Adventures of Max, Starlet and Vic

UKI and Vic's year end totals...

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:20:11 GMT

I just contacted UKI about hosting trials. It sounds like a really interesting option and we have plenty of USDAAs around here, so it would be cool to have another option that isn't ACK and that still offers challenging courses. I think UKI could be the perfect counter balance to the ASCAs we host. I'm very excited!

During the rainy days I looked up Vic's totals for the year. We did 15 USDAAs (one of them was just to do two days of Adv. Standard):

1 Starters Standard
3 Adv. Gamblers
1 Adv. Snooker
3 Adv. Standard

Masters legs:
6 Standard
16 Snooker (9 SQs)
9 Gamblers
6 Pairs
14 Jumpers

Tournament:
6 Grand Prix
9 Steeplechase
5 DAM
1 Standard
6 Snooker
3 Gamblers
3 Jumpers

Titles finished:
Adv. Snooker
Adv. Gamblers
Starters Standard/AD
Adv. Standard/AAD
SM/SCh/SCh-Bronze
JM/JCh
GM
RM
SAM/MAD/ADCh
TM/TM-Bronze

Yeah, I'd call it a pretty damn good year! :-)
How can my little puppy be getting so close to turning 3!

Max's perfect day

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:26:47 GMT

Nearly happened today, all that was missing was a hot breakfast and some cupcakes. ;-) Lazy morning, so he napped most of it away. Max isn't a morning dog, he will happily snuggle away the morning on the couch, but come the afternoon/night and he's AWAKE. I find myself staring at Max, trying to memorize every last detail of even the most mundane things he does. Thinking of him leaving is so scary, but I remind myself just how amazing these past months have been. Love my Max.

Today we went on an old-school hike. Original plan was to hit 7 Falls, but that trail is closed due to the fires. :-( So, down the road to Rattlesnake Canyon we went. It's been years, since I was last there. I think Starlet has been there, but I know Vic hasn't. I'm not sure why I stopped going. It's a great hike, lots of off-roading opportunities for the dogs, beautiful views for me and a great workout as well. I was a little concerned about Max, while I know he's been making that funny breathing sound more often lately. It's like he's catching his breath and yesterday it seemed like I was hearing it all the time. I suspect that had something to do with Xena's passing, since I know it has definitely progressed in the past 2 weeks, today it wasn't freaking me out like yesterday. Max totally remembered the place and was out of his mind excited when I pulled up. It really has been far too long. He handled the hike like a champ and had such a great time. Vic and Starlet had a great time too. Starlet never started "herding" Max, she was too busy exploring. :-) Vic did have a moment at the end when he couldn't figure out how we'd gotten down to the river (we took a side path, he had run ahead on the main path) and I had to go back up the hill to get him. He never was really worried, just confused and since it was getting dark, it was easier to just get him, than wait for him to figure it out. Next time we go, I'll try to go when it's still brighter outside, my crappy camera couldn't find enough light to take pics. :-( Good excuse to go back again soon. :-)

Tonight I'm made Mike a pot roast, that I'm sure he'll share with the dogs. Project "Vic must gain weight" continues. Aided by a year's supply of Show Stopper via Kristi. I do think Vic is looking a little bigger, but he refuses to eat more than 2 and a half cups of kibble in a day. He'll happily eat an extras put in his food, but 2 and 1/2 cups of kibble is all he'll eat, he just eats around it after a point.

Sad Sunday

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:06:07 GMT

Mike got a call from his mom last night asking about seizures in dogs. Xena (a rescue we found for her 7 or so years ago) had apparently had a couple episodes, but the one that triggered the phone call was different. To me, it sounded more like a stroke than a typical seizure and how Xena was acting also suggested a stroke. She'd already gone to her vet and was given Pheno, but was clearly worried and we advised to give it a day and see how she felt tomorrow. 4am Mike got the call that Xena was not improving and in fact was getting worse. He left immediately, I started looking up places for them to go, but sadly Xena had to leave today. She was a great dog, very Roxanne like and the light of Diane's life. I can't imagine how sad her world is right now. I'd counted on Xena being around after Chuck leaves (the man is never going to die, despite not following doctor's orders...). Xena has been Diane's anchor, at Thanksgiving they were talking about some old age signs Xena was showing and Diane was saying how unimaginable her life would be without her. Fuck. This is so sad and so not how things were supposed to go. I know eventually she will have another dog, but being Mike's mom, I imagine she will grieve Xena for quite some time. Fuck fuck fuck.

