Life and Times of Team Whisner

Sometimes it is what you don't do that counts

2012-02-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

I had developed a very bad habit last year. Go to the grocery store and pick up something to eat on the way home. Started off simple enough, was hungry at lunch time, went and got a sandwich and ate chips on the way home. Became a problem when "it" was something I did every time...and I like fresh food so I go to the store almost every day.

Bad habits are hard to break. I know. I've had more bad habits then I care to mention.

Today as I drove away from the parking lot, I realized that I didn't even "think" about getting something to snack on. Wow. I am trying to do this whole healthy eating and tons of exercise each day. I'm not making huge plans, just trying to change my habits. Feels good to realize that I can change. Successful achievement of goals is a satisfying and rewarding experience.

I also have bad habits when I run my dog.

Yelling her name over jumps
Flipping my arm up in the air
Not rotating completely for a threadle
Not running full tilt to that last jump

I often do these things without actually realizing I'm doing them. I'm looking forward to the day that I run a quiet course, don't watch myself on video flipping my arms all over the place, actually do a real threadle in an official agility course, and push myself running full out until I pass the last jump.

Hey, it could happen!

Challenge complete

2012-01-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

Today I hiked the last of my Jan 31 hiking miles up a steep grade. I'm exhausted but very happy.

I started this month thinking that I would just walk 1 mile each day. Then I started hiking and I realized that I could still do my 1 mile each day, but change my challenge to hiking miles.

Each time I hiked I pushed it. I am still intimidated by steep uphills, but I must admit, that I'm finding a little confidence hiding behind all the fear of failure that has held me back.

I hope that you are finding the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and create achievable goals.

Tomorrow morning agility class. Can't wait.

A day at home....can't wait for the next agility trial

2012-01-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

Laundry
Dishes
Vacuming
Grouting a small bathroom
Walking dogs
Toe nails (theirs not mine)
Making beds
Dusting
Working

Finally, finally, we get to go out to eat. Now, please!

Tomorrow. Hike and work. That's it. Should be a very simple day. Get the work finished. Hike will be a shorter one as I am still feeling the Friday spectacular.

BTW, my sisters bathroom looks fantastic!

Another day, another Hike.

2012-01-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

This morning I might have lost my mind a little. I thought to myself, "Self, lets you and I take on a challenge today and hike to the top top, not just the little top....but the really tall top." What was I thinking!?!

I was going to stop and pick up the Monkey, but she was unavailable. She has a very busy schedule. I'm hoping she has time for me next week.

We headed up the trail and when we got the the place we usually turn, I just kept going. About half way up I had to stop. I used the excuse that the dogs may be dehydrated and probably needed some water. I have no idea how far to the top I was, but the thing that I was sure of was that there was no relent from the uphill anytime soon.

Dogs were happy to have a bit of water. I looked at the map. Decisions. Do I continue the madness, or turn back.

I kept going. It was hard. But I did it. Ended up going about 5.5 miles and 1600+ elevation. Once up there, it was a really nice flat to rolling walk, not many views, but a bunch of trees. Very nice and peaceful. Only problem was the flat part was too short, then it was all down hill. The only other person that I saw was a man (near the end of the hike) with two reactive dogs. What's the chance of the only two people walking reactive dogs actually run into each other? I guess pretty good.

Joy

2012-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

When I do agility and I see people come off the line looking like they just found out they just got a cell phone bill of $7000 or they got cheated by their car mechanic, that is not good. Or when I get into a negative space (like when I lost that GP Q due to Fin going around a jump) I would ask myself why do I do dog agility?

I used to think I did dog agility because of the titles and placements. My dogs have taught me something else.

Dog agility is about connection. Gives you something to do with your dog that requires endless hours of cooperation. Your dog needs to learn how to learn and you need to learn how to teach. Spending hours exercising and training creates a dynamic that can not be denied. My dogs want to be around me. They want to be the center of my universe. Sure we have the run after the squirrel, the do not come when called...I am human after all, but seriously. My dogs would rather be with me than pretty much anywhere. Gotta love that!

Dog agility is about friendship. There are people you meet when you are progressing through the paths of agility training and competition that will be your friends for life. Going away for the weekend is seriously fun when you get to hang out with funny, committed, and crazy people.

Agility is about play. Having fun. Enjoying a sport you can do with your dog. Smile, laugh, giggle a little, that's what agility is about.

Agility is about athletic competition. You and your dog follow a fitness program and get better together. Eating right and getting fitter (although not so much fun while you are doing it) will make the sport more fun. Having a dog that was over weight come out fit and run a course is a joy beyond words. You can see how much more fun that dog is having with the excess baggage removed.

Agility is about speed. Gotta go fast. As fast as you can go. But remember to keep a smile on your face.

Agility is about ego....NOT. One thing my dogs have taught me. Leave the ego at the door. It will be crushed along with all your other silly ideas about yourself.

If you've lost your way and are not finding fun due to many of the stresses of life (focus on Q's, thinking that not Q'ing means you aren't successful, pissed because of lack of contacts/weaves/whatever, you've got a breed that's harder than other breeds), step back and ask yourself why you got in agility in the first place. Make a commitment to yourself and your dog to get back to the fun. You will not regret it.

I was an art major, not a math major.

2012-01-25T15:38:00.000-08:00

So, sue me. I miscalculated my hiking mileage. I'm actually much better off. Only 9.5 to go for the month. I'll get that and more this weekend :) Victory is on my doorstep.

Oh crap. Now I gotta do better in February. I'll hike 29 miles plus 4 days a week at the gym.

Brief Hiking Update

2012-01-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hiking continues. The result of hiking is a happy house.

Hiking results in quiet. No barking. No barking is good. There is a little black and white dog responsible for most of the barking. After a nice long hike she is content.

Hiking allows me to get some work done. I get a nice foot warmer to keep me comfy under my desk.

Hiking results in more ball play and short walks for the old farts. Ball play makes for a happy Rocky. He also gets to walk up the hill in front of the house and loves to read and leave mail all along his walk.

Hiking or no hiking, really doesn't matter to Maddie. As long as she has her squirrels to chase she is a happy dog.

12 miles to go before Jan 31. that is 3 more hikes in the next 7 days. Got a little behind because of my cold and the storm but I would say that success is in the air.

Weekend Report:

2012-01-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

Had a very fun, cold, wet, time at the Bayteam USDAA trial. Not a ton of Q's...actually one for Tazz and one for Fin. However, I felt my handling for most runs was really good. I dropped the handling ball a few times this weekend and these courses, if you got behind, you were in trouble the rest of the course.

Fin Grand Prix
What a lovely run. I am very proud of my handling. Fin was perfection, getting out and finding obstacles that I was unable to get to. Unfortunately it was a weave to nowhere corner and she popped. I didn't care, just kept going.

Tazz Jumpers
Tazz rocked his first course out of the weekend. He moved through it and was a happy dude. All his courses were like this for the weekend...couple times I slowed him down with a late cross, but he just kept going. This "agility is fun" business is working. No other Q's for him (time faults and one weave pop out), but the name of the game is find the fun, I believe we accomplished that.

Fin Jumpers
Funny how my favorite run of the entire weekend resulted in 4 off courses. After the wrong end of the tunnel, Fin was supposed to stay on my right side. She decided the left side was the path to take and I decided to just go with it and have a great time. I loved the ending...especially my friends screaming for me to finish strong. Thanks you guys...you make agility so much fun!

Although it rained, I got lots of walks in (only way to keep warm). I found out buildings and some stairs and me and the dogs played silly games so we'd stay warm and dry. Our hotel was wonderful and the drive home wasn't too bad - everyone was home watching the game so traffic was light.

Now back to work. Darn. We all want to go back and try that Grand Prix one more time!

The month that I was in a time warp

2012-01-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that it is January 2012.

Today it is supposed to rain. It has been cold here. Really cold. The rain will probably bring the thermometer up a bit and my lawn could really use the wet. I'm really working hard on my hiking and workouts (3.5 more down...now only 16 to go!). Also been eating healthy. No McDonalds for 29 days!!! That is a new record.

I'm struggling lately, I think partly because it is so freak'n cold and because I'm coming down with a little sniffly head cold. All I want to do is sit under a blanket and eat. Not really in the plan, but absolutely something I'd like to do. Fortunately, huddled up eating vegetables just doesn't hold the same allure as potato chips, so instead I'm finding things to do to pass the time.

One thing I'm doing is working the weave pole drills. trying to do all kinds of stuff to make Fin break her weavies. She is just marvelous! Tonight I might make myself a hot tottie and go out there and see what she thinks of drunk weaves :)

This weekend I'm scheduled to hit a USDAA show in Santa Rosa. GP and Steeplechase are on Saturday and I'm looking forward to fun courses and great friends.

More Hiking (how boring) Some Videos and an Update

2012-01-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hiked again today 3.5. Making my way through my month 18 hiking miles total 13 to go...since it is Friday the 13th, I'm thinking this is a sign. On top of the hiking I'm also walking the dogs AND going to the gym. I'm getting so healthy my legs are going to fall off.

Grand Prix. Such a heart breaker. We got through the hard stuff and lost focus on that last jump. Fin ran wonderful (except for not sticking her contacts - naughty). I think I handled the hard stuff pretty well. Very proud of us.

For the rest of the runs, go to my youtube page, link is on the right. Loads of great stuff. This is going to be the best year ever.

The day we did the GP and were clean through 19...but guess what? There were 20 obstacles!

2012-01-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

Fantastic weekend with my friend and her young dog. The weekend was fun, Fin got another Steeplechase and took 2nd on day two. Overall I felt my handling was good (maybe a bit too much babysitting still), just minor things took us out of q'ing for most runs.

GP was a tough course. I could NOT believe we made it though the 17th obstacle and I made a HUGE mistake. In my mind we had it, and I stopped working "every jump" and Fin drifted out a little too far and ran around the last jump. AHHHHHHHHHH! I laughed and told her what a great dog she was, because, she is a great dog! Then once I put her away, I wallowed in self pity for a short while until I remembered Agility was fun. Other than that one moment of mental let down, the rest of the weekend was fast and furious.

We also walked uphill a bunch of times. Since I didn't have my body bugg on, I have to estimate so my friend and I agreed on mileage for the weekend. I'm going conservative with 4 miles. That added to my 3.5 hike this morning (thanks Laura and Laurie), I'm at 14.5 for the month leaving me with only 16.5 more to go and it is only January 9th!!!

Santa Rosa USDAA in two weeks. I am really excited about going. Looks like it might rain but we are indoors for the trial so won't effect the runs.

The one thing I am looking forward to most....Deanna's soup. She makes a mean soup.

Why is it after hiking I keep thinking Ticks are crawling all over me...

2012-01-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

...even when I know they aren't.

3.5 miles today. That is 7 miles with 24 to go and 27 days to get it done.

This weekend is a fun USDAA in LA. Headed down there with a friend and little Fin. Should be a fun weekend with excellent weather. Only thing to decide....where to have dinner :)

Busy work week is keeping me off the home computer. Yard cleanup is keeping me off the home computer. Sorting and give away is also keeping me off the home computer. Thank god for the iPad!

Jan. 2. 3.5 miles

2012-01-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

Hiked with Laura today. Thanks to Monkey power did 3.5 miles up Mt. Madonna and back down. 27.5 miles left for January. One day at a time.

Much thought has been going through my head about my health goals. I want measurable goals. I want achievable goals. The reward is going to be feeling good. These goals are not New Years resolutions. It just took the photos from christmas and an overwhelming feeling that I needed change to start the ball rolling.

Today a friend shared this video on Facebook. It is so worth looking at, both for us and our dogs. Think about how many hours we sit. His message, "Can you limit sleeping and sitting to 23 and 1/2 hours?" Great message.

On other news, I've entered Tazzie and Fin in the upcoming USDAA in Santa Rosa. So excited! I'm really working on Tazzies speed in the weaves and table. For Fin we are working on obstacle performance with me drifting away to provide positional cues. Specifically with the weaves and pinwheels. I'm working on challenging Fin by putting the weaves facing into nowhere land (like into tunnels - as close as 1 foot away) and rewarding for staying in.

Hope you are working on specific skills with your dog and finding excuses to get off the computer and take a walk.

So for January I am gonna challenge myself

2012-01-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

31 miles. I gotta do 31 miles in January. I did 2.5 yesterday but they don't count. Oh yeah. Fin is gonna do 30 miles too. Oh and Tazz...let's not forget Tazz. Then there is Maddie and Rocky.

