I'm Baaaaak!

Home from the USDAA Nationals. Had a great time. Stayed in an RV literally yards away from ring 6. I felt so special being so close to the action. Found I was incredibly relaxed (except for about 30 minutes before each run!).

Tazz and Fin enjoyed the RV. They were good puppies the entire week.

I covered all the furniture as they sat in every chair.

It was like goldie locks and the three bears. They wanted to know which surface was the most comfy. They decided the bed.

All in all I consider the trip a success although Fin and I weren't as successful as I wanted to be in all our runs. We did do really well the first day coming in 13th, but the rest of the time we had moments of brilliance, but didn't go clean the rest of the week.

I was able to spend alot of time enjoying watching some really great handlers and dogs, and also spent time relaxing reading, walking, and just hanging out.

Now we are back, I am working on a list of training goals. Certainly continuation of my obstacle independence is really important, but also, going wide and around things is a high priority. In two runs, we had problems as I took my eye off her for a moment and she was around the obstacle before I realized it.

It is good to be home and I highly recommend going to the USDAA nationals as an experience. All we did was team (no GP or Steeplechase) and although I thought it was silly at first to do this and not be in the "big" events, I am so happy I did.

I totally missed my best friend as she was unable to come, but it was nice hanging with other people and relaxing at the trailer was fun too. It is good to be back, but I was certainly getting used to walking every morning and going out and hanging with good people doing great agility.

Gone...

I'm off. No time for blogging it. I'm slogging through the last of my work, cleaning house, bathing dogs, packing, and trying not to bring the entire house.

Dreams consist of me showing up at the site and an empty trailer is sitting in the parking lot and when I walk in it is gutted and the end is open. I walk around trying to find the lady that I rented the RV from, and there doesn't seem to be anybody there and no one I know is there. I might even be there at the wrong time and totally missed the dog show. In my dream I'm frustrated and confused. I wake up and think about lists of crap I may want....I know I'm taking too much.

If I can I will update the blog with reports from the site...but we'll see how it goes.

On the Road Again...

The USDAA Nationals are here. We leave in one week. The schedules are out and I'm getting excited. My dream of competing at Nationals is upon me, and I feel inadequate to the task. I'm sure once I'm there, it will all come together, but today I would describe my enthusiasm as nervous excitement with a touch of nausea.

Looks like I walk early mornings but don't run till late afternoons. Ten minutes to walk courses at 7:30am and then think about it all day running late afternoons. Fun times.

Good news is that my RV is right there by the rings. I can take long walks and then sit and watch all the other dogs run to finalize my plans (or run in to toss my cookies just before a run!).

My team is awesome. We all want to make the finals, but none of us expect that. We expect that our baby dogs will come in with a few E's and that's OK with us. We are there to have fun.

My plan is to leave early Tues morning and drive straight through (11-12 hours). I've got books on tape and will stop every 2 - 3 hours to walk the pups and hit the restroom. I've decided to take Tazz even though he isn't running and can be a pain. I just can't imagine 1 week away from my snuggle buns. Fin, if given a vote, would probably rather bring Maddie, but I'm making the decisions, so Tazz is joining the party.

Not sure about Internet, but I'll try to report every day.

Today I must focus on work, make lists of what I'm bringing, and not worry so much.

I'm not sure, but there might be a pattern developing in my handling.

I ran two dogs this weekend. Granted, I may not have been my best, but out of all my runs, both dogs had off course tunnels that ruined otherwise nice runs. Hmmm. My dogs love 'em some tunnels.

There were moments of brilliance, but yet again, problems in each run.

Tazzie: Overall, Tazzie was a good boy. He had some of the best runs he has had in a long time. Unfortunately he was in a rush to get to the cookie stash at the end and in two of his otherwise amazing runs and skipped the last jump to find his cookie.

Fin: I wasn't the best handler this weekend. That said, there were some high points but I don't think I've had such low points with Fin in a long time. I read Laura's blog this morning. It sorta sums up my feeling as well. One day, it is my hope, that I will stop screwing up out there!

My cold is almost gone. A lingering cough to remind me that I was indeed sick. But not sick enough as an excuse. I am NOT looking forward to getting those videos and the realization that I'll be able to watch it over and over again...oh the horror of it all.

Cold Turns to Flu

Yikes. Don't feel good. Fin does not understand. Whiny, whiny, whiny.

Tazz understands. Sleep next to mom. Don't move.

Rocky no prob. Keep moms feet warm. Quiet and in the zone.

Maddie, "I'll warn you of impending attack by mailmen! I am loud here me roar."

Fin, "Get out of bed, get out of bed, get out of bed, get out of bed, get out of bed. Get out of BED NOW!"

I sure hope Kel comes home soon.

I'm Back...well sorta

The past weekend found Kel and I on an adventure. No dogs. Just husband and wife. My good friend Lindsay took a big step and married her long time guy Mike. I LOVE Mike. The wedding was fun and the reception was full of good friends, food, and yummy cake. We dressed up (I even wore makeup and heels!), danced, ate, and celebrated the commitment of two people. Fun!

At 3pm, the reception was coming to a close and Kel and I headed to the coast to visit Disneyland. We stayed at the Disneyland hotel with a wonderful view of the hotel gardens from our 11th floor room. Although the room was small, it was adequate for our needs with a comfortable bed a large bathroom, and a beautiful view.

Micky was in the house, and so were about a million other people. We were at the park by 4:30 but by 6:30, we were exhausted by the crowds and went back to the hotel to find a sports bar for dinner. Kel was able to watch LSU for an hour and we grabbed a bite before heading back to the park.

Overall, we had a good time. I came down with a cold on Sunday so our afternoon was spent sleeping but we went out again in the evening after a lovely dinner at Napa Rose.

Some highlights of Disneyland:

• Segwey tour before the park opened on Monday was the BEST!
• Soaring over California hand glide simulation.
• Train roller coaster
• Pirates!
• Fireworks
• Dinner at Napa Rose (Grand Californian Hotel)
  

A HUGE thanks to Trish for taking such good care of my babies!

Wedding, House sitting, Pluto, and a Mouse Infestation

I'm leaving the dogs for four days. We are off on an adventure that involves a wedding, Pluto, and some mice.

My lovely sister has once again graciously agreed to come to the house and hang out with my dogs for the four days. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere if it weren't for her. (All be it, Kel did watch the dogs so I could do a similar trip with her a few years ago......maybe next time they'll go and I'll stay home and watch the dogs!)

Down to Los Angeles, or rather to east of Los Angeles we will go. We'll dress up, drink champagne, toast to the newly married couple, and carouse with all the other party goers.

After the wedding, Kels birthday portion starts. For his birthday he gets 4 days of fun without dogs (why anyone would want this it is beyond me, but I did marry him). Where do old farts go to relive their childhood? To Disneyland of course.

I expect to have fun, enjoy spending time with my husband, hang out, and go on a few rides.