I have achieved another goal for each of the boys... finishing Piper's USDAA PDCH and Seeker's USDAA ADCH.... Both titles were done quietly, with little celebration because that is kind of how USDAA is. There are usually no win laps or ADCH/PDCH bars. Sometimes there is cake, other times there isn't. We, however, will be having cupcake cake this weekend to celebrate these accomplishments as well as Nancy Craig's Shine's Bronze ADCH. We will celebrate with friends at an agility trial, where else?
I have several other agility goals for both the boys. We are still in pursuit of those elusive AKC MACHs with Piper needing 3 QQs and Seeker needing 8 QQs. We have also found great fun and friends in CPE. So there, I am hoping to have them both qualified for CPE Nationals which are in OH next year and achieving their C-ATCHs. And for Seeker, when he's older.... much older... his PDCH. Because jumping him at 16" any time soon is scary!
As long as they are having fun and loving what they do, I will keep at it. Gem is a work in progress and I am in no hurry to have her in the ring. I am still amazed that people are actually competing with dogs her age. We are nowhere near ready for that. She is enjoying obedience and our next order of business is trying for our CGC and TDInc certification. Gem is an athlete, quick, agile and smart. We have plenty of time for the rest of it.
It is all about having fun! Run clean, run fast and give it hell! But most of all... HAVE FUN!!!!
Well, we did it! TA DA!!! ADCH ATCH Seeker! I am so proud of him! What a ride! After we bombed in VA a few weekends ago, I had to look for other opportunities to do USDAA and specifically, Master Gamblers. 4 Seasons K9 Athlete Center sponsors several USDAA trials a year. I am not fond of the hard flooring and heat in the summer, but I decided to drive almost 2 hours to be in the ring for about 2 minutes. Crazy? Yep!
I entered both boys since Piper loves Gamblers. I got the opportunity to run him first, which can be good or bad, depending on the gamble. Well, I didn't set him up right and he missed the gamble. Argh!!! He has always excelled at Gamblers and since Seeker's forte' isn't distance, I was rather worried that he wouldn't get it either. But, we were there to have fun, come what may. My friend Nancy ran her awesome Sheltie Shine in 16" and they got the gamble finishing Shine's Bronze ADCH. She told me to handle Seeker differently and to NOT try to use the chute to set him up since they are blind when they come out and most dogs were turning right to the jumps and not seeing the weave poles on the other side. So I changed my plan and hoped for the best. IT WORKED! He never looked at the jumps, hit the weaves, then without getting distracted, headed for the correct end of the tunnel and over the finish jump! What a wonderful feeling! He was spot on and I shouldn't have bothered worrying. He seems to always come through when I need him most. I had to laugh when I watched the video as I look so non-chalant until the gamble! We needed only 13 points in the opening and he got that over the A-frame. I wanted to set him up correctly and actually be in the right place for once!
Seeker and his ADCH ribbon
While we aren't World Team material, it hardly matters. He loves the game and that's all that matters. As long as he has fun, the day has been a success. His smile says it all... Way to go buddy! You ROCK!!!