At 12.5 they will not be doing the 31 miles, but maybe 15 miles! .5 each day isn't too much...especially if they get to go to their favorite flat hike.

Been cleaning out the upstairs and rediscovered a bunch of photos. Did some scanning and now we have them on digital.

This is an old photo of me and my dad. Gotta be around 20 years ago. This was a birthday party for him at Farrells ice cream parlor.

Kel at Chrismas 33 years ago. I did not know this handsome Marine. I only got to know the good looking Purchasing Manager. He was one serious dude back then.

Here we are in 1991 at my first obedience fun match. Sophie was probably 6-7 months old and Chester was a little tyke.

Hope you had a great holiday, a very happy new year!

It is always difficult to get all the dogs to pose together...

2011-12-19T10:26:00.001-08:00

The day we saw Sherlock Holmes

2011-12-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

Date night was a visit to the movie theater to see Sherlock Holmes. Totally Rocked!

Fun stuff, action, and a good story.

Recommend it.

It is catchup time!

2011-12-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile. The dogs and I have been up to loads of mischief.

I have a big project that I'm working on. Cleaning out my attic and bonus room. Between work, working dogs, and getting rid of the "unique and wonderful items that may have been stored for over 12 years" aka "crap" outta my life, I haven't had time for such pleasures as writing a blog.

Today, I can say, "Every box from the attic has been opened and gone through." Yippiee!!!! I have a pile of stuff for the dumps. I have been taking stuff to goodwill. I have a few valuables that I don't know what to do with.

Now that the attic is done, I will clean out the bonus room. My husband wants a man cave and I want an exercise room for me and the dogs. I think we'll be able to accommodate both in that big bonus room. I feel like a huge load is lifting from my shoulders. I hardly recognize myself!

This past weekend was the annual chill fest. Where we in northern California have a trial in Santa Rosa that has the reputation for being serious cold. You've got to be tough to get through this trial and once again it didn't disappoint.

I know, I know. You people in the other parts of the country are trialing in snow. Oh, I get it. But you must understand that when that temp gets close to 30 here, only the true "crazies" do agility. I honestly don't know how anyone runs in all these cloths. I had to take stuff off to run, and then put it all back on. Just going to the restroom for a quick break becomes a huge deal with having to peel all the layers to get to the point you can actually use the facilities. Yikes it is cold.

December is our annual team event. First team event to qualify for USDAA nationals. Our team "EAT MONKEY FISH" did great. SpaceMonkey teamed up with two shelties (Fin and "world team member Manja Kajava"). Our best event was the Standard where we placed 3rd among some top teams! Snooker and Gamble...not so much. Our relay was like a clown skit, but we got through without E'ing.

A nice big Nationals Q for the three of us. Seriously, I think Monkey really liked teaming with the munchkins. There were some wooo wooo'ing going on this weekend.

Team Standard was a fun course. I was a little late in places, but Fin and held it together for a 3rd place behind our team mate Manja and Mr. Big.

After the team event, we had two more days of agility. My favorite run of the entire weekend was not one I Q'd in. It was jumpers, late at night on Sat. Fin does go into the wrong end of the tunnel, but I just kept going and it was blazing fast. If I had only decelled just a tad at the end she would have gotten that jump...but I was just moving and didn't stop, so she went around it. I still just loved the run.

Steeplechase round one was fun. We got our Q and the beginning was really fast and wonderful. I got a little behind after the second A frame that caused a bit of a miscue but we were clean and now are qualified for Nationals in Steeplechase as well as Team.

What still alludes me is that silly Grand Prix. I'll get it next year.

Fin and I are done competing for 2011. We will start up again in 2012. We'll be working on our contacts and taking the jump that is in front of you over the next few weeks.

Some Ups and downs

2011-11-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

Went to a USDAA this weekend.
Saturday started sorta weird. I had a feeling that Fin didn't feel well. I couldn't put my finger on it, but just a gut feeling. Decided to skip classes in the middle of the day when my friend said she just didn't look herself (not me seeing something that wasn't there). Let her sleep for a couple hours and then took her for a walk. She seemed better to me. Ran her around and went ahead and ran her in Steeplechase. A great run with a off course tunnel entrance.

And then a jumpers with of all things, an off course double.

Today I only ran 3 runs, Jumpers, Standard, and GP. Nice stuff in all, but going around stuff still is Fins Achilles heel. Our Grand Prix was beautiful and she choose to go around a double off the A frame. I was then pushing the envelope trying for some distance in the weaves and just stretched it a bit too far and got a pop out of the weaves, miss cue to the 180, but I do like the ending. I felt very brave with my front cross :)

Overall, I was a little sad that we didn't Q more. But I was so happy to have my girl back on Sunday and I was also very grateful for health and well being.

Most of all, I'm so very sad I didn't video tape my friends most fantastic run with SpaceMonkey. I'm a freak and I know it!

What's a girl to do....

2011-11-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Work is a bit slow right now. Hours are limited for my project. So guess what we get to do in the middle of the day!?! Off we went for a nice walk.

Tazz N Fin found some nice road apples of which they are sharing. Gross in my mind, but they love it and who am I to judge what anybody wants to eat.

We had a lovely 1.5 hour walk back and forth. Then a 10 minute romp in the creek before heading back to the car.

The one stretch that is difficult is the part I have to share with the bikes. Darn my dogs are not good with bikes. I'm working on it, but hard with the two. Fin is so good by herself...add Tazz and I have two whirling dervishes...lord what people must think.

My thoughts. Even bad dogs need exercise.

The UKI Nationals are in my backyard and I'm not there :(

2011-11-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the UKI Nationals. I signed up, but didn't go. Fin was so incredibly tired after powerpaws camp, I just felt she needed a weekend at home. Nothing could make me more depressed then if she injured herself because I did too much stuff over too many weekends.

Instead I stayed home to wrangle up all the dust bunnies, take a couple hikes, visit my sisters house she has made an offer on, and hang out with my husband for a change.
I keep hearing about the different dogs and how they are doing. The courses look so much fun. Hopefully it won't be too far away next year. Totally something I'd like to do.
Tomorrow, more work on setting up the computer and if I'm really lucky, the computer will actually communicate with the printer.

Ahhh the newness of it all...

2011-11-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

Got a new computer. The old one seriously sucked. But at least it had all my "stuff" on it.

Setting up a new computer should not be this hard. I used the easy connect to transfer data and that corrupted files. So back to the old fashioned way of just doing it all by hand.

Dogs are sitting at my feet wondering why the heck I don't leave the darn computer. I guess it is time for a walk!

A couple of runs

2011-11-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

These are from a couple weeks ago. AKC Standard and AKC Jumpers...not on the same day, but good runs and loads of fun.

In the standard I got a little behind at the end, but we pulled it out.

For the jumpers, a really nice run. Fin did go around the triple after the weaves, but I thought the rest was well handled and actually a better run then the one we Q'd on the next day..

Seriously outta control!

2011-11-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Who knew that Shelties breed dust bunnies. Yikes. They are taking over my house.

Fun times at camp

2011-10-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

PowerPaws camp was fun. I might even say I learned a few things. We had 3 full days with 6 instructors. Two instructors each day, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Hanging out with my good buddies was one of the best parts.

Camp life is what you'd expect. Canopies everywhere. The days started out cool and mid day were a tad bit hot. We kept ourselves and the dogs hydrated and put sunscreen on frequently.

Our canopy seems to be one of the taller ones. We camped with our good buddies all around us and as usual had all the elements of a good agility camp.

Lectures were minimal. Mostly we were on our feet walking, analyzing, and then running some really creative courses that tested our techniques. Every single instructor gave me feedback that I can use to improve my skills with my dogs.

Some instructors used white boards to help explain the techniques, but the focus was on practice and I loved it.

Each instructor spent time with each individual. We all learned from what was said.

Although the days did start a little chilly, sweat shirts were replaced with light T shirts by 11am and we really didn't need anything until late in the evenings.

Rewards were stressed. Don't forget those startline stays!

We all had questions.

Even the dogs.

Fin wanted to show the people pottie area.

And where the people got lunch.

Every day Fin got a massage by Linda. She is starting to really love her massages. I tried laying down next to Fin to see if I could get a massage. Linda didn't fall for it, and I did not get my massage.

Monkey had loads of fun and enjoyed practicing her contacts.

Fireball got to play too.

Monkey showing off her mad tugging the Frisbee skills.

Fin showing what she did best after 3 days of hard work.

Over all, the instruction was amazing, food was good, people were tremendous, and in the evenings sharing a meal and wine with good friends was priceless!

And we are off...

2011-10-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

We are off for three fun days filled with information, friends, dogs, dirt, sun, and fun. Perhaps a glass of wine or two might be on the agenda as well. Last year I thought my head would explode by the end. I expect the same for this year.

Some things worked, some things didn't, some things I can't remember

2011-10-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

The startline stays that Fin had this weekend, rocked the house. For the most part, her weaves were great, but her weave entrances were amazing. She hit some weave entrances that more seasoned dogs had trouble with.

Contacts rocked. Sometimes flying over the apex of the frame caused momentum that pushed her off the end of the A, but she stopped on every single one. Teeter was fantastic, even with a teeter that sucked.

Rear crosses were nice, even when I was so late, the train left without me! I did no serpentines, but her threadles off the tunnels were great.

What didn't go so right:

Crashing the triple. Gosh how I hate when she does that. Weak areas continue to be jumps after weaves (crashed and go arounds).

Aframe/tunnel discrimination. Why does this make me shake in my boots! I will get better, I will be better, I will have confidence.....

Overall, couldn't have a more fun time then I'm having right now.

Weekend Theme: Run hard, run fast, run the course you walked, take some chances!

2011-10-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

The weekend was a great success. One Standard and one jumpers to show for it, and fun, fun, fun!

The goal was to run the courses I walked and let Fin take care of her parts. Out of all the runs, there really was only one that I felt I let Fin down. Every other run I felt I kept my eye on my dog and worked hard to be were I needed to be.

There were a few go arounds, a couple dropped bars, and one popped weave. For contacts, Fin was perfect. We even got some nice downs on the table.

Every day, Fin was on fire and only came out of the weaves the one time to try to nip my heel. I believe she was saying, "Mama, you do not need to be so close to the weaves, get some distance girl and show me where I'm going." All I saw was her popping the weaves, mouth open, teeth showing, and tongue hanging out coming for me so I stopped and had her sit as quick as I could to save my nice jogging pants.

Overall, I am not disappointed. Fin and I are a team. We might still need more work on all the details, but from a big picture Life is Good!

USDAA Summary

2011-10-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend we have a weekend off. Well sorta. I am dog sitting for my buddy while she is off enjoying life without a dog.

Last weekend did a quick USDAA with Fin and Tazz. Tazz did everything right...just at Tazzie power which doesn't seem to be part of the USDAA program. Some runs we were as much as 6 seconds over, but in others, .10 seconds over.

Overall the courses were tough and it seemed that the times were tight. I actually really enjoyed the challenges. Fin was amazing but only one Q for the weekend. I really felt that we connected well this weekend. Minor little things here and there is all.

As we head into November, we are looking at a lighter and lighter schedule. I'm going to take a real break from agility over Christmas. We'll train only once or twice a week and we'll have 5-6 weeks free of competition. I have a bunch of friends going to the AKC over New Years, but I doubt I'll go. I think instead we'll spend our time hiking, playing fetch, and learning new tricks.

Maddie and Rocky will be thrilled to have their mom home on the weekends!

Thanks to Lisa Williams for the great photo of Fin!

2011-10-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Foot work is incredibly important. Think about walking down the hall in the morning. If you do not put one foot in front of the other, point your feet in the direction you want to go, and keep a consistent pace towards your destination you many never get to the kitchen for that all important cup of Java (or hair of the dog...just saying).

I find that footwork is really important when I go to dinner with my friends. Just getting to the bathroom and back can be an adventure and all I have to worry about is myself. If I take a little detour, no one needs to be the wiser.

However, when walking, running, skipping, or otherwise moving with my dog, where I place my feet is the difference in where she ends up. Lead out pivot and face my feet towards the tunnel (even if I want her to go to the Aframe), I'll get the tunnel 100%. But, if my feet face the Aframe, I have at least a chance that she'll take the Aframe over the tunnel (albeit a small chance given Fins tunnel love).

