After two months of practice, on Tuesday, January 11 2005, I drove over to my obedience instructor's house (Robin Willey) at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for the two-day drive to Tampa, Florida. She had her Irish Setter, Riker, ready to go so we quickly packed the car and headed out. Driving through PA was a bit dicey with some snow and bad roads, but once we got to Maryland, things improved. We stopped along the way for lunch, then dinner and to let the dogs stretch their legs. In North Carolina we ran into some rain, but by the time we reached my parent's house in Durham, things were better.
On Wednesday, we packed the dogs back in the car and scooted north to Virginia to visit Riker's grand pups. The puppies were 4 weeks old - 11 of them, all a beautiful red and full of themselves. We borrowed the training building of the owners of the puppies for some last minute practice, but mostly just let Jessie and Riker run around the huge fenced yard with the Irish Setters while we played with the puppies.
Thursday we hit the road again, driving the rest of the 24 hours (about 12 left) to get to Tampa, Florida at around 7:00 pm. The weather was absolutely perfect - around 80 degrees and sunny. The staff at the Courtyard Marriott were extremely nice and helpful. This is a really great hotel to stay at with dogs! They went out of their way to help us find a park to run the dogs and make us comfortable while we were there.
Before leaving, I had set up with a local training club to rent some ring space on Friday. So in the morning we headed out there with our dogs. It was raining, but it didn't matter since the rings were indoors. Once again, the Tampa people turned out to be very friendly and helpful. The IPOLK training building was gorgeous with a special extra long utility ring for long go-out and two other big rings for practice. A wonderful dachshund and a Portuguese Water Spaniel were also there practicing. It was a great experience for Jessie - let him make a few mistakes and then "fix" them with positive encouragement and praise. Riker on the other hand was showing that an 11-year-old Irish Setter does not travel well. His back clearly hurt and he didn't want jump. Robin made the decision right there to let him opt out of jumping at the Invitational if he wanted and to just enjoy the experience no matter what happened.
After practice we went to try and unload our crates. This was the only bad experience of the trip. We were unable to find the place to do this. No one we asked, including all the security guards, seemed to know where the obedience unloading area was located. We eventually gave up and unloaded in the conformation area, which meant waiting in a long line. But all is well that ends well, and we got our crates into the building, and got a chance to walk around the obedience area. It was perfect! Thick rugs with non-slip matting. Two separate, big crating areas, which were nicely hidden behind curtains so that the dogs could rest in a quiet, dark area. The rings were big, open and neither of the go-outs were towards another ring or crating area. I could tell my dog would like this set up and that made me relax maybe a little. Naw, maybe not!
We only had time to get home, feed and walk the dogs, have a quick glass of wine to relax, and dip in the hot tub, before we had to be back to the Hyatt for the Friday night barbecue. It was very fun with lots of good food and all sorts of people we've met over the years of showing or talking on Internet groups. It's great to get together with other obedience enthusiast. We always have so much to discuss without ever getting on dangerous topics like religion, war, or politics.
Saturday was the start of the obedience competition. We had to arrive at 7:15 to pick up our armbands, ring assignments, and our gifts (nice big bag with lots of goodies). At 8:00 am the competition began. I was about the 7th dog in ring 4. Curtis Cunningham was my first judge, one of two I didn't know. We started with the Moving Stand - not Jessie's favorite exercise to start with since it means mommy leaves him with that scary judge person. Anyway, he did it, locking up and allowing the judge to examine him without too much wiggling. I called him to me and he walked instead of trotted, so that was a major deduction, but we were still qualifying. Fortunately the next exercise is one of Jessie's best - the directed retrieve where the dog has to get one of three gloves. This is his most often perfect exercise, and today was no different - he only lost half a point. Then we went to the heeling on lead. It was a very long, complicated pattern, unlike any I had ever done. I was very nervous setting up and Cunningham said, "Hey, watch it!" I almost fainted and said, "I'm sorry, what did I do?" and at that point he laughed because he thought I was pushing my dog with my knees while all that was really happening is that they were shaking! The heeling went great, and then the figure eight was also lovely. Then we had the retrieve over the high jump. Jessie hurt his mouth on this a while ago and was refusing the jump on the way back, so I was nervous. But the little stinker did it almost perfect, only loosing a point. As soon as the judge said exercise finish, I almost collapsed I was so relieved and left the ring almost crying. My instructor and friend Robin was right there to congratulate me on a great first ring and to give Jessie lots of pats and butt rubs.
