Helen's Home World: April 2016

Thursday, April 7, 2016

UKI Eastern Spring Cup

This past weekend we did the UKI Eastern Spring Cup. It's kind of a championship, there's one held out west, here in Ontario (the Eastern Cup) and one down east, called the Atlantic Spring Cup. All of the events are paired and there are ribbons and, in the Masters series, even money as prizes.

I entered Beckett in three challenges, the Games, the Speedstakes and the Biathlon; Keltic, I only entered in the Games and the Speedstakes. This was the first time the Spring Cup was held in our neck of the woods, usually it's about a five hour drive away but this year it was held in Spencerville where we trial regularly just an hour from my house

There were over 100 dogs registered in each of the events. I thought we would be there quite late but things ran really smoothly and I made it home by 7:30 pm each evening.. I was sure glad we hadn't entered the Master series as those runs were first thing in the morning. They started at 7:45 am and that would have meant leaving the house at about 6 am. As it was we only had to leave at around 8 am to get there by 9 am and we still had plenty of time to get ourselves settled.

On Saturday, both my guys ran Snooker and Speedstakes and Beckett ran the Biathlon Jumpers. we did all right on the first day, Keltic had a five fault Speedstakes and Beckett had a five fault Jumpers, he popped the weaves of all things. Neither dog got the Snooker but you only have 45 seconds in UKI Snooker to get 37 points. I thought Beckett had it as I thought we had started obstacle 6 when the buzzer sounded but when we watched the video he had only just turned for the first jump of six, he hadn't actually taken it.

On Sunday, both Beckett and Keltic ran Gamblers and Speedstakes. I was a little disappointed that in the main gamble both options were distance Gambles. The UKI also allows time gambles where you have to be in the right place to actually get the gamble because the time is so tight. Anyway neither dog got the gamble but both did get the required minimum 20 points in only 30 seconds. Keltic actually beat Beckett by one point as Beckett had a fly-off on the teeter and then started to spin wasting quite a bit of time. Beckett had a beautiful Speedstakes, running the course in 28 seconds. Keltic had another 5 fault ran, that resulted in him getting the first place in the aggregate scoring of the event. Beckett had 15 faults in his Agility Biathlon event, two refusals and a missed contact on the dog walk.

There weren't many dogs in the 12" Select, most people in UKI run their dogs at their regular jump height but I moved Beckett and Keltic down last year. So I'm proudest of Keltic's fist place Speedstakes as he had to beat Beckett and also of Beckett's Games challenge 2nd place ribbon (the red and white one) since there too he had to beat other dogs in the class. Beckett was the only 12" Select that ran the Biathlon challenge so as the last event of the day and very nearly the last dog, the real challenge was for me to remember the course.

Anyway, we had a good time and came away with some lovely ribbons.

Video of Beckett's Speedstakes runs

Video of Keltic's Speedstakes runs

Monday, April 4, 2016

UKI Spring Cup - Keltic's Point of View

Hey dere ebreybody is me Keltic. Mums said I gets to tell you abouts our weekend. We went to play UKI agility, seems pretty much da same as our other gility to me, I gots to do lots off jumps and tunnels.

Mums just entered me for da experience in two events, da Games challenge and da Speedstakes challenge. In da Games, I had ta do Snooker, Mums had me do 3 A-frames in our opening as she knew I could do dem pretty good. I missed one of da yellow bits but we got through our opening and started da closing bit. We was doing beautiful but den dere was dose nasty weavers. I tried but I wents in da wrong way and dere wented da whistle. The second games was Gamble, Mums planned a course where I just had to do jumps, tunnels and da teeter, I did really good and eben beat Beckett for points. I didn't gets da main Gamble though but needer did Beckett.

Speedstakes 1

But da biggest surprise was in Speedstakes, I only had 5 faults in my first run but Beckett had an off course. Beckett did really good in his second run and gotted a Q but again I only had five faults in my run so I gotted first place overall in Speedstakes, da big red, white and blue ribbon.

Speedstakes 2

Video of Keltic's Speedstakes runs

Isn't dat something, I beated Beckett. Mums was really surprised and very happy about da ribbon. I would da been happier if I had gotted a big cookie instead. Mums said she'd write about da whole weekend later but she thought I'd like to tell you all about my results myself.

Hurrah for me, Keltic da Speedy!

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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