When we pack up for an agility event, we start out with hope for a great day. It takes effort to pack up the dogs for the day and get myself ready. I haven’t mastered the efficient packing of transportation like some of my other friends that have been at it for some 20 years. I checked, and I’ve been at trials for about 16 months now. This experience has been tremendous and addicting. My original goal remains in having something fun to do with my dogs. When we’re at our best, we are dance partners working in concert.
The previous two agility trials had been tough. They didn’t go as planned and I left early. Some things could be explained. The Thanksgiving Cluster is a challenging humungous environment. It’s loud with overhead announcements blaring. We left early because Blue Angel was distracted and not performing like her normal self. I quickly signed up for the next event in my area. It was a small and much quieter event. That too turned out to be challenging. I couldn’t explain why Blue Angel was ignoring my instructions, wandering off course like her head was in the clouds. I couldn’t explain why she wasn’t into something she really loves. I started to think that maybe our success was over. Maybe it wasn’t her but me. Dogs can pick up on some vibe their humans are projecting.
Class last week went well. We had fun holiday themed games to try out in the ring. I hadn’t signed up for the CPE agility event for New Years because I was exhausted from the Christmas preparations. However, I was feeling more refreshed and decided to sign up. With hope, I packed up Blue Angel, Lucky, and myself and went over to High Goal Farm for the event. I remember saying to some friends, as I was setting up, that I didn’t think we were ever going to (Q)ualify successfully again (meaning complete a course following the set criteria). Sometimes I lean towards hyperbole, but the sentiment was there. I was feeling discouraged.
Yesterday was a whole new day. Blue Angel was ready to do some agility. I think she was tired of sitting around watching me watch movies all day. We had 3 very good runs yesterday that each earned us a Q. The last run of the day was the kind of run that makes you want to come back for more agility. I placed her at the starting line. If I don’t tell her sternly to stay, we will most likely have a disorganized run. This time was different. She took off before I reached the spot that I planned to lead off from. You can’t start over when the dog crosses the first jump. Off we went crossing 6 jumps lined up in the shape of a giant fishhook. Blue Angel doesn’t like to cross so many jumps in a row, but we made it.
Next came the dog walk and into a tunnel. I had a plan to run to the other side of the runnel and wait for her at the teeter. That would put me on the correct side to make an easy approach. Crossing in front of Blue Angel isn’t easy because she is fast. It takes a certain amount of courage to cross in her path and hope that she’ll anticipate what I’m doing. In the old days, she would bite my feet because of crossing in front. Now both of us are more experienced.
We turned the bend and crossed another jump to get to the A frame. She almost went off course but came back with a curt, “Blue” command from me. After the A frame, into another tunnel she went. I got into position and waited for her near the weave poles. Her entry to the weaves isn’t always great. I must try to slow her down a bit to get her entry to the first pole in position. She did it perfectly with another jump ahead and a curve to the final jump. It was a good course and didn’t lose the place in my mind. Blue Angel followed correctly all the way and I guided her in a way that made sense to her. It was the best possible outcome and left me feeling very happy.
Dog agility is very addictive as you progress. It teaches you powerful lessons. There are many folks who are in their 70’s and 80’s and running their dogs with skill and grace. I’msure they’ve felt discouraged at times, but they are resilient. I want to be in that group. Wishing you all a Happy New Year and success in finding fun adventure in 2024!
