The action photos in this post were taken by JOE CAMP. They were taken at a previous agility trial. I don't believe I have posted them before. Joe injured his hand and was not able to take photos at this trial, so I placed a few of his previous shots in this blog post. Get well soon Joe, we all really miss you!
When we go to an agility trial now days it is quite a feat, especially on my part. I used to just load one soft crate, some water and treats, a chair for me and a blanket for Journey. Not any more - it is a family affair!
First the big mat and also an extra tarp to make room for the new pen. I purchased a "pagoda" to replace our x-pen. The pagoda is larger and both Pirate and Andiamo can stretch out in it to sleep, or play. I need to put it together, but it is not difficult (if you have all the parts). I did have all the parts, I carefully laid them out and checked before packing them. I had the panels, the plastic cups that join the panels, the rods for the top structure, the cover, and the bungies to anchor the cover. I loaded them in the car along with Journey's soft crate with blanket. Now I had to load several other blankets for the pagoda, and two water bowls. Then there is my chair, my bag of stuff that I always seem to need for all of us, a small cooler, the dolly that I use to move the equipment from my car to the agility barn and most important, my three Shepherds.
I even have a list that I check off now, as I load all the gear. Journey does not want much to eat in the morning and he gets treats during the day. I feed Pirate and Andiamo though and I usually have something. So I get up at least an hour earlier now as it is much more complicated, even though I usually pack the night before. We need to be there, with everything set up, before the Judge's briefing and the first course walk through begins, at 7:30 am. I also need to allow for time to walk all three dogs before putting them in pen or crate. There have been times when I got there just in time to rush Journey into the ring for our run, without walking the course or anything. Very stressful!
Well we made it this time and as I set up the pagoda. I realized something was missing. It was vital, as it was the hub that all the support rods fit in to give structure for the top. I searched the car, and every other possible place. No luck. Oh well, we can do without the top. The pagoda is about 5 feet tall and Pirate no longer jumps out of pens, he has progressed way beyond that - he knows how to work latches for most all gates and doors. I have to use a little padlock now. So okay, got the pagoda up, with lots of cozy blankets and Pirate & Andi. Opened the crate for Journey, and set up my chair. Our set up was in the front row, by several friends.
Andi & Pirate in the pagoda.
I had a chance to take so many cute pictures of Andi & Pirate in the pagoda, but I thought I had all weekend to get them, so I was not in a rush.
Journey's breeder, Rhonda McMahan, now Rhonda Francisco has been trying to make it to a trial to see Journey compete, since he began. On Saturday, Rhonda and her husband Ray Francisco came to watch Journey. What fun to have them visit us at the trial!
Martha was there with Journey's beloved Zzz's (Ziggy, Zipper & Zena). Lisa and Angela were there with the great Mushu! Our agility instructor, Mary was there with her pack of Border Collies and so many other wonderful friends. Andi and Pirate were so happy they put on a show for everyone for both days, wrestling and talking for hours at a time. We were all having such a nice time.
As Journey and I were on the line for the first event, Rhonda took a couple of photos just as we began, and was immediately accosted by an angry woman. This woman chided Rhonda for using the flash on her camera. She was rude, insulting and mean. Instead of a simple request that she not use the flash for the event, she continued chastising Rhonda throughout the entire event, causing Rhonda & her husband to miss the event completely.
What started as such a pleasant day, and such a treat to have our friends visit, turned into a very upsetting experience for everyone. Rhonda & Ray had never been to an agility competition before. I had just been telling them about the wonderful people involved in the sport, emphasizing the predominance of good sportsmanship and helpfulness. I had no idea what to do, I just felt so bad about it. All that woman would have needed to say was "Please turn off your flash so it doesn't disturb the dogs' concentration". I have been doing agility for over 15 years and I didn't know flashes were not allowed. They don't bother my dogs and they are used all the time in conformation shows. Perhaps a politely worded sign should be posted. No one in our group knew they were not allowed. The sign would be a marked improvement over a loud, embarrassing public lecture. What was Rhonda & Ray's first experience may be their last thanks to this thoughtless and mean woman. I found it interesting that everyone who heard this story immediately knew who the woman was. This woman can be very nice, but almost everyone I know has a story to tell about this type of behavior from her. I have never had a confrontation with her, but I definitely would rather it had been me this time, than my guests. Okay, I am done. The rest of the weekend was good.
Later in the day I was letting Journey out of his crate to go into the ring, when I felt something on my back. It was Andi, catching hold of my arm as I turned to find him coming over the top of the pagoda. So apparently I really do need that hub to enable me to use the top. Since it is apparently out on our lawn somewhere on two acres, I may just order a new one - then if we do find it we will have a spare. In the mean time, I covered the pagoda with the tarp and would have bungied it in place except the little bungies that are meant to secure the top are also missing. My sweet, handsome pup has apparently turned to a life of crime.
Since there was no way to secure the structure rods for the top, the surplus just hung down into the dogs space in the pagoda. The lovely pictures I had intended to take of the cute twosome with their ears up so nice, were not possible as Pirate could not put his ears up without hitting the floppy part of the top.
Journey, ready to go.
An adorable little Boston Bull Terrier puppy came to visit our pack. He stood and barked at Journey for a while. Journey is not a puppy lover, and he found it annoying. So i suggested the puppy might like to move around the corner of our mat and visit with Andiamo instead.
They were very cute together.
Somehow, even with all the stress, Journey won two out of four events on Saturday. Even in one that he lost, it was only because of an overtime of 8/10ths of a second - otherwise a clean run.
Good to be home. Woke up to a rainy morning. We did a repeat of our morning chores and got to the fairgrounds in time for the briefing. Journey was looking for Martha and the Zzz's. He checked everywhere, even under the tarp. Funny guy!
Andiamo is looking kind of grownup in his pretty blue martingale collar.
It was chilly in the barn and we did a lot of walking between events. Pirate was an angel. He is so tolerant of Andi and he dotes on him. Andi obeys Pirate so nicely.
Event after event, Journey ran so well. The courses seemed difficult, but as we actually ran them they did not seem as bad. There were many sections where we used the same obstacles over and over again. In Jumpers (Level 4), we had to go through one tunnel at least four times, turning in a slightly different direction every time. It was hard to remember where you were on the course.
Journey just gets better and better. What a pleasure it is to run him. He so enjoys our time in the ring. On one event, I sent him ahead of me, to do the last 4 or 5 obstacles by himself. He finished the course so far ahead, he had to run back past at least 3 obstacles to give me kisses after he finished the course. More and more, he knows what I want without me even telling him.
He is such a perfectionist. It is amazing to me the way he tucks up his legs to be certain he does not touch a bar - so graceful!
This beautiful pack of Collies were visiting from up north, Mt. Vernon, WA. I could not resist the chance to catch a photo of them with their winnings. Beautiful dogs.
Sunday my wonderful Journey got 4 out of 4. All 1st place Q's
That's my boy.