Although it is still mostly a blur, I do think this is the point in which the Kincaids showed up to say hello during a break in agility. Their Kerry, Daisy, had done very nice the day before, and would get lots of Qs over the weekend. I was so thrilled to see them and "talk Kerry" for a moment. Daisy is a lovely Kerry, pretty, smart and with lots of drive.
Jessie went back in the crate to rest and I went to watch the next ring. The quality and joy of all the teams working really amazed me. You didn't see any sad dogs or sour faced handlers. Everyone was enjoying there moments in the spot light and looking at their dogs with such joy. The teamwork at this level is truly breathtaking.
Before I had barely caught my breath, I had to go get Jessie and bring him to the next ring, ring 5. This ring started with the Retrieve On the Flat - a great exercise to start with since the dog gets to run and chase something (the dumbbell). Jessie was very happy to do this and only lost one point. We were on a roll! The scent articles were next and started with a little insecurity on Jessie's part so he walked back to me - another major deduction. The second article though was very nice. The Drop on Recall was next, another tough exercise since the dog has to drop at a distance while coming at you at a trot - something Jessie doesn't like to do in a strange place. But he did it! And nicely! I had finished two rings without an NQ!!!
At this point I took Jessie outside and let him relax in a little park near the convention center for a few minutes. The cool outside air revived both us, and we returned. I studied our next ring and before being able to barely take a breath, I was getting ready to start again.
Ring 3 had a Drop On Recall, then Directed Retrieve (and right to the crowd so it was very hard and I saw more then one dog opt to go to the wrong glove), the Signal Exercise, and the Broad Jump. I was glad to go in that ring, because it was Sharon Ann Redmer and she always comments on being glad to see a Kerry in her ring. I think Jessie picked up on this and worked very nicely until the signal exercise. At that point, as we started out, he jumped as if something had bit him and kind of wrapped around me. His ears were down and he was clearly upset. Although his heeling was erratic, he stayed with me. I didn't know what he'd do when I gave him the stay command so I could leave him to do the drop - I was sure he was so worried he'd follow me. But he didn't, and he did a nice drop, sit and recall. We lost a lot points on his bad heeling, but we left that ring with a clean score again!
Finally we got a little break for lunch. I caught up with Robin who had done what she had said, releasing Riker from the jumps and just taking the NQs. She kept her spirits, though, knowing that having an 11 year old Irish Setter at this event was the honor, even if he wasn't as competitive as he had been the first two years he had attended. With all these dogs give us, and all they are willing to do for us, we also have to remember to suspend our egos and do what is right for them when needed.
After lunch we had three more rings. Jessie was starting to slow down a little, but he went into Ring 1, our next ring, and he did his best. His go-outs were great, dead straight, the sits a little slow, and he gave his characteristic "woof" in front of each of the jumps (After I left the ring one of the people watching asked me how I had taught him to give that little bark and I had to admit not only did not I train it, but I didn't want, since each bark was points off.). Unfortunately I was completely stressed and loosing it in this ring and found myself giving commands WAY too loud - I wonder if the judge marked off for that since it is a fault as well. But once again, no NQs, and this time he trotted back on his moving stand! His heel free and figure 8 were once again up to his usual with just a couple wides, but no bad lagging or forging.
At last I got to sit and watch for a few minutes because Ring 2 was a little backed up. I was so tired! It was fun just listening to the crowd and watching the dogs. Two people I know that own shih tzu found me and told me they had taped part of Jessie's ring and I got to watch that. It was great to see how nice he looked and how much he was paying attention to me.
Finally we got into Ring 2. Jessie clearly thought I was loosing my mind and seemed to have the attitude that he would do this for me, but he was getting a little tired and I couldn't expect too much more from him. Despite this attitude this was one of my best rings with no major deductions, just a few points on each of the exercises. The exercises included the Broad Jump, Retrieve Over the High Jump, and the two Scent Articles.
