Busy Season

Where to even begin? Summer has gone by so fast.
Agility season is now in full swing and we are trialing like crazy.

Baby dog turned two last month and she's the most mature pup I have ever seen at that age, physically and mentally (OK, only after Grommit). There is nothing that ever phases her and she takes in anything and everything that's thrown her way with unrivaled enthusiasm. I have yet to stump her ;-)

We now have two USDAA trials with qualifiers for the 2012 Nationals behind us and Riot has already earned her 2 Steeplechase Qs and a Grand Prix Q with a bye for Regionals. Can you say 'Go Beanie Baby'???
Team event coming up in few weeks and this will be her very first 'big girl' event - the TEAM.

Flying meatball

We also did 4 straight days of AKC agility (ugh) over the extended Labor Day weekend and Riot's now in Excellent in both Standard and Jumpers.
Our biggest hurdle right now are dropped bars when she gets antsy, bouncing the table and disregarding my cues from off-course tunnel entrances. Contacts however are holding up and although I'll be tweaking those some more, I am very happy with her performance, especially those sliding teeters
......... even the fly-offs ;-)

 

Kamikaze move due to poor approach to the DW at full speed, not enough room to straighten out, but she totally stuck it and hit the contact beautifully.

 

Banshee babe is my best friend as always on and off the course and I am relieved that finally her shoulder/wrist have healed, which has been a huge relief given how many trials I have planned out, afraid she wouldn't hold up. But she seems to be in better shape than ever and definitely less sore than she has been. Though still the upcoming 9th birthday is starting to weigh a little heavier on the old joints and bones. As always extra TLC and lovin' helps her bounce back :-)
We had an awesome weekend in Idaho at the local USDAA trial and she was just on fire.

Grommit found extra energy last weekend in Idaho as well and totally surprised me with his speed and enthusiasm. There was not one course he didn't joyfully "Woof" through and totally smoked Performance Steeplechase coming just about a second behind Banshee, who incidentally did have the fastest time.
My old man's still got it and boy did he enjoy himself, especially the eating, snacking and snoring on the bed part in the hotel room.

Last month was a tough one as quite a few of my friends have said Goodbyes to their old furry partners and friends, many of whom I remember starting agility with, when we were all just beginning it all.
Ever more so, I now hug Grommit and Banshee and Blink and Ri-ri, every day I try to find time to be grateful for being together, even if the whirlwind life shuffles us around from morning to night.
Banshee for sure is my pillar of strength and emotion, my soul mate, and there are no words to describe how much I love her and how much I depend on her.

As the weather is cooling off, we will be going back to our morning and night runs again, which means that my days will be once again very short on available hours. Such is our insane border collie (and ehm, half staffy) life :-)))))