HIT!!!!!

Sonny and I finally finished our CD title… having one shot at one trial at the Toy Show because I taught the last class of the term on the day of the other trial, and because the all breed show this weekend isn’t offering obedience…

And we did it going High in Trial!!!!!!!!!!!! We had the highest score of any dog competing in all the obedience classes. 195 points out of 200. Sonny rocks… Rosalie Alvarez was our judge, and she was wonderful to work under. She struck me as calm, funny and genuinely invested in the sport and its participants, both new and old. I had been worried because we couldn't enter Thursday's trial under Pam Weaver, also a very good, fair, kind judge, who gave Flynnie her first leg (you need 3). And I knew nothing about Alvarez.

PLUS! I was almost ready to throw in the towel because Sonny kept leaping up from his down stay as I returned to heel position at the end of the long down…and you fail if your dog gets up before you are securely back in heel position. In the spring at both trials in Albany, he got up on his long down….and the problem seemed to be getting worse. But we worked calmly over the last 2 weeks and the little scamp did it! I beamed him sleepy vibes from across the ring, and he put his head down finally and stayed put until those blessed words Exercise finished that come after the longest 3 minutes I know of.

My fault. I didn't get him out enough to work in new places, and I think living with Maudie has made him super foot conscious. But his good genes sparkled, Ellie's (teacher and coach) wise council prevailed, I hung in there and whaddyaknow...


I feel, I don't know, validated. Some people never get a High in Trial in their whole obedience careers. After years and years of training, I feel like maybe I'm not such a slouch.

It sure helps to look down and see that sweet, eager, willing face looking back up at me.

I am so proud of him.