UKI Agility

So I have been judging agility for UKI for about two years now and a few people have asked for samples of my courses.  I'll try to post a few samples here every now and again as well as on Flying High Agility's Facebook Page.

Here are some Master Series courses from May 2015, July 2016 and Dec 2016.  See you on course some day soon!

Welcome Spring 2014

March is a month that I truly dislike; 60 degrees today and a predicted 2" snowfall in 48 hours.  If I could take a month off I would go far to the south for this entire month!

Well the girls and I got back into the agility ring last weekend.  Tease won novice B FAST (woohoo Finster!) and Flicker took 10th in master's JWW, not too bad for my almost 10 year old princess.

Torch and I had some hard news earlier this week.  We headed to see Dr. Potter for a check up on a lump on his leg and found out Torch has a severe heart murmur, an early sign of heart disease.  At this time there is no enlargement of his heart so I am hopeful he has many, many days ahead that will be carefree and easy on his heart.

At 12 years old he's been slowing down, resting more often while playing chuck-it and frisbee, sleeping harder and more often and hesitating on the stairs.  He was biking happily into December 2013 but really did not want to a few weeks ago.  

From here we keep up his already heart healthy diet and supplements only adding in CQ10.  I am so glad I have always fed my dogs well, provided good supplements and kept them, even in competition retirement, in great shape both mentally and physically.  Torch was dock diving into this past fall and loving every minute of it.

Today I will bike with Tease and then take Torch and Flicker to the local park for chuck-it and flying squirrel.  I have always cherished my life with my four-legged children but this spring I am feeling especially mindful of thanking them each day for the happiness and richness they bring me.

Moving Beyond Development - and dog training too:)

I wanted to share a recent blog post about some of the stuff I am learning in my new job. It's way out of the box for me as a development professional and I'm exhausted at the end of each day but happy to be involved in really understanding the program side of things.

http://www.hopeworks.org/2014/03/04/sanctuary-meets-development/

You've been gone a year....

and I still hear your bark.

I have not forgotten the travels we took, the fun we had, the friends we made or the many lessons you taught me my big-mouth, bat-earred, bubble butt, bug.  I know you have having a grand time barking, eating cookies, chasing squirrels, running and playing at the Rainbow Bridge.

Hug Jewel and all the other friends you have joined and, over the past year, welcomed there by your side.

MIssing you my boy...

As I sit in the COD, watching the new puppies and many of the dogs from your old pack, I find that I am missing you Bug.  We have so many memories at this place, from many many years of lessons to living here for a time, that I find myself thinking of you.  I can hear your bark echoing in the house, on the training field and in the huge field where I took all the dogs to run today.

I see you laying in your spot by the fireplace and on the cool tile by the front door.  I hear you running down the stairs with the pack and out the back door.  I think of you everyday Bogart.  I know you are barking away and smiling at us from the Rainbow Bridge.

Back in the Ring

After a busy four months - moving, a new job, the loss of Bogart - the girls and I competed in agility at Dream Park on November 10th, 2012.  After two shaky standard rounds - Flicker dropped a bar and Tease missed a jump - we came back strong in jumpers with weaves.  It felt GREAT to be back in the ring again.

I missed Bogart terribly this Saturday; talking to people about him and telling a few that he was now at the Rainbow Bridge.  There were many happy tears for my boy this weekend as the girls and I did him proud in his very favorite class - JWW!

You've been gone a week today.

You've been gone a week today.  Last Thursday was a day I always knew would come; every pet owner does.  We dread it.  We push it to the back of our minds, especially as our fur kids enter those precious teen years. We never think it will be this day.  We are never prepared.  Our friends & family seek to comfort us but nothing can replace your happy face, bright eyes and wagging tail or the empty place in my soul.

Happy memories have run deep and tears have flowed so quickly this week; always there, just under the surface each time when I think of you, look at a photo, see your empty bowl, laugh and share memories with friends or I hear your bark.

Torch, Flicker and Tease look for you.  I keep counting to four as they go in and out of the house or I scoop out dinner but there are only three now.

I think of you, and all those who left before you, awaiting our family at the Rainbow Bridge.  You are all young again and romping in the sunshine.

I still can't believe you're gone.  I know you're barking away and getting all the treats your heart desires.  Much love from all of us here until we meet again.

I miss you Bogart.