Strong Finish

For as crappy a handler as I was on Satruday, I got better on Sunday. Sunday's std course was wide open and FAST. Like really FAST. She tore up this fast course and we ended up 17 seconds under time. It was a fabulous run. She followed suit in jumpers, and finished the day with QQ 17 and 21 pts. :)

Also, we wanted to wish Chelsie and Ace's grammie a happy birthday. Grammie was very happy with her birthday present of a QQ and 21 pts!!!

Photos

Well, for as good as last weekend was, today sucked...well, actually her handler sucked - and it started very early. Tomorrow will be a better day.

First, at 6Am this morning, I was going through my email and looked at an email from Red Roof Inn that said "Your survey for your recent stay at the Inn in Middleburg Heights". Uh, that was where we were staying tonight. I think what happened was that when I clicked submit for the online registration, there was an error I had to correct and the date defaulted back to Wedensday's date, the day I made the reservation. Oops. Luckily, they had a room for us (although not first floor and I had to haul Ace's wire car crate up the stairs) and graciously applied the no-show charge they hit my credit card with to the room tonight. On top of this, I went to check into the room, and realized I had no driver's license. Last night, I went to the park and just took my license and forgot to put it back in my purse. This would not have been a problem, except that we brought grammie's mini van to the show. Thankfully, grammie was with me and she had an ID that matched her CC...grammie will be driving home tomorrow.

On top of all of this, my handling SUCKED. We were 0-2. We dropped a bar and had an off course in std and then I sent her into the wrong side of the tunnel on a move I have perfected. In the middle of a front cross, I realized I was not supposed to be doing that front cross...right as she went into the wrong end of the tunnel. Thankfully, my friend Stacey did the same thing...we laughed about it - and I found out all my friends were making fun of me for that dumb move...She was a good girl. Her handler's handling left a lot to be desired.

And then, there is Ace...little Ace. His sister Ella was there today, and they enjoyed 2 periods of rough, tumble extreme lab play. Enjoy the pictures of then and now, and pray for better handling tomorrow.

Ace (Morning Star's "Going the Distance") and his sister Ella (Morning Star's "Total Elation") on May 15, 2010

Reunited! July 17, 2010

Two worn out puppies makes 2 very happy mommies!!! It was very warm out there and when you run around like maniacs...well, your tongue hangs out of the side of your mouth. It should be noted they are sitting this because it was at the end of play period #1....

Weekend in Toledo

This weekend, Chelsie was 4-4 in her competition, earning 2 QQ's and 25 pts. Courses were wheeled VERY tight, which was why we didn't get very many pts, but she ran well, ran clean (obviously!) and had a great time. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a plain donut from Tim Horton's which she graciously shared with her little brother.

These QQ's were # 15 and #16...we need 20 to get to MACH. We are at 509 pts, with750 needed for MACH. So...the MACH counter is down to 4QQ and 241 pts. I would LOVE to get her MACH at one of my club's last 2 trials in Novemeber, but that might be a bit agressive - I would have to pick up one more trial in August, September and October to even have a shot. We will see how she does this weekend, what trials are going on and make a decision from there. All our Wild Weaver friends have been so supportive of us throughout our agility career...our beginning instructors are still amazed at what we have accomplished, given our start. Because of this, as well as their support though Chelsie's injury, it would be nice to come full circle with all of them. Something to think about.

Very proud of my little girl this weekend - she worked very, very hard for her mom. :)

Agility Photos - First Trial Back!

Below are some photos I had taken at Chelsie's first trial back from her injury. These were taken May 15 at the Cleveland All Breed Training Club trial in North Olmstead, Ohio. This was Chrisite Bowers std course. We nq'ed on the run...mom cut a turn too tight and she knocked a bar, but got a big cheer from all her agility friend to welcome her back and congratulate her on a terrific first run.

I was very happy to see this picture - she cleared the jump easily with her back legs tucked up nicely and read where I wanted her to. You can see that she is looking straight at the next obstace, which is exactly what she should be looking at. The look of pure joy makes me feel good too...

Coming out of the chute...this is a blind exit, so she has to find me..

I took an extra minute and gave her a little extra loving because I was so proud of her. Then we were off to find her treats...and I let her stick her nose in the treat bag.

This weekend is our first trial in Toledo. Rumor has it that it is a very nice facility, similar to Cleveland. This is a very good thing! We are also trialing in Cleveland next weekend, and then will have 3 weekends off before heading back to Cleveland to trial in August.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Weekend Wrap Up

I hope everyone out there had a nice, long weekend. My weekend started Thursday night and I can't believe I am still scrambling to get things done before tomorrow....including making my bed with all 11 pillows..

Here is the readers digest version of the weekend...

1. Friday - chips y salsa y margaritas with my friend Lisa, puppy play group with Ace on Friday night.
2. Saturday - on the water by 8 30 (at boat at 7 30), errands and yardwork (it was hotter than moses while I mowed) while grammie kept the babies
3. Sunday - repeat of Saturday, except add Uncle Joey's annual 4th of July party in there
4. Monday - repeat of wakboarding, errands, chores

Wakeboarding went awesome. Worked on getting some air in between my board and the water. What I found out is that it is exhausting. :)

Also got to spend a little time hugging my puppies. On Saturday, little Ace was 20 weeks old. He will be 5 mos old on July 13. Growing up so fast, but is a really good puppy. He is in puppy play group with a bunch of other puppies from our agility circle - no doubt his favorite time of the class was when he was chasing Lucy the Jack Russell terrier all over the yard. He is currently trying to "help" me with paperwork. His sister had a good weekend too, and has been very helpful in entertaining him so I could deal with the paperwork that seems to have taken over my life...

I hope everyone had a great few days. For those of us here in Ohio...try and stay cool. :)

Cofirmatory Testing

I heard back from Be the Match, and the inquring medical service has accepted me as a potential donor. :)