You may think me silly, but I practice footwork all the time without my dog. She sits on the sidelines with the other dogs in the household (I'm sure they are making fun of me) while I get out there and practice my front crosses, serps, threadles, and rear crosses. I practice on dirt, in short grass, in tall grass, in sand, around gopher holes...whatever surface I might face.

It is like dancing. You practice, practice, practice and each time feel like a uncoordinated fool. Then one day, it all comes together and you feel amazing. The sun comes down and radiates on you, little blue birds are singing, and your dog knows exactly where to go. It is an amazing feeling.

Then the next day, you loose your mojo, and back to practicing you go.

So much more happens in my backyard than just agility....

2011-10-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

... last night I set up one of those fancy night vision cameras. It is amazing what I was able to see.

Learning my letters...

2011-10-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

If you are an agility enthusiast, immediately, before breakfast, before work, before you take your shower, order this book. Alphabet Drills by Nancy Gyes, is jam packed full of fun and education.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get out in my field and I ask myself, what am I going to work on today? I generally have a list of things that I need to practice:

Wraps
Rear Cross
The dreaded Threadle
Timing of my front cross
Lead outs
Send to the backside
etc.

Before I got Nancy's book, I would use my old clean runs to get ideas for practicing these handling moves or fumble with setting something up. It is time consuming and takes away from my training time.

Now, I just look through the book. There is a letter for everything. Many of these letters only require a few jumps so you can set it up anywhere. On page 181 there is a very handy grid that lists a number of handling challenges and the letters that help work that challenge. Now I decide what I'm going to work on, find an appropriate letter, set it up, and I'm ready to go.

Go now and get this book! www.cleanrun.com

Backyard Drama

2011-10-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

The story ends well with a chicken sitting down on the ground and giving up. Two shelties crouched with noses 4 inches from said chicken waiting for it to move. And, finally, me getting to the chicken, picking it up off the ground, and launching it over the fence.

PS: in the real life images above, imagine me running behind the shelties yelling, "Lie down! Lie down!" One of the shelties is deaf...no excuse for the other.

For a weekend I was home doing nothing...I sure got a lot of driving in...

2011-10-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Guess what I did this weekend? Imagine my amazement when the trial secretary told me that I could still get into the show? Off Laura and I went to Leon Equestrian Center in South East Sacramento area. What a wonderful facility. The footing was like running on clouds. Now I know how an expensive hunter jumper horse feels like. Oh and those horses are beautiful!!! They are growing them bigger then ever. Just amazing to watching the riders jumping these beasts. Very beautiful.

So how'd we do? Well no Q's, but I felt my handling was top notch. I decided going in that my focus was on running the best courses that I could run. Here were my criteria:

Run the course I walk - check
Run with confidence - check
Get to position and FC as much as possible - check
Don't loose it when mistakes happen - check
Have fun - check check check

Despite Fin popping her weaves, I felt that my jumpers runs were brilliant. My standards were so very close. So very. Day two was perfection except for that long sprint to the tunnel and me being too far behind to send her to the weaves so she did the tunnel twice. But Day one, I'll just say two words. Running contacts. So we got a few refusals because I was not letting her get away with that naughty action.

I really had a heck of a good time. This week we are doing a few weave drills, hiking, and heading up for some USDAA action on the weekend. A surprize performance from little Tazzie this weekend. He'll be trying out some Standard and Gambler courses. Most of all, he'll be trying out walking around and not acting like an idiot!

Hope you are having as much fun with your dogs as I am with mine.

Much time in the car allows for reflection...

2011-09-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Had much fun this weekend at the AKC. Some friends got the last double Q's needed for AKC nationals and it was very exciting cheering them on.

Fin and I ran hard and fast. Unfortunately, my nerves got the best of me on some of the runs and Fin was popping out of her weaves when I tried my distance stuff, between the two of us no Q's. But gosh almighty, Fin ran fast! So much fun. A few times she was barking at me telling me to get a move on and get outta her way :)

Sunday ended with a clean run in Standard. I knew it was one that we could do. Learned a lesson by almost pushing her off the teeter, "Do what you plan! Don't chicken out."

Coming home from this trial, I ask myself why I do so much better at USDAA than AKC. The only thing I can come up with is that I put pressure on myself to get the Q's for the Nationals in Reno. At this point, it is too little too late. So I am going to Reno and be the best Fan I can be. Can't say I'm a little disappointed in myself, but never in Fin. She is a shining star and life is too short to worry about silly little things like Q's.

Coming up for us is an entire weekend at home. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with myself. Maybe, perhaps, clean my house? Imagine that.

Thanks Laurie for hanging out with me and videoing all my runs.

The Hair of the Dog

2011-09-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Monday morning. Fin runs into my office. I hear her coming down the hall and turn my chair towards her and she takes a flying leap into my lap and starts shaking her head violently. I rub her head, scratch to see if I can take her mind off of it. Still head shaking. Ahh well. Call the vet and get an appointment for 3:40.

During the day, lots of shaking going on. Much looking like there is a knife sticking out of her skull.

3pm rolls around. Not much head shaking. A little ear bent to the side...but off to the vet we go. Vet finds nothing. Back home. Back to work in my office.

About 7pm I get Fin standing with her feet on my desk whining. One ear up, one ear totally crooked with a slight head tilt looking pitiful. Oh goodness. Can you tell I'm working a lot this week. Very much over whelmed with work. No time for shaking heads.

Next morning after a night of much head shaking, sneezing, and less sleep than needed, I take her to my backyard to see if I could take her mind off of it and jump her over a few jumps. She falls over turning to the right. Seriously. Are you kidding me!

Head back to the vet. Leave her there (I HATE doing this).

Vet calls not 90 minutes later. She found something. "Hurrah! what was it?" I say. Vet says, "She had a small hare in her ear canal." I'm like, "What, like a small rodent?" She laughed, "No a small hair, like an eye lash."

I'm speechless. I ask, "Does one normally get dogs falling over with a hair in their canal?" "Oh, no, but she might just be sensitive." I guess so. Home from the vet now 24 hour later. Not a sign of a head shake, a sore ear, nothing. Jumps like normal. Goes in to my folder of the weird and unusual.

I guess we are on for an AKC this weekend.

Seems only the hard ones are the easy ones for me and my team....

2011-09-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Did a couple days of USDAA this weekend. Didn't run in everything. Did Q in Jumpers. Another jumpers where people were E'ing like crazy.

Had to babysit 3-4 which put me in a bad place for 5-6. A miracle occurred and Fin called off the tunnel. The rest was just me catching up.

Now that Fin and I are Q'ing more consistently, I am looking for how to save time. How to cut out the fat, remove the extra, get lean and mean.

Often I get compliments on how Fin checks in with me. Every time Fin looks at me, it is tells me two things:
1. I'm outta position and she doesn't know where she is going.
2. We are wasting time.

When I have to call her off of things, multiple seconds tick by.

I can not tell you the joy I feel that I'm focusing on how to get to my position and shave off seconds rather than, why is Fin avoiding jumps. Yippiee for us!

Now back to my treadmill. I think that is about 3/4's of our problem.

PS: Did ya notice what a nice turn I got between 1,2, and 3 :) we've been working on that and it was so much fun to put it into practice and see my little girl turn so nice and tight. Now for those rear crosses, lots more work there...

ADCH Himark's Holy Mackerel!

2011-08-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

How many hours of work go in to making an agility dog champion? It is different for each team. So many people I spoke with this weekend told me they only needed one Super Q, or 4 jumpers, or 2 standard.

Me and Fin, we needed 2 Gamble and 1 jumpers. With two days of gamble and jumpers, being at my favorite park, and competing with my club, I was thrilled that I got those last three Q's to allow me and my dog Fin to stand up there with the other Champions of the world.

The first gamble on Saturday was thrilling. First off, Fin and I suck at gamble. But on paper, the gamble looked like something we could do. Then I started watching the dogs curl off of the last jumps. I figured, all I could do is try. And we did it!

Later that day we walked the jumpers. Yikes it was a hard course, but looked fun. It was not to be. Going home Saturday, I knew I had the opportunity on Sunday to Q in both Gamble and Jumpers, but realized that I also had the trial on Labor day. I promised myself that I would enjoy my moments rather than focus on my faults. Not worry about the Q's but worry about doing a good job.

Well, Sundays Gamble was a tunnel A frame discrimination with a push to the jump. Despite having her fail to do the A frame in the opening when asked, she did the A frame in the closing AND pushed out to that jump! OMG! I was so excited. Then my stomach started to hurt. All I needed was one jumpers.

The jumpers course was eating dogs alive. But somehow, someway, despite nearly falling down, at one point forgetting the course and sending her to the right instead of the left, feeling the anxiety of my friends standing around watching, Fin and I got through it and we got our stick!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You know who you are, I thank you.

Kippiee Kedar Comes to Whizland

2011-08-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

Kippiee the Pug. Found at a shelter, provided a home by my sister, and loved by my sister and her wife. A very lucky little dog.

A fine upstanding citizen, whom my dogs seem to like.

Who wouldn't like that sad little face! Oh did I mention she snores. Really loud!

Kippie had no trouble with standing guard with Maddie while the boyz rested. Fin doesn't stand guard, her talents lie elsewhere.

She hung out by the pool and learned really quick to go around it rather than through it.

She's got that look of, "Is it dinner time yet" down pack. Just want to give her hugs upon hugs.

Was trying to capture behavior earlier in the day. All I did here was capture it with the camera. But I'd love to get this little number on cue.

Tazzies little shadow. And weirdly enough, Tazz doesn't seem to mind her at all.

A wonderful visit that isn't over yet. Hope she gets to visit often. She is a doll.

Getting my grid on...

2011-08-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

One of the things I like to do is go back and see what I was working on a year ago and reboot. Last year I had just signed up Fin in agility after 10 months of rest and rehab. We were working on her jumping and confidence.

I visited with Susan Salo multiple times and this exercise was one of my favorites. My friends and I would get together at my place and work on straight grids and curvy grids. So this week, back to the basics night we are working on grids.

You should try this at home. You can substitute a double or triple for the #7 jump.

Start with just one - two
then one-two-three
then one-two-three-four
then the whole thing...

This little girl gives all of herself...

2011-08-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks Trista from Dynamic Dog Photograpy

A wonderful side trip during vacation

2011-08-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

For a few hours one of my vacation days, we did something I've always wanted to do. Blow glass. I was thinking I wanted to make a large vase, but of course, we were only allowed to make a 5" ball (either to hang or with a base). First we had the safety lecture.

Careful not to get to near the ovens. They are HOT.

We had a choice of colors and they would put gold on your balls if you wanted it. Kel didn't want gold on his balls. I didn't either.

For my ball I picked purple/green/blue. I also picked the "hurricane" design. My participation was somewhat limited. The "expert" glass guy really did all the work, getting the glass and adding the color.

Making it round using wooden spoons.

But I got to mix my colors up and make ridges on my ball. What a thrill!

Then, I got to blow it up. Rather than blowing directly on the pole, I used a blowing tube.

Kel also made a ball. His colors were white/aqua/purple and his design was a feather. Since the feather is more precise, he only got to blow. After the ball was blown up, the end was thinned so that it would break off.

Then a new piece of glass from a smaller pole was added to the top.

Once the little glob was added, the glass guy used his tool to make a loop for hanging.

Once all was done, a quick photo (didn't get one of mine) and then the balls were placed in a cooling box that cooled them over a 4 day period. The glass really needs to cool very slowly so that it doesn't crack.

Our little balls arrived yesterday. They are so pretty.

This little adventure was very special. I really love the creative process and have wanted to try this out as long as I can remember. I'm hoping I can find a class locally so I can make my own balls from start to finish. So much fun...maybe not as much fun as agility, but still, expanding my mind to try new things always brings the unexpected.

Thank you Jewel Gardens for such a WONDERFUL experience.

A Quick AKC after getting back from Alaska...

2011-08-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

Had a really fabulous run with Fin on Sunday after being gone 10 days. My husband thought I was a little crazy for going to a dog show after getting home so late. Even so, I was ready and headed up with my best friend and super spectacular Fin to try out getting that elusive double q.

Standard didn't result in a Q, after a self release start then a blasting running of the contact, I was hard pressed to keep up with her. We made up our own course for a while until I figured out what I wanted to do, and ended the standard run with beautiful weaves, an almost stopped A frame, and tight jump sequence. Perhaps a little contact work is in my and Fins future.

Jumpers was fun, fast and straightforward.

