2iggie - Twiggle

Woodinville, WA) Today was the Weavers trial at Mega-Dogs....the last "evening" trial for the year. Most importantly is was 2iggie's debut. Mike's goal was just for her to stay on the course with him. She did more than that!

For her first start line ever, she doesn't look too worried. In fact, I think she is scoping out the course.



She hit every weave pole entrance and never popped out once in either run. She just wiggled through all the weaves like she was an old pro...not a complete rookie.



She followed direction very well....no wide turns or off courses.



In fact, she was totally perfect both runs and ended up with two Q's. So far she is 100% in her agility career! Way to go, Mike and 2iggie.

Sparkie was perfect as well, getting 1st place in both runs.



In Boogie's first run he was zooming along, happy as could be. When suddenly he didn't come out of a tunnel. Mike called him and he came out three-legged. The judge and a vet both went running out to see what was wrong. Talk about a heart stopping moment.

From best we could figure, he stepped on something sharp (rock, sticker, etc) and so of course didn't want to step on that foot. After they rubbed his foot for a while he was eager to finish his run....of course that couldn't happen.

But in his next run he was as close to perfect as you can get, easily coming in 1st place.



Phew. Glad he is totally fine!

Debbie
6/30/10

Sticky

(Olympia, WA) Today we went to Olympia as Mike wanted to make strawberry jam. My parents have a much larger kitchen that we do so we went there to make the jam.

Mike cooked and cooked and ended up making four batches of jam. For a guy that literally eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day....usually breakfast and lunch....that amount of jam should last him about two months.

It was also, my niece's birthday so of course we wanted to celebrate that as well. My ex-sister-in-law, came over and made a fabulous dinner for all of us and mom made a great desert. I think Yumi should have birthdays much more often! Maybe next time I'll even be able to join them and sit at the table.

Happy Birthday, Yumi. Congratulations on your promotion!

Debbie
6/29/10

L'Argus NATCH-18

(Auburn, WA) This weekend we were at Argus Ranch for the L'Argus trial. The weekend was just about as perfect as it could be. Great weather, great friends, and great agility.

I wasn't able to be out to enjoy the weekend so Mike purchased videos of many of the runs as you'll see below.

But I don't think a better weekend could have been had. Mike and the dogs went 30 for 32. Boogie was perfect going 11/11 with many 1st's. Sparkie went 12/13 with many 1sts....and many runs where she was the fastest of ANY dog there. And there was stiff competition at this trial. And Wazzu went 7/8. What a weekend! Maybe I should stay away more often!

I actually did try to do two runs standing still in the middle. Needless to say, that was a very bad idea. While Mike went 30/32, I went 0/2. I was much to focused on the pain and couldn't help my dog out at all. Poor little Boogie didn't Q either run with me but it was totally my fault, not his. So that was my five minutes out each day. We didn't Q but I love being out there with my little boy....even if I did suck.

Here are some videos of their wonderful weekend.

Boogie - Weavers, notice what a great move Boogie makes when Mike gets lost for just a quick second. Saved by the dog!





Boogie - Regular





Sparkie - Jumpers, notice how Sparkie seems to be doing all the work!





Boogie - Touch N Go, notice the fantastic start (NOT - but hey, border terriers are allowed to get distracted) But once he leaves the line he really goes.





Wazzu - Regular, last but not least...not super fast but fast enough and very happy.





Oh, and by the way! Sparkie earned her NATCH-18 this weekend. Way to go, Mike and Sparkie.

Debbie
6/25-27/10

Hoop Along

(Woodinville, WA) I'll bet you thought I meant Hop Along. Nope. Meant Hoop Along.

This evening there was a Hoopers trial at Mega-Dogs. We only entered Boogie in this trial.....much to the others dismay.




Boogie is our Hoopers specialist. After 39 attempts, he has Q'd in 38. (His handler got lost in one.) We taught him directionals when he was just weeks old and it is strongly ingrained in his brain. So he and Mike had a great time this evening while the rest of us watched who knows what on TV.

Debbie
6/23/10

Hate....

(Woodinville, WA) .....is a bad thing. But that's what I'm feeling these days. Hatred toward doctors. I know you shouldn't generalize but when you've seen at least a couple hundred and they all treat you horribly or mess you up in some fashion, it's hard to have a warm fuzzy feeling. I could tell you stories that would mind boggle you. Some are horrendous.

I will state I met one doctor who is great. He knows what he's doing and he has a great "bedside manner" about him. I wish all doctors were as nice and helpful as he is. Unfortunately, he is a hand doctor....not a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

On June 22, my general dislike of doctors grew into hate. I'll get over it soon as hate is not a good thing, I know. However, I have given myself permission for a few days of disdain.

I went to the hospital on the 22nd for a procedure that was supposed to help get me over the hump and feel much better. Instead, it brought back all the nerve pain....it's as bad as it has been at any time over the last 19 years. And the pain this procedure was supposed to help is now almost as bad as it has ever been. Talk about a setback! After all I've been through, this is not easy to handle. But what can you do......there are no options.

Okay, that's it. I'm giving up on doctors. No more doctors for me. That's going to give me a lot more free time.....to lie in bed in pain. Oh happy day.

Debbie

6/22/10

Bambi

(Olympia, WA) Wazzu had a recheck with the dentist in Olympia. We're very relieved to find out she doesn't need her tooth extracted at this time. Just got to be sure and brush daily.....her favorite!

My parents always have a lot deer in their backyard, pretty much year round. Well it's that time of year when the little baby deer are just learning to walk and find their way around.



