The last couple months have been marred by many old dogs leaving us. Many of them were the first ones; first pet, first agility dog, the dog that started the whole madness. In their last years they've stepped away from the main arena, they've been forced to give up their own time with us and share with the ever growing pack. They've been the mentors, the support, the fun police at times to the newbies joining the household. And always ever so understanding, just being there, they've become the permanent fixtures we got used to seeing, cuddling, expecting to always be there. It is hard to see that whole generation slowly whittle away. The void they leave is felt by so many, not just the ones of the pack, but most everyone around, as we all grew up with them.
My own pack has grown in the last five years. Deeply inside I feel as though I need to have new projects coming in, mainly to not be able to dwell on the fact that my very first dog has retired now. Although only 10.5 now, Grommit has been battling shoulder injury for years and that injury flares up now a lot more than it used to. Not wanting him to end up crippled for the rest of his life, it is time. He's been enjoying basking in the morning sun in the window on the back of the couch, going out on those chilly morning romps while the others madly chase the ball and exercise hard. He's been taking it easy, as he should :-)
Though I don't want to even fathom it possible, Banshee is just not a spring chicken anymore herself, turning 9 years of age this last month. Time has been catching up to her as well, slowly, but noticeably steady. The joint stiffness, sore muscles, hotter than usual areas after training and exercising, this girl has got to start taking it easy too. Seems like only yesterday we've started really clicking together, maybe it was, or maybe it just feels so short because time has flown by so fast while having a blast. Who knows.
While many will be giving their thanks for having food and a home and family and health this week, I will be also grateful for having been blessed with my wonderful four legged companions who have changed me forever. I can not think of a greater joy than living with the constant demands for butt rubs from acting-like-he's-starving Grommit, the gentle nuzzling and evening cuddling on the bed from the one that reads my mind Banshee, the bear hugs and unavoidable head butts from must-be-the-center-of-attention Blink, the joyful chattering and butterball snuggles from must-do-everything-fast Riot, the timid hugs from the every day growing more confident Mouse and of course now the whirlwind leaps, the licks and the exuberance of Deja, the Tasmanian redheaded devil ;-)
Thanksgiving holiday also marks a start of winter, at least for me. And boy has it been making itself known. Though not much snow yet, it's been cold, and wet. Short days. No agility trials. Ugh.
I have been trying to keep on training, but after the last Colorado agility trial, I have given Riot and Banshee quite a bit of a break, focusing now more on Mouse and the puppy.
After two months of two poles, we have finally made progress within a week. Not sure if it's the cold weather and the break from training while the others and I were busy trialing, Mouse has finally figured it out. We are up to six weave poles straight up inline. Wahoo! It has finally clicked for her. She has been kicking my ass as far as training of anything goes, so this little breakthrough is huge for me.
Last weekend at our first indoor flyball practice of the season, she's been also consistently getting on the box and getting the ball off the velcro and snapping off to the tug like a maniac. Another major breakthrough. Even after freaking out about the slippery cement floors surrounding the mats, we worked through it and she forgot about all the 'scary' parts.
Looking forward to starting some indoor agility training through the winter, another workshop with Stacy and one last agility trial of the year.
USDAA World Games are in Colorado next year, practically in our backyard (yes, I consider an 8 hour drive a short trek). The girls each need just one more Grand Prix leg, though they each already have Byes for Regionals. Riot still needs a team Q, hoping we get it soon.
We will be enjoying the next four months of quiet home time and getting ready for a crazy year to come. With the USDAA Nationals so close and more Regionals available, the flyball U-FLI Nationals also moving closer next year, we will be spending many weekends on the road trialing and trying to qualify.
This is going to be one crazy year and I can not wait to enjoy every little bit of it :-)
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