The drive home wasn't too bad and got home at a decent hour. This week, focus on work and prepare for a big end to August with two huge USDAA shows.......maybe even an ADCH?!?!

Well Pups, Mom's home!

2011-08-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Trains, planes, and boats were the theme of this wonderful trip with my husband. Certainly the planes were my least favorite. Loved the train!

Met up with friends on the ship. I think it has been at least 60 minutes from our last meal. Time to eat again!

Although there was ice, the temps were really wonderful. The coldest day was at the Glacier but only because we hung out on deck and there was a cool breeze off the glacier.

Yummy food!

Got off the cruise ship and got on other ships for whale watching.

There were Alaska dogs everywhere. Most were pretty big, but saw some pugs and corgi's as well.

Then there were the whales, humpback and killer whales were spotted. Also saw dolphins and Stellar sea lions. Very cool.

Had tea in Skagway. So much fun.

Beautiful sky's followed us everywhere.

I'm outta here.

2011-08-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well dogs, hope you do ok without me. I'm headed to Alaska and you guys are staying here with Auntie Katrina.

Oh how I hate to go, but vacation with my husband is necessary and actually fun.

Yes, we are going someplace colder than here. Might even rain. In any event, fun will be had, even if no dogs are involved.

I will be back ever so soon.
Be good while I'm gone. Kiss kiss.

A Story that ends well...

2011-07-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my sister called and said, "I'm ready." "Eve is ready." A year ago, she lost her 15 year old BC mix named Molly. Such a sweet dog and a huge loss.

I contacted friends and we found a nice 8 year old cattle dog. Trish and Eve were excited, went up met him and brought him home. After just a few hours at home, both of them knew it was not a match. They wanted to like him, but he really wasn't the right dog for them.

It was heart breaking. I told them, not every dog is a match. Take him back. Someone will love him. He is in a GREAT rescue and they will understand. Trish was asking, "what is wrong with me, why isn't this feeling good?"

It is my belief that you should not have to live with an animal if you don't mesh with that animal. We have these guys for so many years, why live with someone you don't really love and waste years wishing for something different.

Though lots of tears, guilt, and wondering if it was them, they took the little cattle dog back to the rescue. The rescue people were wonderful and the little guy is still looking for that forever home but is in a good place (this rescue is one of the best).

In the meantime, they decided to take a break from looking. Wait they said. I'm like, "ok."

My sister comes down Saturday for a "hang out by the pool" day. I say, "Wanna run up the the shelter and see what they got?" Off we went. I felt a little guilty for going without Trish's wife, but not so much that I wanted to stay home.

Walked in at 11:15, and picked out a little dog immediately. You see, at 11:00am that morning, shelter workers placed a little pug in one of the runs for adoption. She had been picked up as a stray, spayed on Friday, and put in the kennel on Saturday morning. She had not been placed on the web. On either side of her were 80 pound bullie breeds jumping and barking. She sat in the middle of her kennel on a small towel, looking scared out of her mind.

"Let's pull her out!" I say ever the optimist. Trish called Eve to give her an update. Eve has that bad flu and didn't want to drive down, but said to go for it. So we did.

So this little cutie is now living with my sister. After spending just a few minutes with her, Trish started laughing and giggling. Trish said, "This is the one, I never felt this way about him (the cattle dog). I'm in love." I was skeptical and kept asking questions. The little pug was still scared, but seemed to come out of it the longer she was with us. She seemed distracted, but then would run back and crawl into our laps wagging that curly q of a tail. After a while, Trish says, "there is no doubt in my mind. I want this dog."

As Trish left to go home with her sweetie, I tried to give her advice, "Ok, the next few days are really important. Give her boundaries. Don't allow too much freedom. If you don't want her on the furniture, this is your chance." Trish says, "she can sit in the chair, but I think the couch will be off limits."

A few hours later I called to see how it was going. "She is sound asleep on the couch between us. We love her." Ahhh. She has those two girls wrapped around her little piggywiggle of a tail!

My work is done.

A week has gone by in a Nyquil haze...

2011-07-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Left for LA last Wed evening. Met up with friends, some of whom were getting over a cold/Flu. By Friday evening I knew something was up. By Saturday evening I knew I had the cold. Sunday morning I woke up and felt worse than I could imagine.

I'm thinking, "What am I gonna do, I feel really bad?!" (there might have been a few moments of me feeling really sorry for myself...self pity...woe is me...etc.)

Laura, a woman of action says, "Vici, you are not going to magically appear in your bed at home. Get up, take a shower, we are headed out to the show. Now!"

Oh lord. I did what she said and the woman was amazing. Packing up our entire camp and driving me home. I owe her huge!

At home, my husband did what he could and gave me Nyquil. Now a few days later, I can look back and thank goodness for having a such a wonderful friend.

Of course, now she has it...pretty much everyone in our traveling group has it. Yuck.

Lov'in Little Fin

2011-07-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today I had a little discussion with Fin. I set up a tunnel, dog walk discrimination and explained that we were going to work on going to the dogwalk. Here's how the conversation went.

Me: "So Fin, see how the tunnel is next to the dogwalk. I want you to do the dog walk and ignor the tunnel"
Fin: "Ok, tunnel."
Me: Hmmmm. "Let's not even think about the tunnel, lets just do the dogwalk. Here, do it from this side. Good, now from the side with the tunnel."
Fin: "Ok, tunnel."
Me: "Fin, come here and stand right here. Right in front of the dog walk. Now, ready, do the dogwalk."
Fin: "Ok, tunnel."
Me: "oh lord. Ok, go in the tunnel."
Fin: "dogwalk!"

Fin digging deep for the turn out of the tunnel.

My little black dog loves to run. She puts her entire heart and soul into everything she does and has a great time. Sometimes she doesn't go where I expect, but she always goes with gusto. Joy, joy, happiness.

Photo credit goes to dog gone digital.

So, I got a call from my credit card company asking me if I was enjoying my trip in Chenni, India....

2011-07-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Friday I was getting ready to leave and the credit card company calls. "No, no I am not in India making charges at Electronic Stores and purchasing computers and software." Ok, so now I have to cancel all my cards. Done.

Wait. How do I pay for my hotel. Go to the bank and get lots of cash...Then leave late for the show in Dixon. Got there just in time to walk the courses, but not in time to put a hat on or put shoes on. I am out there walking and can not believe how hot it is. Later found out it was 97 (this is at 3:30pm). Find out I'm 12th dog in, get my shoes on, get my hat on, run to the standard ring. Wait, what was that course? Figure it out, run the course and knock a frigin bar because I called while she was jumping. Will I ever learn?

Why no.

Next run was Jumpers and we got through it. Mostly nice except for that late RC. But I'll take it. Even placed. Nice way to end an evening.

Back the next day. Got the fast, but stepped on the line. Standard, a dropped bar, a barking dog telling me to handle better and a late RC resulted in a nq, but the jumpers was nice. Just needed to hang out a bit at the end and not miss cue the RC and we would have made it!

Sunday held promise. A most perfect Fast in the morning. Didn't go for points. Just went for a nice smooth course and Fin executed it beautifully.

Standard, not so much. After the 3rd mistake in as many obstacles I thanked the Judge for his patience and headed out of the ring, Fin barking at me the entire time. Here I am, every single time we run I tell her what a superstar dog she is, and now I screw up and she nags me the entire way out. "Bite me!" oh wait...she did.

Jumpers was easier than yesterday, but I felt I had to babysit the spreads and wasn't able to get up to serp and a knocked bar resulted. Otherwise, not a bad run (a little wide turn on the final three and she went around second to last jump. The little naughtypants!

This weekend a wedding and one day of USDAA on Sunday. Can't wait.

Be careful not to blink cause the weekend went that fast...

2011-07-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Agility started on Saturday and Fin Q'd in Standard with a 2nd place (right behind Ashley and Luka) and got her Standard Masters title. We also Q'd in Steeplechase, but those jumpers and Gambles eluded us.

There were some surprises for me this weekend. Running contacts. Didn't expect that. We'll be working this week on criteria. Obviously I've let something slide. The Out cue I've been working on was ready to be shown to the world this weekend, but when I said, "out!", Fin turned around, looked at me and said, "out, out", I said, "OUT!" while waving my arms, and she looked at me and said, "out, out, out". She did look over her shoulder, but mostly she bounced in place barking at me. Back to the drawing board on that one.

Sunday I only stayed for the first two classes and didn't Q. Had a GREAT BBQ with my family, then back at it on Monday for team day.

My team with Ashley and his young dog Dash and Laura with SpaceMonkey was a fun team with no expectations. We ended up winning jumpers and gamblers and coming in third overall. We would have placed better (maybe even won), if Fin had not got pulled into the tunnel vortex during relay. But Q'ing and coming in third on top of it is pretty darn special if you ask me.

Fin doesn't seem fazed by her medal. She would prefer cookies.

We will try for our ADCH at the end of August. Hopefully the Jumpers and Gambler Gods will shine on us then.

How to make an agility trial work

2011-06-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

There is a ton of work that goes into the successful running of an agility trial. It isn't about making money for the individuals that organize the trial. It is about having a great time with friends enjoying the same thing. That said, clubs or individuals that sponsor trials need your help.

Clubs try to set entry fees low but still cover the cost of a trial. But lots of things have to be paid for out of those entry fees: site, equipment upkeep, trailers, gas, judges, $$ to the sponsoring organization, etc. You will not see clubs getting rich running trials.

There are many different types of jobs, some you can do on your own time, and some need to be done day of.

Some of the jobs get you closer to the action.

If you pole set for a group that jumps a different height than you, you get to see the competition up close and personal! You get to sit for most of the runs, just getting up when a pole comes down. I can't tell you how many times I've pole set where I'm so excited and enjoying the run that I forget what I'm doing. Often at a trial you will hear, "VICI! Get that pole!!!" Ah well.

Another fun job is a runner. Leash or scribe runner. You get to watch some great agility and get to know the dogs and handlers better. This is a good job if you feel like you need to keep moving. Some of us are getting a little stiff as we get older. Sitting for long hours waiting for the run only increases the stiffness. Walking back and forth will keep your joints warmed up and have you ready to run when it is your turn.

Other jobs require more focus
...but you might learn more about agility

When I first started I was scared to do jobs like scoring or timing. I was lucky enough to have someone encourage me (ok she basically said go sit in that chair and I'll tell you what to do) to try scribing. What I found was by scribing, I actually learned so much about agility. I learned more in that one afternoon than I had taking multiple classes. I'll never forget and am forever thankful. Scribing and timing can be intense. There is much responsibility as you are the key to keeping the trial moving as well as documenting scores. But these jobs are two of the jobs you will learn the most.

Some jobs you do on your own time
There are jobs at every trial that don't require you to loose focus during the day. These jobs include set-up and tear down of rings, grounds management (garbage), hospitality, workers raffle, ribbons, etc. All can be done when it is convenient for you and perfect for the competitor that needs to focus or has multiple dogs running.

The big jobs
The final group of jobs are the jobs that get the trial up and running. Trial chair or secretary. These are jobs that require work before and after the trial. During the trial there are trouble shooting duties, dealing with complaints or problems, or just making little decisions...but most of the work is done before the trial starts.

None of the jobs I've listed are paid. Clubs differ in compensation, but must clubs will give free entries to individuals who do jobs like trial chair, score table, course builders, etc. The jobs that require you to be available when it might not be convenient for you.

Some clubs (SMART and Bayteam) actually will pay full time workers (if you are not running a dog and work the entire day. Full time working is a great way to pay for future entries.

Whatever you do, sitting in the canopy resting is always a good thing, but helping out when you can will help you feel more part of the trial and who knows, you might make a new friend or two.

Tuesdays' Blog is going to be a good one....

2011-06-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

Agility Nerd is trying something new. Taj Mutt Hall posted this on her blog and I am repeating here. I'm passionate about this topic, so tomorrow will be posting something.

