TO COMPETE OR NOT COMPETE.....

I have recently been mulling over whether to continue to compete agility or not. I have 2 remaining goals for Marley. I really want to finish her Open FAST and Excellent Jumpers Titles. We only need 1 leg each. We are heading to LA in a week and a half, so maybe we can finish those titles. After that, I haven't set any more goals for Marley. I don't know if I want to invest the time, effort, and money into trying to track down a PACH. I just don't know if I really want a PACH. I know Marley can do it, but I don't know if I WANT it. As we know in agility, you have to be mentally in it to win it and right now I'm not in it.

Marley does not go to a formal class. I train her myself with some privates as needed. I can count on one hand how many formal classes she has attended in the past year. She is just too sensitive to be around all of the class chaos. Oddly enough in a trial, she usually does well. I am very cognizant about keeping her away from barking and yapping dogs. I will cover up those dogs and I have been known to pack my stuff and move Marley somewhere else. Marley is a sensitive girl and I will protect her!!

Little Miss Kalea-Kate moved up to Intermediate Agility class and I think we did 2 classes before I needed to make a change. I have decided to teach her on my own. Her safety is very important to me and I can't have her around a certain vicious dog that is also in the same class. I'm not a novice handler and I feel competent that I can do it on my own. We will still do privates, probably every month or so. We are working on "Go ons", weaves (she learned 6 poles in 5 days!!), solidifying her contacts, and beginning to sequence multiple obstacles. A little every day. I don't know when I will debut her in agility, but I do know I want her to be mature! I love her to pieces but she is very much a puppy and I want to let her be a puppy as long as possible!!!

LITTLE ROCK DOG TRAINING CLUB AKC AGILITY TRIAL

Marley was entered in our local club's AKC agility trial. She had a great weekend overall. We've made tremendous strides in her training. Marley is my special girl! I never know when we go to the start line if Marley is going to be a tortoise or a hare. I never know until the first obstacle if Marley is going to take off running like a maniac or if she's gonna take her time. She is not a cookie cutter dog. Sh'e never going to be that reliable dog that lives to do agility. She's Marley. She lives with bilateral hip dysplasia and chronic GI issues. You would never know though. She's very stoic and I have to be on alert to any subtle changes with her. She finishes her agility runs with a bounce and a smile and I love that about her!

Today, she refused weaves in both of her runs. She's stiff in her hips and has a slight hitch in her step. If you didn't know Marley, you wouldn't even notice the subtle hip changes. So Marley will be on hip rest and Rimadyl for a few days.

Marley was a great girl this weekend! She was so friendly and happy. She recognized some people from our previous training group (3 yrs ago)  and was so cute when she realized she knew them. She just had to go and see them. I'm so pleased that Marley is becoming more comfortable in new surroundings.

Marley is MY GIRL!!!

JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA

We spent several days at the beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The off season is the best time to take the dogs and let them just run. Jekyll Island is pet friendly year round. Marley and Kalea-Kate had a blast! It was the first time KK saw and played in the ocean. KK had to wear her lifejacket all the time we were on the beach because she was fearless about the water. She would take off chasing birds and would run out into the ocean after them. Marley enjoyed the beach almost as much as KK, running and chasing. Molly did her own thing, exploring and just being herself. Missy enjoyed napping on the beach.

It was a good break from reality. I needed this vacation.

GSKC AGILITY TRIAL REFLECTIONS

Marley and I competed in Memphis at the GSKC Agility trial this past weekend. It was our first 3 day trial in a year. Marley did well. She is paying attention to me and acts like she really enjoys agility. She came away with some beautiful runs and as a bonus a Q in Excellent A JWW!

As I think back on Marley's career, I'm realizing that there some things that have been said about Marley that has really driven me to continue working and competing with her. It's strange how words can push you to different heights and goals.

I've said this before and some may question why I don't let it drop, but I can't. The words "Marley is way too much dog for you" has pushed me to prove people wrong about Marley. That is why I've trained, cried, trained, cried, trained, competed, cried....with Marley. That sentence is the reason Marley has her Companion Dog and Rally Advanced titles. I let those words really get to me. That sentence hurt me so much. I was determined to prove her wrong. Marley is a great dog. She was simply misunderstood and didn't get the training she needed for her. We've moved on to a trainer that understands Marley and me. And we have flourished!

At Marley's second AKC trial, she was very energetic and bouncy. She liked to jump on me when I didn't give her directions fast enough. The judge was super nice and came up to me and told me "when she grows up she's going to be a great agility dog". This past weekend, I had several people compliment me on Marley and her agility. One of the nicest things that was said was "Didn't Marley used to jump up on you? She's looking good, getting some distance." More words to drive me!!

I don't know how long I will compete with Marley. I have set a few short term goals with her but no long term goals. I will run with Marley as long as she wants to run with me!

 I'm so blessed to have Marley as my dog. She changed my life the day I walked down her aisle at Little Rock Animal Services. She is my dog and she isn't too much dog for me! She's just perfect!!!

BEGINNER OBEDIENCE GRADUATE

Kalea-Kate finished her Beginner Obedience class yesterday. This was our second class with a different instructor and it was what we needed. I had to drop the first class because I fractured my hip and was on crutches.

She did so well! Walking nicely on a leash, coming when called. The best thing is that she can do a sit, down, or stand stay and I can be across the room! So proud of my baby girl!!

Thinking about doing the CGC with her. I'm pretty sure she could pass.

PROVED POINT

As I think back on this past year, I realized that the last title my mom got to see Marley achieve was her Companion Dog (CD). That CD was a major accomplishment for us, especially for a dog I was told "was way too much dog for me".

Sweet little Kalea-Kate is progressing well in her Beginners Obedience class. I have no desire to pursue competitive obedience with her. We will finish her classes in 2 weeks and then will concentrate on her agility. I hope to debut her sometime next year.

Molly and Missy are well. Molly is still taking her 6+ hours patrols nightly and Missy spends alot of time on the couch snoozing.

USDAA RETIREMENT

I decided on Sunday, September 16, 2012 to retire Marley from USDAA agility. She was having to jump Performance 22 /Championship 26, which is over her shoulder height. She was doing it and rarely knocking bars but with her bilateral hip dysplasia, I knew it was in her best interest to stop doing USDAA.

She had a great trial at Pawprints Agility Club in Haughton, LA. She had beautiful runs all weekend and even better, she WANTED to work with me! She was super happy and ignored other dogs when they got in her face. :)

Molly, Missy, and Kalea-Kate stayed home with Grandad. They enjoyed their Grandad time! I believe KK got away with alot of mischief!! Marley and KK were so excited to see each other on Sunday afternoon. They really love each other!