My first agility trial

On Saturday, I went to my first agility trial. It was so much fun. And although I didn't get a 'clean run', I did get through all my courses with just some minor faults.

Kay was very happy with me - there were just a few moments when I lost focus - like when I saw Neil on the sidelines taking pictures.

But really, it's Kay that needs more work - on her fitness levels, 'cause I was running fast and she was seriously puffing!

See her in this clip trying to get ahead of me to do a front cross, but I just zoomed on and she had to abandon that and just try and keep up - heehee.

I even got the weave poles right, if a bit slow.

In a way, it is a tortoise and hare kind of event... the border collies were just so, so fast - but they often made mistakes like taking the wrong jump and got eliminated. I just came along carefully, did everything in the right order... and ended up with two firsts, a second and a third place.

Go the Airedale!

poodle leg

Hey look at me - I've got a poodle leg, just like Maggie had a while back. I had to go the vet's and have my hips x-rayed.

They put you to sleep to do the x-ray and then they don't feed you anything for absolutely HOURS afterwards.

The vet said my hip joints looked good, but we are waiting for the official score sometime this week.

Kay says that I'm old enough to start thinking of finding a suitable boyfriend. Hmmmm, wonder what that means... but okay, I'm up for anything.

cheers,
Ruby

Obedience trial

I haven't had much to say after last Sunday. I went for an obedience trial - I just need one more pass to get my Novice title. I know this routine like the back of my paw.

There I was, going great guns.... heeling really good, paying attention, yes sir! Sit, stand, down - yessirree. Recall - nearly perfect, stand for examination - nearly perfect.

And then... I just kind of lost concentration, just for a moment... and then, what? what was that?

Did you say down? Hmmm, not sure, will sit just to be safe.

Oh, you did say down? Okay, okay, I'm down, no worries.

Too late? Failed?? ...again. Geez.

That's kind of how it all went.
Oh well, there's always another trial somewhere down the road.

Kay wasn't totally impressed, I must say. Lucky she loves me anyway.

The Royal Easter Show

I've just finished performing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I was part of the Mass Dog Obedience display. Whoo hoo!

There were nearly 100 dogs all being obedient at the same time - it was amazing.

We have been practicing for weeks at our club and then we joined up with a lot of other clubs to do it all together. We were the pink team and I got to wear a very smart, sparkly kerchief.

The really cool thing was that just before we went on, there was a display of all these police horses doing a musical ride...kind'a like obedience for horses.

So, when we got into the arena, there was horse poop everywhere! It not only smelled great, but tasted great too. Lie down in the horse poo? Sure thing, not a problem...yummmm!

It was all pretty easy, but the audience was impressed with how good we all were. They gave us a big round of applause as we all marched out. Afterwards, we did a quick tour of the show and all the exhibits and I got a 'Pluto Pup' (corn dog on a stick) for my dinner. Also very yummy.

All Terrier show

We spent the day at the Terrier show yesterday. It was good fun - I got to catch up with all my Airedale buddies. Here I am with Major, Selby and Ben.
Ben has his UD title, Selby has his CD, I've got my CCD and Major is starting obedience work. We must have been the cleverest terriers at the show!

Selby was looking quite smart as he was entered in the Airedale Parade. I was impressed with how good he looked. He won his class too. Way to go Selbs!
There were alot of other terriers around - gee those Scotties are fiesty! There were plenty of Wheatons, Westies and Jack Russells, and Aussies, but not so many of all the other weird and wonderful breeds - the Bedlingtons, Kerry Blues, Skye, Dandie Dinmonts, Sealyhams, etc.

Anyway, it was a fun day out.

It's my birthday!

It's my birthday and I'm three years old today.

I had a bit of a party with Neil and Kay - I even had a special birthday hat to mark the occasion.

I got lots of prezzies - squeaky ones and ones with bells and ones that said oink oink and some tasty treats like liver covered cookies and smoked turkey wings.

It was so hard to choose which one to destroy first. See me check out the toys.

I went with the liver coated cookie first. Very yummy.

After that was finished off, I worked my way through the toys. I particularly like pulling all the stuffing out - until I find the squeaky bit - which I promptly chew to bits.

They don't call me the Shark for nothing.

Actually, all the toys are in bits now.
These birthdays sure are fun!

Bathtime again

Sigh, it was time for another bath yesterday. Bath days sure seem to come around pretty often.

Kay and I have made a deal that if I get to have my bath in the tub with nice warm water, instead of outside with the cold water out of the hose, then I cooperate. I even hop in the tub by myself.

Sometimes though, I think it must be like that waterboarding torture you hear about.
I like the towelling off part at the end ...and there is always a good game of ball afterwards, so it's not too bad I guess.

Later, I got a bit of a trim so that I look especially smart for the Great Joint Terrier show next Sunday.

I'm not actually in the show, but I'm going along to support the airedales and meet up with all my friends.