My mom was working in the yard, concentrating on the weed she was pulling, when she felt a nudge on her left arm. She turned to look and there was this little spotted baby deer. He was a very curious little guy. He stayed quite a while and kept nudging my mom. She didn't dare touch it or speak to it as they get tamed so easily. Quite some time later, when my mom finally had to get up and move, the little "Bambi" bounded away as happy as could be.

While we were there today, a mommy deer and her baby came through the yard a few times. My mom grows lots of plants that the deer seem to think is a perfect snack anytime of day.




Just too cute. How lucky my parents are to get to see a show like this most any time of day. And Wazzu just stands perfectly still just watching the entire time. She's such a sweetie. Not sure who enjoys staring at the other more....Wazzu or the deer.




My mom had fixed a wonderful dinner and after we finished we all left the table to go do something. After a while I noticed Boogie wasn't around. I looked around and found Boogie doing a "please". We've taught the dogs to put their chin down if they want something. They must never take without being told it's okay.




What a good boy to do a "Please" and wait for the okay. Needless, to say, he wasn't given the okay to eat a pork roast! But since we were all out of sight for quite some time, he could have easily jumped on the table and helped himself. Since he was such a good boy, he did get a bite.

Debbie
6/21/10

Touch....and GOoooo

(Woodinville, WA) This evening we attended the first "one day trial" of the year held at Mega-Dogs. There were two Touch N Go runs offered.

We entered Wazzu, Sparkie, and Boogie in both runs. As usual this Juneuary, it had rained a good portion of the day so the trial was held in the sand.

The courses were very tricky and the Q rate on both runs was extremely low. The first run, Boogie just couldn't understand why there were all these people in his yard watching him practice agility. So he kept stopping and looking back at all the people. The parts he did run without stopping he did beautifully.

Wazzu was happy and fast....a little too happy and fast. She jumped off the dog walk at the very end of the run, missing the contact. Sparkie had a misstep at the very beginning of the course but did well after that. So we were 0 for 3 the first run. Even so, all three dogs placed....I told you the courses were tough! Out of 38 dogs there were only nine Q's.

The second course was probably the most difficult Touch N Go course we've ever seen. And our guys rose to the occasion. Wazzu went first. She was spot on....not falling for any of the many difficult traps.....and even hitting the end of the course dogwalk contact!

Sparkie was next and she too handled the traps nicely. By the second run, Boogie realized this was a trial! Now he was amped up like usual. And he was fast.....until the very end. Let me explain.

I have to spend most of the run in one general area as I really wasn't able to move well today. He did great distance for me and listened well at all the tricky spots. He did his dogwalk contact perfectly with me very far away. But there was one more obstacle (which many dogs had trouble with....and their people could run). I told Boogie to go on but he didn't see the last hoop since it was offset. So he thought maybe I meant for him to get back on the contact...nooooooo. Phew, saved that. I Tried to send him but he wasn't understanding. After some time (seemed like forever at the time) I finally got up close enough that he figured out what I wanted. Phew! A 2nd place Q. Yippee!

Take a look for yourself.....




We ended up, Sparkie 1st place, Wazzu 2nd place (very close behind Sparkie) and Boogie 2nd place. Great job! There were 38 dogs with only eight Q's....three of which were Mason dogs!

The dogs had a great time...as did we. 2iggie, however, didn't understand why she never got to go out and play. Soon 2iggie, soon.

Debbie
6/16/10

Goin' Out

(Woodinville, WA) We've spent the last couple weeks just hanging out. That means lots of hiking for Mike and the dogs. And I mean lots of hiking since Mike only takes two or three dogs out at a time.

Weekends, of course, have been agility trials. The first one was down in Corvallis, OR. It was inside and pretty dark so no pictures there. But it was a good opportunity for 2iggie to go inside and start learning about arenas. Mike discovered he doesn't exist once they get out into the arena. 2iggie goes into hunting mode and sees nothing, hears nothing, except what's on the ground. Hmm.

The dogs had a good time but I had the better time. I was so enjoying getting to be out on the course with Boogie for at least a couple runs a day. Of course the highlight for me was when Boogie got a pretty difficult Elite Chances Q.

The next weekend we were at Argus Ranch in Auburn. Once again, too dark for pictures....too bad as there were some great picture moments! I don't think anything could have been done to make this trial any nicer. Two great judges, perfect weather both days, very nice trial committee, fun and challenging courses, and of course, super nice people.

Saturday will probably remain one of the biggest highlights in my memory. I was able to run Boogie in two runs....both were Elite Chances. One was really hard and other was super duper tricky and difficult. My little Boogie Man rose to the occasion and got BOTH Chances Q's. I am still on cloud nine. In addition to that, Boogie and Sparkie were both perfect for the day going six for six. Wazzu didn't Q but she was very happy.

A friend of mine was nice enough to try and record Boogie and I doing one of our Chances runs. Here's what she got. Thanks, Susan.

Sunday we didn't fare quite as well but it wasn't for lack of trying. Boogie and I need to work a few things out and then we'll be golden. He does the big distance very nicely but the turn aways are difficult. Leave it to Boogie to make everyone laugh. He got confused at one point....so instead of going over the jump, he just ran up to it and put his paws up on the jump and just stood there...barking of course. Needless to say everyone laughed.

But we had some stellar runs with all the dogs. Wazzu took more air over the a-frame than I've ever seen. Of course the whole crowd went "whoa" which excited her even more. She was close to two feet over the apex and landed in the yellow. It was so very fun to watch. Many Q's today from all three dogs and many smiles from both dogs and people.

I just can't put into words how much it means to me to have so many people come up to me and give me encouragement and support. The agility community is just amazing. I can't imagine a nicer group of people. It touches my heart in a very special way. Thank you all so very much...

Debbie

6/1-13/10