Day 2 Even More Awesome!

So the days were long and the wifi only available in the pub which meant I couldn't post when it was convenient. Obviously a delayed posting as the even is over and the results are in but I will go back and recount the day.

Coming off the high of three clean rounds yesterday and probably the toughest mental challenge I have ever had to deal with today was superb. Slice didn't put a foot wrong and we went clean in all 6 rounds we ran. We are on fire! I come off every run cheering with excitement and so very proud of her.

We walk from stall to ring and back and I have to have someone walk with me as everyone wants to meet Slice and ask me questions. While I would love to stop and chat with each one of them, staying focused on the task at hand is the key.

The weather is quite nice but patches of strong wind. The wind is strong enough that it is blowing Slice off her lines in the outside rings. Poor girl. Such a trooper, she keeps battling on.

Another great ribbon ceremony for us and a pile of ribbons to take back to the hotel room. Slice was exhausted and slept all the way home on the bus.

From here on out I am staying away from Facebook and Internet. I believe we are sitting first going into the pentathlon so need rest and focus. See you on the podium kids.

Day 1 Awesomeness!

Hey those at home! Quick post before bed. Such an awesome day filled with memories that will last a lifetime. Two second place podium finishes to top of a fabulous day. We had some trouble spots in a couple of runs but nothing to cause mass panic. The wind is tossing her around a little bit but she is a trooper. Love her to bits!

Off to bed, early morning!

Thanks for the congrats and positive thoughts!

Team Practice Day

Wow! Today was an amazing team day. Now as Slice and I sit in the pub to recount the day she is sprawled out and sleeping beside me.

Our day started with official team photos at the hotel in full uniform. Everyone looked so sharp, even the dogs. One of the sponsors made customized leashes for each dog. Slice's fit perfectly around her wee wee neck.

When team photos were done we all hopped on the bus and headed to the venue. This was our first chance to see all the equipment and the venue itself. What a massive and lovely venue! We got all our benching set up and Canadianized then off for a team tour to see where everything was. The equipment is awesome and colorful but the biggest difference we see is the dirt surface. It really isn't dirt but a mixture of sand, fabric, lint for lack of a better word. It resembles the stuff in some shipping envelopes or dryer lint. Soft and cushy to run on and not dusty at all. We were briefed by the master course manager on the process that will get us in the ring as well as when we are on live video and when we are not. I was not nervous until we spent 20 minutes with him!

Tour over and off we go into the ring to get the dogs on the equipment. We had two hours as a team to practice different sequences and faniliarize with the equipment. Being the only small dog, Slice and I had a lot of time to practice the teeter and dogwalk. Not sure why I was so worried coming in about that because clearly she doesn't care. The teeter is heavy but tips at a great speed for her. By the time practice was over the entire team was exhausted, dogs and handlers.

While we were practicing the team management decorated our crating area with beautiful posters of each dog with a motivational quote we live by. Such a simple touch but so important. Slice is making an impact wherever she goes and after practice people were stopping us around every corner to chat and pet her. Such a trouper she is.

After practice we head off to the grocery store to make sure we all have the food we need to get through the weekend. Funny watching people getting on the bus with bags and bags of groceries. It was quite amusing shopping in another country. So many neat things to choose from.

Back from a team dinner at a restaurant down the road and it is definately time for bed. Intense day tomorrow so a good nights sleep is a must.

England, we have arrived and survived

Don't panic we have survived our journey! It was an experience for sure! Sunday morning started with a 4:00 am wake up call from WestJet to tell me my flight was cancelled and they had re-booked me on a flight that would make me miss my connecting flight to France. Awesome! Back to sleep I went and waited for a phone call. We were re-booked on the 10:00 am flight and everything back on track.

Flight to Toronto was full to the brim with lots and lots of kids. Some bad turbulence coming into Toronto that really made me wish I had taken a trip on the Tower of Terror in Disneyland as practice! Not a great landing to say the least. Good little Slice slept through the whole thing.