From an email from Agility Nerd:

I've been contacting dog agility bloggers in an effort to organize a "Blog Action Day" where we all post to our blogs on the same subject. There have been a lot of of email list discussions about volunteering at dog agility trials in the last few weeks and I thought this might be a good subject on which we can open up a discussion with our readers. I'm certain we all have different, and possibly conflicting, views on the subject that will make for good reading!
After discussion with some other bloggers we chose Tuesday June 28th as the day we'll post an article discussing the subject.
Some ideas you might consider for your blog post:

- why/when/how you choose to volunteer
- when/why you choose not to volunteer
- the impact of volunteers
- how can clubs make it easy/fun/rewarding for people to volunteer
- how not to alienate those who don't want to volunteer
- jobs you like to do
- what has dis/encouraged you to volunteer
I hope you will join us on June 28th! When you post your article please send me a link so I can put it on my blog. Monica at Clean Run will also host a list of all the articles - I'll forward your link to her for you.
I scoured the internet for dog agility blogs and tried to find their owner's email addresses. If you aren't a dog agility blogger I'm sorry for bothering you!
Please forward this email to every dog agility blogger and occasional agility blogger you know, I'd like to get everyone involved!
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Best Regards,

Steve

http://agilitynerd.com/

Ok, I admit it. It was Hot today

2011-06-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Driving home at 4, the temp outside was 98. No wonder I was sweating while I was walking my courses this afternoon.

First run was at 8:30. Fin and I Q'd in Fast. She did pop her weaves in the opening which was a theme for the rest of the day. My next run was at 2:30. For Standard Fin decided that she could jump the double from 7 feet away. That didn't work out so well. Then she popped the weaves on our way out. Other than that, she was a good dog and tried hard.

Last run was JWW. Oh dear. I think maybe there was too much waiting around in the heat for Fin. She was naughty. I couldn't help but laugh.

Lots to train this week. I guess the most surprising was her weaves. She has been rock solid in weaves and I've been really proud of them. To miss 3 sets means we'll be working these all week.

The drive home was uneventful, but as I got closer and closer to home, the temps kept going down. A nice 75 here in Morgan Hill.

Am I really going back to Dixon in two weeks? I'll really have to evaluate the weather.

Sat AKC Dixon

2011-06-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

I have four goals every time I step to the line with my dog:

Relax and enjoy
Handle with confidence
Don't sweat the mistakes
Make Fin feel like she is a superstar

I did achieve my goals today. The Q's weren't there, but they will come.

In standard I was very worried about the 4 jump sequence after the weaves. She had two tunnel off courses that, for her, were very attractive. I was also worried about the weave pole entry as there was a big fat tunnel staring her in the face there as well. My worry was my failure. In trying to get to my FC position, I pulled her off the jump after the table...the rest of the run was wonderful. She did the 4 jump sequence with little regard to the tunnel (my handling plan worked) and our only mistake was me pulling her off a jump. My bad.

In jumpers. I thought it was a good course. Fin felt she needed to go around the triple after the weaves (a consistent handling challenge for me and Fin). That's ok. she is still my little superstar and I am so glad I made the drive up to Dixon.

Going back tomorrow for another try.

Leave it to the half-wit...

2011-06-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

Sweet little Maddie sometimes gets lost in her own house. She is almost deaf and will fall asleep and sleep through pretty much anything. She was diagnosed last year with dementia and sometimes is 100%, but most the time is a little confused. But her nose seems to be in fine working order. She gets the scent and it is difficult to get her attention (especially for those mystical squirrels).

I call the dogs in, much like every day, and clap for Maddie (she seems to hear clapping most of the time). However, this morning she has her head and most of her body in the vinca bushes in the planters next to the pool. All you can see of her is her wagging tail. I tell my husband who at this point is calling, "Maddie" and laughing at her, that she'll never come. I go out there and give her tail a tug and she somehow backs out of the tangles of the vinca and drops something at my feet. "Oh," I say, "Maddie found a skull."

My husband, who is never surprised by Maddies finds of old poo, mushrooms, owl dropping, dead things, dirt clods, and the like, goes, "huh." Then I say, "Kel, Maddie found a SKULL!!!" That interests him.

So, not sure what died (some kind of a rodent), nor what cleaned it up so well, but a skull is the prize of the day.

I'm not sure what we'll do when Maddie goes to the great beyond, life will certainly be much less exciting...that is for sure.

Now I've gone and done it!

2011-06-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Doubt is like green algae on a pond. It takes over if you don't get rid of it. I struggle with doubt all the time. Today I overcame my doubt, hit the trail and did the entire loop. Wasn't so hard once I got going. It is a little less than 4 miles. I have friends that do it all the time. I've done it once before. But today I did it and actually enjoyed it.

There was one point in the first 30 minutes where I asked myself what was I thinking that I could go up the mountain today. I think it was at the point that Tazz was straining to go up and Fin was dragging me down (she is not the best hiker). But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, told Fin to get moving, and at the top...just kept going. We made the first summit (where I usually turn around) in 8 minutes less than last time (well it was 90 degrees last time I hiked up)!

My buddy asked me last week. Why don't you just do it Vici? It was a valid question. I guess I was worried that I would fail. Today I decided just keep going. How can you fail. it is a frigg'n circle.

I had three "people" encounters, runners (damn them), one bicycle, and on the way down three horses. Other than that, it was me, Fin, Tazz, and nature...and of course, my mind.

Got home, tossed the dogs in the pool, washed up and went back to work. What a great day!

The longest day of the year

2011-06-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

For my favorite day of the year, I will swing in my swing, toss the ball for the dogs, take a walk, and perhaps swim in the pool.

A wonderful gift that nature gives. Sun shine all day long, green grass, and a warm day.

I love spring and June 21st is one day I look forward to all year long.

I know it will now be hot. I know that in a few months these long days will be a sweet memory. But today, today I'll just enjoy it.

Almost does not equal MACH points Fin.

2011-06-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

Fin and I had a wonderful day in Scotts Valley watching friends run. My husband even came up to watch us run. The standard seemed very doable. What I didn't see was the possibility of a wide turn for Fin on the finish. She just went wide and missed the 2nd to last jump. Otherwise a beautiful run.

She is keeping me humble...that's for sure. :)

Jumpers was only rememberable from a training perspective. We only got 3 obstacles before I made a huge mistake and sent her past a jump into the wrong side of the tunnel. That's ok. She did it with gusto (like she does everything) and her confidence is growing by leaps and bounds.

Sat Scotts Valley AKC

2011-06-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

Headed out for AKC fun today with Laura. Fin and I had much joy and focus today. A missed opportunity in our Exc B jumpers, but 3rd place in Exc B standard and 18 MACH points. only 682 to go...oh and then there are those double q's.

Jumpers was doable I thought, but after the weaves she drifted wide and chose to go around a single and take the triple. It is interesting as I worry about spreads with her, and she chose to take the spread... ah well, there will be other jumpers runs to be sure. :)

The weather was chilly in the morning but the Sun came out for our second run (the jumpers). I really do enjoy the site at it has some really nice walks. However, today found a number of people there to enjoy the park, and annoy our dogs. We had to keep a pretty close watch on the canopy to prevent unwanted hands from reaching into the xpen.

Played with Stat for a long time. He is getting to be a nice teenager. Very pretty boy. Laura has done a fabulous job with him.

Some great runs by some fabulous people today. I enjoyed it so much today, I think I'll go back tomorrow and do it all over again!

Hiking and Fitness

2011-06-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

I really do enjoy getting out in nature. Don't really enjoy neighborhood walking all that much. I do it because it is necessary. What I really enjoy is trees, woods, meadows, rocks, and ponds.

I sorta fell out of the habit of hiking with all the rains. It is muddy work. Then there were the cows at Harvey bear, sorta scary. So I decided to skip the cows and go hike Mt. Madonna.

I will step back a moment and say that I live in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains...it's not like the Rockies, but the elevation change can be quite dramatic. I don't like going up hill. It is difficult and at my current fitness level a challenge. However, getting to the top of a 1200 foot elevation change in less than a mile makes me smile.

So my challenge to myself continues this week. Hike this hike and each day go further than the last in the same amount of time.

Monday I hiked up to the tree with the poison oak all over it. I had no idea how close to the top I was, but was dripping wet, it had been 45 minutes of up hill, and I turned around and headed back to the car.

Tues I got to that tree and walked right past it huffing and puffing the whole way. Another 200 feet and we were at the top. Wow. So beautiful. I walked out to vista point then turned around and walked back down.

Today hiked to the top, enjoyed the views of the fog coming in over the hills, and came back down. Made it to the top 4 minutes faster than Tues. I will say that my legs were quite sore, a good sore, a sore that means what I'm doing is working.

Tomorrow, I'm doing the entire loop.

Adrift on a Sea of Fun

2011-06-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

A busy but fun weekend. Sat was a delightful party at my sisters. Her son is getting married! His fiance is wonderful and her family is very nice. My sister gave her a wedding shower and what fun we had! We played the create a wedding dress with blue table cloths and paper streamers. My team went the western route and the other team went for the eastern traditional Sari... so ok, theirs was better...but we did have a mighty nice outfit.

The food was good and we headed south to Morgan Hill afterwards where we attended closing night of Kel's play "Curtains." Kel is really hysterical

Sunday I woke up and after getting my mom on the road, left for Palo Alto and did one day of the AKC. The weather was wonderful (in the 80's) and I camped with my bud Laura who had set up the day before. In the ring around 9:30 and and a nice jumpers run. a little late on my first FC. Purposly late on my second, tradgically late on my third. But would have Q'd if she didn't pop out at 10 on her weavies.

Standard was a fun course. Despite not staying on the teeter we were clean through 12. She needed to stay on the A until I could get by her to serp to the tunnel, but she came off on my motion and ended up going off course so I just ran it out.

This week I will work on proofing those weaves, holding those contacts, and oh, forgot to mention that startline! Next week another local trial (I'm so blessed). Of to lovely Scotts Valley for a fun 2 day AKC. I like this venue as they have a wonderful little walking area around the neighborhood. A good place to hang out with friends and enjoy the wonderful weather.

Lunch at Whizland USA

2011-06-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

I guess I need a second job to pay for my poor shelties humpback.

What can I learn from a 5 of 6 weekend?

2011-06-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Step one to Nationals: Get into Exc B. DONE.

As many of us know, AKC Nationals will be in Reno, NV this year. Just a hop, skip, and a good poker hand away from Fin and I's abode. I am going whether I qualify or not. Too close not to go. I already have rooms booked. It will be Agility all day, every day, for three days.

My hope, and the hopes of many of my friends, is that we qualify to actually participate. Wouldn't that be a kick?

To that end, all of a sudden AKC has become somewhat popular and I am enjoying the experience. Sometimes it is a long day to run twice, but hanging out with friends is fun.
Step two: Get fit. Working on it.
Step three: Six double Q's

I am going to as many AKC as I can between weddings, parties for weddings, work, and other obligations. Hopefully I will be able to tick these double Q's off before the cut off in November.

A few things I learned this weekend:

Weave to triple/spread issue. Not sure if it was because I was excellerating and she was herding me, or she truly avoided the spread. But this week on my list is weaves to spreads.
Startline. I have a fabulous startline. She is so pretty sitting there. Until I don't. She sat 5 of 6. Going to reinforce startline this week.
Contacts. Perhaps contacts will be a lifetime thing. Fins contacts are fast and fabulous...but sometimes she is not sticking them. This week, get out there and proof.
Jumping. I can not find fault with her jumping. She is taking things with confidence and good form. However, she checks in with me alot (due to me being behind her!) and I want her looking ahead more...our times will get better. This week, work some go ons and reward before the head check.

Love me some little Fin agility!

Three Weddings and a Dog Show...or two...or three...or four...

2011-05-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a fun weekend. Saturday night saw my husband in his play "Curtains." It is hysterical, musical, and entertaining...all in a package of community theater. He is delightful.

Saturday off to Monterey for a wonderful "rehearsal" dinner with 20 of Trish and Eve's friends and family. Ate at the Monterey Cookhouse and the staff was amazing. Food was delicious and the company even better.

Sunday finally arrived and Trish and Eve had the most romantic, amazing ceremony and party ever. They are so happy and make each other better people. I danced, laughed, shed a tear or two, and met wonderful people. Fun times.

This weekend, another wedding. Then dog show, dog show, dog show, try to sneak in a a dog show after another wedding shower, dog show, dog show, and then the last wedding for me this summer. Oh, and yes, more dog shows after that....

Summer is almost here. It will be most fun.

BTW, still love my feathers. They are so cool!

The night the world did not end...at least I think it is still going strong...

2011-05-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the rehearsal dinner for my sister and her best gal Eve (my new sister). The world did not come to an end for us heathens. We ate at a wonderful place in Monterey and enjoyed the company of incredibly wonderful people!

Tomorrow joy and happiness. Now sleep.

Happy Birthday to Little Finnie...and oh, it's my anniversary too..

