Who Needs a Ribbon?! Agility Glee - My First Run

Oh my, oh my, oh my.... I loved it!! Every single second of it, I loved it. Mom entered me in my first agility trial for a single run. It was a NADAC trial and a Novice Tunnelers run. It was definitely on par with Course-a-Lure. All that speeding around and running with mom on a perfectly cool morning was pure bliss. I'll be a good boy, when's the next run?

Mom's diary entry:
The best way I can describe the run and how I felt was absolute glee after Koda's Tunnelers run. I was scared that he would run off to greet a person or a dog or the judge, knowing full well that Koda is still puppy-minded at 19 months. He is not jumping or weaving on any repetitive basis because of his age and size, so I choose a run that was solely tunnels. They are laid out intentionally to be a race course for dogs and the handlers are left to navigate and communicate to the dog turns and direction.

I had it planned out. I asked people on each side of the ring to help me and watch for Koda, just in case. This trial used a one inch orange ribbon at about 2-3 foot high to mark the edges of the ring (no netting or fencing) and there was traffic within a 1/4 mile from the rings. Of course I fretted, wondering if it was too early, although I knew the first run jitters would need to be faced sometime.

Koda stood up to start before I even moved and I asked him to down and then we raced together through the course. Tunnels had 10-15 between exits and entraces for him to zip away and explore. He was fast and furiously fun. He stayed with me every moment and looked at me for direction. I didn't expect it. I had prepared for the worst. I off-coursed him with my forward motion to an outer tunnel. Koda responded to my redirection and we sped to the finish.

My friends laughed at the finish line, because I apparently blurted out "Holy Crap!"

That was the best non-qualifying agility run I've had. Thank you for trusting me my dear boy. I love you.

From Squat to Leg Lift

This last week I've been test driving lifting my leg to do business instead of squatting. I've been trying to figure out how the dogs are getting their smells on rocks and bushes. Sometimes I'd get closer to hitting the target if there was a gust of wind. Too difficult to time it, though.

Then, as I was sniffing a bush, I had this urge to raise my right leg. Unfortnately, I got poked in a soft spot and bounced back on the trail. It was awkward to stand in that position with my balance a bit unsteady too. Back to squatting to pee.

Ah, but then a couple days later, there it was. A rogue low-lying lamp that had all kinds of smells from dogs nestled in the corner of the path. So I just mosied up, walked slowly over it, lifted my left leg and then.... ahh. Nothing quite like it.

I've tried raising my leg on walks in the last two days. I'm learning how to steady myself on three legs. Haven't decided if I'm right legged or left legged yet. Need to do some more experiments.

Just think of all the places I can drizzle on. When's my next walk?

Chewing Naughty List

Must remember to not chew the following tasties:

* Power supply cords - (BUT, they were not plugged in). One massage chair power supply cord (check!); one solar (powered) light cord line (check!)

* Cell phones - not yummy and made mommie very unhappy

* Shoes - still like those rubber clog slip-ons and tennis shoes. If they are by the backdoor, why aren't I supposed to take them with me?

* Sweater sleeves (make that on or off my humom's body)

* Clean laundry on the drying rack

Where's the fun? My gums are SORE. Please let me have chewies that make my mouth feel better... please (BIG puppy eyes!).

And the list continues:

* Mom's shoes, Grandma's shoes - actually chewing them, not carrying them

* Plastic bags

* Tent zip-up windows (still try to zip it up, but it's shredded)

* Plastic mat

* Harnesses. These are ones I was wearing at the time. Make that 2 harnesses and one cool coat

Mom's job: Make sure I'm well exercised, I have a chew toy or treat that I value, and temptations are removed to the extent possible (Mom's human after all).

Herding and the Lure Course

I had THE best day. This morning I got the first walk this morning before my breakfast. Then I played with my fur-siblings and had a refreshing nap. Lunch and more puppy play (love that!).

Then, I got surprised. I got to to a k-9 fun experience. Just me and my humom. She was saying something about getting socialization, but I don't know what that means.

Those stairs down to the grass made me pull back and plant myself. I heard her say we'll have to work on stairs more gradually. We took the longer, winding, paved track down instead. That was pretty good. I did get the courage to go up the stairs on the way home.

We went to this big fenced in grassy spot with fuzzy four-legged creatures about 10 times my size or more. I went inside with this nice lady and the creatures started to roam a bit. Then something just clicked. I wanted to run and bring them back to the lady. I really liked the black one the most and after several chases with him, I gathered up the golden ones. Then, too fast it was over. I whined as I was led to the gate and wanted to keep working with the creatures. Instead, I got this certificate for passing my Herding Instinct Test. I just wanted back in and sat in a very proper sit watching other doggies herd.

There's more. That's what I mean. It was a really good day :).

We went over to another area where there were doggies waiting. Then, when it was my turn, there were these bags tied to a string. The bags started to quiver and they moved forward, so I went after them. I didn't let them get more than 5 to 10 feet away from me and chased them all the way around. The spotter said I was a really good lure doggie.

Since then, I've napped, eaten dinner, and enjoyed some chews on my very large dental rawhide chew. I am soooo much more tired than normal.

A sigh and a big puppy smile as I snooze again. Zzzzzzzzz