Helen's Home World: St Patrick's Day Trial

Sunday, March 24, 2013

St Patrick's Day Trial

Well, as we mentioned in Keltic's birthday posts, Beckett and I had a trial at Dream Fields on St Patrick's Day. The luck of the Irish was not with us and we didn't get any Q's but we did have some really nice runs, unfortunately there are no videos.

We ran two Gamblers, two Standards, a Snooker and last up, a Jumpers. First up was a Gamblers, I didn't try any of the minis, just went for points. I know Beckett is fast enough to get the points so if I'm not sure that he'll do the minis I don't waste precious seconds trying to get him to do them. I was really happy that he did the first four obstacles of the main gamble, quite a few dogs didn't get this gamble. It was very hard to get them back out the far tunnel mouth.

In our first standard, we got five faults. I wanted to make sure that Beckett took the frame after jump 7 so I did a front cross which kept him out of the tunnel mouth I was worried about but very nearly put him in the other tunnel entrance but in almost doing the other tunnel entrance we got a refusal on the A-frame. The rest of the run was just great. Beckett ran the course in 45.99 seconds, going 3.91 yards per second (yps). The Standard Course time was 61 seconds.

The Snooker run was another nice run. We did the red near the far end of the weaves, then the weaves, then the red near the start/finish line, then the weaves again, then the red by the tunnel followed by the A-frame. Then we started our opening, Beckett did 2 and 3a and took off for the obstacle 3b, the tunnel like a little streak. I was going to try to run 3c and 4a like a straight line with Beckett on my left, unfortunately I got a little ahead of Beckett and never cued him to take 3c so he came right by the standard of 3c. Good boy, Beckett. We needed to get through 6 to qualify. On the course map, the reds are the single jumps with no numbers, they're not even red, they are blue lattice jumps.

Our last run of the day was Jumpers. Having NQ'd all of our other runs I was hoping this would be the one but nope, we came up empty handed. Well I did anyway, Beckett still got his hot dogs as he was a good boy and ran very well all day, hardly any spinning. Jumpers went very well right up to nearly the end of the run. I wanted to front cross between 17 and 18 but Beckett was so far ahead of me that I shoulder turned him over 18 and rear-crossed but I knew I didn't want to go too far to the tunnel so I hesitated on course as to what I should do. Beckett not receiving any information as to what he should do, back jumped 18. The course time for this Jumpers was 48 seconds. Beckett ran it in 35.30, for him a very fast 4.9 yps. How can you not be happy with that!

Our next trials are in April, 7 April at Dream Fields again and 14 April at Absolute Agility. I hope the agility gods will be with us then as the leprechauns weren't with us last weekend.

8 comments:

AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Well Beckett, just keep working at it, before long you will be the standard for oter poochies to chase!

Your Pals
The Mad Scots

Pees; Bites just laughs at this, cause he would just stand there and shake his head!
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SaraMarch 24, 2013 at 6:39 PM
Little stuff....you guys will get it next time! Beckett sure is a little speed demon.
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Lassiter Chase and BenjaminMarch 25, 2013 at 4:45 AM
We don't know anything about agility. Looks like in the second picture jump seven is a rolling pin. The rolling pin seemed to have moved from picture one and picture two. Guess someone wasn't finished using it for baking when it was time for the third picture because we didnt see the rolling pin in that picture.
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VonnieMarch 25, 2013 at 6:35 PM
His times are good. Good to hear he's calmed down with the twirling lol! Such a clever boy!
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NatashaMarch 27, 2013 at 10:31 AM
We always seem to be running on Saturdays when you're running on Sundays! Sounds like Beckett is running really well though! :)
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother