2011 REVIEW

2011 was a year of highs and lows for me. I started out the year by recovering from surgery where I had an open wound in my back for close to 2 months. Then I broke my hand and Marley got diagnosed with a chronic lower GI condition all in the same week.

Just 2 months later Molly became very ill and lost 20% of her body weight. Then Marley got bit by a water moccasin and was out of agility for about 2 weeks. Then she had a hip flare up and was out of agility again. During this time my mom was in and out of the hospital. I was at a trial in MS when my mom became real ill and we had to race back to AR in the middle of the nite.

Marley had a severe hip flare up in August and was out of agility again. Through it all, Marley remained a happy girl. Then my mom unexpectedly died and my world fell apart. Then towards the end of 2011, Marley sprained her front leg and she sat out of agility again.

Although 2011 was a rocky ride for me, we had some great moments. Marley finished 10 agility titles, 2 rally titles and her 1st obedience title. She also got her 1st Snooker Super Q winning the entire class and earned her 1st Steeplechase Qualifying round. I wonder what we could have done if we had both had a healthy year.

Molly and Missy are both healthy and happy. They enjoy their daily outings into the woods to explore.

Here's to hoping 2012 is OUR YEAR and things go positively for us.

THE DARKEST TIME OF MY LIFE

I know this blog is title Life with Marley, but really it's a blog about me. I haven't blogged in awhile because my world fell apart on the afternoon of Friday, September 23 at 2pm.


I was putting the last bags in my RAV preparing to take Marley to Louisiana for an agility trial. My dad had come over to pick up Molly and Missy to take them home for the weekend while I was gone. The phone rang and it was the hospital telling us that my mom, who had been hospitalized with pneumonia, was having some respiratory difficulty and some confusion. They wanted to let us know that they were transferring her to ICU. Just minutes later we received another phone call telling us my mom was 'coding' and did we want them to continue a 'full code'? I told them yes. We quickly called my parents' pastor and he left to go to the hospital to be with my mom. We threw my agility stuff out of the RAV, put the girls in and we left. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive filled with shock and tears. The hospital called a bit later and told us my mom had a heart beat back after 20 minutes of 'coding'.


We arrived at the hospital to find my mom on a ventilator and unresponsive. It was a difficult weekend and on Monday, September 26 we took my mom off the ventilator and she peacefully went home to Jesus. It was a painful time but we were surrounded by my mom's many friends and relatives. We had a wonderful turnout for her visitation and funeral. Her funeral service reminded me of the many special friendships she had throughout her life. The message was comforting to me because I know that she was loved by so many.


My girls looked for my mom while she was in the hospital. They ran into the house and checked her recliner and then ran to look for her in the computer room. It broke my heart because they didn't understand where my mom was. After my mom died, we took them to the funeral home. I took them in one by one to see and smell my mom's body. Molly went first. I picked her up and she got excited when she first saw my mom. I put her close and she looked at her and smelled her and then she turned her head back to me. Missy caught on sooner and once she got close to the casket she pulled herself back into me. Marley was a bit more of a challenge. She was a little bit harder to get picked up and get close to my mom. She too got excited when she saw my mom and she immediately caught on. It may sound morbid to some, but for me it helped me. I didn't want my girls to just wonder what happened to my mom, I wanted them to know. When we got home, Molly got in my mom's recliner and tried to bite 2 people who got too close to her while she was in the recliner. Ever since then, whenever we go to my dad's house, Molly sleeps in my mom's recliner.


There have been so many mornings since my mom died that it is all I can do to get up in the morning. I try to put on a somewhat happy face and go about my day when in reality all I want to do is get back in bed and stay there. It has been the darkest time of my life. I have tried to carry on with my life but it is so hard. I have attempted to trial Marley a few times since my mom's death with varying degrees of success. My heart just isn't into it. I hope with time things get better for me.

My mom always looked forward to the girl's blog and I would always call her when one of the girls had been on the computer. Makes me sad that she can't read about her grand dogs.

ANOTHER STEP BACK

Marley has been having some hip stiffness recently. I noticed she appeared stiff after playing outside one evening. She was also 2 or 3 leg walking on the treadmill. I chaulked that up to being smart and finding a way to avoid her treadmill time. The few times we did practice agility over our break, she knocked a few bars which is so unlike her. I can count on 1 hand the bars she's knocked in a trial. So I decided to take her in for a check up on her hips.

