SUCCESS!

Hard to believe two weeks ago I was in the depths of despair and discouragement. I'd met a huge valley in our training, and couldn't figure out where I'd gone off track. Stacy, however, is right - when we have set backs, they are blessings, as they force us to seek out answers and make us stronger. That is certainly this case in this instance. We've had some of our best success in the last two weeks, and the biggest success is in my relationship with Daisy. I can't even begin to describe the relationship I have with this big Poodle. I love her so and she has my heart.

The remainder of this post was prepared to submit to SG's blog, asking people what sets them apart from big name competitors. In the end, I decided not to submit it. However, thought I'd blog it myself!
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I had no intention of adding yet another post to this very popular blog topic. After all, I have very little in common with world competitors. Well, maybe one thing. Possibly two, but that’s getting ahead of myself.
Neuro-typical individuals (interpretation – “normal people”) might say my single-minded determination and focus on one subject, one goal, one hobby, one interest, to the exclusion of all else, is pathological. I’ll admit, it does set me apart from most people. But this ability to focus has served me well in both my professional career and any other interests I have. It is this ability to direct all one’s energy towards a goal that makes serious athletes successful and sets them apart from the would-be competitors. For me, my interest in agility has turned into an all consuming passion. I have spent thousands of dollars on private lessons with the best trainer in my state. I’ve purchased thousands of dollars of agility equipment so I can practice in my own yard. Of course, one cannot be serious about critiquing one’s own performance without a video camera, so that has been among one of my recent purchases. When my two-year old PC was already outdated and couldn’t handle multimedia tasks, another couple of grand was shelled out for a brand new computer.

The price to “play” agility has not been limited to monetary expenses.

Last year my family and I were planning to vacation out of state. I could not fathom taking that time away from my dogs, and when I learned that both Greg Derrett and Susan Garrett were going to be doing seminars in my area, I bailed on the vacation and gave it away to a very happy co-worker! (My husband wasn’t quite as happy, I’ll admit.)

Yes, the agility bug has bitten me hard. I have every book and DVD you’ve done (okay, I’m still waiting for the 2x2 DVD- just ordered!), and am accumulating a collection of others from well-respected trainers.

Training for agility has literally begun invading my dreams. I came up with some great approaches to a current training issue the other night!
When I finally begin to trial and get my first Q, I know I will cry. Someday when we begin to earn titles, I will be elated (and cry some more). When we make it to the Nationals (gotta dream big!), I’ll have to come up with another goal.

You can see I’m determined and focused on becoming competitive in world of dog sports, and I have faith in myself and my dog that we can do this. It doesn’t matter that this is my first time as a handler, or that my dog needs some “polish” to shine on course. We WILL be successful!

All of that drive, all that determination, and that compelling fire in my belly to succeed in dog sports pales in comparison to my biggest goal.

At the end of the day, it won’t matter how many ribbons we have. My dog won’t care how many titles I can print after her name in my email signature line. She’s not going to care whether we ever make it to a trial or only practice in our backyard.

I know I’m competing with the “big guys” on nights like tonight when my dog waits on the bathmat outside the shower stall while I’m cleaning up. I’ve succeeded in my dog’s eyes when she revels in our play time, then contented and worn out, curls up next to me on the couch when watching TV in the evening. Later, she follows me to snuggle in bed for the duration of the night. When my dog freely and of her own choice gives up her former pleasures just to share time with me, and finds such joy and utter exhilaration in doing so, I know beyond a doubt that if we were never to trial, if we never earn a single title or play agility outside of our own yard, we’ve truly MADE IT!