2011-05-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Fin and her littermates turn 4 today! Wow. I know I've said it before, but time flys.

Also on this very day in 1988 I was wed to my husband Kel Whisner. He was a good guy back then, and he is even a better man today. I'm very lucky in my life.

Since today the world is supposed to end at 6:00pm. I'm going to have a great day and end it in style.

The day we ended up with feathers in our hair...

2011-05-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

So I have these friends. They are always asking me to do fun things with them. Most times I can't get my butt in gear that late of night or I have other plans. Well....

So on Thurs May 19. I couldn't find an excuse and out I went with them. Ahhh the jokes, "let's pretend it is 6pm instead of 8pm". I could feel the love. First stop, liquid courage at Leigh and Penni's house. I didn't partake as I was driving.

Next stop to the hair salon in Campbell. At this point I must pause to let everyone know that I thought putting feathers in my hair a little bit of a weird thing to do. Sure, Steven Tyler has them in his hair, but he has an entire hair team. I don't have a team...I barely have any hair. But being a good sport and having such great friends I'm going along with the adventure. Now that I'm up the next day, I am a true feather fan.

At the salon we began by picking out feathers. I'm a purple and green kinda girl but I was worried that maybe that might be too much. My buddies helped and we took our time and found the perfect three feathers for me. Why I took so long and everyone else seemed to find theirs right away, don't know why...but I am thrilled with my colors. Very me.

All my favorite colors, yellow green, purple, and teal.

Once we all had our feathers, off to dinner we went. The evening couldn't have been better. I think all my friends are going to be jealous when they see my feathers. I may not be able to wear hats for agility any more as it will hide my feathers! My sister and her girlfriend are so totally gonna want them.

I did hear a rumor that the poor fly fishermen can't get feathers for their fishing lures cause all the feathers are in women's hair. Ahh well.

How can I be so excited about a silly Flip

2011-05-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday my video camera was working. Last run of the day, not so much. We thought it might be the video screen, but the video part wasn't working either. Just a big white blob rather than Fin and I running with excellence around a Novice B Fast course.

So on Monday I decided to buy a new one. Because Cisco purchased Flip and then decided they didn't want it any more so are shutting it down, I wanted to get one before they no longer are available. I know I risk not having support, but whatever, I love the Flip cameras. So I went on line, customized one with a photo of Fin and Tazz, and didn't look back.

My Flip arrived yesterday. I love it. My graphic of Fin and Tazz turned out great!

Oh, and on a side note. I dropped my video camera on Monday evening while giving it to my husband for a look. It now works perfectly. Of course.

The day Fin turned green....and it wasn't St. Paddy's day...

2011-05-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

There was a three day AKC driving distance to home. I'm thinking, this is a great opportunity to get out of excellent A and maybe start my FAST career. First day, nice runs, Fast Q, but Standard and Jumpers were not to be.

Got home, normal evening, up the next morning and ready to do it all again. Fin was happy and jumped in the van ready to go. Got to the site, carried stuff to our camp site, and looked at course maps. I felt that the courses were something that Fin and I could do. Got back to let Fin out of the crate and she didn't want to get out. Just sat looking at me. Finally got her out and she didn't want to jump out of the van. I picked her up and what should have taken about 5 minutes, took 15 to get to the campsite as she was walking so slow. Long story short, Fin had the worst upset stomach. Fortunately a vet on site took her temp and said, let it work out of her system. A friend brought me Chicken, cottage cheese and rice. Fin did eat some, but mostly she just slept. Didn't want to walk, didn't want to sit out and watch, just wanted to crawl into her crate and sleep. Poor thing. Sat. no agility for Fin.

Sunday morning, she was back to biting my ankles as I walked down the hall. Jumped in the van like nothing had been wrong, and ran like a champ. Standard was very pretty and I will say handled pretty darn well by me. One bar...that was all. Jumpers...oh well, maybe next time. And finished the day with a Q in Fast.

Everyone who stopped by to see how Fin was stated, "she must be feeling better, she never stops barking!" Tis true, tis true. She wanted to run, run, run.

Today I'm grateful for tummy aches that are not serious and only last 1 day. Fin had me worried. Laura says I worry too much.

Just when you thought it was safe

2011-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Darn Rats. I have nothing against them if they would just stay out of my personal space. Outside rats, outside. Inside BAD! I have used steal wool to block up holes to get rid of them. They seem to think my steel wool is for sissies.

The Rats living here are well trained extreme rats. Nothing seems to stop them. I did put poison in the crawl space under the house. I hated doing it. The blue blocks of death have all been taken elsewhere. Gone from under the house. I guess the rats did not find them to fit into the decorating scheme.

Evidently, I am able to support an entire ecosystem as the lovely Barn Owls have moved in. I actually LOVE that the barn owls are living in my trees. Maybe that is why my lawn is looking so much better. No gophers. Hey Mr and Mrs Barn Owl...could you work on the rats now?

Robert showed up today. He is all business. He searched high and low and found multiple access points. He shows me the access points and I'm like...why didn't I see that? But obviously he has been working with stealth rats for a while. His opinion, I have a few rats. Not alot. Actually quite a small population (thank you mr and mrs owl..). But for a small bucket of $$ he will plug up all access AND guarantee no critters under, over, or in my house....dogs excluded of course.

The day I almost quit, and then, didn't...

2011-05-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

today was one of those days. I've been working on Fins triple. It is an area of stress. The AKC triple was the first jump that fin went around indicating a problem last year. It is the jump that I've worried the most about. It is the jump that I baby sit and screw up my handing for. It is the jump that I work grids in the backyard.

It is the jump that Fin crashed yet again today. It is the jump that when she crashes I ask myself why I am doing akc at all...or should do performance.

Then I went to class tonight and it was the jump she did with confidence, speed, and beauty. Not only that jump, but all the jumps. No baby sitting...no there wasn't

It is the jump we are going to do well this. Weekend!!!

A little comfort

2011-04-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we xpened our canopy to give the dogs room to relax. We tossed beds on the grass, relaxed in our chairs and enjoyed wonderful agility.

Fin, when given a choice, always sits in a chair. It cracks me up. We'll leave to walk a course, or help set bars, and we come back and Fin is in a chair.

Today, agility, work, work out, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and now it is time to finish up some dishes and relax on the couch. All the pups are following me around whatever I do except Fin. Fin is in the barkalounger sleeping :)

SMART Rocks

2011-04-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Fin and I were on the same wave length this weekend. Five "Q's". Yes there were lots of runs where we didn't Q but every run she ran her heart out.

2 pairs
1 snooker
1 standard
1 gamble

There were some missed opportunities:

A perfect run in Standard on saturday with a back jump on the LAST jump...Fin keeping me humble.
A beautiful GP run after a long weekend and she nailed it until the tunnel discrimination...how she loves her tunnels.

The weather, just wonderful. It couldn't make up it's mind, cold, wet, sunny, warm, breezy, and one gust of wind that took out a canopy. But certainly agility weather. The dogs loved it.

Great walks between runs. Good friends and yummy lunches summed up our weekend.

I truly am tired today...but a good tired.

Sunday runs:

Pairs with Sizzle and Sue. I flubbed the batton pass, but ended it just fine.

Gamble. We need the Gambles. Fin loves her tunnels. A missed opportunity on Saturday, but we got Sunday. Notice in the beginning she back jumps the second jump rather than wrap it? That was the point that put us into 1st place!!!

Standard. What a fun course for me and Fin. I am especially proud of her tight turns. We've been working on these and don't usually see them at the trials as she is high as a kite and I'm usually late. But we got some good ones in this lovely standard course.

And we are off...

2011-04-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Soon we will be at one of our favorite venues "SMART" in Prunedale. A USDAA event extravaganza.

Fin and I are looking forward to many opportunities to run clean, run fast, and have a great time. We are hoping the handler runs with confidence and determination. We are hoping the agility partner takes all the jumps in front of her with joy and abandon!

Hope to see you there!

When easy is hard

2011-04-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Last night at PowerPaws class it was breezy, cold, but just amazingly beautiful. The sky was full of angry clouds making their way across the valley towards us, but it never rained. The first course looked to me to be quite difficult. Not from a technical point of view, but from a "I can't run that fast and get were I need to be" point of view.

I mentioned this and received some great advice. If you can't get to where you need, you need to look back on the course and find where the difficulty lies. In other words, what obstacle are you babysitting and not able to move to get to where you need to be. In my case, it was the weaves. If I could have left her in the weaves, I could have easily gotten to the position to serp. If I babysit the weaves I'm stuck and not going to make it.

We come back to the theme of my life lately, I don't have confidence that she'll do the obstacle so I hang out waiting for it to be done and find myself behind. Two things for me to work on:

independent obstacle performance for Fin
my confidence in her doing her job and me "handling" rather than babysitting

For another exercise, we were running through a set of complex jumps that required decell. We were having trouble getting to position and all our dogs were going wide.

Nancy decided to make it simple and set up a short 3 obstacle drill.

Before we did the drill we worked one jump to ensure our dogs understood the idea of a decell cue. Fin is good at this. I've worked on it alot. Where we fail is "me" getting to the decell position when motion is involved before she is committed to the jump.

So we broke it down. Used three obstacles and worked on decell, wrap, and front cross.

The first one was just send to the tunnel, get to position and hold it. Reward for tight. If the dog doesn't turn as tight as you want, drop the jump bar and try without any jumping. Slowly raise the jump bar until dog is jumping over and turning while jumping.

Second was the wrap. As soon as dog is committed to 3, start the turn to 4 (should be turning as dog is turning), and take off toward 4. The dog should turn really tight..same as the first exercise.

Third was the front cross. Begin the FC to 4 as commitment (you should be turning as dog is turning) and then go!

Very fun exercises (I've got to set it up in the back yard and work on both sides as we only did the one side turn last night.

iliopsoas injury Fin - A summary

2011-04-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have been contacted in the last couple of weeks by three people whose dogs have been diagnosed with iliopsoas. So I think it is time to write up a one year summary.

The video above clearly shows:

Fin has her speed back.
She will still go around stuff during a run.
She will also take it with confidence more and more
I need to pick up my feet when I'm running ...however, Fin clearly reads my fall as a decell Q and comes back to me.
We are close to running clean.

During this long journey, I did write a few blogs about this injury. Here are the blogs that I wrote during our diagnosis and later rehab:

Today it is more than a year when I first found out that Fin was injured. Her injury was not a clear "wow, she is hurt." It was more a "why is she acting this way?"

Looking back, she first started going around jumps in a trial in January. I didn't get her to the doctor until April. Other than going around jumps, Fin had no symptoms that I could see. It wasn't until after I sought help from massage that I realized that something was actually hurt. If your dog is showing lameness, keep in mind that when they stop showing lameness, it doesn't mean it is cured, it only means that it is hidden.

Some dogs with this injury will limp, some will hold their leg up, some will suffer in silence (this was Fin).

This injury is depressing. Mostly for the human. Fin actually got more quantity of one on one time (whether she wanted it or not) than when she is healthy. When she is healthy, I'll take multiple dogs for walks, or go to the back with the pack and toss the ball and we all play together. When she was on crate rest, she got individual walks and a ton of "mommy" time. Many people tell me that crate rest is hard and their dog doesn't like it. Crate rest is hard on "ME", Fin had a not so bad time cause she got to play with me without any of the other dogs around. Yes, I know. She didn't get to run and spin. But she got lots of other things. Bones that nobody else got, grooming sessions everyday, massages, etc. For me, it was about time management. Making more individual time for her and also know ignoring the needs of the rest of my pack.

MOST IMPORTANT: rest. This strain will continue to get worse and take longer to heal if you do not rest your dog. This means no freedom with other dogs in your household. You can not expect your dog to take it easy because they hurt. This is your responsibility.

Here are a few tips I found.

Walking straight only during the rest period. I walked Fin 2 miles every day. One mile in the morning, one mile in the afternoon. As the weeks went by, I increased the length of time we walked up to 2 miles in morning and 2 miles in the afternoon.
Restriction at home. xpens do not work as they give the dog freedom. EVERYTIME they move quickly, spin, or turn, they are putting strain on their iliopsoas and this causes more damage. Crate if you are not totally in control. I used a harness that has a handle. I love the ruff dog gear. I don't know if Fin and I could have made it if not for that harness.
Don't try to start rehab to early. Follow the Dr.'s instructions. I did not use a fancy rehab place (not against it, just was able to do everything at home). I used freedom hill walking (using a flexi - once again not with other dogs), swimming, balance work, and walking. I continued to keep her in the harness at home so that I could prevent her explosive movement.
Once back on agility equipment go slow. After 1 month of just grid work (and all the other rehab stuff) I introduced her back to sequences. Once I started competing, I found she wasn't doing so well at 16 so I kept her at performance for the first 5 months as spreads and the higher jump height seemed like a problem for her. I used grids at home to get her confidence back up on those spreads.

