Helen's Home World: The 2015 Agility Year In Review

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The 2015 Agility Year In Review

Well, 2015 is in the books and this weekend we begin the 2016 agility season. We had a pretty good year in the 2015.

In April, Keltic got his Agility Dog of Canada title putting him in Advanced in all events. He has since moved out of Advanced in both Jumpers and Snooker but he has yet to run a Masters level course. He needs only two more Gambles for his Advanced Games title. Standards are another story. He did get one Advanced Standard Q in 2015, he needs three for his Advanced Agility Dog title and they might be hard to get as we are still working through weave and contact issues. At the end of 2015, it seemed like we had gotten past the start line stay problem; I guess we'll see if that's true on Sunday.

Agility Dog of Canada

Agility Dog of Canada Title Run

We also did three UKI trials last year. Keltic did get one Q in Speedstakes. He also was in the Kanine Kup for his third year. It was likely our last year as he gets a handicap now since he has the ADC title and he would get the same handicap next year even if he didn't have the title because the goal of K9 Kup is to prepare dog and handler teams for agility trials so they want to be able to offer the opportunity to other teams just starting out. Keltic's team did really well taking first place overall and placing first in the Standard event.

Snowdogs Unharnessed

Beckett also had a pretty good year. We went to the Canada Cup again and this time we actually got to run in the finals. In fact we got to run in the finals of all three events, not many dogs accomplished that. We didn't place in any of those events but I was really happy with our performance. We had done a UKI trial the day before the Canada Cup and I think four days was too much for Beckett. I thought perhaps we had a chance to place in the Steeplechase event but when it came time to do the the second set of weaves Beckett kept popping; I think he was too tired by then so we just went on without finishing the weaves.

Beckett flying at Canada Cup

Canada Cup Grand Prix Runs

Beckett also got his Expert Bronze Snooker this year; that's 10 qualifying scores at the Master level. He finished the year with 24 qualifying scores; thus making the AAC Top Dogs list for 2015. You need 9 Q's to make that list. During the year, we also reached a personal goal of 100 lifetime Q's and actually now Beckett has 108 Q's. Beckett needs 3 Team Q's for Expert Bronze Team and 7 Standard Q's for his Expert Silver Standard title and Silver Award of Merit so that is what we will be focusing on this year. Beckett also did some UKI trials and got 5 Q's; one in a game that AAC doesn't have called Snakes and Ladders.

Expert Bronze Snooker

Expert Bronze Snooker Title Run

This year we are entered in the AAC Regional Championships, Keltic's first. Hopefully we will do well as Nationals are being held only two hours drive from home.

I'm hoping 2016 will be as fun as 2015 was with no injuries and lots of clean runs.

3 comments:

DukeJanuary 29, 2016 at 5:33 AM
You are such brilliant pups! We already know you'll ace 2016☺
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SaraJanuary 29, 2016 at 3:52 PM
How cool that Nationals is so close to home! Fingers and paws crossed here for you.

Happy 2016!
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Collie222January 31, 2016 at 9:42 PM
Congratulations! Looks like you had a good 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