So here we are October! Last week we were attending the NADAC North American Championships near Salt Lake City. Funny how quickly a year can go by.

We took 6 dogs this year...

 

 Stood in 4 States at once...

 

  

spent some time with our Aussie friends Janet & Kelly...

 

and even made some time to Run with our Dogs!

 

 

Amazing what you can accomplish with over 3,000 miles of driving, over 83 hours in the SUV... and of course with Six of the Best four-legged partners we could ever ask for!

 

More to some soon!

 

 





Much has happened the past few weeks. My good friends are half way through their move to Alabama.  Tank earned his Natch-7 a while back and his V-Natch 6 a few weeks back in Missouri.
I am another year older.... I know hard to believe huh? The end of July was the 10 year anniversary of the passing of my beautful Goddaughter and last week the Awesome Rita. And.... we have upped our dog count to 7 again. Don't worry we're not that crazy, just house sitting a little Pomeranian named Hannah while Court is in New York!   Yep, Run As One meets The Big Apple!

Courtney and Jeni in NYC

Know Who This Is?

 We also just released our October NADAC Trial Premium. You can go to the website or find us where you find just about everyone these days... FaceBook. 

On the lighter side (about 5000 pounds :) Our new RV has been back to the dealer 3 times. Stay tuned to see if we have to test the Texas Lemmon Law!


So, Quick Agility Lesson from the Ed Scharringhausen Run As One Agility Seminars.  
Everyone.... when running with your dog.... Stop Stopping!  Stopping is one of those rarely used rarely needed until the run is over kind of non-moves. What does that mean you may ask?  It means if you are on the course with your dog stopping stops everything.  Much, much more often... We need to keep moving to keep them on the Right Path.   Want to know more?   At the risk of this sounding like an advertisement.... Contact me at Edart1@verizon.net and we can talk about it.

Other than that for now.... Run As One my friends!

Perpectives, Gunner, Bud & Stopping to Smell the Puppy Feet

     Some past few weeks. I visited step-dad in the Midwest a few weeks back whom last week went through a seven day heat wave without power. I was with a great group of folks in Edmonton, Alberta last week, trialed this past weekend, Outdoor Concert last night, going to Good Friends' Wedding this coming weekend, other friends' June Party in July the next day and I just exchanged emails with my very first College Roomate.

      Time has a way of just passing by.

     Among all this going on Gunner was adopted this weekend. As many knew I was getting quite attached to him. The Big, gangly, once ill-mannered BC/Golden Mix really learned a lot in just 3-4 months and now he is gone. The highs of happiness for him and his Awesome new owner, the low of sadness from knowing how he will be missed, followed again by the high of being at the trial with good friends. We were able to watch an Amazing Junior Handler perform her skills with her proud Dad anxiously watching AND worth noting again... another Good Dog got a Good Home. 

      Then as we had been worrying and hoping to the contrary... the thoughts of him and them never leaving us ... our good friends' dog Bud who had had his own ups and downs....  sadly took that walk over the Bridge early Monday morning. My dear friends were so strong, calm and eloquent in their writings... no doubt crumbling inside. Bud was an Amazing Creation, An Amazing Being!

                                              Rita, Joie, David and Bud



      And what's the worst thing that happened to me this weekend? A Good Dog Got A Good Home.

     So some times we have to stop and smell the roses ... or the puppy feet. Ever notice how they smell like Fritos? Take inventory of what we have. Value those moments with those four legged partners. They will leave us way too soon. To this we must all pledge to give them a good life. Each day I hold ours close one by one, trying to inhale their goodness. I know them all by smell now. I want to always have that memory with me.

     We miss you Bud.  You will always be THE FIRST DOG EVER to run at a Run As One Trial! I know you are running up there somewhere right now with Rita... or likely letting Rita bite that nose.

                                        HUG YOUR DOGS EVERY DAY!

Happy Flag Day!

Looking Back at Our Inaugural Trial and the Value of Bond

Now that 2 weeks have gone by I'm taking a few more minutes to post just a few thoughts of what was likely the most fun Agility Trial that I have ever been to. Not to offend anyone because I have been to many many really fun trials... and we probably all think ours are the most fun? 

Our Inaugural Trial was the epitome of folks who love their dogs. A lady who trains with me came to our first trial... I believe this was only the second trial she and her husband had ever been to. A few days later she commented to me that she "really admired that our dogs looked happy"... she "liked how we interacted with ours".  She added that "she had seen other dogs in other places where they were more like machines and while responsive... they did not look happy" ... and neither did some of the handlers. That clearly was not the case at our NADAC trial. Happy Dogs and Happy Handlers.

Most of the Run As One Trial teams were happy. Folks running with their partners... all levels.. all types of struggles and successes.  Yet no matter what one element seemed common there... Both Dogs and Handlers were Happy. That Amazing Dog/Handler Bond was everywhere.  They both appeared to appreciate each other... in spite of faults and late commands and off courses.  I have said many times that some of our Best Runs were not our cleanest, but the ones where we were both trying, both giving 100% and both enjoying the ride with our partner.

