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.