Helen's Home World: November 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Agility Review

We did three trials between 24 Oct and 9 Nov. In the first two trials, neither Beckett or Keltic managed to Q. That's a bit unusual for us, I usually have the odd trial where we don't Q but not normally at two trials back to back. Anyway, not going to review those trial runs. Except to say that Keltic was bang on in some parts of our runs and a little s***head in other parts. He's back to not wanting to weave or to do tires and he's started to pull at my pant legs when he gets frustrated. I think with him we are going to finish the trials we've entered and take a bit of a hiatus. We'll go back to agility classes in January to work on some of the basic skills.

This last weekend we were at AARF on both days of the trial so Beckett could run Steeplechase and so Keltic could run in both Starters and Advanced. Saturday, Keltic had only one run, Starter Standard, what a mistake. I should have put him in one of the Starter Games for an "exhibit only" run as he was just wild in the Standard. He broke his start line, refused the tire and went in the wrong end of the tunnel which was only obstacle 5; then when we got to the A-frame he just flew off. I put him back on twice and both times he did another flying leap. We left the ring then with him tugging on my pant leg. Beckett had Steeplechase and two Master Standard runs. In the first run, a Master Std, we had a very nice 5 fault run; Beckett missed the contact on his A-frame. But I was a bit worried as in the Steeplechase course you needed to do the A-frame twice. Beckett is fast enough that he can make up 5 faults in Steeplechase but we can't usually make up 10. Beckett was just great in the Steeplechase running down well into the yellow contact zone. We only had one little spin and since there are no refusals in Steeplechase it didn't matter, it was a clean run, well under time. That was Beckett's 25th Steeplechase Q and so he earned his Bronze Expert Steeplechase and since it was his third bronze expert title, he also earned his Bronze Versatility title. Beckett finished the day with a Master Standard Q.

Steeplechase - Nov 2014

Beckett - Bronze Expert Steeplechase Run

The next day, Keltic had two runs, Advanced Jumpers and Advanced Gamblers. The Advanced Jumpers was pretty tough. The Special and Veteran dogs ran first on Sunday and when Keltic entered the ring as the second regular dog no one had yet Q'd. We didn't Q either but had a beautiful run until the last obstacle that dreaded tire where Keltic ran underneath incurring 20 faults for a non-completion. Only three dogs in the whole event got a Q. For Keltic's Advanced Gamblers, we worked on contacts and tires in our opening, we had enough points to Q but Keltic wouldn't get out to the far jump of the main gamble. I was much happier with his performance on Sunday than I was with Saturday's run so he got his hot dog reward. Beckett had two runs too, a Master Standard and a Master Snooker. He didn't Q in either of them but we had already achieved what I wanted so I told him we could have fun. His Snooker was nice run but in the close I couldn't get to the end of a straight tunnel fast enough to give him direction and he started spinning so we were faulted for a refusal and whistled off.

Advanced Jumpers - Nov 2014

Keltic - Advanced Jumpers Run

We have two more trials this month and then it will be a bit of a break until after Christmas. I love agility but the break will be nice.

Beckett Loves Bronze!

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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