tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31203654630347979582023-11-16T16:40:18.399+00:00Wynnes Journey with their DogsChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-52260157036462375822015-01-01T19:55:00.001+00:002015-01-01T20:01:59.209+00:00Finishing on a high.....and starting on a high...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDIBXchet8AvrmL119-U0ZN2ssnUod9yJzbJLSmht9EdLfr77usCqC9NIrBDwiCxMizLbAP_nVMjWAdWyfPzviWvvKZBnjvjFMYYyRxAEeZ360EQasQkAGT3zK4xlLYeqxtELmIqaXh8F/s1600/Zev+and+Me+-+Olympia+-+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDIBXchet8AvrmL119-U0ZN2ssnUod9yJzbJLSmht9EdLfr77usCqC9NIrBDwiCxMizLbAP_nVMjWAdWyfPzviWvvKZBnjvjFMYYyRxAEeZ360EQasQkAGT3zK4xlLYeqxtELmIqaXh8F/s1600/Zev+and+Me+-+Olympia+-+2014.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zev and Christine - Olympia Medium KC Stakes 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our Autumn break in October, where we switched off from the agility and had some R&R, the plan was to ease back into training in November. However Zev, suffered his first ever attack of pancreatitis. The dramatic quickness of how fast his health deteriorated was scary. Thankfully swift veterinary intervention, modern medicine plus Zev's and mine determination he recovered, with just one small set back. In short, I have learnt caring skills I have never needed previously. It was a real shock to the system. In a year of having to say goodbye to our beloved Nuts it was a massive downer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as always we focus on looking forward.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kJdt3VVC2cLMwmTa_ojEoBpacEDOW7Nu7ub2Vs5PYpHz-Frx41P2TJYJux_Iu6NtTNDhmcWj7DovF9w5dUlM7teEmt6lRB6oqGTsDsCGDRwn5sv8Hq3TAc7rXZHzlMarkKC27eEPVOkK/s1600/Marc+&+Guys+-+Christmas+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kJdt3VVC2cLMwmTa_ojEoBpacEDOW7Nu7ub2Vs5PYpHz-Frx41P2TJYJux_Iu6NtTNDhmcWj7DovF9w5dUlM7teEmt6lRB6oqGTsDsCGDRwn5sv8Hq3TAc7rXZHzlMarkKC27eEPVOkK/s1600/Marc+&+Guys+-+Christmas+2014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Marc & the guys and gals - Christmas 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In December I got a phone call, from the organizer of the <a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/agility/agility-at-olympia/" target="_blank">KC Agility at Olympia</a> - Medium Day, Zev and I were one of the handlers being called up. I knew he was fit enough as I had worked to maintained that. Our original qualifying run was paw-perfect, however as agility goes despite this, we were just outside the places, which is the way it can go. We were the only Sheltie in in the Olympia medium event. As always we just have to go out and run our best and as the sporting expression goes <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">"It ain't over 'til it's over" by </span><a href="http://baseballhall.org/hof/Berra-Yogi" style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" target="_blank">Yogi Berra</a><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At Olympia on the Medium day we achieved a 5th in the jumping and a 4th in the agility. In many ways I felt like I had won, with Zev just being Zev, his recovery, the fact that he had only returned to agility just two weeks before, his enthusiasm, his and mine's performance, how we handled the whole event. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remained composed and calm even with running first in the evening final, I worked every obstacle and maintained handler focus. Sure there is one turn I felt that could have been improved but heck at the beginning of November I did not know what the future held for Zev far less to have the joy of running him again. To run him in front of such a great crowd I was on a high and Zev had a brilliant time too. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 12.2666673660278px;">A friend said we will always be an excitable team the difference is I am learning to control it and channel it more consistently. A wise friend indeed and very true.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As always for
Christmas and New Year we have lighted candles and remembered the loved ones no longer
by our side to celebrate many good memories and the fact that we were fortunate enough
to have had them with us for part of our journey, however briefly that has been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said we finished 2014 on a high.....so here's to looking forward to 2015 and making the plans, ambitions and dreams for that year and beyond a reality. </span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-58923592955634950992014-10-19T21:22:00.000+01:002014-10-19T21:25:09.799+01:00All or nothing......<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marc and Bigs - EOs 2014</td></tr>
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It has been a year of highs and lows and it has not even finished
yet. The EO and FCI worlds with Agility Team GB came and went in a blur. The cramming it all in
approach to life has possibly reached saturation point in the Wingate-Wynne household, it has been manic in a good way. The hardest part was and
continues to be the lost of Nuts from our lives. In the darkest hours I find
myself waking up to feel sometimes the wet tears that have fallen in sleep, time as
always moves on. life goes on but in a weirdest way it also feels that it is dragging and a bit remote.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd Ticket Win - Aug 14 - Christine & Zev</td></tr>