People for the most part just did not complain. Volunteers... so many to name here...  that just kept stepping in and stepping up. We could not have asked for a better group of folks to be there for our first Big Event.  And to that... I am compelled to speak of one other bond... The Human One. I know some folks came just to be here out of Loyalty. My friend Sue who ran with Broken Bones in her feet, My friend Pat who worked her arse off for 2 straight days and did not even run a dog, My friends David and Joie who were relentless in continually jumping in where needed... even with Tunnel Bags ;). Friends like tireless Jenny & Tim whose contributions began months ago and right to parking the trailer back at our home... Courtney, Jeni... My friends Gwen, Randy and Desiree who showed up like Knights in Armor on Day One to 'Rescue Us' in setup while running behind... My friend Mary Jo the sole Okie Gal I will always remember you being here, Linda and Dianne and that Amazing Run As One Cake (if you haven't seen it go to the Events or Home page). Our first trial Junior Handler Danielle and her Dad Daniel performing as Roadie so she could debut Tejas, Our study friend Marcy who I know hates the heat but helped often each day, Tamara who without being asked jumped in to course build, Lauren and Graham volunteer partners, Kathryn gate. Renate leash runner, Karla, Pam, Sophia , Michele and William... loyal to a fault, Donna, Yani, Denise, Gretchen. Danielle and chauffeur Paul, a cast of new and beginner folks from Caroline, Aimee, Joy, Katrena, Micki, Tom, Donna, Ric, Jane, Elizabeth, Lauren, Gayle, Sarah, Tim and Carol... among others.  Even if I did not name you here please know you are all appreciated.

Even with us in spirit in spite of not being able to be there each day Deb, Rena, Ragni and a cast of others all representing the Human Bond.

Thank You all and remember to always strive to Run As One!

April Almost Over Gunner is Still Here & Recalls

April went by really fast. Our foster dog Gunner is still here and here I go doing exactly what I wanted to avoid.... getting attached to the Big Dog. He is just so smart and sweet. While still having a lot of those puppy/ youngee qualities he is also learning so much. Still crate training he has earned more latitude around the house and has a good recall. He continues to learn from the other dogs. This morning he watched as I was giving the other dogs their breakfast and once he swa his dish... he headed straight to his crate, sat quite proper and waited for his dish to be "delivered".  He just ran in to give me a quick face lick and tell anyone reading this "Hi".  For more pictures just click on the Rescue Link at the bottom of our Home page.

Luke and Alex are over the bug they had last week so all is back to calm in our home. Thank you to those of you who asked.

I had a few private lessons this week and while I continually talk of fundamentals... including Gunner's ever improving recall... I reminded myself of a few things.  Those of you with newly acquired dogs or dogs that you've had for a while and are still struggling with a recall please take note: Don't take you dog off leash too soon. They need to earn the privilege of being off leash. That privilege should be earned through you training recalls... and not just for agility. A good recall will keep them from chasing that rabbit, squirrel, bird or... and more importantly A good recall is one of the top most important ways to keep your dogs safe. 

It is also one of the many ways in which you and your dog will grow together and get ever closer to be able to Run As One.

WAG Trial Weekend April 6- 8

What a great weekend outside Waco! WAG really puts on a nice trial. My friend Marj Vincent flew in to Judge from Oregon despite post DFW tornado damage delays.  Thanks again to Rena, Marcie and the rest of the WAG folks.

We ran the whole crew. Rookie and Zack are fast finding their place on the list of crowd favorites. Rookie is now exclusively in Elite having earned his Open Weavers Title on Saturday. Wyatt nailed a beautiful 20 Point Regular Bonus line. He is just amazing.   Tank earned Natch-7 and for WAG's cumulative 2 trial awards Cathy and Alex earned 2nd Place and Tank and I earned 1st Place HIGH IN TRIAL!  Some weekend for our Herd to be sure. And even more Awesome was earning these under our returning good friend and judge Marj Vincent.

                Alex & Cathy 2nd Place High In Trial, Judge Marj Vincent,
                Tank & Me 1st Place High In Trial and Tank's Natch-7!!!!!!!


We confirmed some of our final Run As One Agility Inaugurate Members this weekend too. We are happy and honored to have some great folks becoming integral parts of Run As One Agility.

LASTLY, a fond WAG Trials Farewell to my close friends TIM & JENNY who are and will continue to be a big part of Run As One. I know the WAG folks should miss them and all their work over the years. While they are Officers in Run As One Cathy and I will miss watching Jenny, Cooper, Casey, Tim & Grizzly in McGregor. We are proud and privileged to have them as friends and look forward watching them at ALL OUR TRIALS as they too ... RUN AS ONE!

San Marcos Trial & Gunner The Foster

What a great weekend at the AK9X Trial in San Marcos, TX this past weekend. RV'ing on site just 30 feet from the crating area was sweet. 

