Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

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!!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

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!