Adventures of Max, Starlet and Vic

I was thrilled with all of my teammates, Kristi and I paired up Max and Cinder (for the final time...makes me a little weepy to think about, but more on that later...), Starlet was with our Nationals teammates from last year and this year, Tammy and Tryst.  We were hoping to help Kelly and Riley get qualified for Nationals.  Kelly is seriously one of the greatest energies I know and if anything ever happens to her and I end up with Riley....  I'll probably have to leave the cournty.  ;-)  I love that dog.  Finn's team was set up by Kristi (THANK YOU KRISTI!!!!), in a quest to finish his TM-Platinum.  I'll admit to being intimidated, probably even more than when Starlet did a last minute injury replacement team with Susan and Aiko and Moe with Jammer at last year's Regionals (they both needed the leg and we ended up taking 2nd :-)).  Who were the teammates?  Stephanie with Rage and Geri with Focus.  They ended up being great teammates.  Very supportive and positive, but definitely competitive spirits (something I enjoy).  It was also fun to have an excuse to watch them.  I've always followed Rage, it's been incredibly inspiring watching him develop, he's incredibly talented and remarkably well-trained.  Focus has never really interested me.  They're one of those "o-hum, another wonderful, incredibly effiicient fast run.  He and Geri are one impressive team and I will be making a point to watch more of their runs in the future.  

All the dogs were on teams that had motivation to Q.  Starlet's mainly for Kelly, but who doesn't want a DAM leg.  ;-)  Finn and Focus both needed the leg.  Focus had qualified at a lower height, so needed one at 26", Finn for the title and neither Max nor Cinder had done a PVP for 2008.  

Starlet was wonderful.  Again her Q rate, doesn't do justice to her efforts.  First, our only mistake was a SCARY refusal/near off-course in Standard.  Otherwise, she was perfect and it was the second show in a row where there were no Sad Star moments.  I had several moments where I could feel myself smiling big, whle trying to keep her on course (it was a little bit of a wild ride at times, but always a fun ride).  I'm very happy with her.  Her teammates had some E's and we just finished out of the Q's, but I could care less.  Starlet was Super Star.  :-)  We had an off-course in Masters Jumpers, I lost control in after 4 in the closing of Masters Snooker and she missed in A-frame contact in the gamble of Masters Gamblers and I wouldn't trade any of it for a more controlled Q.  I loved every minute on course with her.  :-)  I think we both had a really good time.  I will be working on training a more specific behavior on her frame.  I'm not sure what method I'm going to use, but I'll ponder that later.  

Finn was so solid.  Light training and light showing is really suiting us.  I enjoyed his company more than I can remember in recent times (bark collar helped) and we felt like a team.  He completely held his own on the team.  We had an issue with the weave entry in the closing of Snooker, but it's our weakest entry.  I knew it was less than 50/50 when I went in the ring, so I wasn't surprised.  He also knocked a bar in Relay, but considering he hadn't jumped 26", since November, I'm REALLY happy with that.  In PIII he won Jumpers to finish his Performance MAD and took 2nd in Snooker today with my wimpy tired handler plan.  :-)  Again, I just had a ton of fun running him this weekend.  Our deceleration cues are really coming along and he just felt so solid.  I'm really torn about skipping Oregon Regionals because of him and this weekend made my decision much tougher (Kate is probably flying, just taking one dog and I totally understand, so I'm looking at a solo drive...).  

Max, what can I say, he's my heart and soul boy.  I love that dog more than words can say and Kristi is a permanent teammate for me, just an awesome teammate.  Max and Cinder were National teammates together and before this weekend, I think we were both thinking maybe we'd repeat the team this year for a final hurrah for Max.  We did great.  Twice we finished 1st and 2nd (Standard Max 1st, Cinder 2nd, Snooker, Cinder 1st, Max 2nd) and both dogs ran great.  Max and I did give a scare in Relay, but at least it wasn't anything major (and we've blown Relay many, many different ways ;-)).  Max is no longer as easy for me to run, since I've changed my style quite a bit, since we started, but he is such fun and I try to appreciate every run with him as completely as possible.  He won today's PIII Gamblers with yet another super effort, I wish I had that run on tape, just was too tired to remember to get it filmed.  

I was thinking on Saturday night, that I felt like it was time for Max to stop doing PVP.  I really want to make a point of stopping, before my dogs HAVE to.  I felt that way about Finn doing 26" as well.  He did it quite easily in the DAM, but I know it's harder than it used to be, same for Max.  I had several moments where I remember thinking how beautiful Finn looks over 26" jumps and appreciated with both dogs that I knew we could do whatever was needed of us for the team.  Max has been such an amazing team dog.  Cinder and Max took the PVP lead after today's Snooker and I declared at that point, if we win, I'm retiring him from PVP.   I've never been part of a winning DAM or PVP team at any show, plenty of placements, but never a win.  Max and Cinder won, as did Finn, Rage and Focus!  Woohoo!  Way too cool and incredible ways for both dogs to move on to their next stage.  :-)  For Max, that's Veteran's at this year's Nationals, which will be his last.  For Finn, he's off to do damage in PIII and PVP.  I'm a little sad, very proud and I feel super priviledged to be their teammate.  

Off to download video...