Still raining

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:19:20 GMT

Day 3 of the rain, I know we need it, but I'm over it.

someone turn up the heat!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:55:41 GMT

My hands are freezing, I'm hoping that typing will warm them up. Okay, sure we don't have the sub-freezing temperatures of much of the country, but I have no tolerance for weather extremes and for me, this is COLD! Knowing the rain was returning last night, Kristi had the brilliant idea to take the dogs on a romp at More Mesa. I added to the good thought by packing along my crappy camera and the Santa Hat. I think since I don't have kids and one of my stronger childhood memories was the delight my Dad would get from embarrassing me, I find embarrassing pictures of the dogs extremely entertaining. ;-) The dogs were quite surprised that mid-walk they were having to do sit stays wearing a ridiculous hat. :-)

Here are some pics from the romp, first up, the happy, running free dogs:

And then the fun for me pics:

First up tortured Max.

What you can't see is Starlet rolled in something DISGUSTING, Vic is clearly impressed. So gross.

Vic now knows just what to do when the hat gets put on.

Like that was going to get him out of it.

Last night I watched BBC's Pedigree Dogs Exposed. So heartbreaking and so amazing that people could say their clearly non-functional dogs were improvements on what their breeds were originally meant to do. I mean really, the freakishly sloped backed GSDs are better suited for their "jobs" than the GSDs the police forces use that stand nearly square? Basset Hounds can run through the brush with their stomachs dragging on the ground and so much loose skin they're at risk of getting caught on a branch? Obviously, the program focused on breeds that are the most screwed up and I have enjoyed watching the canine beauty pageants. I just don't see what's so wrong about putting health requirements on dogs, so a dog that is affected by a genetic disorder wouldn't be eligible to win a breed Championship and it would be great if it was a requirement that the dog proves it can do the job it was originally bred to do. I wish more breeders would keep the info open. If there's a littermate with bad hips say so, if everyone else in the litter is good/excellent, people shouldn't freak out, but that's probably not the dog you want to breed out of that litter. Of course, if the buyers weren't so quick to panic about any little problem, it may help the breeders feel safer in being honest about the good and the bad.

I am concerned about the bc. In the conformation ring they're looking like cookie cutter black/white boxes, that look more and more like the conformation aussies. It's weird that b/w is the primary color in the conformation ring and then you go to an agility trial and have all the colors of the rainbow. I'm not sure how I feel about all the colors, on one hand I get that they happen (Vic has several dilute relatives), but I also get concerned when color seems to be a priority in a breeding program. At the moment I'm back to thinking no ACK (I mean AKC) is in my future. Perhaps they are "preserving the breed standards", but I'm not seeing them preserving the dogs health and happiness.

Lake Los Carneros

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:29:00 GMT

It's not really a lake by people who live near lots of water standards, but that's it's name and I love taking the dogs there.. We don't go near the lake itself on our walks, since it's not an off-leash place (breaking the law, breaking the law) and I don't trust Max at all, when it comes to water fowl. We've been there the past couple days, Max does get winded on walks nowadays. Nothing radical, but that damn sound happens more on the walks and he seems keener to lie down and chew on a stick, instead of chasing little birds from their hiding places. He's still having a great time. All the dogs love it, turns out if I ask Starlet "do you want to go on a walk?" there's no denying her. Ask her if she wants to go to the park and she can pass. Did I mention I think Starlet is my smartest dog? ;-) Today they did both, first the walk and then they supervised classes. Vic is very pissed off to be taking a break, but on a break he is, though this is a short one. Next weekend is 2 days with Nancy G., then he'll get a proper break of a few weeks, when I think revisiting some of Max's old stomping grounds may be in order. :-)
Here are some pics from today:

The bcs tend to stick together...

Max found a stick pretty quick

Handsome Vic
Pretty Starlet

Happy Max

Every day with Max is a good day. Love my Max.

Freaky mind reader...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:25:07 GMT

Today was the day I was cracking and going to risk firing up the USDAA message board with the question: When will we know the location and dates for next year's Nationals? And then poof, the predictably defensive email saying we'll know by the end of the year! I really do believe they're committed to moving it east of the Mississippi, but where would they have it with those November dates? Will we really find out before the New Year? I sure hope so, but I was going to be happy if we knew by February...

I have the day off today because of yesterday's rain, will probably walk the dogs later. Mission "Get Vic to Gain Weight" has begun, starting with me cooking a london broil today to inspire more interest in his regular food. I give up on "he'll eat if he's hungry", the boy is SKINNY and needs to gain some weight!

Rain!