Our regular vet did Xrays. Her hip dysplasia has worsened and he feels that her time in agility in short. He brought up surgical interventions. I was so not prepared for that.

After a cryfest that evening, I decided to take Marley for a second opinion. This vet feels that yes, her HD has worsened but that we aren't at a surgical intervention yet. She feels that Marley is suffering from panosteitis in both femurs. She recommended rest and Rimadyl for a week and bring her back for a recheck.

I took both Molly and Marley for some chiropractic/accupuncture treatments. I had that vet look at Marley's xrays. Same thing, the HD is worse. But, she doesn't think Marley has pano. She thinks Marley landed wrong and acutely injured her hips. She did tell me to rest and Rimadyl for a week.

If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Marley, then you know what a pain it is to activity restrict her! She has gotten the zoomies a few times in the house, but for the most part she's been a good girl!

We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed for good news tomorrow. I just don't want Marley to be in pain. She's such a great dog and she deserves to be happy and healthy. Also hoping that she can return to agility.

PERFECT

A friend and I were talking recently about Marley and how far she's come. She never knew Marley when she was having her reactivity issues. She's only known Marley as the happy, sweet, loveable girl that she is now. I came across these song lyrics and they reminded me of my sweet Marley.


Made a wrong turn, once or twice.
Dug my way out, blood and fire.
Bad decisions, that's alright.
Welcome to my silly life.
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood!
Miss "No way, It's all good, It didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing, under estimated.
Look, I'm still around!

If you ever feel that you are nothing, you are perfect to me!

So proud of where Marley is now. She is a fabulous dog and I love her to death. I couldn't have asked for a better dog!

MOMENTS OF BRILLIANCE

The Doggone Fun Agility Trial in Hattiesburg, MS marked Marley's first year of competing USDAA agility. She began competing AKC agility a month or so before she started USDAA, but we aren't serious about AKC agility. Too many dumb rules and stuck up 'pure breed' people for me.

She earned 2 Master Snooker Q's and an Advanced Standard Q! She had several runs that were absolutely brilliant but sometimes her handler screws her up. Regardless of our results, it was a great trial for us and a huge learning curve. We stepped into the Master's ring with some top handlers in the US and for us to Q right along side them is a huge accomplishment for us!!

We are off agility for a month due to the heat. I need to dust off Marley's agility jumps during the interim. They have been sitting on my patio untouched for a month now!

We will probably start competing USDAA again in late September. Looking forward to some of my friends trialing with me.

MARLEY, CD

Marley earned her CD at the GSKC Obedience Trial in Southaven, MS. She did a good job. I was so proud of her! 10 seconds after she earned her title, I retired her from competitive obedience.

We are off to the Dog Gone Fun agility trial in Hattiesburg, MS this weekend. I entered Marley 3 days/4 runs a day. Looking forward to having a good time and enjoying time with Marley.

ANOTHER GO AT OBEDIENCE

Marley is entered in GSKC Obedience trial this coming weekend. I entered her in Saturday's trial only. Going to try one more time to get her Companion Dog (CD) title. I know she can do it but she still tends to get spooked and that has cost us twice. Hoping for the best!!

She is also entered in 3 days of USDAA agility in Hattiesburg, MS the next weekend. She is in half Master's and half Advanced. Going to have me hopping from one ring to another!

I am leaving Molly and Missy with our trainer to be boarded. It's too hot to drag them that far. They will get to stay in A/C and be pampered. I'm sure I will cry when I leave them but I know they will be in good hands.

I have finally started a project that I have wanted to do for so long. I've started writing a book about life with my 3 girls. I love to write and I love my girls, so I thought why not. I'll give it a go.

THE DOG I WAS MEANT TO HAVE

We had a great weekend at the K9 Sports TN USDAA Agility Trial. Marley ran well all weekend. She earned her first P2/Advanced Gamblers Q. She also earned her P2/Advanced Jumpers Title with 2 Q's. A first and a third. On the day she earned 1st, she was the only P2/Advanced dog to Q!!

We were super close to earning a Q in our very first attempt in the P3/Masters ring during Snooker. Marley took the wrong end of the tunnel on our very last obstacle. I'm sure my body sent her that way, but I couldn't have been prouder of her.

I had a great time. My parents came and my mom got to see Marley run agility for the first time. I had a fun time meeting new agility people and visiting with folks I had met before. My cousins even came up to visit.