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The high of achieving Zev's Agility Champion Title. The <a href="http://www.agilitynet.co.uk/reference/agilitychampions.html" target="_blank">Agility Net - Champions Listing</a> really brings it home how hard it is to
achieve this agility dream of the championship title. </div>
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Little Bear is challenged in size both vertically and
horizontally, compact he certainly is. So far he has been slowly
entered into the competitive agility world and has had two wins at KC and one
at UKA in jumping classes. Each time he has rewarded me with great attention and determination. I have now started to teach him
the a-frame this week and hopefully at some point he will make his full agility
debut. He endears himself to many and for me his determination and attitude, and how he is for me
just as ‘sweet as pie’ with a brilliantly cute cheeky element means he has it all.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear & Christine - Sept 14</td></tr>
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Wings and Raz have aged as you would start to be expect as the
approach their 12 birthday, things are more difficult for Raz with his sight
loss, but we continue to try and do our best. Wings grows sweeter each year and is it amazing to think the behavioral problems she had when we took her on and how we turned that around. It was looking back both foolhardy I guess and a leap of faith. Ultimately it worked and she has had many happy and contented years. It is all that you can do. Marc with Bigs, picked up 3 reserve CC's, qualified crufts singles and team, and with Dixie also achieved a reserved, so so many successes all round.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mr Britannia at FCI 2014 </td></tr>
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Agility Team GB was challenging, tough and good. A real mixture
of emotions and a helpful influence on some factors we had been working on, At a
time when many people may be easing up in their lives we are heading in the
opposite direction and ‘ramping’ it up.</div>
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One of the Italian Agility Team at the EO’s had a brilliant
slogan – ‘all or nothing’, that is certainly inspirational and that is how we
feel now it is all or nothing…..</div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-66042614600163498982014-08-17T21:46:00.001+01:002014-08-17T21:47:11.958+01:00Agility Dreams.....Agility Champion OBay Tiz WildIts peculiar you know, in my last post on the 4th August, I talked of agility<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;"> dreams and goals, of making them real and pushing for more. At KCI, the premier show of the agility summer season, we had two off courses, a beautiful run in the Olympia semis, that unfortunately was not quick enough against other competitors and in the British Open, we again had a beautiful run but Zev, uncharacteristically had a pole down. In competition this is incredibly rare. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">I was wondering when all the improvements I had made to our fitness, technical skills and team work was gonna start to pay off. I focused on my processes despite the season being really in many respects our worse season ever on paper, In my heart and even my rational mind, I know we have improved and I needed to stick to the journey I had set us on. It would have been all to easy to quit and go back to tried and tested methods and not stick to the new processes I was working on.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">I needed a boost very much. The process of working towards Zev's agility title had become harder than I though it would be. I was beginning to doubt myself, even with the prestige of being on Agility Team GB. Too many times there was 'if only' scenarios this year, the competition has gotten tougher and I wondered would all our improvements would ever be enough?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">he day of the Welsh Kennel Club Championship Agility Test arrived. I focused on my mental game, kept reminding myself of my processes that I was working on and how to handle the courses for both me and Zev. We were clear in the agility and jumping qualifying rounds. Our placements meant that we would run the final run - last but one. I gave up running my dearest Bear to concentrate on Zev, as their runs were too close together. I need to be fully focused on Zev. On to the start line I knew I needed the run of our life and told myself to concentrate on the processes. Another clear it was an excellent run but would it be good enough???? There is so many factors to this and to my total jubilation we won. This was this was our 3rd Ticket win aka Challenge Certificate, an agility dream come true. Zev would now have the title of Agility Champion.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Marc has put together the following 2 mini movies made with imovie. The first is a celebration trailer and the second movie shows our runs.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">The first time I watched tears welled up and I thought of so many things such as that my beloved Nuts was not around to see this happen, that me and Zev had done it, how lucky was I that Bernadette and Dennis Bay had entrusted me with one of their precious sheltie puppies. How lucky am I that my resilience 'kicked in' and I kept on going and working at the processes and Team GB pointed me in that direction...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Sometimes Agility Dreams Do Come True........