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:02:32 GMT

I can't remember being this happy to see wet stuff falling from the sky! I had to venture out in it to run some errands, but Max joined me, which made it fun. Now the dogs are stocked with wet weather chewies and Max had his very own cheeseburger from In 'n Out. When Max came in the door, Vic gave him the complete "where have you been and what did you do?" sniffing, Starlet went straight for my bags. What Vic and Starlet don't know, is I have a new Santa hat to torture them with that's still in the car. Max wore it around the pet store quite proudly, but then he probably thought by tolerating it I would get him all the things on the shelves. ;-) One catch of the wet weather is Max is the fastest chewie eater ever and Vic may be the slowest. Vic would probably be faster if he wasn't so preoccupied with telling everyone "You CAN'T have MINE". Nap time.

No More DAMs Until Regionals

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:22:27 GMT

I have that teamed already lined up and we've agreed to NOT care about Qing and just run our dogs like we want to run them. As I needed the Q this time and Vic was kind of the anchor of the team (not ideal for any "young dog") and the courses were not pleasant, I'm not exactly happy with how I ran this weekend. It just wasn't as fun as it should have been, probably because from the first class we were fighting to get into the Qing range. Vic was great, today he took 4th in Gamblers with a super effort, the triple down in Rd. 2 Steeplechase (need to work on triples...), but otherwise a nice run, Standard I sucked and when I said "tire" Vic heard "round thing" and took off to a tunnel. It was the hardest call off I've ever given him. Bleh. We hung on and even with the run around were still in the upper part of the class. Relay wasn't bad, I was terribly late on a fc, but Vic was forgiving and otherwise it was a super effort. Finn was GREAT all day, winning all his classes, but more importantly, running really well. Still I'm really drained, I'm looking forward to some rain tomorrow. I'm mentally denying the 2 days with Nancy G. coming up in 2 weeks, but I'm sure by then I'll be back up and ready to run. ;-) I am very glad and lucky that before 2010, both Vic and Finn are all qualified including byes for Regionals for 2010 Cynosports (wherever it may be). :-) And am thanking all that is holy, that I am not doing any more DAMs until Regionals.

Contact Point Tournie trial, Day 1

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:52:28 GMT

Another good showing by "young dog" Vic! It's so cold right now and rain is definitely on it's way, hopefully it waits until Sunday night to arrive... It's a small show, only 30 dogs or so in 22" and not many teams at all. Hopefully, we'll all Q, since no one is really doing all that well. ;-) The day started with Grand Prix and I'd told myself I was going to push hard for the bye. Yeah, then I saw the course and decided since it was the first run of the show, I should push, but not fully drop the reigns. ;-) Vic was awesome, he made a course that had NQs happening all over it, seem easy and he won the class! Yay!!! He was really good in Team Snooker too, despite his handler over calling potential off-courses, another Q and 2nd. :-) Steeplechase he cheated on the release at the first frame, so I kind of pulled up while thinking about how I should have marked it. Despite that, he still took 2nd and picked up his 2nd Steeplechase leg for 2010. Team Jumpers was going okay, he knocked the triple on the way to the tunnel, but I think that was due to my sucky handling of a threadle beforehand. Then he ran around the 2nd to last jump, which I had totally taken for granted. Fortunately, I was able to get him back over the jump and not get an E, but definitely a run that allows Vic to keep his "young dog" card. ;-)
Finn is doing good, we had some bobbles in most the runs, but he's running happy and that's what matters most.
There was one downer moment at the end of today. I was watching a friend's dog and they had a really funny miscue at a tunnel (the dog ended up running smack into the middle of the tunnel, instead of finding either entrance). I laughed, as did the judge, as did the handler as did everyone who saw it. It was funny. The dog ended up running around the second to last jump, like Vic, but unlike Vic got over the last jump before the handler could save it. She motioned to me (I thought jokingly) right after and said, "I heard your laugh" or something to that extent. Not hard to imagine, my laugh is loud. When I went up to her later, I had my head slightly bitten off and found out my laughter distracted her so much that she didn't cue the collection and that's why her dog Eed. I feel bad about this, but at the same time, EVERYONE was laughing and crowd reactions to runs is one of those things we just have to deal with. I don't know, it was just a bummer of a way to end the day. I'm going to make a point of not watching her runs in the future.

Keep your fingers crossed Finn and Vic can get qualified, right now both teams are the team above the cutoff line. :-)

Vic from today:

3 more days...

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:52:34 GMT

And I'll be through the heart of this agility marathon I so stupidly entered. I'm sure I'll have fun this weekend, in a sick and twisted way I'm looking forward to it (sure would be nice to be all qualified for 2010 before 2009 is over), but damn, what was I thinking! To add to marathon, the trial secretary called in a favor I owed and I'm running Starlet on a team. Poor Star has done no agility in months and she does need regular tuning up if I'm competing with her. Did I do any this week? I think I had her do a set of weaves... I did nearly no agility with my dogs this week. Vic retains things really well, he'll be fine. There are no tables in DAM, so Finn will be fine, Starlet, well, I warned Dewey that she's in no way prepped to do a DAM, but I guess the team is desperate. It sounds like rain is coming next week, which would be a good thing, though I hope it doesn't rain out the club x-mas party.

Max is doing great. I don't know how the lymph nodes are doing, since any time I try to cop a feel, he gets REALLY pissy. The increased pred has him acting like he's high again and he's loving life and living it to the fullest. I so adore that dog, I just can't imagine the hole that will be left when he leaves, so I try not to think about it. I'm impressed with my denial skills and I'm sure Max appreciates them, since manic hugs freak him out. ;-)

Yay! Just heard that Starlet isn't needed this weekend! Woohoo!!!

Could be worse...

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:19:55 GMT

We got some less than great news at the vet today, 2-3 "slightly" enlarged lymph nodes. We're upping his pred, but today I think I made the official call that we will not do more chemo. With all the pred Max has taken, his response to chemo has most likely been compromised. Mike is more hesitant than me about this, but I don't want to risk pushing too far. I'm doing okay for the most part. This wasn't unforeseen. I have no regrets about anything we have done. Max is still really happy and did I mention FAT? ;-) We'll be making a point of going on more walks and making more special dinners. I love my Max (who is presently chomping on a squeaky tennis ball next to me).

To totally change the topic, yesterday's "gravy day" at Happy Dog.... Finn won Gamblers, Snooker and Pairs (with Kristi and Cinder). I pulled him from Rd. 2 of PSJ, because he did feel tired to me. Standard was going nicely, until we got to the table. He had kind of spooked at the judge on the dogwalk the 2nd day, so I let him run through the contact and then said, "table". He stopped in his tracks and started looking all pouty. I said, "table" again and he started slinking to the tunnel that was to his left. I said, "Come." and he slunk away from me into the tunnel. I then carried him off the course. We did soooooo much work on making the table a happy place, I wasn't going to let him run out of the ring for quiting on me like that. I'll enter him in Standard at the next show, but I'm thinking Finn is going to retire from Standards. The table makes that class not fun to run and Finn does not need any Standards for LAAs.

Vic was such a good boy and definitely showed me he's not a "baby dog" anymore. I kind of sucked in Snooker, but even with me sucking, Vic made it seem so easy, that I had a hard time believing we did our whole plan. ;-) We had done all the 1's and Vic won Snooker for the second day in a row! In Gamblers I'd walked a plan that I thought was too ambitious, so I changed it with Vic. I probably could have done the original plan, but ended up with the same number of opening points with my new plan. Vic did the gamble (3 for 3 for the weekend, but they were simple gambles) and won that class too! I pushed hard in Rd.2 of Steeplechase overshooting a couple lines and caused a bar down (only bar over the weekend, including the practice jump). He took 6th for $8, but it was nice to see that I could get my "touch" back so easily after ripping him off on that course. :-) Pairs was next and we took the "easy" half. Vic was lovely, Stacy and Deuce rocked their half and we took 2nd to Cousin Stir and the nearly unbeatable Gina. :-) I wasn't great in Jumpers and I think Vic started struggling a bit on the footing (it got a bit hard and lost traction). We did Q, but only took 4th, I'd have loved to gotten a couple more points in Jumpers for year-end stuff, but we still may hang on. Last run was Standard and I ran Vic after Finn's epic meltdown. I was TIRED. Next year, I will probably only enter the first two days of this trial. I do think the fatigue was made worse because of how recently Cynosports was. Did I mention how bad an idea the show this weekend seems? Anyway, Vic and I were able to hold on and run a nice Standard. I was surprised we won the class, but I think everyone was tired, so it was kind of a "last man standing" win. ;-) End totals for the weekend had him running clean in 13/16 runs and Qing in 12/15. Yeah, those aren't baby dog stats, I'm upping his status to "young dog". ;-) He did have a steak dinner, which he generously shared with Max and Starlet last night for his stellar weekend. :-)

So, it's bittersweet time around here. Good news is the dogs are all happy and I have a great excuse to make more time for hikes in beautiful Santa Barbara.