I talked with a woman who also has a 'spirited' dog like Marley. Turns out her dog and Marley are just a month apart in age. She also hasn't had an easy time training her dog. She has also had the naysayers. She said she couldn't count how many times people have told her to give up on her dog. But she believes in her dog. She told me she wanted another agility dog b/c her other dog was getting older. That the dog she ended up with isn't the dog she would have picked out to be her agility dog. But she was the dog she was meant to have. That struck a chord with me.

Yes. Marley has been a challenge for me. Training her has been difficult. But a good friend always reminds me, if it were easy, everyone would do it. I have had to go through so much to find the best training environment for her. And I have found it. I am with the training group I am meant to be with. Getting to this point with her has made everything that I have had to go through worth it. We are with people who believe in me and in Marley.

Marley is a joy to me! She lives each day to the fullest and is always so happy. I have learned so much from her. Marley is the dog I was meant to have!

FRANKLIN, TN

Marley is entered in the USDAA Trial in Franklin, TN this coming weekend. It will be her very first time in the Masters Ring. I really love this venue! Crating on concrete plus AC!!

Our goal is to Flow and Go! Keep running and keep Marley happy! Hoping for positive results but I am going to enjoy the weekend and Marley regardless of the results!!

MCKC Agility Trial

Marley had a great weekend at Tulsa. She earned her Rally Advanced Title. 3 times in the ring with 3 legs! She did the same with her Rally Novice Title. so proud of her!! She also earned another leg towards her Companion Dog Title in Novice Obedience. She maintained her sit stay even when a dog fight broke out in the ring.

She had success in the agility ring also. She got the Gamble both days in Open but had some errors. Mainly her A frame contact. She doesn't seem to remember to hit the yellow. I am probably late in my command of "Easy". Will have to work on that when class resumes this coming week. Marley ran so well all weekend. Paid attention and did her job. Marley got an Open JWW Q with a 1st. I felt like I won b/c Marley and I worked together so well all weekend!!

I no longer look at success as the Q's only. Previously I felt that if you didn't Q then you didn't win, but over the course of the year with my training group I have come to realize that it's the journey that is really important. My training group is phenomenal and I have learned so much from each and every one of them. I am enjoying my journey with Marley. She is my 'work in progress'.

I have decided once Marley finishes her Open AKC titles, we are done with AKC agility. We will continue to concentrate on USDAA agility. I like the versatility of the events and enjoy it way more than AKC. Someone from a different training group couldn't believe it when I told her we were going to quit AKC agility. She seemed shocked that I have absolutely no desire to pursue a 'MACH'. It just does not interest me in the least.

What does interest me is my journey with Marley! She has taught me so much and I love her to pieces!

BACK IN TRAINING

I started Marley back in agility 2 weeks ago. We are doing short sequences with her and always end on a happy, positive note. She is doing so well. We are all so pleased with her behavior and progression.

I am feeling tons better. I have started getting regular sleep and feel like a human again. It just shows you that our dogs feed off of us. When I was really down is when Marley started pushing me and acting out. I felt so bad that I didn't care and let her get away with it. That's when our agility troubles started.

But we are back together as a team and working well on the agility course. We are entered in the Tulsa AKC trial next weekend. I have always said I won't travel for AKC agility b/c to me it's a waste of time and money. I can run my dog 5 times in USDAA for the same cost of 2 AKC runs. Anyway, we are going b/c we can do Obedience and Rally. I am wanting to finish Marley's CD title. I entered agility b/c we were going to be there anyway. We have decided that I am to review the course maps and decide then if I want to run Marley in that event or not. Our goal for the weekend is the CD!

Marley continues in her Ruff Love training program. She is a better dog for it! There are still people that feel they need to voice their opinions about the program. But they've never had a dog like Marley. I continue to receive encouragement from my training group about Marley and I need to learn to let the haters comments roll off my back and move on. But sometimes I let their comments get to me and it gets me down. People need to keep their comments to their self. I don't make comments out loud about their dogs...Lord know I could though!!

GOOD GIRL

Marley has been a real good girl lately. She knows Molly has been ill and has been real good about leaving her alone. We have been working on Marley's 'Ruff Love' program. We are back to working on her manners, practicing her obedience and a little bit of weave training, and she's back on the treadmill. She has to have permission to go thru doors and to eat. She's a smart girl and complies. Once the weather clears up, we will start our controlled walks back.

Marley's program requires alot from me. But she is a much better dog for it. There are still naysayers about Marley and the fact that she's in a strict training program, but that is something I will have to deal with and get over.

