EO, AWC and stuff
So... We survived 40 degrees, deep sand and hot nights in a tiny bungalow... And we had many runs to be proud of!
Extra proud of To who once again proved to be one of the very fastest dogs out there - winning team jumping in ring 2 (that was the slower ring of the two - all better times were from the other ring) and helping our team get into the Finals where she had a beautiful clean run as well. In individual jumping, 0:01s after the winner (even with some time lost as I chickened out of a BC after a straight tunnel 🙂 ), but one bar. Unfortunately, some weird problems with the DW, deciding 2 hits on a down ramp are stupid and 1 should do... Ooops.
I was super happy with puppy Ta as well - she was running faster and jumping flatter and more extended as ever - not bad at all for my slow, clumsy puppy! For some reason, weaves were really confusing her, even though she normally has great entries... But she was still the best 2-year-old out there! 🙂
With Le, we managed one careful clean run for the team and helped with getting into a final, but then had to pull her as she did something funny over one jump ( a kind of heels over head over the bar...) and her back was sore after... Other than that, we continued with a series of strange eliminations (that started in June tryouts), making me think once again her hearing is not o.k... I don't notice anything in normal life, but it seems that with background noises, she can't hear me well??? I remember this happened to La as well at one point, but she was 13 and Le is 9,5, so not sure that's really it, but she really looks just as confused as La was when she started to lose her hearing...
All that said, I still came to a realization I REALLY don't enjoy trials anymore. I do enjoy running my dogs, but the rest of the time, I just want to go home or walk in the woods... - So I was actually happy I don't need to run finals... Not the right attitude I guess... Watching all those handlers with the wish to win, I realized I actually run with a wish not to win, just so I can go home sooner...
I guess I tend to overdo things... - I did so many seminars that I ended up completely burnt out. And now I feel the same about trials... So I decided to sit back, cancel AWC plans and work on my introvert troubles that got a bit out of control... Of course, we'll continue with training, conditioning and canicross and everything else we really enjoy, but trials are on hold for now.
It sure was strange , an AWC without you and your great dogs. (You’re great too!) But I understand that your health comes first. How are you doing ? One of my daughters is very similar . She works from home too, as an artist . After going to an event , she just crashes and has to take time off to re-charge . She has done non-dairy, and it doesn’t make a difference . If you have tips on handling this exhaustion , will you please share ? We will too, if we ever figure this out .
I love the videos from the EO. To and Ta are doing so well! I really hope that Le isn’t having hearing problems, that would be heart breaking . I’m so glad her back was better right away!
If you feel like it, would you set something up from the AWC? Or at least tell us what you think about the courses? There’s been a lot of discussion about the back sides. I always love to hear from you your input. Keen and Mari and I wouldn’t know what to do without you ! I hope things are going well for you !!
Yeah, I really don’t like it if the course is testing just one skill, over&over again… I would prefer to see some other skills tested as well!
And oh, I wish I had some tips, but no, I’m still a bit lost and am still avoiding going anywhere other than “my” woods…
Yes, so repetitive . And I couldn’t believe it when I heard that the small and medium teams had the chute ! I thought it was gone forever!
“Your” woods are so beautiful ! Would it be possible to take Le with you to the shops and places in a carrier bag? Maybe focusing on her would help?
No, FCI never removed the chute from the list of obstacles. The judges normally just don’t use it, but FCI presidents often require AWC judges to use it once at AWC, I guess for camera reasons. So we knew it will be used and could prepare. Still not a nice obstacle to the dogs of course, but definitely better as it has been before (shorter fabric, safe approaches only).
And ha ha, that’s actually a great idea since Le actually needs some (re)socialization as well! She got a bit grumpy and antisocial… -- not that I blame HER for that!!! 🙂 So I guess she gives me a dog training motivation to go to places -- always the best motivation there is! But if I want to be really social, then I need to take To, no one can resist To’s hugs! And no, that one didn’t take after her owner at all! 🙂
Ah, that’s good to know about the chute, thanks .
Haha, yes, maybe start out with To for now . 🙂