Five rings down, one left. I was sure we'd loose it in this one. Somehow I couldn't believe we could make it through six rings without a single NQ. When I went to take Jessie out of the crate he actually hesitated, clearly thinking maybe he would just stay there and let me go play this game by myself. I encouraged him to come out, tried to pump him up, and went to the ring. This ring was closest to the doors and so there were lots of spectators. Jessie loves people, so this seemed to bring him back up in spirits a little so I let him flirt with the crowds.
The ring started with the Heel Free and Figure 8, which was a great break for me. I was able to use my voice to keep him pumped. But then we set up for the Directed Jumping and he clearly looked like he didn't have it in him. I set up, pointed to the go-out point, and in a loud voice gave my command "Run!" Well, Jessie did the world's slowest go-out. He walked, as slow as he could, pausing frequently to give me dirty looks over his shoulder all the way down the 60-foot ring. I kept almost giving him a 2nd command, but the little stinker would start again, so I waited, and waited, and waited. Maybe because I was getting a little irritated with him, I made him walk all the way, no turning early, and then turned him for the sit. I was sure he wouldn't jump, but when I pointed to the bar and said "BAR!" he flew over and came in front. The next go-out was lovely, at a trot, with a nice jump over the high jump. Then he did a near perfect Moving Stand for Exam, and we were done!! All clean rings. The judge teased me that she was sure he wasn't going to go all the way for the go-out and I admitted I had thought the same.
Jessie was way over-tired at this point. He actually threw a total temper-tantrum in the hallway over absolutely nothing, just barking, growling and leaping around. I put him on a down stay and explained, like you would to any naughty child, that this behavior would not be tolerated. Poor boy - he had had enough.
Our day still wasn't over. I met up with Robin again, we rushed the dogs back to the hotel, fed and walked them, then rushed down to soak in the hotel hot tub for a half hour. Then it was back to Hyatt for the Saturday banquet. We sat at a table with a fun group, including one of the other terrier people, Ingrid Butt who owns a smooth fox terrier, Peanut. She had also gone clean all Saturday, so we celebrated and declared terriers the perfect obedience dogs.
During the banquet they announced the top 32 teams, which would go on to the head-to-head competition on Sunday. Jessie came in number 6 in terriers, right after Peanut! I was so proud and a little relieved that I didn't have to show again. I didn't think Jessie could take it. He had done such a great job on Saturday, I planned to let him just relax and hang out on Sunday.
After such a long day, it was great to sleep in on Sunday! We took our time getting ready, went for a nice breakfast, and then walked back to the show. The competition was well under way when we got there, so I found a seat and watched a bunch of the rounds. Then I had to sneak away to visit the "Meet The Breed" booths and watch Ingrid's other smooth fox, Tango, run in agility. At the "Meet The Breed" booths I fell in love with a cute little Glen of Imaal terrier bitch who wanted to sit in my lap. Maybe I'll have to get one someday - they are very sweet terriers.
After lunch the obedience competition finished up with the final rounds. The National Obedience Champion of 2005 went to a handsome, big Golden Retriever - OTCH First String's Cubby Bear UDX20 AX NAJ owned by Kathleen Rasinowich-Platt. The First Runner-Up was Golden Retriever - OTCH High Times Belvedere's Duck Soup UDX7 MH owned by Bridget Carlsen. Second Runner-Up was Golden Retriever - OTCH Tanbarks Road To Glory UDX22 owned by Jose and Caryl Martinez. Finally a really nice Miniature Schnauzer OTCH Double A's Savannah At Night UDX7 owned by Barbara Koscielski came in as third runner-up. I thought this was very exciting! It's nice to see a terrier take a top prize.
Robin and I walked around and bought a few tee shirts, then went back to take advantage of the hot tub at the hotel. Then we went to a wonderful dinner at a restaurant where we could watch the Best In Breed while eating delicious food.
On the way back from the hotel, we took the shuttle. About 4 other woman and a young man were in the shuttle when the driver asked if it was ok if he went and picked up one of other person who was a little out of the way. We all said that was fine and were very glad we did. It happened to be the winner of Best-Bred-By with his winning Rottweiler and ribbon in hand. Of couse we cheered loudly as he joined us and got lots of kisses from his very sweet dog.
The next two days were the long drive home, stopping in Durham, North Carolina for a night at my parent's house. The adventure was over, we were tired but happy. I can't wait to get my next chance!
Posted by enoj
at 11:18 AM EST