Vic's runs from Sunday

Rest of Day 2 of Happy Dog

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:35:52 GMT

It's another fun show at Happy Dog, hands down my favorite place to show. Lynn Sigman's courses are challenging, but fun. There's kind of a slice jump theme happening and odd lines, which are causing a bit of bars to come down. Finn and Vic were super yet again. Finn spooked on the dogwalk in Standard and run around the 3rd to last obstacle shortly thereafter. He did Q in everything else today. Not sure about his placement in PSJ, he and Cinder took 1st in Pairs with two super efforts (even with Finn running the second half!), he was 3rd in Snooker, missing the final weave entry in the close and took 2nd in Gamblers. He's getting in range of his LAA-Gold. He's less than 20 legs away with legs still needed in Pairs and Gamblers. I think he needs 6-7 gambles and 3-4 pairs, plus the rest of the legs. I'd love to get that done in time to pick up the award at Cynosports 2010... I wonder if they'll be moving up the timeline to complete such things...

Vic was really good. He ran clean in everything and the only NQ was Pairs. His partner Kat had a baby dog moment, after smoking him in Rd. 1 of Steeplechase. That run did have a naughty frame by Vic, but I decided to push, thinking we could still make time, so I didn't mark it. He was great on 2 frames in Snooker the next class. In terms of results, he was 2nd in Standard, 4th in Rd. 1 of Steeplechase, 1st in Snooker, which also was his SCH-Bronze and Qed in Gambers. We took time marking a self-released teeter or he'd have been in the ribbons. Vic was so super today, he just blows my mind.

One more day tomorrow and I think it will be the longest day. I'd love to get a Jumpers leg with a placement for Top 10 standings, but after the first two days, tomorrow is really a gravy day.

Video of Vic from today:

ADCH Touchango Victory Dance!

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:48:12 GMT

I'll post about the rest of the day later, but big news first... Vic picked up his fourth Standard leg in a row to finish his ADCH this morning with a 2nd Place. I can't say I remember feeling nervous, for some reason I knew it would be this weekend, if not today, then tomorrow. Only Starlet's ADCH was completed somewhere other than Happy Dog (Contact Point) and she did finish her ADCH-Bronze at Happy Dog. It's my favorite place to show and Lynn Sigman is one of my favorite judges. I was definitely excited and trying to stay focused. ;-) Vic, he's just amazing, it's been a while since I saw a Standard course that intimidated me, when I was running Vic. He's so solid and easy. It's hard to remember how young my 6 weeks shy of 3 year old boy is. He's an old soul and my perfect teammate. I think we really suite each other, in a way you can't plan for, you just luck out in getting. I'm enjoying every moment of this ride, even the brain piercing pre-run barking. :-)

Vic's ADCH run:

Vic is a baby dog!

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:19:58 GMT

And we have the off-courses to prove it. ;-) He was a good boy today, picked up a Gamblers, Standard and Grand Prix leg (2nd Q towards 2010). There was lots of good on all the runs, but man did we have disconnects in Snooker and Jumpers. Snooker my brain never fully recovered by his self-released frame (I froze instead of requesting a "sit") and he kept going straight with authority when I was attempting to pull to a jump. Jumpers was such a nice run, on a punishing course. He did such a nice post turn at the 4th to last obstacle I mentally relaxed, never thinking he'd kick off me to a jump when I was pulling to a tunnel. I love that he's looking for things to take and committing earlier to lines, but it did surprise me to see him off taking jumps by himself. ;-)

Finn was a good boy too. He was WILD in Gamblers. I just chased after him as he chose obstacles. I knew the chances of him making the weave entry in Gambers weren't high when he went 20 feet away from me to a tire and then the dogwalk, all while I was saying "FINN COME!!!" Snooker I forgot that if they knocked one of the 7 jumps in the opening it was dead for the rest of the opening... Jumpers I hyper managed a jump and after giving me every opportunity to tell him to take the jump, he finally came off it. Standard was a nice run, he Qed and took 2nd. We also had a nice PNS run for his 2nd Q towards 2010.

I can't believe how sore I am and it's only the first day...

Vic from today

I signed up to do what?!?!

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:31:23 GMT

I've been in heavy denial that agility is happening again this year, but today I realized I could deny no longer. Now I knew Karen's Tournament trial was in the beginning of Dec., but in my head I thought I had a week off between this weekend's 3 day Masters trial (with GP and Steeplechase) and the CP show. Really, I was convinced there was at least a week between. Yeah, no, it's back to back weekends of agility. I guess the good news is Finn and Vic could be all qualified for Nat'ls at the end of it, but what the hell was I thinking?!?! This weekend has a TON of classes, I believe 3 days of Gamblers and Snooker, 2 days of Pairs and Jumpers, plus 3 Standards, GP and Steeplechase. Thankfully, I'm just running Finn and Vic, Pairs with an agility friend's dog and maybe a Snooker with Wikki Woo Woo. Then I do have a week off, but that's the club's x-mas party, so I'll be helping put on a pay 'n play. Then I have 2 days with Nancy Gyes hosted by Stephanie. Then it's at least 3 weeks of NO agility (aside from teaching) and lots of hikes for the crew.

