cage with the other two dogs as she isn't a dog. She spent the day laying on my cot and never moved a muscle until I came back. There were a few kids at the trial and they all really liked Wazzu so she did petted a few times. People said Wazzu should get the "lounging award." Considering all that went on she did very well today going 4/6 - even getting 1st place in favorite class, Touch N Go. The two classes she didn't Q in today she was just over time. It is in the 80's today and there is no water to cool the dogs down. Wazzu has never liked running in the heat so I'm actually suprised she did as well as she did.
Little Slugger had a great day. He's used to being pretty much ignored at agility trials so being in the crate all day didn't bother him much. He was perfect today going 1/1. I wish I would have taped him today as he truly ran the fastest he's ever run. He is getting faster all the time. He was going so fast his little head was bopping up and down. At the end he was huffing and puffing so hard - it was so cute. He was way under Elite course time and got 1st place. Slugger is really understanding the turning concept now instead of just going to what he sees in front of him. Pretty good for a little guy who never practices and doesn't get to trial much. But now that he's showing more interest we are starting to enter him more often.
By the time we got back to the RV Park and fed the dogs and us it was well past bedtime since we have to be back at 6:30am in morning!
But what a fun day we had! I really liked that it was t-shirt weather all day. Wow, t-shirt weather in December! That in itself is fun.
Debbie
12/30/06
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