<span style="font-size: x-small;">..</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-3452961707983330142014-08-04T22:13:00.001+01:002014-08-04T22:27:46.199+01:00The European Open - Agility...its hot, hot, hot....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine & Marc W-Ws and Zev and Mister Big</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">he European Open - Agility - Taszar, Hungary</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">What a trip - epic coach journey and then the heat and sunshine, hot, hot and hot running in 30 degrees. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The courses were fabulous, tough, clever and unforgiving. For me they felt gladiatorial in a very good way, and even though I got Zev e'd they were e's that I did not feel ashamed of. As our performance has improved, so has Europe and it is catch up all over again. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Marc and Mister Big made the final and how my heart soars watching this tiny poodle run. I also luv the expression from the judges, indicating their thoughts of technical performance, empathy and sympathy depending how the course is run, it is really excellent and sporting. The jumps and poles were Smart-99 and they are so clever in design and demand that the dog jumps very cleanly, adding an additional technical skill factor, making the agility even more exciting. so many things to enjoy and reminded why agility as a sport is so darn great. Someone made this real nice video as a celebration :)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marc and Mister Big in Action - EO 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The winners fantastic performances from both the handlers and dogs. The courses were inspiring to watch and they are so exhilarating to run. Course design and judging is a tough role, and lucky for agility sport, there are people with such a talent for this.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">There is no doubt we all miss Nuts like mad, at times we are all a little lost. The focus on this event has helped deal with this as much as one can. Returning home without out him to greet us, toughsville :(</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">There is randomness of thoughts and focus for me, developing and improving our training for both parts of the partnership. Striving for dreams and goals, making them real and pushing for more. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The new management team for Agility Team GB, are really bringing the sport performance aspects and a strong foundation has been set to build upon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Now to prepare for the FCI Agility World Championships only 6 weeks away.....</span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-29374164547270056772014-07-09T22:36:00.001+01:002014-07-09T22:37:40.468+01:00In grief how do we deal with the lost....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f5BZDgpfkPL0yN0KnBdtpLx0GxmDUQ-Jp2zKCob4bRpjk0w5JmJ3PmWTZOLoYqsosS922xGJ5ey0EelTok8Mq1Itux8e624LI1H8D_B49NSa88FmMENqNXKU65MGGgPOwJMycs7IthT5/s1600/Jan1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f5BZDgpfkPL0yN0KnBdtpLx0GxmDUQ-Jp2zKCob4bRpjk0w5JmJ3PmWTZOLoYqsosS922xGJ5ey0EelTok8Mq1Itux8e624LI1H8D_B49NSa88FmMENqNXKU65MGGgPOwJMycs7IthT5/s1600/Jan1325.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine and her guys - Winter 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a an indulgent post, but I did not know how to write a 'normal' life post so soon. My thoughts are on grief, usually a topic to be avoided, it is at the very least uncomfortable and difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">In grief how do we deal with the lost?...As unique as our relationships are, our ways of processing grief are too.. For me I knew if I stopped doing stuff I would not start again. I had to carry on and get out as the truth was I hated home without Nuts, but also wanted to be there as he luv'd the garden so. For others solace heals, but for me at that point I needed to be out and about distracted with 'busyness'. A classic and stereotypical response.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlnBYiFssNz8D7vV0KyV6GIihpuuU7sgTZFLkEvSUYF7GrTVVsCHWLG-x-0LOLCIpFCUKYU29Ub053z71U2eYqwmXrpG1d6sQjeg7hmS2F8XsUEkRrwlhPPDHf2fSRLzel4kiqA8TTD9d/s1600/Me+&+my+guys+June+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlnBYiFssNz8D7vV0KyV6GIihpuuU7sgTZFLkEvSUYF7GrTVVsCHWLG-x-0LOLCIpFCUKYU29Ub053z71U2eYqwmXrpG1d6sQjeg7hmS2F8XsUEkRrwlhPPDHf2fSRLzel4kiqA8TTD9d/s1600/Me+&+my+guys+June+10.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At Arley Hall with my guys 2010</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Burial and cremation, I always thought I had that sorted in my mind with what I was comfortable with for my guys at the wretched time. For them to be cremated, to scatter their ashes on their favorite walk and plant a special plant in their memory. Cry a lot and heal a little as time goes by.</span></span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jMyhmIg4A84SSpzAjBC49QGc1d3Guu7sNwo9ZkWIvVKFX7MF_O9h1fnSKgzDANdW4gt9rHWhwNPxlN6tDE7_rhaNJRb9pI1yL4xGzPdrcWm8gDdTSuC3nCcaUGEsDhXJGHz4aEwhpKiB/s1600/AWC6+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jMyhmIg4A84SSpzAjBC49QGc1d3Guu7sNwo9ZkWIvVKFX7MF_O9h1fnSKgzDANdW4gt9rHWhwNPxlN6tDE7_rhaNJRb9pI1yL4xGzPdrcWm8gDdTSuC3nCcaUGEsDhXJGHz4aEwhpKiB/s1600/AWC6+079.