I ran Vic in class today. He's brilliant, I kind of suck.

Thanksgiving 09

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:40:08 GMT

So last year I was sure I'd be seeing my relatives this year, but between Max and Mike's Dad (he's had some really rough going with his diabetes recently, it would help if he were more diligent about taking care of himself...sigh), looks like we're going to stay close to home. I think we'll just head out for food with Mike's folks, but there's an outside chance I'm cooking dinner for us tomorrow. That would actually be my preferred thing, since then Max could sit at the table and eat with us. ;-) We may end up doing an Thanksgiving meal in the evening after afternoon dinner with his folks, so Max can get spoiled as rotten as he so obviously deserves. Max continues to do really well. I'm terrified that we're getting closer to goodbye, but that's just my internal clock ticking, nothing about how Max is acting says that it's coming soon. We've been so blessed to have this reprieve and thankful doesn't quite cover how I feel about it. I love my Max.

Some Nationals pics...

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:27:49 GMT

I'm starting to get a little impatient waiting for pics from Nationals. Fortunately, I bought a couple of Vic while we were out there. Okay, one is an 8x10 of him weaving and then there's the too big to scan watercolor also of him weaving. I'm a sucker, but am proud I didn't buy an out of focus jumping show, just because it was of Vic doing something other than weaving. ;-) For whatever reason, my scanner is being lame, so I can't share the Tien Tran. :-( Fortunately, Kristi's friend Steve was taking pics too. Actually, if you know of anyone in Group D, you may want to pass on this on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24184105@N05/sets/72157622724549903/

Here are some of my favorites:

It's a good thing I'm in this pic, I have a hard time recognizing Vic's dark side. ;-)

Like this picture took me a second to recognize....

I love how happy Finn looks. :-)

Vic's manly mane, he sometimes goes by Tom Selleck. ;-)

Classic Finn weaving pic. He'd love 24" weaves...

Julia's pics of Touchango family

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:11:52 GMT

Here are Julia's pics from the Touchango reunion first day of Cynosports, quite a good looking crew if I do say so myself. Vic's sister Zap, who he shared the crate with for the flight stateside, stayed home this year. For as much as I see Maureen it's been ages since I've seen Zap and her crazy ears.

From L-R: Cousin Teg, Cousin Ivy, Cousin Daley, Aunt Dot, Cousin Stir, Sister Stardust, Cousin Bracken, Vic and Cousin Dewley

And some where the end dogs got cut off...

Homework

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:33:26 GMT

This is actually my favorite time. Vic absolutely needs some down time from agility, so I can't start doing my homework, I just get to think about it. Love thinking theory and plotting ways to get the improvements I'm looking for. Most of it is the same sort of stuff we've been working on, but here it is:

Speed off the startline/reading extension leadouts. If I'm facing Vic, he will almost always default to throwing in a bonus stride, even if I'm 20 feet from the jump. The competition solution to it is moving leadouts, but I would like to have better understanding of my location indicating how he can take the jump.

Lateral pulls.

Broadjump Vic's actually pretty solid about it, but I don't have the confidence to handle it the way I should. Seeing it in practice more often would help that. :-)

Extension rear crosses.

Extension in bending lines.

More speed on the contacts, specifically the dogwalk.

With the exception of the lateral pulls and extension cuing rcs, none of this needs major work, but that's the list I have. I also want to continue to improve my eye for the best handling choices for Vic and I need to occasionally run a course all out in competition. I'm thinking that next year GP's that have byes available will be those courses, plus some Rd. 2 of Steeplechase and obviously Jumpers (where there's no major criteria to blur). Plus I want to make sure I don't break any of the wonderful skills Vic has right now on my quest to improve. I'm very lucky to have as much access to great trainers as I do and I'm looking forward to picking some mega-brains in the next 6 months. In the meantime, I'm having far too much fun with course designer making up exercises.

Cynosports 09

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:08:14 GMT

It was a week of almosts for my crew. Finn was a very good boy. I knew the competition in 22" would be radically improved this year and I wasn't wrong, plus Finn is a year older now. He was a super solid boy. There were 13 more points I'd have love to have gotten in PVP (missed up on the dogwalk and a 7 in Snooker), but otherwise I don't think we could have done much more than we did. He was the 9th dog in PSJ (they took 8) and missed his entry (only entry missed all week) in semifinals of PNS. Powered By Fear with Kristi and Cinder did make the PVP Finals. Up to the Finals our highest ranking was 5th and we went in as the 5th seed. When we first walked the course, we didn't realize there was an option on which side to take, so I was dreading having to run Finn 2nd (he's not good after watching another dog). Upon making my way to the ring, I saw Naci looking slightly panicked and telling me, "Kristi says you have to walk the first half, give me Finn!" I handed off Finn with instructions not to let him kill Cinder (who he was also holding) and ran out to review the course. Running the course I always felt a step behind, but Finn was a good boy, Cinder held her own and we ended up finishing in 4th place. Pretty ribbon and plaque for Betty and a shirt for me. Good boy Finnamon!

