The Dogs

The Dogs
Bosque, Brink, Tundra, River, Rival

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Have you ever looked Fear in the face and said, 'I just don't care'



I feel like I'm looking Fear in the face almost every day. Sometimes I wonder why am I challenging myself so much? Then I think, why not? I'll never know if I can do something if I don't try.

So, the business is still priority number 1 and I'm learning a lot about massage, but still longing to take the rehabilitation courses-in that way February can't get here fast enough!
Dogs are priority number 2(but only barely). The 4 star events for IFCS world team qualification are starting to be announced with the first one in JANUARY!! I have admitted to myself and my coach, Kim, that I want to do this. I may not make the team, especially since every one and their mother will be trying for this team since it will be in the USA, but it won't be for trying. I need to see what the competition is like and I know I have to work on my own anxiety and pre-run nerves and the only way to do this is compete!! Brink will be getting some serious work-outs in the next few months. We are drilling weaves and off-set jump shoots, making him bounce, read angles, and extend. Then we work collection on one jumps, with constant reminders to jump from the back-end. I know he is a special dog and hopefully one day the world will see it too. :)
On the other end of the dog spectrum, I some how got suckered into running River on a team event. Can she do this? Yes, if the event takes place in my back yard and I can have a cookie in my hand. Doing this at an arena is another story. Practice began today and she still seems happy. We will be practicing a lot of weave poles and starting anti-anxiety medication. I think my team mates understand (may be not to the full extent) of River's psyche. I keep reminding her, that it was her cousin that won Agility Finals this year.
Priority #3-Possibly starting a new agility club in New Mexico for USDAA. We need more trials down here and I'm unhappy with how the current club does things. I want to have the trials like I used to go to in Colorado and Utah. Starting a new club is hard and even in this very early, brain-storming phase I'm stressed. I have great ideas though!
Update from 2 posts ago:
Traveling to Texas was rough-I think the original 2 week vacation plan was better than drive to Texas one day, compete in Finals the next, then drive home. Both Rival and Tundra were super troopers. Tundra had an amazing time with a 6th place in jumpers and 3rd place in Rd 1 of Regular. She and I were amped for the last round, I knew I was going to push as hard as possible and unfortunately our combined adrenaline caused Tundra to literally leap from the top of the down ramp of the dogwalk. Even with that huge time eater and holding her a-frame after that, her time would have been close to first place and an over-all top ten finish. I will say that I will never forgot that run and maybe that was Tundra's plan all along:)
Rival did well, and we had some bobbles, but he gave me his all. I know he'll never be competitive, but he does it for me and that's all I can ask.
The future holds more Aussie promises, but we'll talk about that later...


P.S. River says, "Happy Halloween!!!"

Monday, October 25, 2010

"It's only half past the point of no return..."

Tundra is retired. I didn't realize I would have such mixed emotions with depression topping the list. I know she has no idea she's retired and will never think, "I wonder why I don't get to go compete at agility trials anymore?" But for me it is so hard. I truly believe I am doing the right thing. She is only ten, but I don't want to run her into the ground, I don't want to cause an injury, I don't want to push her until she hates it. Tundra has done many great things and I need to reflect on that and remember that, along with how much she has taught me. She is my first agility dog and my heart dog. She's a triple champion-twice over in USDAA and ASCA. She has given me so much of herself...

Monday, October 18, 2010

Great Expections...

Leaving me feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully in a good way. Can you feel the doubt oozing from the last statement? I wish I had this great insight into where I was going, but I don't. I still have this passion for an awesome, amazing canine rehabilitation business, but I have to admit that last week's Medical Massage course left me a bit flabergasted. I'm still optimistic that with time and practice and I will learn the art of massage and I will starting seeing with my hands, but right now they are blind mice. I start my first consults this week, so wish me good luck...

In the agility world, my Tundra's ATCH 2 and Indy Award win were quickly overshadowed by the running of USDAA Nationals. I so, so, so wanted to be there. The courses looked amazing with some tough challenges. I kept telling myself next year, next year. Thanks to my friend, Brink already has a Grand Prix Q and Steeplechase Q, so we are half way there with the whole year ahead of us. I got to work with my original trainer this past week and got some good feedback and training suggestions. Now I just have to get my life scheduled so I can actually practice!

I think the best way to get on track is to write down some goals to accomplish within the next month:

Medical Massage Certification

Place with Tundra in ASCA Finals

Clean runs with Rival in ASCA Finals

Work on 3 weave pole drill with Brink

Work on head turning/wrapping jumps with Brink

Schedule time to work out for triathlon training (needless to say my training has gone in the garbage with everything else going on)

Just basicly get organized!! This will always be an issue :)