By the time we claimed our luggage and got Slice out to the bathroom we had to get up to check in for France. So we sat at the gate waiting to meet up with my teammates that were joining me on the next leg. Just before boarding we connect and get on the plane. Again a full flight. I was so sick and had a horrible flight that I was very glad to hit the ground. Picking up the luggage, the car and getting out of France was seamless and a lovely drive. We arrived at the ferry and border check for the dogs and had no problems. The ferry ride was awesome and we had the chance to see the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

Driving our Mercedes from France and into England and then on the wrong side of the road was super exciting. We made it across France and England without getting lost. Like good Canadians we smiled and waved at people when we took the round-a-bouts wrong. Such a great experience. I have lots of pictures but it will take time to get them uploaded.

Today was spent shopping in Street and a visit to the Abbey in Glastenbury. A great and relaxing day. Tomorrow starts the team practices and getting ready for the competition.

Patience my friends, posts will be dependent on getting into the pub to access the wifi! I will do my best to keep you up to date.

13 hours and counting

Last night was a lovely send off from my friends and family. A "good luck" party at a Canadian pub. Food and beverages enjoyed by all. The support and encouragement is amazing! I am blessed to have such great friends.

We have packed, repacked, repacked and repacked and finally have it finished. Had to bite the bullet and go with two suitcases. It certainly isn't that I have that much clothing but have a lot of other stuff I had to bring. Who knew that you would prefer driving to agility trials! The weather is unseasonably hot right now but we need to be prepared for anything. Rain gear packed at the bottom of the suitcase in the hopes we don't need it!

Slice has been groomed and had her final vet visit tonight so we are good to go. She is so excited that she is sitting on the suitcase hoping i don't leave her behind. Tonight, Amanda arrives and we leave for the airport bright and early in the morning! Butterflies in my stomach but very excited to go. Next post, en route, stay tuned.

Yikes! 5 more sleeps

As one day rolls into the next and i get time to sit down to update the blog it suddenly hits me that three days have passed and now we are just five short sleeps away from the big departure. We have spent the past four days in the final stage of our preparation. I honestly feel we are ready and it is time to go.

Now the obsession becomes how to get everything I need in one suitcase! With the event taking place both inside and outside it makes packing a little more challenging. I have two days to decide on my shoes. The most important part to running. Fingers crossed that there won't be any rain.

Five more sleeps ....

Eight More Sleeps...

Wow! Never thought the one week countdown would ever get here. We have a had a busy couple of weeks since California. Last week we took a road trip to Prince Albert for the Standsure Easter Trial. Three days of agility and the Western contingent of the WAO team all in the same place at the same time. It was a great trial and came home from the weekend feeling great about Slice's runs. A couple of blips here and there as we pushed the limits to see what we had in the tank but overall she ran so well.

Sadly, our team mate Shannen, who is the reason Slice and I are a team, had to pull from the trip to tend to an ill family member. We are pretty bummed that she isn't going as this was an experience we wanted to share with her. Now that there won't be any other small dogs to run, Slice will have to run in every event. We are ready but it will make for some long days. We are up for the challenge!

Uniforms arrived last week in the mail and it was like Christmas opening the box to see what was inside. Two awesome jackets, shirts , pants, ball cap and a very special plaque for Slice's crate. Goosebumps! (Pictures to follow)My jacket was a little too big and pants a bit too long, so off to the tailor we went. Everything will be ready on Tuesday. Already started packing the suitcase and have every piece of "Canadian" stuff I own folded and ready for the Worlds wardrobe! Every day I add to my list of things to remember to pack for both Slice and I. Here's hoping I don't forget anything!

With eight more sleeps to go, we are in Calgary for our last bit of training and work before we rest up for our big journey. Some of our team mates start leaving on Tuesday so the anticipation will build day by day.

Good-bye LA

Our bags are packed and we are waiting to leave for the airport. Like every good traveler, I came with one borderline suitcase and now leaving with two as I made room for new purchases. This trip was amazing! Before we arrived I was getting nervous about a lot of unknown possibilities like equipment Slice hadn't seen, getting around courses in a different discipline, raising the stress level and so on. Slice, bless her heart, just goes with the flow and trusts that I know what I am doing. The majority of the anxiety and stress is my own and I was very pleased to learn that I can handle the pressure and put down the runs I need. Our only factor going into England now will be all the travel and time change.

