Trial
It was a very strange weekend. One of those where you can’t figure out afterwards if you enjoyed yourself or hated it. The weather was bizarre. Friday was 100°+ with killer sun. Saturday was mid-low 90’s with clouds in afternoon. Saturday night the thunderstorms rolled in. Sunday was rainy and cold. We had everything but the snow.
Friday was a games only day, so only various sets of 6 poles here and there. Weaves were pretty good. We did, however, substitute other issues in lieu of sucky weaves. Bella had a few firsts. Not placements, “firsts” as in first time I launched off the A-frame 2 rungs above the contact and, my personal favorite, first time I went between the tire and frame instead of though the tire. I guess the elevation clouded her wee brain. That, and the heat and the lack of sleep. It was not a pretty day for either of us.
Saturday was much better. Standard runs were great. Nailing weave entries with some speed. Weaving with speed. But, popping out at 10th pole. *sigh* Both runs she did this. My instructor asked if I was talking to her. Honestly, don’t remember. Probably was yammering on about something. She did them both great the second time around. I was happy about the speed at the entry and the simple fact that she was just seeing them. I also realized how much my weave stress affects her. I have been really making an effort to not worry about the weaves. Bella can weave. Actually one of those dogs that likes to weave. Don’t stress about weaves. Apparently I have been convincing myself, but not Bella. We had a traditional Jackpot (Gamblers for you real agility folks) on Saturday. I had my Plan A and Plan B. Plan A was for pokey Bella. Plan B consisted of a little extra loop is we didn’t have the buzzer at the end of Plan A. Jump-weaves-Jump-same weaves again-back to Plan A ending and off to Jackpot. I didn’t care about the weaves because we had our points already. It was really a time waster. And, you know, she did both fantastically. Like in practice. Damnit! Why is it always me?!
Avoidance
Kate, stop eating the grass
You’re not the boss of me
OK, you’re the boss of me
Then she tells on herself…
Ohai, was nomming lawns again
Spiders
Is it just me of has there been an explosion of Black Widows this year? I have never seen this many. They really are the wood pile spiders. They don’t like being in high-traffic areas, like, say, the LIVING ROOM! I have been finding these damn things in places I have never seen them before. We currently have about 10 living on the outside of the fence. If you don’t like spiders pics close your browser now.
The male widow. You can see the little hour-glass. His Mickey Mouse hat is his male naughty bits.
A few juveniles
Not sure what this guy is (house spider?…any ideas?). Tried to tell him maybe not the best fence to be on. Wasn’t listening.
OK, done with ickies. :-)
It was a very strange weekend. One of those where you can’t figure out afterwards if you enjoyed yourself or hated it. The weather was bizarre. Friday was 100°+ with killer sun. Saturday was mid-low 90’s with clouds in afternoon. Saturday night the thunderstorms rolled in. Sunday was rainy and cold. We had everything but the snow.
Friday was a games only day, so only various sets of 6 poles here and there. Weaves were pretty good. We did, however, substitute other issues in lieu of sucky weaves. Bella had a few firsts. Not placements, “firsts” as in first time I launched off the A-frame 2 rungs above the contact and, my personal favorite, first time I went between the tire and frame instead of though the tire. I guess the elevation clouded her wee brain. That, and the heat and the lack of sleep. It was not a pretty day for either of us.
Saturday was much better. Standard runs were great. Nailing weave entries with some speed. Weaving with speed. But, popping out at 10th pole. *sigh* Both runs she did this. My instructor asked if I was talking to her. Honestly, don’t remember. Probably was yammering on about something. She did them both great the second time around. I was happy about the speed at the entry and the simple fact that she was just seeing them. I also realized how much my weave stress affects her. I have been really making an effort to not worry about the weaves. Bella can weave. Actually one of those dogs that likes to weave. Don’t stress about weaves. Apparently I have been convincing myself, but not Bella. We had a traditional Jackpot (Gamblers for you real agility folks) on Saturday. I had my Plan A and Plan B. Plan A was for pokey Bella. Plan B consisted of a little extra loop is we didn’t have the buzzer at the end of Plan A. Jump-weaves-Jump-same weaves again-back to Plan A ending and off to Jackpot. I didn’t care about the weaves because we had our points already. It was really a time waster. And, you know, she did both fantastically. Like in practice. Damnit! Why is it always me?!
Avoidance
Kate, stop eating the grass
You’re not the boss of me
OK, you’re the boss of me
Then she tells on herself…
Ohai, was nomming lawns again
Spiders
Is it just me of has there been an explosion of Black Widows this year? I have never seen this many. They really are the wood pile spiders. They don’t like being in high-traffic areas, like, say, the LIVING ROOM! I have been finding these damn things in places I have never seen them before. We currently have about 10 living on the outside of the fence. If you don’t like spiders pics close your browser now.
The male widow. You can see the little hour-glass. His Mickey Mouse hat is his male naughty bits.
A few juveniles
Not sure what this guy is (house spider?…any ideas?). Tried to tell him maybe not the best fence to be on. Wasn’t listening.
OK, done with ickies. :-)
Scarryyy yukky spiders! We were watching doggys on TV trying to go through those tires and weaves. It looks so hard. Lily was scared to try it when she was in her agility class. I am sure you will be a pro next time.
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
Oh Shhhhhh%$%%^ I have one of those on my front door. I had no idea that is what the males and juveniles looked like.
ReplyDelete"I have one of those on my front door. I had no idea that is what the males and juveniles looked like."
ReplyDeleteWell, consider this public service post! If you google widow pics you will be amazed at the variety. I think, though not totally sure, that the males are not an issue bite-wise. Still, I consider anything with a widow shape a fully armed female until I find out otherwise!
I am totally fine with spiders provided they are not on me or running in my direction or in my car, but widows really freak me out!
kate is very cute while the spiders look yuckyy!!!!
ReplyDeletenice pics though :)
Love the ickies!
ReplyDeleteWell hell, I'm glad you're not blaming me!! Now you know that your stress makes the weaves suck. Welcome to my world. I generally excel in runs I don't care about it, and suck in the ones I do.
ReplyDeleteSo stop caring! It's just a most ridiculous game, after all ;-)
um..I am obsessed with your blog and your pups..check out my sweet precious at stayingsoberwithsammy.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for your sharing.
blythe
thanks so much for your awesome pups and your fun musings.. I am obsessed with your blog..
ReplyDeleteplease check out my sweet pup sam at www.stayingsoberwithsam.blogspot.com
thanks,
blythe