Vic was so great all weekend. No bars down (aside from one warm up jump), one missed weave entry (Euro Jumpers), one missed contact (frame in GP semis, I forgot to say "touch"). The important thing is he showed me more than enough speed to run in the elite group. His time in GP semis was more than enough to make Finals (28.5). I'd started leading out, not realizing a jump was done and when I started moving again, he thought we were going and I thought he was breaking his start, so off to an awkward start we went. It was not the lead out I'd planned and when he was on the frame (#3) I was thinking about needing to do a fc, instead of thinking to say "touch". He still needs to hear the word on his frame, because we just don't have the miles with the new behavior to trust him coming down enough. I did think he was in, but the judge saw otherwise. After the frame it was about as nice a run as I think we can do right now. I LOVED his turn for the line to the teeter and he was so good about the quick released dogwalk and teeter. Steeplechase was another near miss for us, just .07 out of the Finals! An optometrist friend was kind enough to point out that .07 is faster than the blink of an eye, Mike wanted to know if I'd held his contacts or done that "thing where you face him and he adds a stride" (uh NO! And when did you start listening to me when I'm talking agility!) and another friend tried to get .07 on his stopwatch, which he couldn't make happen. ;-) SOOOOO close! Vic wasn't used to me dropping the reigns like I did and did throw in at least 3 unnecessary strides, plus one wider than ideal turn. I know we could get .75 off of that run right now. I think the freakish success of some friends young dogs (Yay to Tori and Rev and Daisy and Solar for winning Steeplechase and GP!), threw off my initial feelings about the weekend. Vic really is looking great and he's not quite 3 yet, so hopefully we'll have many Finals in our future. :-) Right now, I'm planning on making the trip wherever Cynosports goes next year. I don't see how I can skip it, I'm too competitive to stay home and watch with a dog as great as Vic. There are rumors that the games will be returning to Scottsdale in 2012, which I hope are true, but I can't wait, so I guess I'm going to have to start psyching myself up about flying Vic in a little more than 10 months. The show was a LOT of fun, so many great teams to watch, they finally figured out the perfect set up and I think not having to walk by the vendors all the time made it feel a little less commercial. If I had one complaint it would that I'd hoped for more technical courses. The one threadle was taken out of Jumpers because of the footing in one of the rings. I thought the courses in general were a little boring, but I suspect most wouldn't complain. ;-)

Max is doing great and was super happy to see me when I came home. Big surprise was how hysterically happy Starlet was to see me. She was jumping straight up in the air, giving endless kisses and squealing with delight. It was the best greeting I've ever gotten from any of my dogs. :-)

First day of the games, we did a family pic of the stateside Touchango crew. I hope Julia sends the pics she got, but here's what I stole from Carl's facebook (you'll need to click on it to see it bigger). Vic's sister Stardust is 2 dogs to the left of Vic. Yes, cousin Dewley (Stir's brother) is a dilute. It looks like the b/w dogs are shunning him a bit. ;-)

And here's the video of Vic's runs, accidently erased was his super solid European Standard.

Next up for us is a 3 day Masters only show at Happy Dog. Vic probably won't see any equipment before then, but I still hope to finish up his ADCh there. We need 2 Standards, so it's pretty good odds. :-)

I'm tired

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:31:32 GMT

And can't get Madeline Kahn out of my head...

Procrastination

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:34:08 GMT

Not fully functioning right now, I'm still clinging to denial that this time tomorrow I will most likely be in AZ. I'm excited to go, but just so overwhelmed that it is here. So while I should be organizing for tomorrow, I thought some pictures from last week must go up now! ;-)

Last Monday's Betty's grand old aussie, Patches, made her departure. Super good girlie, I'm sure Finn is missing her. Must be so weird for him, to have his best friend fade away these past few months. I do think in the big picture, Finn will be quite happy being an only dog. Such a sad time, the next day one of my Arroyo Grande friends said goodbye to her old girl who was diagnosed with cancer the same week Max was. 2009 has not been a good year for a lot of my doggie friends, way too many goodbyes. Hopefully, Max will make sure to wait until at least 2010. Speaking of Max, the old bastard took my dinner off the coffee table last night (NEVER does that) and when he saw me see him, proceeded to eat faster (that's normal for Max). No remorse from Max despite my geniune pissiness. I love Max so much and am going to miss him this week.