A little less than three weeks to go, the countdown has begun. The excitement is building and I am trying to soak up every moment and emotion as we prepare for our departure. So far there have been so many highs with very few lows. The level of joy and pleasure that Slice brings me grows everyday. When you have multiple dogs you don't very often get the chance to enjoy the true individuality of each of them until you have special one on one time. No competition with the pack, just pure friendship with your canine pal. The past 6 days have been so great for Slice and I. The depth of her personality, brains and talent continue to amaze me.

Last Day in LA

Wow! The time has flown by so quickly! Sadly, tomorrow is the day to go home. We have had a great time here in LA. Training balanced with much needed relaxation time. Today included working through our trouble spots, shopping for Lucky Jeans (which are totally awesome) and a guest teaching spot with one of Terry's students. The skies were a little overcast today and the temps a bit cooler, so a great training day all the way around. Slice was quite sad that we didn't get to swim on our last day here. So totally cute that she associates a swim with her training time. Terry and the pack will be sad to see her go tomorrow. She fits right in like she has lived here forever. This has been a great trip, a well needed break and a great bridge to our trip to England.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Today was a day of rest for the dogs and the whirlwind tour of Disneyland. Now I have been a couple of times but never did I get so much accomplished in such a short space of time and still see all the park we wanted to see. Even managed to fit in shopping! Loved today! So much fun. A day just to be me without agility.

Happy Dance

Since our last post we have been very busy training and trialling. The training is going great and I have had the pleasure of meeting many of Terry's students and answering their questions as well as offering some training advice. Made a trip to the mall for some shopping and definitely found some great deals. Lots more swimming for Slice! She races to the pool after her training sessions just like she has been doing it all her life. She has upped her game to adding a real tennis ball or a frisbee to the swim time. Who knew I would get such pleasure from watching her swim.

Saturday was a big day for us. Off to our first USDAA trial! The opportunity to trial in a completely different discipline on completely different equipment against one of our WAO competitors. What a great experience! The temperature was in the low 30s and humid. We arrived, set-up and walked the course and then laid down our first run. We ran a brilliant run with one small handling bobble and won the class! I was so very proud of her. Every contact was stellar, didn't even blink at the new equipment and gave me everything she had in the run. Her other two runs were equally fabulous and gave us both a great feeling of team work and the knowledge that we are ready to head to England.

Live from LA

We have arrived safe and sound in LA. Sunshine and Palm trees, does it get any better?

We grab our bags and head out to wait for the flyaway bus to get to Van Nuys. Small town girl in the big city! Fingers crossed we get on the right bus! Success. We arrived at the bus terminal for our next connection with Kim to get to the house. Pretty proud of myself for getting everywhere I needed to be by myself. Bad news is the travel bug has hit me and I am no longer worried about travelling alone.

After a great nights sleep, we woke up bright and early to start our day. Last night Slice was slightly overwhelmed by the four Tollers and the two BC but today everyone is best friends. She also got to re-unite with her buddy Ripper, who she hasn't seen since she was 12 weeks old. It was like no time had passed. Kindred spirits.

Then there is Reveille, the BC. She is pretty sure Slice is a cat and needs to be herded. She spent many hours following Slice around and her out.

We had a great training session in the heat, on the grass and on new equipment. Finally a slatted dogwalk! Did she still find the yellow? Yes. Did she notice a difference? Yes. After a couple of trips over she was fine and unphased. After a hard work out and adjustment to the heat, off the dogs went to the pool. Slice has never swam before let alone in a big pool. So she ran around the outside for the first bit chasing the Tollers around the pool for their tennis balls. So we brought out a Slice size tennis ball and away she went into the pool. I couldn't believe it when she was swimming by herself. She was so cute getting her ball and swimming in and out of the pool.

After our lovely afternoon we had a bit of a rest and then went off to Terry's evening classes with his students. Another new venue and new equipment and this time it was in the dark under flood lights. She adjusted with no problem and was very tired by end of the evening.

