CPE Nationals

CPE Nationals was more than I ever expected.  First of all, we had the best weather possible - cool and overcast.  Really???  After record heat and an incredibly long winter??  We certainly lucked out!!  Second, we had the most awesome volunteers helping to run this trial as smooth as butter.  Third, the trial consisted of wonderful people who loved doing agility with their dogs.  And finally, we got to show off all the hard work we've done over the past two and a half years.

I am sooo proud of how Zoe did this weekend.  She was extremely focused and gave it her all.  She attacked the teeter as if she was never afraid and finished every run with a big Zoe grin!  The best moment for us was Jackpot.  We casually did our opening, doing her favorite obstacles and ended in a great spot as the buzzer rang.  We headed for the gamble and just after Zoe took the first jump she came back confidently to me as if that was it.  Well, not quite.  There was still another jump, tunnel, and final jump.  This could not possibly be explained on paper, but the maneuver required a jump away, come back for the less-obvious tunnel entrance and a finish jump.  So...after a chat for a few seconds, she finally got the message and finished the gamble.  It was amazing because something just clicked and she knew exactly what to do.  If you saw the video, you can actually see the point where it clicked in her brain.  And it turns out, we made it in just enough time!!  Everyone cheered (Zoe's FAVORITE) and she did zoomies all the way out of the ring.  She was just beside herself!!  I LOVE it when she is that excited.  She KNEW she did a good job and I was very happy for her.  So this was our favorite moment of Nationals.  Nothing else could top this.

We ended the trial with eight qualifying ribbons and a plaque for 5th place in games (20'' class).  We came and did our best.  I can't ask for more.  But what was also great is that all of my friends were having a stellar time too.  I saw people qualify in classes they haven't for a very long time.  I saw people do so well that they ran faster than any other dog out there.  I saw people make friends.  I made friends.  I saw people help each other.  And help each other some more.  Whether it was catching a stray dog or giving course advice, everyone was in it for each other.  

The whole thing had a summer camp kind of feel.  There were various activities, people were camping, people were stolen away from their daily lives.  People were having fun.  There was camaraderie, compassion, and excitement.  Everyone shared the same passion - working with their dogs.  

I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of this event.  I know there could have been many things that could have held us back.  I feel lucky to have shared this with the best of my friends and that they too had an incredible time.  It was truly an experience of a lifetime!

Dogs see the world so differently...

Having obtained Breeze at a young age, I have watched her grow up and learn about the world around her.  Generally, she is a pretty confident dog, but every now and then, she comes across something that rocks her little world.  Why she would be taken aback by a watermelon is beyond me.  What could it possibly have that poses a threat??

Luckily, I've got the tools to help her through this potentially-traumatic situation.  But it certainly reminds me of how differently dogs view the world!