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This all changed with Nuts, when on that trip of no return, he came back with me. I could not bare the thought of being separated for a moment or that he would be alone whilst going to be cremated. A new path, a new way, I was not sure I would cope with a garden burial, but at that point I knew there was no alternative. Marc was away that night so there was me and the guys sitting with Nuts a wake of silent tears, nose nuzzles and hugs. Little Bear who was so faithful and true to Nuts could not comprehend what was happening with his buddy. It was heartbreaking watching the still and sleeping body, growing cooler and stiffer by the hour and Bears distress in his incomprehension.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dawn of burial day came, and we all looked so very lost and adrift in our own mini worlds of grief. Nuts was buried with his blankets and toys and his collar, I had planned to keep his collar as a treasured memento, and in my thoughts I realised and said to Marc, 'he needs it, he always liked his collar on'. So that's what we did, all the family with us as we did this. How we did it I don't know, I guess you just do.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQVy-ODw0Myh07EVOgOJx0coWk5SvVk5rRaNGUDQoifzIZWXN1xigqOsX6pPan9gDUg562EPhlS0-O-mTnqUxRFzoe9SYauI9N9ZKw0ns1fbnbwsjn7CRs1kzzmNnKxkV-oBrTo6lwSjV/s1600/W-W+Guys+together+o8-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQVy-ODw0Myh07EVOgOJx0coWk5SvVk5rRaNGUDQoifzIZWXN1xigqOsX6pPan9gDUg562EPhlS0-O-mTnqUxRFzoe9SYauI9N9ZKw0ns1fbnbwsjn7CRs1kzzmNnKxkV-oBrTo6lwSjV/s1600/W-W+Guys+together+o8-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A beautiful summer eve - 2008</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The emptiness of Nuts being gone, remains like the nothingness in the Never Ending Story. On one way life has so much to offer but it co-exists with the nothingness, a weird mix.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have processed grief more differently, I think the last 2 years or so I have cried so much when each time it looked like we might lose him and then he valiantly rallied. His strength, his will, so when he went the finality was raw for me in anger and frustration and silent tears as I could do no more and nor could he.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What made him so special, so many things. But grief is our own journey that we travel, most of it hidden and unseen. I share this as the taboo of death means that we steer away from this uncomfortable subject and then it seems forgotten, whilst it rages on the inside. In grief we deal with the loss and life goes on.....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am left with knowing it was my good fortune to have truly loved in my life and that Nuts was and will be forever loved and loved forever..... </span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-43604183577728615332014-05-29T21:47:00.000+01:002014-05-29T21:52:50.436+01:00Nuts - Forever Loved, Loved Forever...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9QoPkJop9zNb8VQ5DC8BUBCchcUJonYYt6bSAHh-YXF3ps-TF_yn2LmaPsxrjwSbBjw0jS2it9ZdWNkj0STHFEiZ3IHMKquiJTKBUjejTmtZIyuQDOvL80axcL10fDJ4wDnQofOmHr6/s1600/Nuts+Winter+2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9QoPkJop9zNb8VQ5DC8BUBCchcUJonYYt6bSAHh-YXF3ps-TF_yn2LmaPsxrjwSbBjw0jS2it9ZdWNkj0STHFEiZ3IHMKquiJTKBUjejTmtZIyuQDOvL80axcL10fDJ4wDnQofOmHr6/s1600/Nuts+Winter+2008.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuts & Christine</td></tr>
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How do you say goodbye, when you think there is one more ray of hope but Nuts said not. Nuts said it was time to go and the day I dreaded came. When all avenues are exhausted and modern medicine has run out of solutions. When Nuts no longer had the strength to fight. How do you deal with the light, hope and fight being gone? Nuts my beautiful guy who took me on a a journey to create dreams and sow ambitions that I could not believe I could have. I was so fortunate with the connections he created and how he was with me. He was steadfast, he was loyal, he was my main man and rock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtlcOrUdCgaLpr8Jb4JsI41-uTK_hREdX4RmNaChZoheQzgJDRtXAoOpYjZ-yjKhQTFvySsYdNiJ2nSN2pxFT3SYAOAjsLFNqhgXLItzNBJAQBC0QGYbYhHDoTXs7_xkNwXIRf_uM82ks/s1600/Nuts+&+Me+Worlds+FCI+2006+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtlcOrUdCgaLpr8Jb4JsI41-uTK_hREdX4RmNaChZoheQzgJDRtXAoOpYjZ-yjKhQTFvySsYdNiJ2nSN2pxFT3SYAOAjsLFNqhgXLItzNBJAQBC0QGYbYhHDoTXs7_xkNwXIRf_uM82ks/s1600/Nuts+&+Me+Worlds+FCI+2006+(2).jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a>He was my Lassie, Pongo and Bolt all in one. He enjoyed the ride with me and we had such brilliant times, and I could not have been prouder to have walked by his side.<br />
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Two songs that some him up to me are 'You are my first, my last, my everything' by Barry White and' Nobody does it better' by Carly Simon. And Marc said it was also 'Me and my Shadow' by Frank Sinatra. And that is so true.<br />
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No song goes with his passing, the melody of the February song helps to calm me, as we had no fight left and how I wish he did so that we could have another precious day. I could wish it a thousand times and there I was nothing I could do to stop the ravages of time increasing its relentless and tenacious grip. How I wish my Nuts was forever young and by my side.<br />
