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...