ADOPT 2010 CONTEST

Dusty's Adoption Story

On the day before Christmas Eve, my sister-in-law and I visited the local shelter in a small town. We both loved animals and were bored hanging around the house. On the way back to the pet viewing area, a fluffy black and white speckled pup ambushed me. She bounced out from under a desk where she and her brothers were playing. She left all the fun to sit at my feet. I picked her up and she used her power of puppy breath to put a spell on me. She expected me to be hers.

I decided I wanted her without consulting my husband. I knew nothing about her breed characteristics, a mix of Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) and Border Collie. Taking a puppy outside in the frigid winter of Minnesota for frequent potty times is an unwelcome chore. My rash decision along with the other poor choices is not the proper way to choose a life long companion. I began to be overwhelmed with dread. I tried to make myself feel better that I was saving a puppy that was left in a box with her brothers along a snowy highway to freeze to death.

My husband was angry. I didn’t sleep well that night. As I often do when anxious about life events, I left the worry in God’s hands. God would magically send me a sign if adopting her was meant to be. On Christmas Eve morning, I detoured from getting a last minute item at the grocery store to leave a deposit at the shelter. If I didn’t get my sign, then the money could be used as a donation for animals. But otherwise, I could pick up my puppy on Christmas Day when the volunteer came to feed and clean up.

Why I did I bother go to midnight mass, shivering the entire drive to church? God is omnipresent; the sign could come in the warmth of sitting next to the Christmas tree too. How could those abandoned puppies ever survived such frigid weather? Mass began with the familiar order of worship spiced with carols. I prepared myself for the usual homily about Christ’s birth. I could scarcely believe it when the bishop talked about a” hound of heaven.” He was referring to a 1890s poem about God’s grace being like a hound relentlessly pursuing those who have turned away. There was my sign! On Christmas Day, I met the volunteer who came to feed the animals at the shelter and took my pup home. I named her Dusty, short for Christmas Stardust which certainly had magical powers to go along with the season.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Dusty! I love you more and more each day. Six years together and more fun to come.
Love always,
Mom

Another Q

I went to an agility trial in Little Falls, MN. I got a Q in Gamblers! I'm not sure what a Q is but Mom was really happy. I was happy because I got to run, jump, climb, weave, and tunnel with her. My brother, Roo, is pretty naughty on the course. I do get excited to see him run and bark lots.

Photo Ops

Last week I went to a photo studio out in the country. The lady took lots of photos. One was me and my agility ribbons. Then I was surrounded by frisbees for another photo. I couldn't do a catching-a-disc-in-the-air photo since I couldn't get traction on that slippery floor. One photo was disgusting. I had a pink and white feathery boa around my neck and glasses on my face. Not too many photos were made of that since the glasses quickly slid down my narrow nose. I had some dignified poses. My mom made sure my racoon tail could be seen. After we were done, I got popcorn. I even helped out by cleaning up the popcorn on the floor.

Movin' Up in Disc Dog

I competed in the disc dog competition at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge in Blaine, MN, last Saturday. In two rounds of distance and accuracy, I got 14 points. Not only did I get 1st place in novice but now I move to the higher level of expert. The best thing though was what I got for first place, a comfy bed just for me. I love it! The first night, I slept in it the whole night instead of sleeping in my parents' bed. Mom makes Roo leave it alone even though he really, really wants to have it too. I won it and it's just for ME!

CPE Trial September 21

I ran twice. The first run was a standard course. I was zooming through the obtacles. Mom didn' t let me know in time that I was supposed to go through the tunnel instead of over the A-Frame. But even with that mistake, I qualified on the run. Next was Jumpers. I went so fast again. Just one wrong jump and Mom took the blame again. I qualified and got second place!

I did well at the disc dog competition. Mom is so happy that I bring back the frisbee and drop it for her to throw again. I made a few catches with "all four off the floor". Mom really needs to work more on her throwing.

Nemo is Home

No not Nemo the fish but Nemo the human who lives here again. He always takes me (and pesty Roo) outside and throws the ball or frisbee. He does this even though I ate part of his birthday cake a couple years ago. He makes inside time more fun also but Mom gets irritated by our happy barking. Chica, his cat, is very glad he's back. She loves to cuddle with him away from us dogs.

I am going to a disc dog competition and an agility trial this coming weekend. Wish me luck! I'll report next week on the results.

What I Did During My Summer Vacation

I went to four agility trials. I won some ribbons. However when it was very hot, I didn't feel like running. I hid in the shade in the tunnel and didn't want to come out. I learned to do all twelve weave poles but I sometimes pop out of the last couple.

I really liked disc dogging. We went to two competitions. It wasn't hard work like agility but just fun like catching frisbees in the back yard. I got a third place in novice.

I went herding a couple of times. It's not too exciting for me. I got to herd about 27 sheep who moved very fast. I even got to smell one up close. Still, I'm not too sure about herding.

I have lost some weight. Not much but it's a start. Playing ball and frisbee in the backyard helped. I also like getting in shape by chasing squirrels. Roo and I caught a young one but Mom made us let it go. I haven't seen it again since it climbed back into the tree.

Green Beans

Mom says I'm overweight. I'm just extra fuzzy since I still have my winter coat. But I do get pooped out doing agility jumps and I can't run as fast to keep up with Mom. So now I gotta eat green beans. They're in my breakfast and supper. They're my training treats now instead of cheese. Would you run up the A-Frame for a green bean at the other end? Actually, they're a little tasty and I'm certainly not going to work for nothing. Mom puts carrots in my kong when she leaves for work. At least, it's something different. I think she's trying to turn me into a sheep or rabbit. Do squirrels eat that veggie stuff? I couldn't handle turning into a squirrel. I hate squirrels!

Qs

I competed in my second agility trial. I ran second in the first pair relay. Mom panicked and forgot to tell me to go to the tunnel. I went in the wrong end but then went back in correctly. The second pair relay, I ran first and didn't goof (neither did Mom), so we got a Q which means we met the qualifying time for the course. Then, I ran on the standard course. I popped out at the 10th weave pole but Mom got me back in. We barely made the run under the time but we Q'd. It was too, too hot by my last run. I wasn't in the mood so I hid in the tunnel and wouldn't come out at first. So no Q. I did get ribbons for first in the pairs relay and second in the standard. Mom says not to brag because there was only one other dog in each of those events. It's the Qs which count after all.