Helen's Home World: First trial

Sunday, September 19, 2021

First trial - First Q's

Yesterday, Teddy was entered in his very first agility competition. I wasn't going to enter him in any competitions this fall but recently one of the trial hosts decided not to do any indoor trials until things improved with COVID so when I saw this Jumpers trial hosted by the Ottawa Valley Border Collie Club I decided to give it a go.

I hadn't been to this agility venue, Dogz, for quite some time. I looked up the directions on my tablet and it said it was about a 50 minute drive (it probably is in traffic) so I planned to leave at 7 am. When I put the address in my car's GPS on Saturday morning, it gave me an estimated time of only about 30 minutes. Needless to say I was the first one there and had lots of time to set up and walk the dogs. It was a glorious day for agility, cool but not cold with just a light breeze.

Our morning view

I knew there would be people there that I knew and so I hoped that I would be able to get someone to video Teddy's very first runs. Luckily, a friend who was running her dogs in later events, arrived early and she was able to video for me. It's always easier when someone isn't worried about their dog's run. It was my first competition in 2021, my last competitions were with Keltic last Sep, hopefully it won't be another year before we can do another competition.

Teddy did great. I was really rusty in the first run and it wasn't a nice flowing Starter's course. I thought I caused Teddy to fault the first tunnel and one of the jumps but apparently since he didn't have any backward motion (Sheltie spins are backward motion) he wasn't faulted.

Starter Jumpers 1

Teddy - Starter Jumpers 1 Video

Teddy isn't the fastest Sheltie out there but it seems like he'll be a steady agility partner, like Tucker, he'll probably rack up the qualifying scores once he can run as a Veteran dog.

Starter Jumpers 2

Teddy - Starter Jumpers 2 Video

The second run was much smoother for us. I got in all the crosses I had planned unlike in the first run. Teddy ran in one more event, the Steeplechase. He's only seen the A-frame in class once so I wasn't sure what he'd do. He did it alright but he stopped in the yellow, when I asked him to target he jumped off then got right back on again so we were eliminated. He did do all 12 of the the weaves though and didn't knock a single bar.

With the two Starter Q's (qualifying scores) in Jumpers, Teddy now moves to Advanced in that event. So with good weather, a chance to see friends and play some agility; I'd say that all in all it was a pretty good day.

5 comments:

JunoSeptember 19, 2021 at 2:34 PM
Pawsome job Teddy!!
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DawnSeptember 19, 2021 at 11:57 PM
Wow! You guys did GREAT! And I bet he had a lot of fun too.
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DukeSeptember 20, 2021 at 5:41 AM
Great job, Teddy! You had a perfect day!
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C.L.W.STEPSeptember 20, 2021 at 12:08 PM
Wow! We're glad you had such a wonderful time!
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OjoSeptember 23, 2021 at 7:05 PM
Congratulations on your Qs, friends!
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Replies

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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