Friday, December 9, 2011

MACH Party at Harriman

Thanks to all who helped celebrate our first MACH at a party held at the TVKC agility trial in Harriman. What a blast to share some fun and treats with my agility friends. I am so thankful for the help and encouragement I have recieved. I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks also to husband, Joe, for attending the party and for cheering me on.

Friday, November 11, 2011

We Finally Made It! First MACH!

I cannot begin to describe the excitement and pride I have in team Nina and Beth. I know we have a lot to learn and a lot to improve, but for now, I am so happy with what we have done so far. From Perry, GA in early July 2010 to Meretta, GA in early November 2011, w managed to go from Novice A to MACH in 16 months. We experienced a lot of ups ad downs and will, no doubt repeat that roller coaster as we procede up our learning curve. That is what keeps this sport so exciting.

I continue to strive to be the best handler I can be so I can help my dog to do her best for each run each day. I struggle with stayting in the present, respecting and accepting and running the dog I have today. I know I can improve my handling skills, mental focus, and physical attributes. I know I will will work hard to do this.

I am taking a hard look at what I want my new goals to be. I know this includes a lot of honest introspective, detailed planning, learning new training methods, stepping out of my comfort zone and hard work.

But for now, I want to bask for a little while in what we have accomplished an be grateful for my dog, my husband, my friends, my trainers and my encouragers.

MACH NINA! Congratulations!

Monday, October 17, 2011

A Trial to Remember

The Charlotte Dog Training Club, Concord, NC had planned to trial under a covered arena. The facility, unfortunately, deposited a beach-worth of sand that resulted in about 4-6 inches of soft, sinking sand. The first run was T2B. Since it was impossible for me to run, Nina decided that she should. The result was the worst case of Zoomies since our first (Perry, GA) trial 15 months ago. The judges declared the surface unsafe and it was agreed to move the trial to one ring outside on grass. We were at least able to get some footing. The courses were really great all weekend long. Mostly tight and technical, the kind we normally perform well on. But nothing was normal this weekend. The facility also was an equestrian boarding and training facility. During one STD run, a galloping horse ran up to the end of the ring. Nina was about to enter the weaves: horse, weaves, horse, weaves? Guess what won out? In addition to horses, there was also a petting zoo. So nearby, there were rabbits, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, llamas, cows, bulls, wallabie, and who knows what else. (At least the camels had recently been moved out!) Can you imagine the odiforous distractions the dogs had to deal with every single second? Nina's focus was that of a Novice/Open dog. She was easily distracted by anything that moved. I also had a dog that twice refused to go at the start line. This happened once last weekend in Nashville. I am still not sure exactly what she is telling me. I'm tired? I'm not having fun? There is too much going on? You are putting too much pressure on me? Maybe all of these? I went into the weekend wanting to get the remaining 22 points needed for our MACH title. Normally, this would be an easy task, but with my MACH angst and the distractions, it was not to be. For our last run of the weekend, I wet us both down (it was really hot and sunny) and we went out for fun. For our last run of the weekend, I wet us both down (it was really hot and sunny) and we went out for fun. My happy dog was back, and we really clicked. We now have just 6 points to go. We'll only get them if we continue to run for fun!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Franklin Trial

Completed 20 QQ's with 728 points.  22 points to go for our first MACH title.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

What is a Title?


Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, 
not just an adjunct to competitive scores, 
a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it,
a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. 

It will remain in the record and in the memory, 
for about as long as anything in the world can remain.
 And though the dog herself doesn't know or 
care that her achievements have been noted, 
a title says many things in the world of humans 
where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent, adaptable, and good natured.
It says that your dog loved you enough
to do the things that pleased you,
however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

 In addition, a title says that you loved your dog.
That you loved to spend time with her 
because she was a good dog and that you believed in her enough
to give her yet another chance when she failed 
and in the end your faith was justified.

A title proves that your dog inspired you 
to that special relationship enjoyed by so few, 
that in a world of disposable creatures, 
this dog with a title was greatly loved, 
and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over, 
the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, 
the best you can give to a deserving friend.

 Volumes of praise in one small set of initials after the name.
A title is nothing less than true love and respect, 
given and received and recorded permanently.

--Author Unknown--

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Test Video

New phone camcorder
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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Sanford, NC Trial - Day 1

Second place, 12 MACH pts. Master Agility title!
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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Decatur Spoils

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Friday, May 20, 2011

Decatur Agility Trial

Today was a special day, and Nina deserves the rest.

We got our first Q in STD ExcB with a 4th place, 19 points run. After that we Q'ed in Jumpers w/ Weaves with 9 points AND OUR VERY FIRST DOUBLE Q!
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MXJ Title

Oak Ridge Kennel Club Agility Trial, Harriman, TN. Here are Judge Nancy Davis, Beth White, and Nina having just completed requirements for Master Excellent Jumpers with Weaves MXJ title on April 16, 2011.

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Happy Anniversary from Huntsville

This photo and card from Joe is hanging in camper to keep me company. Happy anniversary, Sweetie!
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Monday, April 25, 2011

Durham Kennel Club Trial


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Nina and I had a fantastic time.  Our first time at this outdoor trial.  The weather Friday was rainy all day long.  Saturday was pleasant and Sunday was HOT!  Nina completed requirement for her Excellent A Standard title.  AX!  We can now start accumulating MACH points in both Std and JWW and start our quest for 20 double Q's.

I loved meeting the folks from Durham Kennel Club - approx 250 members with 50 participating in agility competition.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Oak Ridge Kennel Club Trial

What great weekend! All great runs - fast and fun. MXJ title. I love my poodle!  One more leg to move from Excellent A to Excellent B Standard.
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Friday, March 25, 2011

Trial Schedule




No. Dates Club Location Open
1 Jul 8-11, 2010 Chatahoochee Weimaraner & Atlanta KC Perry, GA

2 Aug 6-8, 2010 Dalmation Club & Clarksville Kennel Club Murfreesboro, TN

3 Aug 19-22, 2010 Carolina Piedmont Agility Club Greensboro, NC

4 Sep 9-12, 2010 Tennessee Valley Kennel Club Harriman, TN

5 Oct 30-31, 2010 Atlanta Obedience Club, Inc. Alpharetta, GA 1-Sep
6 Nov 11-13, 2010 Gamblers Agility Club & Poodle Club LV Las Vegas, NV 13-Sep
7 Nov 26-28, 2010 Huntsville Obedience Training Club Decatur, AL 17-Sep
8 Dec 10-12, 2010 Montgomery Alabama Dog Obedience Club Autaugaville, AL 6-Oct
9 Dec 31-Jan 2, 2011 Birmingham Obedience Training Club Birmingham, AL 13-Oct
10 Jan 7-9, 2011 Oak Ridge Kennel Club Harriman, TN 13-Oct
11 Jan 21-23, 2011 Blue Ridge Agility Club Fletcher, NC 1-Dec
12 Jan 27-30, 2011 Nashville Dog Training Club Franklin, TN 1-Dec
13 Feb 4-6, 2011 Tennessee Valley Kennel Club Harriman, TN 8-Dec
14 Feb 25-27, 2011 Decatur Alabama Kennel Club Huntsville, AL 17-Nov
15 Mar 3-6, 2011 German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America Murfreesboro, TN 22-Dec
16 Mar 17-20, 2011 GREATER LOUISVILLE TRAINING CLUB Louisville, KY 5-Jan
17 Apr 15-17, 2011 Oak Ridge Kennel Club Harriman, TN 9-Feb
18 Apr 22-24, 2011 Durham Kennel Club Rougemont, NC 15-Feb
19 May 6-8, 2011 Huntsville Obedience Training Club Huntsville, AL 9-Mar
20 May 20-22, 2011 Decatur Alabama Kennel Club Decatur, AL 23-Mar
21 May 27-29, 2011 Blue Ridge Agility Club Fletcher, NC 13-Apr
22 Jun 3-5, 2011 Derby City Agility Association Buckner, KY 23-Mar
23 Jun 17-19, 2011 Birmingham Obedience Training Club Birmingham, AL 27-Apr
24 June 24-26, 2011 Murfreesboro Obedience Training Club Murfreesboro, TN 23-Mar

Jul 1-3, 2011 Dog Owners Training Club of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA 4-May

Jul 8-10, 2011 Blue Ridge Dog Training Club Winchester, VA 18-May

Jul 20, 2011 Moore County Kennel Club of North Carolina Sanford, NC 1-Jun

Jul 22-24, 2011 Tarheel Weimaraner Club Sanford, NC 8-Jun

Jul 29-31, 2011 Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club Bainbridge, GA 18-May

Aug 5-7, 2011 Norwegian Elkhound Club Fredricksburg, VA 19-May

Aug 11-14, 2011 Greater Monroe Kennel Club Concord, NC 24-May

Aug 18-21, 2011 Carolina Piedmont / Danville Kennel Club Greensboro, NC 24-May

Sep 3-5, 2011 Carolina Piedmont Agility Club Charlotte, NC 7-Jul

Sep 3-5, 2011 Derby City Agility Association Buckner, KY 22-Jun

Sep 9-11, 2011 Canine Capers Agility Club of Greater Atlanta Alpharetta, GA 20-Jul

Sep 16-18, 2011 Shetland Sheepdog Club of Georgia, Inc. Gainesville, GA 27-Jul

Sep 23-25, 2011 Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association Waynesville, NC 6-Jul

Oct 1-3, 2011 Durham Kennel Club



Oct 7-9, 2011 Youngsville Agility Club of North Carolina Youngsville, NC 6-Jul

Oct 14-16, 2011 Greater Shelby Kennel Club Memphis, TN 10-Aug

Oct 21-23, 2011 Swamp Dog Agility Club of Greater New Orleans Kiln, MS 3-Aug

Oct 28-30, 2011 Greater Kingsport Kennel Club Gray, TN


Oct 29-30, 2011 Huntsville Obedience Training Club Huntsville, AL 3-Aug

Nov 4-6, 2011 Carolina Piedmont Agility Club Yadkinville, NC 7-Sep

Nov 12-13, 2011 Youngsville Agility Club of North Carolina Youngsville, NC 8-Aug

Nov 25-27, 2011 Canaan Dog Club of America Pendleton, SC


Dec 2-4, 2011 Tennessee Valley Kennel Club – Proposed Harriman, TN 5-Oct

Dec 9-11, 2011 Montgomery Alabama Dog Obedience Club Autaugaville, AL


Dec 30–Jan 1, 2012 Birmingham Obedience Training Club Birmingham, AL







Trial Calendar


April 2011

M T W T F S S

28 29 30 31 1 2 3










4 5 6 7 8 9 10










11 12 13 14 15 16 17




Travel ORKC Harriman

18 19 20 21 22 23 24




Travel Durham

25 26 27 28 29 30 1










May 2011

M T W T F S S

2 3 4 5 6 7 8




Travel Huntsville

9 10 11 12 13 14 15










16 17 18 19 20 21 22




Travel Decatur

23 24 25 26 27 28 29




Travel Asheville

30 31 1 2 3 4 5










June 2011

M T W T F S S

30 31 1 2 3 4 5




Travel Buckner

6 7 8 9 10 11 12










13 14 15 16 17 18 19




Travel Birmingham

20 21 22 23 24 25 26




Travel Murfreesboro

27 28 29 30 1 2 3










July 2011

M T W T F S S

27 28 29 30 1 2 3










4 5 6 7 8 9 10










11 12 13 14 15 16 17










18 19 20 21 22 23 24










25 26 27 28 29 30 31










August 2011

M T W T F S S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7










8 9 10 11 12 13 14










15 16 17 18 19 20 21










22 23 24 25 26 27 28










29 30 31 1 2 3 4