February and Video Runs

So a few .... mind you just a few?... folks have told me that they want to follow the Blog and that I should write more fequently even if just a brief point or tip or two. So.....

It has been a fast two months. It's just February and we've hosted three Run As On Agility Trials already this year!. All have been a blast. So much fun watching all the dogs and handlers trying... trying ... trying to Run As One!

More on the trials later.

Tip: Video Runs... Short Story!

Quick lesson to be learned... Have your head around the preparation of who and what you want videoed. Also, for Contact Classes "Instruct Videographer to Stand By The Judge!" Our first Regular Saturday morning was a debacle. You know how you rush to get your dog 'cause you're first up. Then.... I saw the 'filmer' out of position...they could not see 'both' downside contacts...unbeknownst to me the video phone froze. (yes it was an Iphone, but I think it was a memory issue). 

 

Now I'm on the line.. Judge says: "Good Luck", a bit frustrated, feeling pressure to get going and losing focus on the task at hand... I think 'heck with it just go for it anyway'. "OK" through obstacle #1 Wyatt goes, then onward starting up #2 Dogwalk... Just then, the scribe (seemingly harmless right?) yelled to the judge that she could not see him. For a split second I was not sure what she was yelling.... at the time...was there a loose dog? an emergency?? Hot coffee spilled???  Something pretty important??? I looked back over at the scribe... quickly comprehending what she said ..another second or two goes by as I give her a look and say her name to question essentially.. "Why are you Yelling while we're running???"

 

Meanwhile Wyatt had gone on doing his job and was waiting for me at the end of the dogwalk. Wyatt hears me say something  (to the scribe) and as I turn back he decides "Maybe dad said go? Which way? 50/50 chance"  and with that... Game Over! :)
 

Needless to say we improvised that run:) ... And had a better plan from that run on. Sooooo, save yourself that lost run and have a better first plan than I did. 

 

The upside was I decided that if that was the worst thing to happen to us all weekend ( which it was) then we would be ok :) ...And We Were! No harm done. Wyatt ended up having some Amazing Bonus attempts later that trial. A few are below.
 

So... have a Good Plan... to Run As One!
 

Hope this makes you smile.

 

 

 

 

 

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!

Tank or as he is currently nicknamed "Lampshade"

     So my dog Tank has had some past five months. What started out as many possibilities from stroke, to Horner's syndrome, impact trauma, aneurysm... turns out current diagnosis 'idiopathic' which translated means 'unkown'.  I suspect when 2 of the dogs collided (there were 3 running around our shrubs 'playing') that loud thud I heard was the beginning of the problem. Shortly after 2 Vets, MRI and a broken canine from the collision it was time for action.  Brain scan showed no markers so his brain was fine. No consistent pathology issues. Antibiotics, anti inflammatories, etc......
    So, off to a Dog Dentist and Facial specialist. Yes they do exist.  Not cheap mind you, but they do exist. My other concern was the canine tooth roots proximity to sinus tissue. Willing to try anything to help my boy who's head was crooked, face partially sagging (no, not a stroke) we chose to bone graft and repair the canine. Thus my action Agility North American Grand Champion dog and travel/errand partner was restricted to a liquid diet, a crate and just 3 light walks a day while stuck wearing what looked like a Lampshade around his neck and head.  He was one sad looking boy.
     But a trooper through all of it. Patient, he never whined or cried. He made the most of our 3 daily walks and occasionally me 'scratching' around his neck being very careful to have NO contact with his mouth. Three procedures over 3+ weeks too.
    So we are hopeful for many things this Christmas. More than any that when he gets this Lampshade off he will heal ok and be able to get back to his normal life.  I miss running with him. But I'd still rather have him in a Lampshade than not have him at all.

Thanks To My Friends

     I would of course be re-miss if I did not say thank you to a few close friends who have encouraged and have supported me to move ahead with Run As One!  Jenny and Tim are the techno masters and I know you probably think they are geeks or something just because they are so computer savvy. Fact is they are not. They are just normal folks. Jenny is a brain surgeon or neurologist, I mean every neighbor hood has one right?  and Tim is ... ok a computer guy.  But he's not a geek. Well at least not in the deprecating sense of the word. He's my brother of sorts!

     The real test of our friendship apparently has not yet occurred although I'm sure it was tested in setting up the website. How do I know this? Well, they have yet to get blamed for when something happens to the blog or the site or.... I don't think they know I just don't like to take blame. I'm from the David Letterman school of..well... he once said: "I find it best to blame someone else". :)
     What does this have to do with Dog Agility you ask? They are Inceptive (I know... I found it in a Thesaurus) Members of Run As One....AND... they have 3 Border Collie/Mixes whom all run agility.
Yes, they all Run As One!

Run As One Dog Agility Blog

     Welcome to my Run As One Blog!     

     So since this is my first blog I guess whoever is out there reading this will be taking a journey with me and this Dog world much of my life is now built around.  I hope to just let my mind think and my fingers type thoughts that in some way will always have a connection to my dogs and likely to dog agility.  I expect there will be some point in each post and to that if you do start following this I will pledge to keep the rambling to a minimum, hopefully leaving both of us with something to feel good about.  I promise once I hit that post button that alone will feel good for at least me :)

     Brief Bio: I am Owner/Co-owner, Trainer and Handler of the following fine dogs: Luke, Alex, Tank, Wyatt, Rookie & Zack. Oh, and we have 1 cat named Stella. These fine four legged partners will from here forward be referred to as the group we affectionately call: "The Herd".

     To that I wish all well. Love your dogs and enjoy the moments with them as you ever after continue to Run As One!

Ed Scharringhausen