The Close of July

August. Wow. How did that happen?

Things have been good and busy in my world the last couple of weeks. Let's see...I began a six month, professional certification program that I will be completing online. Each set of two classes lasts only 6 weeks, so we jumped right in with quizzes, discussion posts, and assignments the first week and will continue at a rapid pace throughout the program! It has been a welcome challenge and a productive way to spend my free time (aside from writing blog posts and studying agility videos).

The weekend after Perry, and prior to this one, Buster, Michael (his brother), and our friend Michael(not his brother), went to Wet N' Wild in Orlando on Sunday. It was a fabulous time of riding slides, hanging out in the lazy river, and having a couple of mudslides at the poolside bar while Michael(brother) gallavanted around the park with some new friends. I felt so relaxed I could have easily fallen into a contented sleep while sitting there at the table. Days like that are too few and far in between, and I treasure them.

I must mention also that the day before that, on Saturday afternoon following teaching classes and practicing with my dogs, I met with my cousins to go dress shopping. When we arrived at David's Bridal, the greeting counter was mobbed with shoppers. Jane and I attempted to sneak past without being seen, however, those DB ladies were too fast and cunning. We were assaulted with catalogs and instructed that if I wished to try something on, I would need a "bridal consultant" of which none would be available for a couple hours. We were allowed to peruse the inventory, at which time Becky pulled out a few possible options, none of which I was thrilled about, but that might give us some ideas. After amassing a handful of gowns, she was scolded by one of the employees and made to return them to the racks. After all, we were potentially mangling someone's future wedding dress while we carried it around in its protective plastic bag. The audacity. This speaks volumes for my opinion on the wedding industry in general. So although Becky made an appointment with the "consultant" for trying dresses on later that afternoon, I was thrilled when she suggested we depart to the nearby mall to look at Dillards and the like.

Once in Dillards, we headed to the dress department. I had already explained what I was looking for: no frills, thrills, lace, bedazzling, etc. Simple, flowing, comfortable, and looks like it belongs in a beach style wedding. Given these instructions, my cousins set out to look. I vetoed a number of possibilites before Becky picked up a dress and said "how about this one." In surprise, I said "well, that's kinda perfect." I tried it on, and we all agreed. It was perfect. Given that it was the first and only dress I had tried on, we placed it on hold and continued through the mall. After a futile effort in Belk, JCPenny, and several specialty stores, we all decided I should buy the dress. And that was that. Buster was shocked when I told him, and said "well I guess it's official now." This amused me, considering my dress cost a tiny fraction of the cost of the engagement ring. I kind of thought the ring had made it official!

So, that brings us back to speed for this past weekend. I spent Saturday morning in my usual manner; up at 5am to arrive at the field in time to set up and get a run with Xander in prior to teaching class. Afterwards, I worked the dogs from about 10-11am and thought I might have a heatstroke. It was brutally hot, but we stayed hydrated and the dogs made frequent trips to the kiddie pool. I doused myself with the hose half a dozen times. After returning home and cleaning up, I did a few chores before leaving at 3pm to head to Tallahassee. The boys (Kirby and Xander) accompanied me to our state capital for one night before heading into Bainbridge, Ga for one day of AKC agility. It was the first time I had traveled with the two of them and not Kaylee, so I was a little concerned about their getting along. Turns out, Kaylee seems to be a bit of an instigator, and without her around, they were perfectly content to hang out together. When it came to cuddling on the bed, Kirby chose not to participate, but that did not surprise me. Thankfully, they were both quite exhausted from a long morning practice followed by a three hour car ride, so we not bothered by the loud children running and screaming at the nearby hotel pool. Surprisingly, I was exhausted enough not to notice them either once I fell asleep at around 10pm.

Bainbridge is roughly 45 mins from the I-10 intersection where our La Quinta was located, so we departed early Sunday morning. I had talked to my good, long time friend Debbie Mosher who had been there since Friday, and knew I would be able to set up near her in the building. This was fortunate given the small size of the facility and the very limited crating area. We squeezed in near her, her friend, my other long time friend Stacey, and several other regulars. It was a great ringside spot in the corner out of traffic, but with a great view of the action. This was our first time attending at this site, and on the astro-turf surface, so I was glad for the experience. I don't know if I will attend again, as the ring was small and tight and despite the anti-slip spray I used on Xander's feet, he still managed a pretty impressive face plant while attempting to make a tight turn into the weaves. Also, the gnats were SWARMING outside to a degree I have never before witnessed. Inside the building was cool and pleasant, actually a bit too cool, but gnat free. Outside was sweltering heat and plagues of gnats. It made trips to potty and warm up/cool down rather unpleasant.

At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Debbie, Stacey, and everyone. It was an uncharacteristically relaxing day of competition with only one ring to watch and manage. It was a fairly small entry and composed a mainly 8inch competitors. This was not surprising given the tight spacing of the ring. I had decided I was there primarily to enjoy running Kirby, given that his foot was 100% healed since the fiasco of Perry. I also wanted to test Xander's contacts to see if all our hard work was beginning to pay off. I am thrilled to report that Kirby was fast, happy, and excited to be running, and that Xander nailed his contacts! He was in fact clean in standard, despite a little spin coming out of a rear cross on the chute (I hate rear crosses at the chute...so many dogs get tangled that I don't use it if I can avoid it, and would rather have a spin than a panicked tangle) and came in 2nd place. This would be his first MX leg. Kirby had some a-frame to weave entry issues, and she called his dogwalk although I am pretty sure he got it. He redeemed himself in JWW with a FABULOUS fast and smooth run to earn his AXJ with a 1st place! Not to be outdone, Xander followed with a 1st place in JWW to earn his third MXJ leg and his very first Double Q! I was so pleased with him. He really had to tork himself in a few places to make it through the tight course without knocking any bars. I didn't realize how much until I watched the video on the computer last night. That boy has SO much heart, and really isn't the most graceful creature. He basically uses his massive muscle and sheer will to power through his clumsiness. I have to be very aware of how I set his lines to prevent slips on turns and weird angles around jumps to keep him from hurting himself. He loves the game so much that his teeth chatter when he is on the line. Both boys were really great, and I was truly proud of them. I was also happy that I maintained my calm, relaxed demeanor and really took my time handling. I think having the tight courses and new footing forced me to be patient, thoughtful, and calm, and it resulted in a feeling of being "in the zone" during Kirby's run especially. I have not felt that since running Kaylee, and was so entranced by the sensation and the fact that I had finally achieved it with my little wild man Kirby. I can't wait to feel that more often, and with both boys. It really was such a great day, probably the best day of agility in a long time overall.

I made it home before 7:30, and even beat Buster and Michael home. They apparently had an exciting weekend as well of kayaking and going to Orlando to visit some friends. Everyone was in bed early last night, and here we find ourselves already in August. Four weeks of brutal heat and no agility trials until September. I am sure we will find other ways to entertain ourselves, but I really can't wait for the season to start up again!