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How I wish I could say he was 15. How I wish he would be at the door when I return from the EOs and the Worlds, I so wanted to tell him all about Zev's and I adventures. So many wishes but as the February song, one day we will be together again and I never wanted to let him down, but as he lost the strength to fight and I did not know how to help him fight, he was saying it was his time. I guess our time is our time...I just hope he understood when for the thousandth time I told him, how special, loved and perfect he is.<br />
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Forever Nuts. Forever loved, loved forever.....<br />
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12/02/00 to 28/05/14<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-55513068172402861582014-05-12T22:47:00.000+01:002014-05-12T22:47:21.480+01:00European Open & FCI Worlds - Here we come :):):)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing the Double - Lansdown - Crufts Singles - 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Every so often in life that are just what you hoped and worked damm hard for. Almost two weeks ago we got the news that not only Marc and Mister Big had made the team for the <a href="http://www.eo2014hungary.com/" target="_blank">EO - Hungary</a> and the <a href="http://www.agility-wm2014.lu/english/" target="_blank">FCI World Championship</a> but Me and Zev had too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The </span>excitement<span style="font-family: inherit;"> has been </span>immense<span style="font-family: inherit;">. With Marc and Big, they have been before to the Worlds both WAO and FCI events and achieved so much, but for me and Zev, it has been a while coming. The first year we tried out, we were no way ready, we had not even run a champ class I don't think it was the year of null points. The second year I had exams on tryout date, the third year we made reserve for the EO and no team was going to the Worlds as it was in too complicated and costly being in South Africa. I was so so frustrated. This year, Zev was 6 and I felt if we did not do it this year then it was unlikely we would. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The<a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/press-releases/2014/may/the-kennel-club-announces-2014-agility-team-gb-squad/" target="_blank"> KC press release</a> explains all. It was an incredibly tough weekend with 7 runs in all including a team event. The courses by <span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 11.636363983154297px;">Italian judge, Paolo Meroni, reminded us of why we find agility so </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 11.636363983154297px;">exhilarating - </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 11.636363983154297px;">technically</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 11.636363983154297px;"> demanding and swift for speed, this was indeed agility courses at their best. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The squad and team selection process is managed by Mark Laker and his thoughts on team selection can be found at his </span><a href="http://marklaker.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/bank-holiday-weekend-and-team-gb-squad.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">blog</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 11.636363983154297px;">.</span></span></div>
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The challenge with agility now as the standard and demands of agility are growing all the time, it really means having to put in the grunt work to achieve it. Agility is becoming so much more like other sports, quite rightly with the physio and fitness for both handler and canine partner, the skill sets, the mental toughness or focus required. Some have the good fortune to be naturally talented, like Marc who can just run, he does not have to work at it, I have to do two sessions a week specifically focus on running and running dynamics to achieve what he can just do. That is not to say Marc does not look after his fitness, but it just comes more naturally and with far less effort. But despite this additional pressure we think ultimately it will be good for agility as a sport and good for us.</div>
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It all feels very surreal and totally brilliant so say your representing your country in a sport that really consumes our life in so many positive ways is for me a dream come true. Marc would I dare say is pleased ;)</div>
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So here we come :):):) .....this should be one heck of a ride...........</div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-83293431996739493462014-04-12T21:51:00.000+01:002014-04-12T21:54:09.002+01:00Bear's Agility Journey Commences in earnest :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since Christmas I have started to let Bear learn more agility equipment and the main focus has been poles (weaves) see-saw and the RC concept. As he is so tiny I was a little daunted, but we thought we needed to start and see where this takes us. The video shows some snippets of the sessions we have had with the dog-walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 'good decision' approach I use has enabled Bear to have a good attitude and interest in his learning as well as enjoy doing stuff with me. He is getting stronger with his game play as I endeavor to balance the food and toy rewards so that they strengthened his 'up for it' attitude and motivation for agility. Ultimately I think dogs have their own preferences and it is up to us to tap in to what that is rather than dictate what we perceive to be