I have said it several times and I will say it again. I am with the most fabulous training group ever. They have been a saving grace for me and Marley and I am so grateful. I have never been with a group that sincerely cares about each other. They have been wonderful and understanding with recent events in my life. They have been calling, emailing, & texting to check on me. I have made great friends there!

BREAK

I have decided to take a break from training and trialing Marley. We have been thru so much the past 5 months that the stress of it all has caught up with me. Since Christmas I have had surgery, was put in charge of another course at work, broke my hand, Marley was diagnosed with a chronic GI condition, Marley was snake bit, and Molly has gotten very sick. So as you can see, it has been a little overwhelming.

I need a break and a chance to relax and refocus on Marley and her agility.

MARLEY, THE SNAKE CHARMER!!

Marley was bitten by either a copperhead or a moccasin snake on Sunday. I am leaning towards moccasin as she came home soaking wet. We were packed up to leave the grandparent's and I called for her. She came but was on 3 legs, carrying her right front paw and crying. I got her in the house and we examined her. Made sure it wasn't broken. We saw just a little bit of blood. She was in alot of pain. Poked a Benadryl down her. I carried her to the car and we left for the ER vet in LR. She didn't even protest me carrying her.

Half way to LR, her paw was huge and draining tea colored fluid. Got her to the ER. They cleaned it up and she had 3 strike marks: 1 on top, 1 on bottom, and 1 between her toes. Got RX's for pain meds and ABX. Got her home and she slept hard. Then her paw started bleeding. It bleed all evening and I had to keep redressing it.

She has gotten progressively better. She still has some necrotic areas from the strikes but she is walking better and looks like she feels so much better. As we often do, we are sitting out of agility to be sure she heals and that she isn't in pain running agility. Hope to be back in agility in a few weeks.

NOT READY TO GIVE UP

I have spent alot of time this past week thinking about Marley and what I want to do with her. I even skipped agility class last week with her because I was still so frustrated with her. Marley is a challenge for me. She always has been and always will be. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to run a dog without issues. Molly always needed to be coached and cheerleaded through ever obstacle. Marley is the complete opposite but presents a different challenge. She tends to forget her training on the course, gets upset when the game isn't going her way, and then jumps at me.

We have an AKC trial this weekend and I am so hesitant about it. The last AKC trial was horrible. We only completed 1 course out of 5 runs due to her behavior. The judge whistled us off the other 4 times. I will probably let my friend handle her this weekend.

I have decided to continue to train Marley in agility. I'm not ready to write her off. I will not let those that have been so negative about Marley win. Don't tell me I can't do something. I have found a fabulous group of people to train with and have made some amazing friends. They aren't ready to write Marley off either. I know Marley's career will be short due to her health. But I will make the career that she does have, amazing. And I will enjoy it without regrets. I need to rethink my goals with her and unclutter my mind. Enjoy each and every run I have with her!

I have begun thinking about getting another dog to start agility training. Sometimes I think I'm ready for a new dog right away and other times I think I need to wait. Molly and Missy are older and have each other but Marley is younger and needs a friend to play with. This time I will have help in picking a dog that will be an agility candidate.

Regardless of when I choose to get another dog, Marley will always have a place in my heart and home.

ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD

We went to our first NADAC trial in OK this past weekend. Hands down it was the best fun I've ever had at a trial. Our training group went and it was so beneficial to have everyone there. I have been trialing alone for quite awhile so it was a welcomed change for me. I have found a fabulous group of people to train with and it has been wonderful for me.

Marley decided to act out this weekend. Handling her in the ring was a nightmare. We just aren't working together. It was not a good weekend for us. I was so frustrated. I ended up letting a friend handle Marley for half of Saturday and all of Sunday. He did a fabulous job with her. He had never handled Marley in agility before but he did phenomenal with her. He came close to Q'ing with her multiple times.

I'm now at another crossroad with her. Do I try to continue on with her or give up on her? I feel in my heart she can do it but then I have some doubts that creep in. I also feel that if I do give up on her that I am letting the people who told me "Marley is too much dog for you" win. If I do give up on her, do I get another dog and start again?

I have alot to think over but I do know that regardless of my decision, Marley will always be my baby and will always have a home with me.

NADAC Trial and Other Trials

Marley is entered in her first NADAC trial in Norman, OK. I am optimistic or crazy one because I entered her in 13 runs! She will have a blast! I am looking forward to a fun trial with my training group. A bunch of us are going so we will have tons of fun I'm sure.

