7 for 10 - First place Q's
August 22 and 23, 2015. Our whole family went to the CAT CPE agility trial. I was feeling very insecure about being able to handle it all. At first they reported the weather would be a little cooler than what has become our norm, in the last few months. But no such luck, it was not only in the 90's, it was accompanied by horrible smoke from the fires burning in our state. I had to unload two large pens; heavy gel cooling mats; my chair; water & bucket; cooler; top for the x-pen; heavy bag with everything else. After setting it all up I walked dogs and picked up course maps. At each ring I checked Journey in and alternately walked each course - Standard Level 4 and Full House Level 3. Of course on such a day as this, the two runs had to be conflicted, time-wise. But at least at this very early hour it had not gotten too hot yet.
Journey at the start line...
We had a great day in spite of the heat, the smoke and all the work. Journey got 5 for 5 First place Q's on Saturday. It was wonderful. This was his first trial since we got Andiamo. I think Journey was very happy to be the center of attention again.
Andi and Pirate were having a good time wrestling in the gazebo pen and watching all the people and dogs going by.
Andiamo
Pirate
... not easy, running with the big dogs.
Journey just kept collecting Q's and finished the day with 5 for 5 first place Q's. Really nice to be able to walk out without loading all the gear. However it was a little scary wondering if I would be able to turn around and do it over again on Sunday. We headed home, (about an hour away) hoping to relax in the pool. Listening to the radio, on the way home, they announced that everyone should stay inside if they could, because of the dangerous air quality. So I fed the dogs and then fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, a little after 9:00 in the evening, it was comfortable and after a little stroll outside with the dogs, it seemed like a good plan to go to bed and catch up on some sleep for the next day.
Since I did not have to deal with setting up pens and other equipment, I was able to spend more time walking Andiamo around and letting him meet more people. He is such an outgoing, confident little guy, he was a big hit.
It was not quite as smoky, but it was hotter, earlier. I was really tired and I think Journey was too. He was not running as well as he did on Saturday.
We did not Q on the first Standard run. He ran well, but he popped out of the last weave pole. That was a first for him. We are not the fastest team around, so going back to the beginning pole and doing all 12 poles a second time was not good for our overall time score. We missed the Q by one second. The highlight, for me, was our Level 3 Snooker event. It was not an easy one and we had to cut between obstacles without Journey taking them. He really tuned in and we got his first Q in Level 3 Snooker. Snooker is probably the most difficult game, but it is my favorite. I like figuring out our strategy for the course.
Opps, Journey missed my cue and started to pass the entry to the weave poles. When I told him, he immediately changed directions, but I didn't know if he could make it from the angle he was using.
"Don't worry mom, I've got this!"
Somehow he did make it. He is really a pro when it comes to weave poles. Thanks again Karen Haderly.
"See mom, I told you i could do it."
Journey likes the tire jump.
More walking for Andi and his guardian, Pirate.
I like Journey's expression, coming out of the tunnel in this picture (above).
Above is my favorite picture of this agility trial though. He looks like he is just hanging in the air.
What a guy. He is really a crowd pleaser. At the end of every event he immediately spins around and runs to me with ears back, wagging tail and just an over all happy wiggling greeting. His look says it all - "we did it mom". And we did. Not bad, especially considering the handicaps with the heat and the smoke.
Our last run was a Level 3 Jumper's run. It was a clean run, as are most normal for Journey (no faults). This run was very fast and it was his Level 3 Title. So now he moves up to Level 4 in Jumpers. He also Q'd twice in Level 4 Standard class.
Our photographer for the show was Joe Camp, everybody's favorite. Along with all the excellent pictures of Journey, he got some cute ones of Andiamo too.