A great day and another one coming tomorrow.

California Adventure

Another weekend in April and another exciting adventure. Slice and I are off to California to train with Terry Simons! Adding a little more time and distance onto Slice's flying experience as well as a test run through customs, this trip is all about getting ready. As I type this note, I am sitting in the Vancouver airport waiting to board the plane to LA. Wireless internet is awesome for killing time. Photos of the day will soon follow.

When we arrived in Vancouver we had five hours to kill and not sure what we would be able to find to amuse ourselves. After a quick trip outside where the flowers are blooming and everything smells like spring we found a quiet place outside the Westjet baggage services. There we sat with a snack and some beverages and played an awesome game of fetch in the airport. The Westjet staff were amazing and kept coming out to visit with Slice and play with her. She was just beside herself with excitement! They had her running around the office and feeding her snacks. What a great way to exercise her and kill some time.

We slowly made our way from arrivals to the departures level where we shopped and had some dinner. Must say it was pretty awesome to plunk Slice down on the table and share dinner with her.

Who knew that walking through the Vancouver airport would be so long! Made it through security no problem but it is quite time consuming getting yourself and your dog re-dressed after taking off all the bling that would beep in the scanner. Next time I send Slice's bag through first! When you have to wait for the bag to come through you hold up the line. Good thing she is so well behaved.

Off we went to customs. No idea why but I was slightly nervous. First time in about 10 years flying out of the country. Great dog guy that checked us through customs. Loved dogs and we had quite a lovely conversation.

So as Slice naps and the aiport moves around her, it is time to pack away the computer to get ready to pre-board the plane. Total advantage when taking your dog with you. Next post from sunny LA.

Thank you Dogs at Large

The first weekend in April had us at the Dogs At Large trial in Edmonton with judges Lee-Ann Carr and Glen Tiede. Some great courses for Slice and I to test a few new things out. She ran very well and we made it through some very difficult courses with clean.

Not only was the weekend about trialling but another fundraising opportunity. The folks from Dogs At Large allowed Deb and I to set up a raffle over the weekend. Thank you to DAL and the trial participants for spending your $$ on our raffle. Over the weekend we raise $645 which will really help us both on this journey.

A month to go...

Well i never thought we would get to April way back in September but here we are! Training has hit the fine tuning phase and every weekend this month will be filled with agility excitement. Before we know it, we will be boarding a plane for France! Slight panic setting in. Look forward to posts detailing some exciting moments as we inch closer to our departure date.

Marching along

March 2011

March was a busy month full of practices and trials. Fundraising is going great and we are eight weeks or so out from our trip across the pond. Everyday gets a little more exciting as Slice and I conquer another training session and add another clean round at a trial. With all the work the work we have been doing sometimes Slice is checking in with me too much on course which is causing some errors. The good news is she is choosing to pay attention to me, a hurdle we have been trying to clear for a long time. When we connect, which is more often than not these days, the runs are brilliant. She is really turning into quite the little pal. We so enjoy our "mommy and me" time and look forward to a busy April where we will be spending a lot of quality time together.

The Vancouver Experience

February 2011

Here we are three months away from the big trip and Slice has never been on a plane! What does one do about that? You book a trip on a plane to a trial in Vancouver. So exciting! Slice and I entered the Leaps 'n Bounds trial in Cloverdale, BC. Fifteen runs in two and a half days should be enough to test out flying and trialling at the same time.

The flight experience was excellent for Slice and we know a little better what the experience will be like for her. Not a big fan of the take off but slept through landing. She also thought security was pretty awesome because they all made such a fuss about her. Her favorite part of the weekend was having me all to herself!

Nicki and the fur crew picked us up at the airport in her motor home. I can't imagine how funny it must have looked to see this girl run out in front of a limo with her suitcase and dog slung over her shoulder to a motor home slowing down just enough for you to jump in! Only in the movies I am sure. Slice hopped out of her carries and introduced herself to Breeze (who thought for sure she was a rodent) and away we went to the trial site.

The weekend was great and Slice turned out some stellar runs. We went 10-15 clean, one fall off the teeter and one face plant in the dirt. A great weekend!