rewarding. Learning is so hooked up with preferences, styles, relevance, motivation and connection. It has been a great and rewarding experience for me teaching a youngster of my own again, after-all there is a 5 year gap between Zev and Bear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As Bear starts to grow up it will be interesting to see how his character grows and develops, as he now is truly into his growing up in terms of his character and working out what makes his world work for him, as any mammal would do that lives in a group. Experience tells me you don't really know what your partnership may be until you get passed as I call it the 'terrible oneis!', but really it not terrible just highly amusing and interesting watching him work out how his world works :)</span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-13521836572260208362014-02-12T21:36:00.002+00:002014-02-12T22:14:33.382+00:00Kinda happy....kinda bummed...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine & Nuts</td></tr>
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Nuts has made it to 14, and the wonderment that we had got to that milestone is tempered by the Vets confirmation that he has lymphoma.<br />
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There is no more fight left for us to overcome, there is no tablet, diet or physio that can fix it. My ambivalence to birthdays grows as to me they are a marker of time that is lost, that death is coming sooner. The pleasure that others seem to gain from this annual date event is at times quite lost on me. Or as a friend said to me 'everyday is your dog's birthday', which is a compliment indeed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAEYETIGhiguvpHk1CHgGSZY4dwCy7DwaH-5kIqMB8HXoxdNdp43c-LqdlU7-1hH3KXAWi-JGN98QlLz26qXwiUtNhuPR5siHDLBPt0gyV8IHzRAvVje95TYo4ppJfuWRfnsC8Di6WxHh/s1600/TopWD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAEYETIGhiguvpHk1CHgGSZY4dwCy7DwaH-5kIqMB8HXoxdNdp43c-LqdlU7-1hH3KXAWi-JGN98QlLz26qXwiUtNhuPR5siHDLBPt0gyV8IHzRAvVje95TYo4ppJfuWRfnsC8Di6WxHh/s1600/TopWD4.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuts</td></tr>
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There is no treatment, that will give Nuts additional time. As always I will continue to ensure on daily basis that we do some of his favourite things. <br />
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I cannot believe as I look at him, that at some point this year our journey together will be at an end. We have defied so many odds, perhaps we will manage it again. ..<br />
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As I type this posting he lays at my side, as always so close. I reviewed all the blog postings that mention Nuts and they show that he has so brought so much to my life and what adventures we have had together.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">The relationships and opportunities we have in life are remarkable and so often taken for granted...sometimes we know straight away when its extra special...I knew with Nuts and I have never lost the marvel of how special our relationship is.</span></em></span><br />
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So I kinda happy and kinda bummed.........but just so thankful that Nuts is still by my side.<br />
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-44460053557165321452014-01-15T21:42:00.002+00:002014-01-15T21:42:22.202+00:00The Grunt Work....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hB-g0gsA0qW-6JdaFqzs2LA2-PWbla3hAeF27Rf9tt4DUJ6UL1MOzKdJacFUnemEHA4cgXksaaZFgmg6C8KsxRF6qcrsRLUDe1hSpoI-5N3HBYmhouqwPO_zG3aGxuZ2W_jDJzwUvJoK/s1600/Worlds+FCI+2006+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hB-g0gsA0qW-6JdaFqzs2LA2-PWbla3hAeF27Rf9tt4DUJ6UL1MOzKdJacFUnemEHA4cgXksaaZFgmg6C8KsxRF6qcrsRLUDe1hSpoI-5N3HBYmhouqwPO_zG3aGxuZ2W_jDJzwUvJoK/s1600/Worlds+FCI+2006+(3).jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuts</td></tr>
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It crazy and it hard, when your dog grows old and with Nuts it has been a huge learning curve because he is the first dog, that I have been bless to have a bit longer time with. It is a blessing but it is also a lot of grunt work and sometimes. I worry am I being kind or am I being unfair? But as with most things in life you have to rely on 'your gut' feeling or intuition. I can watch for any physical tell tale signs, to see how he is feeling. I know him that well, from the tiniest crinkle in his ear to a tightening of the lips, to just how 'he seems'. Is his quality of life good enough? I like to think so and certainly hope so.</div>
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One of the best inventions I have some across and in many ways its simplicity itself (as brilliant ideas so often are) to help Nuts and me in our quest to maintain his strength in his muscles so that he can enjoy his 'bimbles' around, join in the fun and remain included. It is the <a href="http://www.doggyjumps.com/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=77&Item='Active Balance Ultimate Wobble Board'" target="_blank">Active Balance Ultimate Wobble Board</a> designed by Maria Johnston of <a href="http://www.activebalance-vetphysio.co.uk/" target="_blank">Active Balance-Vetphysio.co.uk</a></div>
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The video shows a little session at the weekend, everyday we to a different exercise programme, the sessions are very short and sweet.<br />
