Friday was a really special day. Friday was Viva's last time in the
Rally/Obedience ring forever.
Though Viva can be a gorgeous heeler, she's always been prone to stress
in the obedience ring. She's also having more trouble sitting as she
nears 9, and I decided that if/when she got her Rally Advanced title,
that was it. It wasn't worth trying to go on when I can't predict
whether she'll really be enjoying herself or not until we enter the ring.
I entered her for one day this weekend at a small outdoor show, knowing
she only needed one more leg. It was a truly memorable run. She actually
barked at me before we started--she's always loved showing outdoors and
it was sunny and breezy and the wind was in her ears. She had two
crooked sits and a HAPPY performance for a 98 and first place in Rally
Advanced B.
For icing on the cake, I took Cala into Rally Advanced A for her very
first time off lead. We had to redo one sign--on the left about turn she
did a lovely little twirl the wrong direction. That dropped her from a
98 to a 95, but it was still enough to earn a first place in Advanced A.
So I had one dog finishing a Rally Advanced title and retiring, and
another starting her Rally Advanced title with her first leg. Mother and
daughter, one nearing the end of her performance career, the other with
hopefully a long way to go yet. Both winning their classes.
Viva may continue to do a bit in NADAC Jumpers and Tunnelers, and I'd
still like to get my act together to try for a TD with her. I bless
every day I have her, she will always be the best dog I've ever owned.
Friday was definitely bittersweet--I had a fleeting wish that I had
entered her all three days. But it was best to end exactly as it did,
with a dog who had fun every step of the course.
FAQ
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