I need to work more on my handling with her. I tend to babysit all the obstacles and she is ready to be given more permission to go on. I don't know why I babysit with her but I do and I need to stop it. Planning on working hard on that in the next couple of months.

We are entered in 2 AKC trials in April and May. I am thinking about pulling her from the May trial. I have had an overwhelming sense of dread since I got my confirmation. Once I had difficulty booking a motel room for that trial, I felt like an immediate weight was released. I won't make a final decision until closer to the trial date close.

I am planning on taking a break from trialing in May and June and then just do a limited number until fall. I plan on focusing on USDAA at this time. I need to pace Marley and keep her healthy. Plus I need to stay healthy!!

P3/MASTER'S SNOOKER

At just her 6th USDAA agility trial, Marley earned her P2/Advanced Snooker title! Meaning she is now in P3/Master's Snooker! It was our only Q of the weekend and I was disappointed since she had been Q'ing so many more times recently. But a good friend reminded me to remember our title run...that's what keeps us going.

Marley has been moved up to Advanced Aglity class. She has come so far and when I think back, it's almost a dream. She is such a different dog now. I no longer stress about her being around dogs we don't know well. She remains a very happy dog but a dog that minds me.

HURT MOMMY

Mommy hurt her hand. So this morning I got in bed with her and snuggled! I think it made her feel better. It made me feel better...my tummy was hurting!

BIRTHDAY AND TRIAL

Marley hit the big 3 on February 1. We made it through the terrible 2's! I can't believe she is already 3! We will have a party for her and Missy later in the month after the weather clear ups.

Marley did fantastic at the Holly Springs trial. 3 Q's: Jumpers, Snooker, and Pairs. She ran well and is paying attention to me better. My proudest run was our Advanced Standard run. We didn't Q b/c we were 2 seconds OT, but I am so proud that she hit her contacts, kept the bars up, and weaved!

She had a big time playing with her friend Allie in the field and even managed to find some water to lay down in.

PROGRESS

We are making lots of progress with Marley's behavior. She did better at pack play. She still doesn't want to interact with other dogs, but at least she will explore a little. She enjoys getting into the pond and wants to stay in the water.

We are continuing to work on her distance in agility. Her Momma isn't fast enough for her, so I need to give her permission to go on, and for her to do it.

This weekend will be her first venture into the Advanced Ring in USDAA agility. Optimistic and looking forward to it. I am especially happy that some friends that are trialing for the first time will be there. We train together and it will be so nice to have buddies at the trial. I have been on my own for so long, that I welcome the company. This will be a fun weekend!!

PERFORMANCE DOG 1

The Happy Hounds Agility Team Agility Trial was a success for us. Marley tried to act out on Saturday but after some corrections, she chose to work with me. She qualified 3 times on Sunday and titled 3 times. She earned her Performance Gamblers 1 title, her Performance Standard 1 title, and her overall Performance Dog 1 title. She got a gamble on Saturday that only 3 dogs got out of 26. Impressive for a novice dog.

I am so proud of how far she's come and cannot wait to see where her career goes.

MCKINNEY, TX

Marley and I are heading to McKinney, TX this weekend for an agility trial. Will just be the 2 of us. I don't know anyone from here that is going. I am really looking forward to it. I feel I can run Marley in peace without the negativity that has surrounded us in past trials.

Our goal for this trial is to just go out there and run! Work on our handling and for Marley to pay attention to me!

Our goals for future trials are for me to get past the hard feelings I have towards some fellow agility folks who have really hurt my feelings about Marley. This will come into play in less than a month when I have to see some of those folks at a local trial. Also, to continue to work on my handling skills and to keep working on Marley's Ruff Love. For Marley to come into her own as an agility dog!

BELTON, TX

Marley had a fabulous trial at Belton. She earned 2 titles: P1 Jumpers and P1 Snooker. She also had 6 Q's with 5 of those being 1st places and 1 3rd. I felt like my handling was way better. She paid better attention and minded better. She tried one day to jump and bite me but I corrected her outside of the venue and she ran fantastic the next day.

I moved her up to P2 in both Jumpers and Snooker and she ran well, just a few errors.

I really enjoyed the trial. No one was there I knew, so I felt at ease, no drama!

I entered Marley in another trial in 2 weeks. Our goal is to continue to work on our handling and for Marley not to jump or bite. Positive thinking! Take a deep breathe and just go!