Lots of stuff happening, not much time to write about it.
The Perth Royal Show-
Jack's return to agility
as usual, had to be there at the crack of dawn every day, and still didn't get much room to sit/park dogs etc. And what is with the "supporters" concept? One particular group numbered at least EIGHT people "associated" with the competing 2 dogs- handler, owners, owners' friends and family, hangers-on-from-dog-club (some wearing sponsor's T-shirts, although they weren't competing)- all occupying chairs under the shaded area reserved for competitors, so while they enjoyed their picnic and chat, competing dogs were left out in the weather (heat and rain), with no protection from the crowd. Charming. Idea for next year- competitor + one allowed under the shelter- friends and hangers-on can sit in the public seating area.
We entered everything- first weekend, teams agility run-offs (we qualified in first place, yay!), teams jumping run-offs (not sure of place, but we made the finals- yay!). Jack was a little star (IMHO), running the only clear round on the agility course.
Monday Public Holiday- individual Masters and Open Agility and Jumping- well, we didn't set the world on fire, but Jack ran his usual honest, enjoyable rounds, and we got a couple of quallies, including Masters Jumping- what the?! Not too far off the places, either.
The final weekend: Teams finals. Our team didn't do so well in the agility, with at least 2 of the Masters dogs (Jack included) demonstrating their inability to run a straight line of obstacles ("too easy!") and culminating in Bailey's terrible crash off the dogwalk, cutting his leg. But in the Teams Jumping final, we held it together for enough clear rounds to win the event. Well done us: Kriszty and Jess, Karen and Soda and Angel the reserve, who was pulled out after Bailey's accident and ran like a little star, Ash and Bailey (he's okay, folks) and Jack.
The youngsters- Muddy and Bill coped admirably with the show atmosphere. Bill was his usual suspicious, over-reacting self, growling at anyone who looked at him too hard, but he adjusted and settled, and was even able to play and snooze at quiet times. Muddy shook himself silly for a while, but started settling when there was no action. The kindly working sheepdog people let both boys have a play on the sheep every day- Muddy was over-keen and ignoring me initially, although he was better behaved later on. Billy had his ?4th experience on sheep, and was so much fun- he ignored the crowd, and stayed off his sheep, worked calmly (most of the time) and learned to push between the sheep and the fence. He even worked for Richard (much to my chagrin- little traitor) and lay quietly outside the yards, in stark contrast to the Kwivering Kelpie.
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