Let the training begin

January 2011

Not that we haven't been training up until now, but now our training for the big event is in full swing. Each month we get exercises from Kim Collins to work on handling and obstacle performance, course lines we will probably see and we are throwing in some new obstacles. The biggest one we had to make was a viaduct. Two giant columns that make the wings of a jump. Found some cardboard that was on its way to recycle and wa-la a viaduct. Put the jump into practice and no problem! Worried me more than it did her. Now onto find slats for the dogwalk...

Fundraising is going great and we started another NHL Loser's Pool. This round looks like $1000 to the winner(s). The support for my fundraising has been incredible. I am so lucky to have such a great network of friends. Looks like we will be half-way to our goal after this.

Designing the Shirt

December 2010

As soon as the official team announcement came out I wanted to design a t-shirt to sell for fundraising. I had the idea of a "Canadian Invasion" theme but not sure what that idea involved. I spoke to a good friend, Jennifer, who works in graphic design and asked if she could help me with my idea. When I bounced my thoughts off Jennifer she was totally on board and away we went. At first we were thinking of using photos of Slice somehow in the design so I set up a photo shoot to get the shots we needed. There were some great shots and some great fun getting them.

In the end, we decided on a "concert tour" type shirt. The design is awesome and I can't wait to get the shirts and see how the dream became reality. Thanks so much Jen, you are the best!

Here is the final product...

A Step Up In Training

November 2010

Now that all the paperwork is in order it is time to start focusing on the training aspect. We know who the judges will be for the event so I have started pulling off course maps to analyse their design styles and look for specific things I need to train. So far nothing too scary but a few things definitly stick out. Yikes! Top of the list, work on the broad jump and build a viaduct jump. Team Coach, Kim Collins will also be sending exercises to work on each month. I have always put in an honest effort when trainign but now I have a bigger purpose. Feels good to have such a strategic goal and mind set for the next six months. And so the training begins...

Important Things To Do

October 2010

The team has now been announced and congratulations are coming from across Canada. Amazing. Incredibly overwhelming to say the least. No longer am I just playing this sport because I enjoy it but playing to represent my country. Wow!

As part of this process to get ready there is a lot of red tape that needs to be handled. Most importantly, Slice had to get the paperwork started for her quarantine requirements. Off we went to see Dr. Joel for her rabies vaccine. After verifying her microchip number and writing it on all the pages, the vaccine is given. Perfect, the clock starts ticking on the quarantine. Two weeks after the vaccine back we went to the vet for a blood titre to test the antibodies. This test has to be sent through all sorts of official channels to ensure it is accepted proof. So far so good.

The trip itself is funded personally by each team member. Approximate numbers are $6,000. That is a lot of money to come up with. Brain storming ideas for fundraising begin. What am I going to do? First idea, NHL Loser's Pool. In a few short weeks I have 180 people playing which will mean $1000 to kick off my fundraising. Awesome! I have also been able to coordinate a couple of small raffle items, gourmet dogs cookies and getting started on t-shirts. Super excited for the t-shirts.

The final thing that had to be done for this month is a photo of Slice and I for the WAO website (www.worldagilityopen.com). On a beautiful sunny fall afternoon we proudly pose in our Canadian gear for our first official photo.

The Journey Begins

September 2010

A new world agility competition is announced. The World Agility Open Championships will be held in Somerset, UK in May 2011. A few friends sent me the link to the application and suggested I apply. Coming off a fabulous Regional and National Championships, I was toying with the idea but unsure about how I would get Slice to England with the quarantine regulations. Nervous butterflies gathered in my stomach as I tossed around the idea of applying. While going through this process I get a phone call, Nina Durante, Team Manager for the Canadian Agility Team!

The reason for Nina's call...Slice has won her way onto the team based on her performance at Nationals! If we want to go the spot is ours! OMG! I am incredibly honored and overwhelmed with emotion that this tiny Papillon has brought me this far at such a young age. A couple of phone calls to some key people in my decision making and I call Nina back and say "Yes, we would love to!"

This is where the journey begins...