Well, that made up for last time!

You know the drill... the best runs are never caught on camera.  Today was no different.  Oh, I questioned how it'd go as we set up for our turn in the obedience ring.  Tripp was wound like a top (I swear he read the sign that said agility, haha), and when he gets like that it can go one of two ways - he can be out of control or very distractable, or if he manages to stay reasonably focused, he can pull off a great performance with even more flash and drive.  Thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, today we were blessed with the latter.

Now, our last trial a couple weeks ago was a miserable failure.  He literally did everything wrong right from the start.  Ok, so he pulled his act together some half way through, but it was an automatic NQ, so any recovery was for naught.  It was just one of those days; they happen.  As long as they don't happen too often! LOL  Hey, those entry fees add up!  Obviously I hoped our next trials would be more successful.

Today was a new venue; Breeze Thru Agility in Brattleboro, VT.  This was the first ever CDSP trial in VT, as well as Breeze Thru's first time hosting an obedience event.  So exciting times for all!  It's a small but nice facility.  We did have to work out of our cars, but rain notwithstanding, it was not a real inconvenience.  Parking was just outside the door, and the hosts were well organized and gave everyone plenty of notice and time to get ringside.  It all flowed quite smoothly.

So, our turn comes...  The Utility entry was tiny - we were the only ones in B class, so it went quick. (Novice entries were highest, which probably shouldn't be surprising considering CDSP is new to that area.)  As I said, Tripp went into high drive for some reason known only to him.  I managed (barely) to keep him in working mode (and me in "cool" mode), and he actually settled decently into the obedience routine once we entered the ring and set up for signals and heeling.  Miraculously, in those two exercises he only got hit with a single half point deduction for a crooked finish.  It really was a rather lovely performance.  :-)  The rest of the trial went similarly; only a couple minor position faults.  His biggest booboo was anticipating the finish during the retrieve - everything was good, then judge says "finish" and Tripp flips himself into heel position before I tell him to.  That was certainly a first!  LOL  3 points off right there.  Plus another half point for sitting crooked too.  Twerp.  Oh well.  We still ended with a 194 subtotal, so that's still pretty great.

But wait, CDSP has baseball!  We never turn down the opportunity to play for bonus points!  There's a chance of the dog getting silly with the gloves and the whole thing being a flop, but there is practically nothing to lose, so why not try?  As as proof that it's so worth it...  Tripp did a super job, and we earned 18.5 out of a possible 20 (just position faults again), which brought our total up to 212.5.  There's another 15 OTCH points!  Woohoo!  30 down, 70 to go. 

Yes, I really am running out of places to squeeze more ribbons! LOL  I actually have some stashed in a drawer now.  I guess it was inevitable.  But I never get tired of looking at them!  Silken memories of all that Tripp has done, and the fun that we've had.  :-)  It truly has been a great journey.

To be continued next week...  2 more trials to go this year in CDSP.  Fingers crossed we keep up this pace!

p.s.  Blame Geoff for that "crazy dog" sign.  I told him he had it backwards, but then, Tripp is kinda nuts too, so I guess it's not all wrong.  LOL