Reading over what I have written, it seems so easy. It wasn't. I've been pretty depressed about the entire thing. I gained weight despite the walking of Fin. At every hurdle I would feel sorry for myself. "Why does this happen to me?" I tried to remain positive on the outside, but on the inside I felt guilty and sorry for myself.

Overall, the year has passed pretty quickly. As you can see from the Video, Fin has her speed back. She still will go around spreads (clear on the video) but she also will take them easily other times. We've been trialing again, but not running clean. We are close and hopeful that those clean runs will start to come.

I worry everyday that this injury will resurface. Fin worries about the big jumps. We belong together in our worry. Both of us are gaining confidence and this next year is going to be fun.

A Pile of Logs

2011-04-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Lately my life seems to be full of unfinished business and inconsistencies.

-Wrist is fixed...but still needs maintence
-Fin picks up her toy, but drops it immediately
-Tree is down, but pile of logs remain, no stumps removed, and 2 more trees are not done
-4 weeks off of work, piles of stuff in my office, but not clean
-3 bags of giveaway...sitting at the front door
-Fin running well, just doesn't understand to take the jump in front of her (she has discriminating tastes)
-lost weight, fell off the wagon, need to loose it again
-blog is fun, blog is good, haven't posted in a while
-lots of videos, none edited
-all tax information piled on the table...didn't get them done...had to do extensions.

So today, I am making a list. It will be a LONG list. I'm going to pick a couple things off the list. These two things will be completed. Then I'll pick a couple more....and so on and so on.

In the meantime, I am very busy and loving every minute of it. Somehow after 4 weeks off, I've figured out how to do all the stuff I was doing AND work full time. Never a dull moment here.

Agility trial this weekend. USDAA. I can NOT wait. I love the SMART trials. More than just my club, SMART is friendly and relaxing. Set up begins at 1pm on Friday, ends with a big tear down on Sunday. So much fun packed in 2.5 short days! Best yet, it is local so I get to sleep in my own bed.

Catching Up

2011-03-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Been keeping busy these last couple of weeks. Agility, puppy sitting, cleaning house...and yes a trail or two. Fin got her last super q for her snooker championship title...very exciting. But, unfortunately, she and I haven't q'd a lot. Our runs have been close, and there are some really pretty parts.. But little mistakes keep us working towards that symmetry that I know we will get to.

My hand improvement is very slow. The good news? My OT recommended that I get an iPad! At this very moment I am sitting in my living room typing with my left hand. I love my iPad and highly recommend it.

Puppy raising part time has been an adventure. I really am surprised how much work it is when the little squirt comes to whizland. I have to schedule the day so that I get in individual training times and my dogs are vocal in there annoyance that I'm working the pup. He is a good pup and I am enjoying working a puppy again, but glad that he lives mostly with Laura.

Now that I have my iPad, I'll post more often.

Quick update

2011-02-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

I have lost my camera. Lord knows where it is. Last seen in one of my many dog bags.

Yesterday we did a demo for the "pet expo" in San Jose, CA. We were asked to do a demo every hour. We did SEVEN demos. Lord. I was tired last night.

Laura and I loaded up my van and drove up to San Jose on Friday evening. We had two wonderful people help unload the van (Thanks Mardee and Matt) and set up. Our space was smaller than anticipated at about 40x40, but we did put as much stuff as you could in that space.

Sat Morning found us setting up our little booth with colorful table toppers including free clickers,lots of handouts, candy, and of course, dog cookies.

Each hour we did something a little different from running a small course, to showing how we train our dogs for agility. At noon we did a weave pole challenge (probably the most fun for everyone, but not the most informative as it was total chaos). Two teams (Team High Velocity, and Team Speed freaks), participated and with much screaming, dogs barking, and the public surrounding our small area, we had a ton of fun.

In between the demo we set up stuff and everyone had fun playing on the fake turf (thanks Heavenly greens!) - I remember a one point a few of us were laying on the grass playing with a puppy and just enjoying not doing anything!

Fortunately, people stepped up and worked our booth, helping us move equipment whenever we needed it, and ready with their dogs to put on a show.

At 4:25 we did our last demo (our numbers had dwindled by then) and our kind hearted agility friends helped us load the van and Laura and I were on the road by 5:10pm.

Exhausted with no voice, my husband helped us unload the van and then took me to dinner. What a great day!

The Good, The Bad, The Hysterical

2011-02-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you Fin for making me smile more than once this weekend. And thanks to my buds who stayed till the bitter end.

This weekend found us at a USDAA show in lovely Turlock. Fin ran like a champion. We had only one Q (in Gamble) but she was stupendous and minor little handling errors are huge when running the speed demon that is the Fin. A minor late rear caused a bar on a gorgeous standard run. A turn of the shoulders as the sun was setting for grand prix and she pulled off a jump. With Tazz, these little mistakes were correctable. With little Fin, these minor mistakes are the difference between a Q and a no Q.

Bottom line, running my little black dog is a joy with or without the Q's. I end every run with a HUGE smile on my face as I place the collar on her neck and say, let's go get the Cheese! She is my little superstar and shows everyday what a lover of the speed (and the tunnel) that makes her who she is.

The video is 4 minutes long, is a grouping of a bunch of runs, and should only be viewed by the true Fin fans (otherwise, it might bore you). At times, the commentary is the star, at others, just the shear velocity that Fin gets is amazing. But, of special note, is the Snooker run about midpoint in the video. Fin took an unexpected jump during the run. Me, trying to recover from that minor little unexpected Snooker twist, and Laura's commentary is priceless.

We Interrupt this Blog a short period due to an unforeseen circumstance...

2011-02-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

So I've been receiving emails. I am very touched. Thanks for your concern. Truly. Above is a Sunset I watched driving through San Francisco last weekend. It was so beautiful and I couldn't help but stop, listen to some tunes, and watch. I also had the video...and I couldn't resist.

All is well in Whiz land, just taking a break from blogging due to a wrist injury. Certainly not the end of the world, but it is difficult to justify typing up a blog when I am trying to cut back on typing instructional materials for my client (day job).

FYI - LOVE my body bug. My fitness goals are working and I'm seeing results.

Running Fin this weekend in USDAA. AKC runs will be happening in March. Fortunately, I can still run agility with a defective arm. Just can't make a living. Ah well. Such is life.

Lastly I leave you with a successful jumpers run at a USDAA show two weeks ago. Fin and I did well but only Q'd in Jumpers and Steeplechase. We had some close runs with a heart breaker of a grand prix run (missed weave pole - I accelerated...when I should have decelerated).

Hopefully we'll get some video from this weekend. Can't wait.

Where oh where has she been?

2011-01-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

First off. Second week challenge DONE!

I've been trying not to type. Focus only on work. Two reasons.

had a HUGE deliverable for work - delivered today
wrist is still bothering me and I'm trying to give it a rest

I've been walking, hiking, working, working, more work..... but this weekend, we are off to a trial in Santa Rosa. Fin, Tazz, and I are very excited to trial again. It has been awhile and we are hoping that we have not forgotten how to run a course.

Next week challenge: document food every day. 1000 calorie deficit every day!

Seven Day challenge - Success :)

2011-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well I did it. Stuck to my Veggie/Fish challenge. Feels good to be successful.

I have a new challenge for the next 7 days. I'm hitting the gym everyday. I've got powerpaws agility in the morning and I'll start my day at the gym and then head up to San Jose for agility afterward. It will require a little planning as I'll have to change my clothes after the workout, but nothing I'm not used to.

Wearing the body bugg provides me with motivation to move. This whole "acknowledgement" thing is sorta hard. Tracking my food and now tracking my exercise puts it right there in your face. Can't lie.

I know that my biggest hurdle is to fall into the temptation of not tracking. I figure I'll just have to go week by week and not try to see how far in the future I have to go....just look one step at a time.

Agility, Cold Feet, and Christmas!

2011-01-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Got up this morning and headed out for a fun match in the wonderful city of Turlock. I must thank the folks that put this show on. It was freak'n COLD! They were out there making sure the courses were set up and we were having a good time. It was a small group of us that braved the central valley fog, but it was so worth it.

Fin got to go and spend "mommy" time. I got to hang out with my best bud. Unfortunately, both Laura's and my brain must have misfired this morning as neither she nor I wore water proof shoes. Mine were worse and within 5 minutes of arriving, my feet were soaked....hers soon after. At one point, I was wondering if I kept running if my toes my just snap off as I couldn't feel them.

The dogs didn't care that we might have been a little bit of weather wimps. They just kicked butt and took no prisoners. We played till about 11:30 and then loaded up the van, got the engine going, took off our soggy shoes and socks and drove home with the heat on "high". My feet thawed sometime in the first 45 minutes snuggled in my down jacket.

On the way home, Laura and I exchanged christmas presents. She got me a BUGG! I'm so excited. I'm doing a good job tracking my food, and now I will be able to monitor my exercise. I've read good things about this cool toy and will be writing up a review after a month. I'm a lucky person! Thanks Laura!

Another Saturday Night

2011-01-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I head out for some fun. Agility Fun Match in the valley. 1 hour 50 minutes, 32 degrees warming up to 50, friends, and a dog that wants to play. What more could one person want?

Fish challenge. I've just completed day 5. Two more days of fish challenge and I'll have to start another. So far so good. I've actually lost a bit of weight and am looking forward to weighing myself on Tues to see the results.

I am keeping a food diary as well as posting the meals: http://vicifood.blogspot.com/ It is probably too boring for most, but it is keeping me accountable. I am not sure how long I'll be able to keep up with the journal, but for now it is making a huge difference in my "justifying" eating inappropriately. A couple times this week I thought to sneak in something that I shouldn't eat, but the thought of taking a photo of it and putting it on the blog shamed me so much that I stuck with my plan.

Goals have been set. My intention is to consistently, doggedly, focus my thinking on achieving these goals. If I falter, I hope that my friends and family remind me of the goals I want. I hope that I will not give up long term goals for immediate compulsions.

In the meantime, I'm off in the morning for a fun adventure. Can't wait!

Bad Dog

2011-01-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm. How many hours did I spend 2 months ago working on the landscaping. There are about 50 bulbs coming up and a daisy bush where he is digging. Unfortunately he is not the only culprit. All but one have dirty feet.

Frosty Mornings with a hint of spring to come

2011-01-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to a frost covered back yard. The dogs love them a nice run around the frosty ground.

Regardless of the frost, hints of spring are everywhere. The sunrise is earlier every day and the bulbs are pushing their greens up and fighting their way to blossoming.

Poor Rocks was at the vets all day yesterday. His mouth was really bothering him. Turns out that after spending $750, our wonderful vet can not find anything wrong except for a bit of gingivitis. Rocky came home with pain meds so right now he is feeling mighty fine. We'll see what happens in a few days when he no longer has the meds whether the "feeling fine" continues. I will admit that he is feeling good enough to be a trouble maker. So maybe tossing money at the vet fixed the problem. Time will tell.

I also visited the Dr. today. My wrist has been killing me since Christmas. I'll need an MRI to tell them what the problem is, but the Dr. suspects that I have broken it or have an old break that is causing me trouble. MRI should tell what's up and what the next step is. In the mean time, I've got to wear this brace that makes it difficult to do stuff. The good news, is I can't get the brace wet...no dishes! :) Kel mentioned that I can take the brace off to wash the dishes. I'm thinking, "not."

No agility tonight as I got back from the Dr.'s so late. I really was excited about going. The good news is that I'm getting together with my buds tomorrow for some agility practice. Can't wait.

Two days down on my vegitarian eatting program. Five more to go. So far I'm enjoying everything I'm eatting. I'm also reducing the calories and I will admit that yesterday I was pretty hungry. Today, however, I have ended the day quite full. Seriously Quinoa is filling.
This weekend, practice at Robs on Sat and Fun match on Sunday. No rain in site!

Fun times

2011-01-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Old dogs do learn new tricks. Here is my sweet Maddie - 11.5 years young.

Veggie Challenge

2011-01-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

Wanna try something new?

