Helen's Home World: July 2014

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Busy, Busy

Oh my, have we been busy. We went to the Canada Cup and the day after I got home I took off on a trip for work. I went to Alexandria, Va again just across the river from Washington DC.

Canada Cup was another awesome agility weekend. The weather was perfect; in fact it was quite chilly on Friday morning. I was nervous on our first run thinking maybe we weren`t up to the competition but Beckett did great. We have to work on tighter turns and I need to get fitter, as I`m sure that if I could run faster Beckett would run faster. Beckett and I didn`t make any finals, we missed out by just 1.7 seconds for Steeplechase and were quite close in Grand Prix. The competition is very tough as even clean runs didn`t put us in the top 10. Keltic did fine too. He needs more work to understand the crosses and turns; we also need to work on his jumping skills too. And I need to remember the courses, poor Keltic, on his way to a clean run and I forget the course. I drove back from Guelph on Sunday night. I kind of hoped I could make it all the way but it was just too far and I had to stop for the night in Kingston which is about 2 and half hours away from home.

After getting home on Monday morning, I unpacked the car, did laundry and repacked for my trip to Washington. I also packed up the dog`s things as they would be staying at my sister`s place. That evening, I went to dinner at my sister`s place as our aunt was visiting from England. That made things easier as I brought the dogs with me to dinner so the next morning I was able to get up and go straight to the airport.

I arrived in Alexandria at about 9:30 am, I was able to check in early at the hotel and as a result got to the meeting location just as they were breaking for lunch. It was hot and muggy most of the week. I had only brought one pair of shorts and one pair of capris. I went out shopping while I was there and was lucky enough to find four pairs of shorts at the Gap Outlet store and, a bonus, everything was on sale. Our meetings ended earlier than expected so we had a day to see the sights in Washington before flying home Friday evening.

Old Town waterfront

Chart House restaurant, the blue building.

We went out to dinner on Wednesday night to the Chart House restaurant which is right down on the water front. It was a tad pricey but the food was excellent. Afterwards while waiting for the trolley we saw this man playing wine glasses filled with water.

I did get a chance to see some of DC again. Right near our hotel was the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Unfortunately, it's only open from 10 am to 4 pm so I didn't get the chance to go inside. We did go to the Holocaust Museum (very sobering) and walked the National Mall. We tried to go up the Washington Monument but same day tickets mean lining up at 7:30 am so we really missed out on those. Most tickets are booked online months in advance.

George Washington Masonic Memorial

The White House - front view

Washington Monument

Now that I`m home I`m dealing with all kinds of things that need to be done before I head done east for Nationals and on vacation. The air conditioner needs to be serviced, it's not working right. I need to get into the bank to sign my new mortgage. Still trying to get quotes to have a new sun room built, I've been trying since May. I have one quote and one ball park estimate that are miles apart so I guess I'll need a third quote so probably won't see construction this fall. And to top that off, my computer crashed and was repaired but it didn't seem to help much. I'm working mostly off my laptop and tablet, the computer is just so slow.

Can't wait for Nationals and my vacation, I so need the time off.

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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