Our amazing trial weekend!

Thanks to all the supportive CATC members, I have some amazing memories this weekend and some brags! Friday night started out with my Maltese taking 4th place in Rally Advanced! Dora earned another RAE leg (4/10). Then I went to dinner with some great friends and stayed over night. 4 dogs in a hotel room (one being my little loud mouth!) and we were able to get some shut eye!

Well the next day, we went out for breakfast and lost track of time. Following Mel down the highway to the trial site (I won't say the speed we were going!) I walked in the ring about to get sick knowing I was the first dog in the ring. Luckily, the morning was a little behind and I had about 10 minutes to get it together. Thanks to everyone who helped me calm down!!! Dora came flying to me on the recall. Some you might remember Dora has been having issues with this. She is a timid dog and she gets nervous the closer the judge gets! Well, she had no problem! Dora didn't move in groups and I heard the great news that we qualified. My heart sunk! I had a few minutes to get it together before I had to take the Belle in the ring (my wild child's first time in the obedience ring). Isabelle heeled her little butt off! I was very proud of her. The recall came and Belle hesitated when I called her. I thought oh no, but then she ran as fast as she could and redeemed herself!!! Belle also made it thru the groups and we were told we qualified. I was so happy at this point nothing else mattered! It got better though. I was shocked when I heard my number called for first place!!! I congratulated Dora and the judge told me it was the maltese!!! Isabelle decided to listen to mommy. If that wasn't good enough, Dora earned second place! I was so flabbergasted I went to check the scores later. Belle won the class with a 194.5 and Dora second with a 194. I am becoming a more consistant handler obviously!

After this high, I was shocked to go into the rally ring to finish Belle's RA title and she won that class too! The really funny part was Isabelle won the class, then second and third place went to 2 Irish wolfhounds. Lets just say that white dot in the photo is Isabelle (lucky she wasn't lunch- they eat 8 cups of food per day!)

This morning, we returned for another round of obedience. I made the novice mistake of having my husband come because I wasn't sure if they would split groups. Well they didn’t so I was glad he came! I didn't want them to suddenly see or smell him so I didn't have him hide. On the heel free, Dora saw him and on the final about turn-kept walking toward to the exit. I remembered to use that second heel command. Dora came running back in time for the halt and we were saved! The maltese was up a few dogs later and she became bored on waiting for me to walk the recall and decided to try and remove her top knot. The judge pointed to me, I hesitated knowing that I would lose points but I should see if she finally looks for me. The judge pointed again and I just yelled as loud as I can. Belle looked up and ran hard. She didn't come in straight but I was happy she came at all! Then came the groups. I had my husband take Dora knowing Belle can be wild! Well Dora flipped out when she didn’t see me a few dogs behind her. My husband's first time in the ring might keep him out! He said she was in panic mode. She finally sat down. When we walked across the ring, she saw me and settled down. On the downs, he made the mistake of letting her lay right up against the ring gate. He knew better but he said he was so scared if he moved her, she might run to me! Belle ended up with a second place and Dora a third! There were 5 qualifiers and the 4 placements were all club members from CATC!

I had a lot of help with a talented photographer this weekend. Thanks to Sean Phillips (see him in the beginning photos !), there were a lot of mementos. He had to deal with some pretty bad lighting conditions but was able to still get in some good shots! If anyone needs a higher quality copy, drop me an email!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81344125@N00/sets/72157600839925627/show/

Well conclusion, Dora now has a CD and Belle will have to finish hers up in the novice B class but she added her RA too! Thanks to all the members who were there to support us and especially to all my great instructors at CATC. I had many people come up and compliment my dogs and were shocked watching my Maltese heel.

Amanda, Belle, & Dora