Helen's Home World: Canada Cup

Friday, July 5, 2013

Canada Cup - The Finale

When I got up Sunday morning, my calf was rock-hard and really really stiff, I hoped it would limber up as I used it but I kind of knew in my heart I wasn't going to be able to run.

I arrived at Royackers to find out that Beckett had qualified for the Jumpers final as well. He had qualified in 7th place an even better finish than we had for Steeplechase, the running order below is posted in reverse order. I found Susan Royackers and told her that we had to scratch, everyone asked me, "won't he run for someone else" but there was no one there that we had even tried to have him run with them.

I picked up course maps anyway and went and got the dogs settled in their crates in the screen tent. I'm not ashamed to say that when the other 16" finalists started their walk through for Steeplechase, I had tears in my eyes.

I'm sure Beckett would have done well in this Steeplechase, we may not have been the fastest but we might have had a chance for the podium but now we don't know. I did video the other bi-black sheltie, Jazz and her handler, they had an excellent run.

The last final we would have been in was Jumpers, again when I looked at the course map, I felt that Beckett would have done just fine, he threadles well, has a good around, only the last line of jumps might have given us a bit of a problem if I hadn't been able to keep up with him.

Again I videoed Jazz, her handler even handled the jumps after the second tunnel like I would have.

After the finals were done they set up for the awards ceremony but first they had a competitors' raffle. Each of the competitor's names were put in a bag and when your name was drawn, you went an drew a number from another bag and that was the number of the prize you won. There were tunnels, big gift baskets, and lots of other great items, we won a sport umbrella. We also won a prize in a raffle to help another handler and her dog go to the Paragility Games in Hungary.

Adrian Royackers and the Canada Cup Judges

16 " Winners - Steeplechase

16" Winners - Jumpers

The Steeplechase winners got a nice big black and white ribbon, oh how we would have liked to get one of those.

So we've already put the dates for next year's Canada Cup into our calendar and we'll try again to qualify for the finals. Who knows maybe even Keltic might be ready to give it a try.

7 comments:

SaraJuly 5, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Even if someone else could've run Beckett, it wouldn't have been the same. Something to look forward to for next year!
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AnonymousJuly 5, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Ohhhh, we feel sorry that you couldn't help Beckett do the trials, but now you got lots of time to train an be the one at the top!

The Mad Scots and Trainee
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DianaJuly 5, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Oh man that's a bummer. So sorry.
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Lassiter Chase and BenjaminJuly 5, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Theres always next year. U will win a great ribbon next time.
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AnonymousJuly 6, 2013 at 3:38 PM
I definitely agree with Sara, someone else running Beckett would not have been the same. I doubt it would have made you feel any better...been there, done that with Krypto. I will not do it again...
You and Beckett are a great team, and next year you'll be there and I am sure you two will rock!!
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Pippa SheltieJuly 7, 2013 at 5:21 AM
Aw, that such a shame about your calf. Is it better? I'm sure you and Beckett would have done brilliantly, but at least you've got next year to go for! There were a lot of shelties there; funnily, there's hardly any here!
Pippa :)
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NatashaJuly 7, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Hope your calf is feeling better! That must have been really disappointing :( Looking forward to hearing about next year!!
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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