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In the video you can see his him give his paw it has taken 6 months of physio to get him to be able to do this. I can confess my<span style="color: black;"> eyes</span> were 'moist' when that happened. When we first started the cavalletti Nuts could not do it and now he is now stepping though and able to complete the exercise. Another benefit is being able to take Nuts for short walk, when for many months this could not happen.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTilZ5UG5gquyb6igWbWSQh3qNEDgnI58hCNg11rMXkIwMqHviLkOeFIZA-vhC-QWrxezgzXGpt5yQUP4C2eqV4aunaQSpwuAOytUBFJRX0xWjaxF0dcnOQrllWo6HKcZHMXqSw5q6zOfr/s1600/Dec+09+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTilZ5UG5gquyb6igWbWSQh3qNEDgnI58hCNg11rMXkIwMqHviLkOeFIZA-vhC-QWrxezgzXGpt5yQUP4C2eqV4aunaQSpwuAOytUBFJRX0xWjaxF0dcnOQrllWo6HKcZHMXqSw5q6zOfr/s1600/Dec+09+(9).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuts</td></tr>
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It is all vital part of rebuilding and hopefully maintaining some co-ordination and awareness of his body. It has improved the messages going from his cerebrum to his muscles as the neurotransmitters learnt a new pathway or make reconnections. Having tuition with Maria really gave me the confidence to carry out the programme.</div>
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All these little improvements mean so much. In reality sure there is somethings Nuts cannot do, like the stairs. But we have learnt to lift his body so that it is safe for us and him. So I guess that it is why it is the grunt work, but really I guess it is more a labour of love....</div>
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-87492216048920492752013-12-23T21:26:00.001+00:002013-12-23T21:26:30.175+00:00Christmas is a coming.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play in the Snow - Zev and Bear</td></tr>
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How I love Christmas and the lights and celebrations that the shortest day has been and gone. It's been a remarkable year and so many highs from Zev winning his second championship certificate, winning the medium pro-plan finals and several qualifying classes plus being a reserve for Team GB and England. Marc with Dixie winning her first championship certificate and qualifying for the semis. Marc with Mister Bigs having 2 wins and 2 seconds at the WAOs in Spain and coming second at a Olympia. A fantastic achievement and with are so fortunate to have our journey with them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marc & Bigs fly the England flag - WAO 2013</td></tr>
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Raz and Wings enjoy their retirement. Wings is happy with the telly and other pleasures whilst the grace of Raz as he continues to cope with his lack of sight is humbling. <br />
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And with Nuts I feel very much like the fable of 'King Canute' who tried to hold back the tide. I fight a constant battle against the ravages of time for Nuts with physio and food and anything else that means he has the best quality of time and life. With his ups and downs over the past two years I really do believe you know when it's time for them even if that time would never be right for me as it would always be far too soon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine & with Rivi, Nuts and Zev 2013</td></tr>
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Beautiful Bear is now over a year old, he is as cheeky as he irrepressible, terrific with all the guys and leads me a dance so merry that he constantly makes me smile. Then Beautyoli after such a brilliant start at Easter developed only what I can liken to as stage fright. I had to pull her out of agility for 2013, which was incredibly disappointing. As Marc said 'the genius of Rivi is destined to be unknown'.<br />
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So Christmas, we can celebrate and look forward to 2014 with excitement already as Big, Dixie and Zev have all been selected for the Team GB squad. (We did not try out for the WAOs for 2014.) Plus Zev and Dixie at in the Agility championship Classes at Crufts 2014. And as Bear watches fascinated by the ritual of us putting up the Christmas decorations and we think of the joy as he spends his first Christmas with us and Nuts magically spends his 13th.......<br />
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Happy holidays :):)</div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-4661457529371732302013-11-10T21:59:00.002+00:002013-11-10T22:18:35.838+00:00Distractions with Bear :)Well BB or Beautiful Bear, is now 11 months of age. How his puppyhood is a source of entertainment and fun. He has the cutest cheeky personality, yesterday we enjoyed the beautiful autumnal weather and played around in the garden and bear was having fun with distraction training. I was really pleased with watching this video back, as Bear has found the Rivioli a big distraction at times. But I have managed to turn it around by using a runaround with Rivi as a reward and worked at strenghtening our playing whether it with food or toys or both.<br />
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I am also amazed at Bear doing all the jump wings....the seeds of agility are sown. Lets hope ;) In Janary I plan to start his weaves and contact training, depending on the weather, I know until the shortest day happens in December, the lack of daylight during the week will be an issue. But there is no rush and it means I can remain focussed on his fitness, co-ordination, general life skills and as all ways having a good time.<br />