My friend Kim Galusha along with the club allowed us to take our temp. Foster.... yes I really mean foster this time, our Inn is full!!!..... Gunner. Gunner is a beautiful sweet and big Border Collie possibly a bit of other big dog mix.   Many friends walked & helped care for him. Deb even taught him a few commands. He is very smart.  He was also very sweet, excellent on-leash and had a lot of adoption 'interest'.  He is still available as of today if you know anyone? He does have two people 'testing' him in their homes over the next few days. If interested in him please email me soon!

We had a blast running. Admittedly I was not myself on Sunday so Tank, Wyatt & Zack did not get their best handler moments. That said, thanks to Jumpers... God willing... Tank is now just 2 Jumpers away from his NATCH-7, Wyatt earned a 20 pt Jumpers Bonus and Zack 'the youngee' earned his first Elite title!   Rookie earned his first Open Hoopers Q and Cathy & Alex won their second High In Trial for Veteran Dogs... their second HIT in 3 weeks! Awesome!

Chances one liner for this week to all reading.... Get Off That Line...... and Run As One!

Website Goes Live

Well, here we are!  Hope you enjoy!  Please go back and start at the October 1 Post. It sort of sets the stage for where we are now and where we've come from since last year.

It's March now too so... in advance... Happy St. Patrick's Day!

and remember....Run As One!

Farewell Calera

     Bittersweet it is officially over in Calera. The last FundRaiser was this past weekend. I am mixed with emotions still. I am happy for the NADAC folks for having sold the property so they can make their final? move to California. I am sad for those of us who found a home away from home there. We have already missed Sharon & Chris and my buddy Marj who have been gone for a while now... but my friend Becky Woodruff who held that place together these past several months will be dearly missed most of all.  The feral dogs, the rescues, the trials, the gathering of people, the kindness. the friendships... are all now soon to be wonderful memories.
    Well, we went out with a bang. Two full days from dawn to dusk... trialing, eating. The food people brought was ridiculous. I wished all these year we had had the desserts and pastries table out near the lines like last weekend. Run a dog have pastry, run a dog eat a cream puff, run a dog munch a cookie.....burn those calories, put 'em back on. Whoever put that table out there.... Genius I tell you... Genius!!!
    Our family alone ran so many runs up there, earned so many titles up there. Just recently Cathy and Alex hit 5000 Lifetime Points.  Tank earned 4 or 5 of his Natchs on runs there.  Wyatt and I really started pushing long distances and received much guidance there too.   Rookie was one day from being put down before NADAC Rescue saved him and took him to Calera. My  young Zack was even a brief Calera rescue.
     Truly as much as few wanted to talk about the last runs, folks were laughing, smiling and taking in every moment.  The atmosphere up there is so relaxed.  I have learned so much about dog's and agility there. Hopefully now I can take more of that knowledge and teach it too.  I hope Gunner finds a home or at least a good foster situation soon. He is a good dog that will be Great given some direction and a chance.
     I will miss the best parts of many of my days... Waking Up there my 3 dogs by my side & feet, taking out all the dogs, getting breakfast and walking right over with friends dwindling in to all Run As One!

Looking Briefly Back at January

    Three trials in Calera this past month. Alex led the house again with 18 Q's.  OK, I know ... Q count. Well they were awesome. Tank and I are still working to get our timing back after his time off from agility. Notice I say our timing when it is really my timing that need work. His is Exceptional. He is getting his muscle mass back too. His speed is crazy fast. It's like he is trying to make up for lost time when he could have been running.        Haven't had too many Bonus Lines for Wyatt and I to work from but we keep "practicing" at every trial.  Rookie earned another Title and my baby boy Zack earned his first Open Level Title. I really need to start practicing more with him. Don't we all???  He really loves this stuff!
     Folks are starting to ask about Seminars again! Stay tuned and... Run As One Texas!

Last New Year's Calera FunRaiser Trial?

    Sad but possibly true. Our home away from home in Calera, Oklahoma just north of the Texas border my be selling the property so this may have been that last FunRaiser there. That also means trials may be coming to an end there.
    New Years was terrific though. 4 Days of Running, visiting with old friends we seem to see too little of.  Many laughs and of course it's still the Holidays... so way too much food.
 It seems like we all occasionally get pulled into what I think of as the "Q Count". And while Alex and Cathy had something like 14 Q's and no less than 3rd place, Wyatt and I worked distance, youngee Rookie earned 2 Titles, my youngee Zack earned his first Open Tunnelers Q.... then there was Tank.
     Tank you may recall had been wearing the "E- Collar" or as we like to call it "The Lampshade"up to the Day before Christmas. So we had a week of light training leading up to not pushing him too much for the trial. I truly did not know how much I would run him if at all.  We ran very soft on the Weave Poles as his mouth was healed, but likely a bit sensitive.   Anyway, he had his handful of Q's and placements... but it reminded me more than ever of something.
    The best runs are not always the clean ones. I was just happy to have my partner back running with me.  After the last 6 months I will always appreciated every moment of every run more than ever.
     Oh, and my oldest dog Luke "The Wonder Dog"... He's Still Got It!       Run As One America!