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!