I'm going to go vegetarian for one week starting tomorrow. Each day I'll post the food I eat. I am not going vegan, I will eat fish. In addition, I'm going to stay away from packaged foods like rice mixes, etc. It is going to be a challenge for me as I like my meat.

Today I'm going shopping, on my list:

-salad makings
-broccoli
-fresh fruit
-low fat yogurt
-fresh fish
-tuna
-whole wheat bread
-almonds

Tomorrow's menu:
-breakfast: almonds, yogurt, banana
-snack: apple
-lunch: tuna sandwich, grapes
-dinner: fresh fish, broccoli, salad, brown rice

Wish me luck!

PS: the dogs will continue to eat meat...just the humans will be trying this new diet. I wonder how long it will take for my husband to notice.

2011 Starts with Creativity

2011-01-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

The end of 2010 ended with a trip to Monterey to see the fishes, have a wonderful lunch, and walk in cannery row with mom and husband Kel. Came home, relaxed, played skipbo and mom enjoyed a movie while I walked then played with the pups. Dinner was ginger beef (yum) and then another movie.

Relaxing and not worrying about crowds was priceless!

Woke up and it was 2011. Who would have thunk it? For our first day of 2011, my sister showed up and we worked on a project for her wedding. She waiting a LONG time to find the woman of her dreams, so we are doing special things for the wedding. Today we worked on cards (a little larger than business cards). She is going to hang them on a tree and guest will be asked to sign these instead of a guest book. Hopefully they will also write nice things on them as well (e.g., Trish & Eve, hope your life is full of fun surprises - Mr. & Mrs. John Smith).

We used stamps, paint, markers, embossing stuff, and our indiviudual creativity. I think they came out really unique and wonderful.

For this one, I cut out and embossed the butterflys, then glued them back on the card.

This one I really like. Photo doesn't do it justice. Used a sponge that had yellow and orange on it to color the paper, then used an old dirty stamp to stamp the hint of the butter fly.

This one with the humming bird was started as a mistake with the blochy green, but adding to it, I think it turned out really sweet.

This is the last one I did. We were cleaning up and I used the dirty sponges to paint a forest scene.

Had a great time. Thanks Trish for including me in your wedding!

A Day Hike with The Hubby

2010-12-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

Headed to Point Lobos on the California Coast. Caught some seagulls flying by. They seemed much closer in person than in the photo. We also saw many pelicans, finches, a hawk, seals, sea otters, and tons of kelp. Unbelievable, be we also saw divers. I can not understand how anyone could get into the water during the winter, but there they were.

Kel has long arms and was able to get a shot of both of us.

In the morning I had agility practice in my yard for some friends and I. After agility, we headed to the coast for exploring. Unfortunately about a zillion other people had the same idea and the same time table. When we got to point lobos, there was a line of cars all the way out to the highway. I got out of the car and jogged up to the ranger station to find out what the hold up was. The parking lots were full and they were only letting a car in when a car drove out. Yikes. We were at least 30 cars back in line.

We U-turned out of the line and found parking on the highway and walked into the park. We headed on the trail rather than walking directly to the water. Found that most people were mingling on the southern parts of the park and we had the entire north part to ourselves. It was wonderful.

There was some really cool mushrooms!

The tide was high and it was fun watching the seal lions trying to stay warm on the rocks. This group was over run by the waves about 10 minutes after this photo was taken.

After climbing to the top of one area, I hung out looking down the cliff.

Most of the trails are well used and despite all the rain last week, it was dry and wonderful.

Missed walking with the dogs, but no dogs allowed :(

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T21:03:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready

2010-12-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

It takes a mess to get ready for Christmas. Here you can see the inner workings of the workshop. Presents piled everywhere, dogs in the middle of it all.

Maddie is giving me hell. Why am I not petting, feeding, cuddling? Why do I have scotch tape on my hands?

Watching Cuz. Making sure nobody plays with the Cuz.

Too tired to play. It is hard to make sure that the dog hair gets on every piece of tape.

The result. Could one of these be for you? Maybe perhaps....probably.

The Winter has Arrived...California Style

2010-12-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

"Hey, let me in. Too wet outside!"

"But mama, I don't like the wind. Please don't make me be outside. Don't like, don't like, don't like."

Dead umbrella.

Woke up to a huge storm. Very windy here. Pool was below the fill point yesterday and I knew it was going to rain so left it alone. We'll have to drain it today. While standing on the deck watching the trees in the back rip back and forth, I said to Kel, "Maybe we should close the umbrel......oh no." The wind picked up the umbrella, it was airborn for a wisp of a second, then SMASH and crack. We also heard trees cracking (probably our neighbors eucalyptus), we'll walk to the back later and see if there is any damage.

"Bring it on! I love me a good storm.."

Well I should be putting stuff in boxes, instead I'm running them...

2010-12-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

Monday night was Laura Derrett night. It is from 6:30-9:30pm. For me, that is dedication. My friend Laurie drove so that I wouldn't be tempted to leave early. Evidently my purse was open and money fell out. I'm sure she'll be offering to drive more often :).

This is a great group of people. I love my little group that all work on the boxes together.

We did have one thing in common last night. We were not feeling the rear cross. OMG. is all I can say. Fin and I, usually a rear cross lov'n team...could not do it for anything.

Serps, oh yeah baby. But rear cross. Nope, not, nadda. I'll be working the boxes over christmas. No question.

So much to catch up on....

2010-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Been busy with work. Lots of work. This is good. Brings in the cash allowing me to go to dog shows.

Bayteam had their annual December show in Santa Rosa. I only went Saturday as I had a family thang on Sunday. There was good and bad, but mostly a ton of fun. It is hard not to smile when your dog is super speedy and happy to be running.

A few highlights:

weaves. just amazing. only one missed entry and no pop-outs
jumping. lovely. not problem on the spreads.
tunnels. Ahhh the tunnel love.
dog walk. fast and nice contacts
startlines. brilliant.
table. pretty darn good.
spreads. what? did we have a problem with spreads? no way. spreads were "perfect".

A few training opportunities

aframe. What is with the running off the board and lying down. 5 aframes, only one 2o2o. training opportunity
teeter. both dogs did not feel the teeter love this weekend. training opportunity
tight turns. combination of go go go and handler late or not in the right place. training opportunity
going wide. flanking. training opportunity (interesting there was no going around spreads, but a couple singles and the teeter - perhaps a little avoidance, but mostly flanking). training opportunity

Tazzman was also feeling groovy and after 5 years of trialing gave his mom his second ever master gamble Q. Always a jester, he kept us guessing till the end on whether he'd get it...but he did. Super job my psychotic love bug!

All in all a very fun day. Usually this venue is frigidly cold. It was a balmy 60 something and truly beautiful sunset as we waited for our jumpers course.

I'm back to boxes

2010-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Last night found me in Fremont with my agility toolbox. No matter how many times I work the boxes, I am amazed at how much I have to learn. Digging in my toolbox, I was grasping to find the correct tools.

Confidence is necessary to get to where I need to be. Unfortunately, confidence was under the dogs blanket and I couldn't find it until the last run.
Speed is important, but not the single most important thing. I pulled out speed, but without confidence, speed just didn't work.
Intelligence in knowing what signals to give your dog is of high importance. I had my intelligence handy, but unfortunately, it requires the confidence handle and I kept dropping it.
Consistency is absolutely necessary. It is interesting how all these tools fit together. Consistency is an option for the Intelligence tool, it fit in nicely once I got Intelligence working with Confidence.
Fun. Fortunately for me, Fun doesn't need any of the other tools to work.

I had brought plenty of fun in my toolbox...sometimes I fill the toolbox with Fun and forget the other stuff, but I'm learning to pack my toolbox more carefully to bring an assortment of the tools I need...rather than just the Fun.

Back to Basics Tues

2010-11-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with my family, I left Morgan Hill for a 5.5 hour drive to LA to attend the Happy Dog USDAA. I made it in time for the Steeplechase and ran Fin. "Q!" It wasn't pretty. I was stiff from the long drive, and Fin was wild from sleeping in her crate. I was thrilled we could sorta keep it together and Fin was a wonder finding the correct obstacle even though I wasn't always in the correct position.

Sat. found us back at the field, somewhat tired from lack of sleep, but determined.

I must now say...the Gamble is not my strength. I'm all about the Snooker...not the gamble. Certainly I have work to do in this area. Neither Tazz nor Fin got the gamble, but it was fun running. I love to make up my own course.

Standard was a brilliant run and Fin was amazing. Tough tunnel/dogwalk discrimination was nothing for her. Tazz had a good time, but missed a contact.

I decided to drive home after GP. I was tired. Fin had run 3 runs and GP would be her 4th. My own bed was calling to me. We tried, but an off course resulted in a fun run but no banana.

This week I"m working on the basics in the back yard. I'll be setting up grids today for grid work...then changing to boxwork. Next week I'm going to work on discrimination exercises as well as the Gamble.

This weekend UKI!

A Very Happy Thanksgiving Celebration

2010-11-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

The table is set and ready for guests to arrive. A small Thanksgiving celebration this year. We really missed having all our friends and family that usually join us. We still laughed, enjoyed the food, and were grateful we were together, yet sad that more could not join us.

The prerequisite Pumpkin Pie. I used the recipe that I got from the cooking class but added a few embellishments of my own. The leaves were my idea and turned out pretty nice.

Lots of cooking. Got the olive oil in the background along with the slap chop. The world is a better place with my slap chop. I believe this volunteer (hey come over here and stir this) is stirring the fresh cranberries into submission.

Too many cooks spoil the pot? Not in my kitchen. The more the merrier.

Out of the oven, the bird was well roasted. The outside toasted skin hid moist and juicy meat inside.

Putting all the food on the table. The first course was a squash soup with a dollop of cider sour cream.

No talking...all eating.

After eating, some dozing.

Also some begging. Then, what do you do after a successful Thanksgiving day celebration?

Why drive a long way and attend a dog show. All I can say is "Steeplechase Q!!!"

Dream sequence.

2010-11-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

I'm dreaming up agility sequences now. Last night I had a dream. I was walking a very weird course (in the dream we were saying...this is fun and challenging). I can't remember all, but the dotted line was a fence (white) that we had to run around. 6/7/8/9 were impossibly close. In the dream all the big dog people were saying, "This course was designed by a small dog judge." For some reason, nobody thought it was weird that the judge would build a course with a fence in it, nor that they'd put jumps 2 feet away from each other.

I walked the course over and over. Then thought I had it and sat down. Later, they were still walking so I ran out there to walk one last time and I was glad I did because it seemed the course was totally different.

I don't recall the entire course, but I do recall the swing around the fence into the weaves out to the jump and then back. I also watched handlers running their dogs and most crashed and burned in that little tight sequence. I dont' recall if I ran it. I wanted to. I imagined doing it correctly...but I'm not sure I got the chance.

In other news of the day, Kel and I got an xbox for Christmas. We set it up last night so it would be ready for thanksgiving. My arms are sore from boxing. I think I boxed too much. That Kinect is pretty darn cool. no more sitting on the fanny playing games. Now it's it all about standing, jumping, moving...most excellent.

Any suggestions for fun games would be most appreciated.

It is surprizing to me that the dream has stayed with me all morning. I've been in work conference calls since 7am and there it is. Still on my mind. I wish I had video to show...but alas...no video in the dream world.

Our First Trial Back Since the Incident with the Broken Toe

2010-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

I have this weird personality trait. I'm ever hopeful, yet, have low confidence at times. Looking back at this weekend, I can see that I was silly to worry. It is about having fun...and fun was had.

I took both Tazz and Fin. I didn't expect much for many reasons:

loss of fitness on my part
out of practice trialing
worry about injury
etc.

I will say that we had moments of glorious symmetry. Not many Q's, but wowza, we had some great runs.

Tazzi was a star: Six runs, 4 Q's! He really tried hard and it showed. He is rock'n the performance 12" with his buddies.
Fin was a star: Snooker Super Q!...well ok those 12 inchers kicked our butt, but we got first place in 16"! All her other runs were close, close, close!

The video above is her jumpers run from Sunday. Even though I excelled when I should have decelled/serped causing Fin to fly by the 18th jump, the rest of the run is mighty pretty and will worth sharing.

I'm not saying that all runs were perfect examples of a working partnership, but I will say that we had moments of brilliance followed by moments of disconnect.

But, it will only get better from here (that's my hopeful side coming out).

Let's end with a little Tazzie: