Spring?? Is That You??

Taking a quick moment to update things for the "Stump Kids." We just came back from our first hike of the new year--it's a gorgeous mid-50 degree, sunny day, so we went out with Matt and our friends Merinda and John and Porter, their 5-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi (he's Dally and Mesa's best friend) to the Palisades for some hiking near the Kentucky River. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! This, of course, was followed by a stop at Bruster's for free pup cups for the kids. (The pup cups are small, single scoops of vanilla ice cream with a dog cookie on top.)

Mesa's agility training has progressed so well! She's been picking up things left and right. Now I just want us to focus on some distance work and continuing our weaves. We worked with Weave-A-Matics for the first time on Monday, and after a short introduction Mesa is starting to get it. We pushed the channels out some, and angled the poles, of course, but I think it'll be a smooth transition to in-line WAMs, and then hopefully soon in-lines. But, I need to no put so much pressure on the weaves.

Dally's Nashville AKC trial at the end of January was pretty successful--she Qd in both Exc A Standard runs to finish her AXP (Excellent A Standard Preferred) title. She needed a new handler for both of her Jumpers runs, though, as I completely got lost on Saturday's run and then on Sunday I threw in my front cross at the wrong jump, causing me to pull her off a jump and going off course. Talk about frustrating!! We have a trial in Dayton, Ohio, next weekend, where I hope to finish her AJP (Excellent A Jumpers Preferred) on Saturday and start our journey towards earning Double Qs for our PAX/PACH!! (Plus, we'll be back to where we were before I dropped her down to 4 inches preferred--Dally actually has seven MACH points.)

Mesa's agility trial debut is at a CPE trial in Milford, Ohio, March 5. I entered her in three classes, while Dally's in all four that day. I think I entered her in Standard, Jumpers, and Full House, leaving out Jackpot because I wasn't sure about the distance challenges. Matt will be there to tape, so I'll post them on here. Level 1 doesn't use weaves (good) or a teeter (bad, she loves teeter), so that's why I'm able to start her there without having solid weaves.

While we were in Nashville, I measured Mesa at exactly 11 inches--the cut-off for the 8-inch jump height. I now have to try to find the right VMO at her first AKC trial to be patient and work to measure her at 11 inches. If she's that close to the jump height cut-off, I hate to make her jump 12 inches. :-/

Well, there's our quick update. I promise to be better as things start getting going for both girls.