Unlike yesterday, today started out with a major wind storm and it was cold! Everyone was so bundled up it was hard to tell who was who. Good thing people had their dogs with them so we knew who what person we were walking toward.
Today's run order started with Jumpers, Weavers, Jumpers, Weavers. Sparkie was really ready to go this morning. Here's what Sparkie looks like when she's waiting for her release at the line.
Doesn't she look so passive - almost like she's just sitting there enjoying the day. Well, she's a pretty good actress! Here is what she looks like moments later when Mike gives her the release sign.
Sparkie was great in both her Jumpers runs, but still a little slower than normal. I don't know what it is but she is just a little off. Even so she still got 1st during round one, and 2nd in round two.
Wazzu was so happy. She is always very frisky when the wind is blowing so hard. She zoomed around the courses and got Q1 in both rounds. Slugger's first run was fast and beautiful. All the people standing around me commented on how perfect he was during this run. But when we looked at the results they showed him with five faults. Too weird. Mike didn't notice a knocked bar while running and none of us watching noticed a knocked bar. Oh well, no Q but it was still one of his prettiest runs. Unfortunately his second run wasn't as nice as he was just way too afraid of the wind. Poor little guy.
Sparkie Q'd in both her Weavers runs but it was very obvious she wasn't feeling well. She had to restart a set of weaves in each run - this is unheard of for Sparkie. Wazzu also Q'd and got 1st in both her Weavers runs. She was weaving as fast as she ever has - it was like she was playing chase with the wind.
Mike ran Slugger during his first Weavers run. Well, I'm not sure there was any running involved. So I then tried to run him during the second round. I didn't notice any running in that round either. Who knew wind was so scary. And to top it off he stepped on the joint of the weave pole base and it popped up which scared him. He about jumped out of his skin. The judge was really worried about him - thinking maybe the weave base pinched his feet. He was fine...other than being scared of everything in the world at that point.
Sparkie did well and Q'd in her first Regular run but by her second run it was obvious she wasn't feeling well. After just a couple obstacles she just stopped working and stood still looking scared. Mike coaxed her off the course and got her to the car.
It would be another couple hours before Wazzu and Slugger would each get their last two runs. This is the first time ever in my nine years of agility that I was ready to leave even though we had four runs left.
I've always said I do agility to have fun with my dog. And I truly do have fun when I'm running the dogs - especially Wazzu. And today she was 4/4 with two runs remaining. But I will tell you, even though I enjoy running with Wazzu - it's just not as fun when there is nothing on the line. When a run matters, it is fun...even if we don't Q. But when there is nothing on the line, it isn't nearly as fun...even if we Q.
We don't need any more points as we've surpassed all our goals. And since I've moved Wazzu down to Novice we aren't in the running for any Top Ten awards or other awards. So even when we Q it doesn't mean anything - it's just not all that fulfilling. Now when it comes to Chances that's a whole other story. I get really excited for Chances because it matters. Even if we don't Q, I have a blast. I just love the competition element.
So for the first time ever, we left the trial before we'd done all our runs. I felt a little sad for Wazzu as she was having a perfect day and she was super happy. But it seemed like a long time to wait for something that didn't matter. I'm having quite the conflict with myself.
Friday I had hard boiled a dozen and a half eggs in preparation for Easter. We have a family tradition of giving the dogs an Easter Egg Hunt every year. It's one of their favorite games. And we love watching the different hunting styles of each dog.
In addition to having a hunt for our crew, I put on an Easter egg hunt for all of Meg's border terriers. They had to go in shifts so we ended up having four different hunts. Each dog had a great time and we loved watching the different styles and methods of hunting. It was easy to pick out which dogs would make good tracking dogs.
The split second the hunts were over we said a quick good-bye to Meg and headed off toward Arizona. We'd planned on leaving tomorrow morning but there is an earthdog practice tomorrow at Billie's so we have to leave today in order to get over there in time for practice.
So we drove as far as Wilcox, Arizona which is just over the border from New Mexico. It feels as though we are on the start of the next major leg of our trip. We're going to miss New Mexico as it is one of our favorite places of all. We love the area and we really enjoy getting to spend time with Meg and Harriet. And of course Boogie enjoys spending time with so many of his relatives!
We're so glad that Boogie gets to see his Mamu's from time to time as he really loves them too.
Onward we go.
Debbie
3/23/08
No comments:
Post a Comment