Monday, Monday

Seeker and I came back from a 3 day show in Marshall with bruised egos. The judging panel was poor and we only earned 3 points total by taking Best of Opposite each day. I wouldn't mind that if the competition was worthy, but seriously! We lost to males that I have no respect for: Gamer, Uie, and Quest. None of them can hold a candle to Seeker. The only consolation I had in Gamer winning was that I was handling him and the win earned him a 3 point major.

We did have a fun time in Marshall though. I met Kila Allred and Cozi, had some great meals in restaurants, and practiced a lot for Seeker's upcoming TDI test. The hotel manager was very impressed with Seeker's ability to hold a down stay in the lobby each morning as I got my coffee after our run. He also found it amazing that she lay at my feet quietly while I worked on the computer. I noticed a huge change in her as we walked around the grounds and past other dogs and handlers. The baby girl is growing up.

So Monday morning we put conformation behind us and headed toward our private obedience lesson. The instructor asked what we wanted to work on because she forgot her sheet from last time. I told her that we have been working mostly on agility, but I thought Seeker was ready for automatic sits. She looked at me like, "Yeah, right!" Moe Foley told me that Laura does not move her students ahead very quickly and for that reason many of them leave her. I told Moe that wouldn't happen with me because I would push ahead if Seeker was ready.

So Laura asked us to do straight line heeling and I could tell that she was very surprised by Seeker. I then showed her the turns we had been working on and again: surprised.

Sure enough, I got my way and she showed me how to start Seeker out with the automatic sit. I like her method.

She also said we were ready to move our hand to the actual heeling position for a step and then two. I think she was blown away by the fact that it didn't bother Seeker. What she didn't know is that I have already been doing this:-) At this point, she is probably thinking that Seeker is a genius! Well, she has to know they are smarter than Shelties! Or does she?

We did the stand for exam and again she was surprised. I wonder if many of her clients just don't do their homework?

So at the end of the lesson, she handed me my sheet and I said, "OK, we'll have all this mastered by next month." And she said, "I'm sure you will". No doubt in my mind!

We left the club and went on to more fun things: Agility at Debbie's! I helped Debbie with Charlie and Cadee and their 2X2s. We also did some sequencing with them. They are making progress, but are far behind where Seeker is. It's a darn good thing Debbie is an experienced handler or her decision to enter them in the upcoming National would be a disaster!

Debbie gave me a 17 obstacle course to try. We weren't perfect, but we got most of it. She missed the first entry into the weave poles, but then did all 12 perfectly and from her "harder" side. I felt so exhilarated when I left there. I actually feel that Seeker will be ready for the Nov./Dec. trials!!

Bruised

Dreamer and I have gone through a rough patch of bad luck -- not just with conformation, but with the unpredictable setbacks of life. Dreamer broke her tail a month ago, so we've had to sit out of obedience and agility. Dreamer just came into season, so now we're going to have a prolonged absence from agility.

So it's been hard to blog because I've been immersed in the setbacks. I feel bruised, especially coming off a weekend of losing to lesser dogs at an outdoor conformation event in Wisconsin. In hindsight, Dreamer probably acted like a squirrel on the exam the first day because she was coming into season. I'll never know, but it's possible. And there's nothing I could have done to change that. She did not want that judge touching her. The next day, she stood like a statue for a judge who tugged at and shook her tail!

All I can do is look ahead and set new goals, but it's hard. Bruises need time to heal. So I'll stop the Debbie Downer blogging here because I want to -- and have to -- regroup and move forward. My dog deserves nothing less from me.