Although I never wanted this blog to represent a blow by blow description of every trial result - I can't resist posting this one. (And I will make more of an effort to get back to documenting my training after this, I promise!)Last week at Moorabbin Atilla finally got the last pass we needed for ADM - he also managed a Masters Jumping pass and an Open Jumping pass just for good measure. On the weekend just gone we had our Club trial and he clocked up another Masters Jumping pass so we are now almost there in regard to that title too.
It might not seem all that special - many dogs gain Masters titles - but for a dog that suffered a major injury 3 years ago - to the point where it did not seem he would ever return to agility - then missed a year of trialling, then put up with my overprotective handling for the whole of the next year until I learned to relax again, and still runs with minimal flexion in one wrist joint (which inhibits his turns in one direction quite a lot) well, it is very special to me.... and something that I thought may never happen. So I am very proud of my 'heart dog' at the moment.
And of course Cruz did not want to be outdone. On his second ever Novice Jumping run at Moorabbin he won the ring in the morning - he also had a lovely run in the afternoon where I deliberately ran wrong course as I didn't want him out of Novice all that quick.
That run was probably our fastest one so far. Moorabbin is a nice ground with very few distractions for an ADHD kelpie. (Look at that! What was that?, Who is that and why is he in the ring? etc.)
He then gained his last pass for his Jumping Dog title at our club trial on the weekend - although he didn't give me anywhere near full speed as L. and Atilla were standing right outside the ring for a distraction, which they certainly were.
But a giraffe like kelpie can run with one eye on me, one eye on them, and still come in 4th place on a course with 11 passes - and of course now that I know how much of a distraction L. is - he is banned from all future trials !
So I couldn't resist having a little brag and posting their photo - what smug looking kelpies don't you think ? And after getting rump steak, they should be very pleased about their respective titles too.
And unfortunately, as much as I am allowing myself a brag - well I still have a long list of things to be worked on over the next few months with both of them - not to mention my handling as well.
