Ups and Downs



This weekend found us at Casa De Fruita (30 minutes from home) for the dogwood trees pollen festival.  Every year we go to this AKC show and the dogwood is blooming and shedding it's little seeds that resemble snow.  Nothing like 85-90 degrees in the sun and dogwood blossoms reining down on you and getting in everything.  I don't think I've heard so many people sneezing in one place.

I took both Tazz and Fin because it is so close.  I am starting Tazzie over in Preferred for AKC and they require that you start your dog over in Novice.  Tazzie loves him some Novice courses.  3 for 3 for the weekend.

Fin had a great time too.  A jumpers and Fast on Saturday but no Standard.  My fault of course.

Sunday we missed some runs because my poor little Maddie fell off the bed.  We went from totally traumatized thinking she was paralyzed to relieved that she will have a hitch in her giddyup for a while.  crate rest and monitoring.  She is already pissed that she can't walk the couple steps from the deck to the yard.  Not a fan of the mom carrying her.  Tooooo bad.  After the emergency vet visit, I had time to go down and pack up my canopy and stuff and got in a couple runs on Sunday while Kel watched Maddie....well ok, he watched TV and Maddie sat in his lap.  He is a good baby sitter :)

All in all a fun weekend with friends.  Now, NO MORE DOG EMERGENCIES.  We've had too many in our little group.  Enough is enough.  Bubble wrap for everyone!

A few Q&A's...just to keep me on my toes.

Have you been getting up at 5:30 each day?  YES!! My pledge to get up and focus on what I need to do is working.  I am very happy to have made the pledge and very happy with the result.

Have you gone to work out every morning when getting up?  no :(  Some mornings work starts earlier then others and I need to get up earlier to make it to the gym.  I have been getting to the gym in the afternoon, but I find that I really prefer my morning workouts and there are days where life gets in the way and the gym is what falls off the side of the plate.  I need to start the day right.  Tomorrow I am getting up at 5:15 so I can get in the workout before my meetings.

Have you been working on the take and hold cue with Fin?  sorta.  I made promises.  I do work on it, but I'm somewhat stuck in the same place I have been.  I need to go back and watch the videos and figure out getting duration.

What about food?  Have you been progressing on your weightloss (which goes with the gym shapeup)?  I have good days and bad days.  Sorta blew it over the weekend what with the birthday and all.  Focus is with me this week.  Head is down and I'm writing down what I'm eating.  I'll get there.

I must remember that I have goals.  I must work towards those goals. 

OK, I'll admit it.  I really, really, really want one of these. Sooooo cute.

What did I learn this weekend?

I learned (or was reminded):

• Don't put Alieve in your pocket with your dogs treats.  Sending all my best to my friend and her dog.
• When your dog gets a serious bang during a run and comes up three legged, don't call for your friend, call for a vet.  Hugs to the "moms" and their big man.  Glad he is feeling spry this morning.
• When you say, "It's a pot luck, I'm not organizing lunch." You get lucky if it all goes together.  And, it did.
• When your dog gets the sand Zoomies, just let her go and have fun.
• When you let your dog run their contacts and don't stick to criteria, you get a dog that doesn't stop for nothing, no one, not even me when I'm 20 feet behind.  Sorta works in some gambles, but not really great in Standard or Grand Prix.  I'm working those contacts in agility this week and next weekend she and I are having some serious discussions about criteria at Agility competitions.
• When you actually stay on course you get a Q in Snooker!
• You can drop 3 bars and still Qualify in Steeplechase (who would of thunk it?)
• You can drop 1 bar and still get first place (when you are the only dog in the class).  Fin is bringing home the bacon!!!
• You can really enjoy an agility trial even when you do not perform as you would like.
• There is always another weekend.
• Setup and tear down is much more fun with friends

We've got a birthday coming up.

Little Fin, the finiest of them all, turns FIVE this year on May 21.  I just can't believe how quickly time flys.  Love my little girl with all my heart.

Almosts

"very nearly but not exactly or entirely"

• I almost Q'd in most classes this weekend
• I almost kept enough suntan lotion on to prevent burning
• I almost made it through the whole weekend without complaining
• I almost ran out of gas
• Fin almost stuck her contacts (never got called, but having the same issue with running)
• I almost ran out of diet coke (ahhhhh! very scary)
• I almost was too exhausted to check facebook
• I almost got a refusal in my standard class on Saturday but for some reason didn't and Q'd
• I almost ran the wrong course, but someone following me explained that I was missing a number...hmmm 11 does preceed 12..don't know how I missed that
• I almost took photos, but kept forgetting my camera

I did have tons of fun, hiked a bunch, saw many beautiful wild flowers, and ran my heart out.  Fin was amazing and maybe just a little naughty.

I LOVE my agility group.  SMART is a great club.

Moving Pictures!

Thanks to the guys at 4legged Flix, I got some Video from the weekend.
Steeplechase
One of my best runs.  I can see areas for improvement so I know we can go faster.  But I am thrilled with how Fin totally rocked this course.


Team Standard
The Tunnel A frame gave a lot of people trouble.  I knew I was going to have issues.  And I did.  But the run is good.

Team Jumpers
An early jump resulted in a knocked bar and face plant.  Poor little Fin.  But otherwise a nice run.


Grand Prix
I thought this was a nice run.  Just needed a threadle at that last turn and she went wide over a jump rather than taking the teeter.  So I worked the weaves on the way out and am very happy with the result.