Bayshore Part 3: The Great State

After my Standard run on Saturday, we packed up the car, got the trailer ready, and left the park.  The ride home was uneventful.  Both Marge and I were exhausted by the time we finally got home.

We had a day in between our next day of showing, which, as most of you already know, was dampened by the loss of Buddy.  I did a lot of crying and a lot of sleeping on Saturday.

Marge also took a little walk with Mable on Saturday, who I was taking care of while her owner was in Massachusetts.

Saturday truly felt like an endless day; I was happy when it was over.

Sunday morning, I woke up bright and early.  I stopped by Mable's house to let her out to piddle, and got on my way.  For the first time ever, I was crossing in to New Jersey alone.

And I'm so happy I did.  I'm probably one of the few who think so, but I really enjoyed the drive down Routes 9 and 18.  Of course, if there was traffic I might not have been so happy, but there you go.  I was proud of myself for finally making the trip to a trial by myself (and now I know I'll always be able to drive to this park alone).

My first run was around 9 AM.  After obsessively walking the course (they don't call it the obsessive walk-through for nothing), it was time to get Marge and, once again, step to the line.

I will let the video do the talking.






We qualified in spectacular fashion, nearly 12 seconds under course time, for first place in Excellent A 20".  Probably one of the nicest runs we've ever had in competition. The added bonus?  It was her AXJ title.  That means the next time she steps to the line in Jumpers, she'll have the chance to accumulate MACH points.  MACH points!!

We had a while before our next run, Excellent Standard.  Marge hung out in her crate:

And Layla, whose owner, Amy, was nice enough to share her tent space with us, relaxed too.  It was so nice to have some company while we waited. Thanks again, Amy!

Marge and Layla got along pretty well, ignoring each other for the most part.  Marge did give Layla one grumble, but I suspect she was resource guarding her backpack (which she knows contains her treats).  Later on, Marge approached Layla in much more wiggly fashion while Layla woo woo'ed at her.  Layla is such a pretty girl and has a personality to match.

Our turn in Excellent Standard eventually came.  Alas, it was a non-qualifying run..




The first problem was that I should have handled the opening differently.  I should have rear crossed the weaves, which I know that Marge is perfectly comfortable with.  Then, after the teeter, I totally took her off course.  The table.. I did NOT like that little hop, since, as you know, Marge had some problems with the table last year.

The ending was nice, but the fact that we've qualified in Standard ONCE in a year is bothersome.

By that point, I was so agilitied out that I left just a few minutes after my Standard run.  I went home and was a complete zombie - though the drive home was fun. :)

And this concludes our LONG weekend of RV'ing, spending lots of time with lots of friends, and having some fun running agility.  We'll be back out in a couple of weeks, for a one day, very local trial.  In the meantime, we'll be debuting in obedience... that should be interesting!