Helen's Home World: Oh So Close!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Oh So Close!

We had a trial this past weekend at Morning Star. I'd only been to their new location once before; it's at the Seahawk horse arena in Morton, Ontario. When I first registered for the trial, Beckett still didn't have his Master Snooker title so we registered for the two Gamblers and the two Snookers; after he got his title, we e-mailed the trial secretary and changed one of our Snooker runs for a Standard. That ended up working out well as the Standard was earlier in the day and I was able to get home in time to go to my nephew's place for a BBQ.

First up was the two Gambles, when I saw the course maps, I knew the first one was entirely "doable" for Beckett.

The number 3 jump of the main Gamble was even a little more in line with the dog walk than shown on the map. I didn't waste any time trying the mini, although a lot of dogs did successfully complete the mini gamble. I just took Beckett over the double with a post turn to get the 4 point jump twice, then up through the tunnels to the frame then to the weaves which we did twice, followed by the teeter. We were taking the single jump just past the teeter when the buzzer went, I got Beckett back up the main Gamble and sent him out to the tunnel. He gave me a heart attack by coming back out to me on the line and I thought "oh no, I'll never get him back to the dog walk"; I just thought he would bark and spin. But I told him "walk-it" and off he went like a flash, up and over the dog walk. He did the last two jumps of the gamble like they were the only things on his mind.

So this was our third Masters Gamblers Q, just one more his Masters Gamblers title. The run was only good enough for 4th place as all the other 16" dogs who Q'd also did the mini so they had more points than Beckett.

The second run was also a Gamblers. A fourth Masters Gamblers Q will also give Beckett his Agility Trial Champion title so I had to find someone to video the next run. We've been working on get-out but I didn't think in a trial environment that he would do it. I knew the jump, teeter wouldn't be a problem and I was right, that part Beckett got. He jumped off from the side of the teeter and took the decoy jump, so no second Gamblers Q but there's always next time.

A video of Beckett - Masters Gamblers

Next up was the Standard run, it was a nice run but Beckett jumped off the teeter so I put him back on it, three times before he would hold his contact. I don't ask for a two on two off but he is supposed to wait for the release word. Even with being put back on the teeter three times, Beckett still finished the course with time to spare.

Our last run of the day was a Masters Snooker, since we had the chance to practice the teeter in the Standard, I decided to do the teeter a few times, twice in the opening and once in the close.

It worked, we did the red near the start line followed by obstacle 7, then ran to the inside red at the back to the teeter, then the red between the teeter and dog walk, then started our close. Beckett ran nicely but then on the teeter gave me another heart attack. He jumped from the teeter and I was sure he missed the contact, we needed to complete obstacle 6 to Q. I waited a split second to hear the judge's whistle; it didn't come so we finished obstacle 7 before the 55 second running time was up. Another Snooker Q and good enough for first place. A friend told me as we came out of the ring that he had barely touched the yellow contact zone on the last teeter.

So all in all a great day. We played Frisbee in the paddocks. Keltic got to run around too, even ran away a couple times to meet and greet other people and dogs. I leave his leash on so he is easy to catch, when he stops running that is.

I've been tracking Beckett's Q's once he gets his Agility Trial Champion title, he will also be close to the first post ATChC title which is Bronze Award of Merit. For that title, you need 25 Games and 10 Standard Q's. Beckett has the 25 Games Q's already as all of his Steeplechase count for that so he will just need 5 more Standard Q's. We are also close to his Bronze Expert Jumpers, for that you need ten Q's and Beckett has 8. So we are oh so close to many of our goals for this year.

Go Beckett Go!

2 comments:

SaraMay 27, 2013 at 6:18 AM
That's awesome Helen! I'm sure you will meet many of those goals in no time!
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VonnieMay 27, 2013 at 7:54 AM
Nice run! GO Beckett!
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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