January 2011- A Month in Review

Did you notice the title of each blog entry is a line from this song? I'm hoping to make a video each month this year and to do the same thing with blog entry titles. We'll see how it goes.

Accomplishments this month!

Lilly
-5/5 Q's at a CPE trial
-Got her CL2-S (which means she also finished Level 2)

Knight
-Entered in his first official agility event (AKC FAST)
-Got his first NF (Novice FAST) leg

Hillary
-Completed Psychology Course
-Switched to Heavier Limbs (archery)
-Shot my first 30 end (three 10s, perfect end)
-Got a personal best, 450, at a shoot.

January 2011
What a great way to start the new year! I put together a rough schedule for what I'd like to do trial/show wise for the next 6 months. It would be absolutely amazing if I could get to all of them. We'll see how it works out though haha.

I've decided that this year I'm going to try a few TDAA trials with Knight. Both paps will be running in AKC, but Lilly will do an occasional CPE trial while Knight does the occasional TDAA. I think it sounds like a pretty good idea, then I can have a trial here and there where I really get to focus on one dog instead of juggling the two of them.

Are They Wondering What We Might Be?

Q/1st in his Novice FAST debut

Wow... Knight. Blew. My. Mind! Dannggg boy! He was insanely awesome! I am so, so, so proud of him. I can't believe I get to have such a wonderful dog in my life :)

I'm still on such an emotional high. I can't wait to get back out there trialing some more with him! WAY TO GO LITTLE MAN!

What Do They Know About Us?

Diane and Rush, Diana, Cassis with Echo, Myself with Knight, and Abby with Leap

Today was amazing. Last year, I went to the pet expo thinking I was the only agility "junior" in the area and Knight was just 3 months old. This year, Knight is 15 months old, going to do his first run tomorrow, and I got to spend the day with four amazing girls and their dogs. I can't wait to meet up with them all again.

Knight had absolutely no problem with the atmosphere of the Pet Expo. He acted like a seasoned Rock Star going back out onto the stage. We did a practice CGC test and he heeled beautifully, even in the presence of other dogs, and kept up that crazy focus that he always has. 

I spent a good couple hours with Letty and my papillon "family" back in the agility area today too. Can't wait to go back again tomorrow! Too tired to be too nervous about Knight's debut right now haha. Gotta head out early to get him measured in the morning. We'll see how it goes :)

No Where To Turn

 Thankfully, Archery was cancelled today. That made my life so much easier because a) I'm a wimp and my shoulders hurt after shoveling the foot and a half of snow we have from the sidewalk and driveway and b) that means I could stay for the full agility class and still get to Abby's house at a reasonable hour.

 My sister agreed to come to class and get some video for me. With a Dresden File book in hand and a promise of a Wawa hoagie afterwards she was very happy to help.



A handler error here and there, but both of the paps did great. After we packed up, I dropped off my sister and Lilly and set out on my voyage.

I love traveling with Knight. He'll just curl up in his bed in the passenger seat and sleep. He's my quiet little co-pilot.

Around 9:00 we finally pulled into Abby's driveway. Knight got to play with both Leap and Levi before retiring to his crate for the night. Tomorrow we're going to spend the day at the pet expo with many agility buddies, and we get to see Arrow do a few runs :) Depending on how well Knight takes to the enviornment I'll tweak my game plan for his FAST debut.

Leap watching Knight from inside her crate

No Bridge To Burn

So much snow...

Whip It At Your Feet

Letty's (Knight's breeder) Papillons have been kicking some major butt in the conformation ring. Last Thursday Ransom got WD and BOW (Winners dog and Best of Winners) while Gucci, Knight's sister, got WB and BOS (Winners Bitch and Best Oposite Sex). On Sunday Gucci when BOB over 4 specials, and on Sunday Prince got BOW.

I'm so excited for her :D It's just getting me more and more excited to spend a day with her whole pap gang in Feb.

Gonna Put It Down

 
We are now closing in on Knight's FAST Debut, I think now it's close enough to talk about how I'd like it to go :)

With FAST we have an advantage Lilly and I didn't have in standard, and it's that you get to do pretty much whatever you want to. The key to a succesful debut is a realistic goal, and mine is simple. Just like with Miss Lilly, I'd like to go into that ring looking like a team, have him take at least three obsticals, not pee on anything, and have it look like he's having having at least a little bit of fun xD.

I'm also going on Saturday to watch, so I can see how he takes to the trial site and alter my goals accordingly. The main purpose of this trial is to see what we need to work on, then we'll have all of Feb to smooth out any bumps, and hit the Dream Park rings in style in March.