Anyway, when we heard Patches left, both Kristi and I thought a beach walk was in order with video camera and her kick-ass camera. Great time was had by all. :-)

And some pics of the fun:
That's 4 dogs on one big stick. :-)

Max is looking so good!

Sizzle usually ended up with the stick, but not without a fight. Go Max!

Starlet likes going to the beach, she was the first one out the door. :-)

What could Star be staring at?

Gee I wonder...

Vic joined in the fun too (like he could be denied).

Officially excited

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:32:43 GMT

I always get nervous before a big show. I'm not nervous when I'm actually there and running, but I definitely am before leaving. For the past few weeks, I've been stuck on the reasons why I could live in last year forever. The odds of Finn repeating his PNS win aren't high. First, rarely do teams repeat, then there's the competition (Stir's brother is in Perf. 22"!) and we have to make it through the quarterfinals (all those damn up contacts). I would really like for "Powered by Fear" to make team finals again, but I've been in the PVP Team finals for the past 3 years, 4 years in a row is a bit greedy... Then of course, Max isn't going, first time I'll ever do a Nationals without him. He's done so much there, DAM Finals, never less than the semi's in GP, all the performance finals, podium placements 2 years in team, many individual placements in team classes and last year winning the Vet's All-Around. To say it will be weird to be there without him is an understatement. It's also weird not to be taking Starlet. She's my DAM good dog and I was really looking forward to doing team with her.

Anyway, I was focusing on the things that are in the past, instead of looking forward to what this Nationals is and reminding myself about how good Max is doing. (Max is doing really good, FAT, really FAT, but really happy). This Nationals is most likely Finn's final trip, possibly his last BIG show. We have had so much success. This is going to be a special show for us and I feel very lucky to have this chance with him. It will be really nice just having Finn and Vic. It will let me have more time with him, since Vic can go in a crate while Finn is out. And of course there's Vic. We had a good time last year, but just did PSJ and Perf. Euro Jumpers. This feels like his first Nationals. He's such a good boy, I'm thrilled to get to run him against so many amazing dogs. I'd love to make finals with him, but seeing as we're going through quarterfinals, I'm not banking on this being our year. ;-) Anything can happen and Vic is definitely a special boy, so I wouldn't rule anything out. Regardless of results, I'm on two kick-ass teams with kick-ass teammates. I expect to have lots of fun, see lots of amazing runs, hopefully buy some great pics and see lots of people I don't see often enough. I can't wait for it to begin, but I still have so much to do to get ready!

I exist!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:06:18 GMT

I exist! Time just got away from me, rather, I think by not writing it felt like time was kind of standing still. I'm loving this time. Max is still doing great (fat as a house, so back on an unappreciated diet), Starlet is happy playing the role of Mike's buddy (never gets off the couch when I have keys in my hand, but runs to the door when she sees Mike is heading out), Vic continues to blow my mind with what he does so easily, heck even Gari the Goddamn Cat is doing good. She's back in the house most of the time, lounging around and being her self-absorbed kitty self. I'm excited about seeing what Nationals holds in store for Finn and Vic. They both have the potential to make finals.

In my mind, Max is going to die after Nationals. Now, this would be true regardless of the lymphoma, but still, I'm kind of dreading the milestone's arrival. I know I'll be happy once I'm in Scottsdale,but it's bittersweet. Last year I had 4 dogs going and Max was running, heck he was winning the Veteran's All-Around. Hard to believe that was just a year ago. Damn time is going by far too quickly these days, but they are great days. I can't believe I leave for Scottsdale in a little over a week. It's so soon!

Last weekend Stephanie came up for our Nationals tuneup workshop. It was courses and more courses and more courses. Many from the Bay Team Regionals, which both Stephanie and Geri didn't attend, so they were interested in seeing how those courses ran. It was a tiring couple days, but Vic did great. I learned that his 2o/2o on the frame isn't totally solid yet (duh), especially when I'm rotating. The other big epiphany was Vic is always faster when I am moving. Another "duh" moment, but I have to remember that sometimes choosing the rc option will keep me moving better than a serp or fc choice.

Here's the Grand Prix day, I think if Vic had theme music it would involve tribal drums:

Here's the first half of the second day, when we did Steeplechase courses:

Sunday afternoon, JWW courses, I ran Cousin Stir on a couple exercises when Terra came up lame. He's really fun to play with.