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Then no escaping on video is there, I cued the recall and go past with the wrong leg!! Doh...<br />
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It is also just nice to have Nuts on video still enjoying himself and joining in :) Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-44609318972707592832013-09-25T21:06:00.000+01:002013-09-25T21:06:17.892+01:00Pro Plan Masters Final....:) Medium Winners 2013Wow. After a break of three weeks with no shows we had the ProPlan Masters Final to do. Marc had to pull Bigs from the Finals as he had a glute muscle sprain. Nothing serious but we would not to run one of our guys unless they are 100%. So this meant it was down to me and Zev. How did I get in the right mind set, the week leading up to the finals was less than ideal but heck that is par for course. Then I remembered a <a href="http://www.daisypeel.com/" target="_blank">Daisy Peel</a> tip to put together a play list of favourite agility runs. This sure did help in terms of getting to the show where the finals were being held. And starting to rekindle the 'game on' feeling.<br />
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We arrived and I breathed a sign of relief as they had in the finals and at the actual Bromsgrove Show the excellent aluminium rubber contacts. It makes such a difference I was really pleased as I knew that it would enable Zev to run at his optimum. We ran a normal agility class and won that, would we be able to repeat the same in the finals.?.<br />
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We sure did :) what a fab feeling on what has already been an exceptional agility year. I keep watching the video and just enjoy seeing Zev and me having a great time...doing agility.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-75913764728339793892013-09-08T20:45:00.000+01:002013-09-08T21:59:37.496+01:00Diminutive Dixie wins her 1st CC - Aug 2013<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The diminutive Dixie,
who would have thought that Marc’s tiny powerhouse of a border collie who we reckon is one of the smallest ‘large’ dogs on the agility circuit in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
would win a challenge certificate in championship during her first season at Grade 7. </span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But this is what
happened at Wilton Champ show at Bank Holiday August 2013, it was one of those days where the flashes of so much promise all season, was delivered :)... </span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So looking forward to seeing Marc and Dixie run at Crufts 2014 :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-31646230924700602722013-07-31T21:47:00.000+01:002013-07-31T21:54:47.355+01:00Some Oh So High Moments with Zev<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some oh so high moments
</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> with Zev this agility season - </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A series of first
achievements for me and Zev. We came </span></span><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> in the Medium KC qualifier
for the semi’s at Thames, so now have a chance to qualify to run at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Olympia</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> in the Crufts Singles at
Landsdown (Marc won the smalls with Big, so nice to do the double)<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> in the championship jumping
qualifying round at Tuffsbury</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is so exciting. </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Then another bonus was
Marc and I with Zev and Big achieved another double at Tuffsbury by qualifying
for the Pro-Plan final in September. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">However, our record
for getting through to champ finals is abysmal this year. Last year I think we
only failed to qualify for 2 finals. This year up to the end of June we have
qualified for just one!!! Talk about a reversal and that’s a bugger. The
getting to shows is costly and we luv running in the finals it real ‘by the sit of your
pants’ stuff. So the focus for the rest of summer is champ. This focus has made
the difference, we made the last 3 finals and we won our second championship
ticket at the Agility Club Show on 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> July 2013, then the icing on
the cake was the next day we won the Medium KC qualifier. What a weekend of determination, focus and sheer highs of running agility courses :)</span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For me it is a sense
of achievement and recognition of an evolving handling style and a fabulous
sheltie, who gives so much. To some this may seem a ‘bragging’ post, but what
the heck we achieved this and this is a record and celebration of that
achievement. And good stuff happens to need celebrating...</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span> </div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-8068831952853068532013-07-09T18:30:00.002+01:002013-07-09T18:31:24.633+01:00 Time to get a life back :):):) the course is finished!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_-v4u8lUdaehJmDTvQV5prn0B9iiJfdq5yRFooh212Tj9PNr9XqnTYFLvxnHi40y5whAc3Z9lHdaBczau68_2QiXHEx6jZZjpSVmgXqGtyz0OAwd8mxu7BcU6seAAO0r4Motce_7H3dB/s1600/Marc+Me+and+the+Guys+Spain+WAO+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_-v4u8lUdaehJmDTvQV5prn0B9iiJfdq5yRFooh212Tj9PNr9XqnTYFLvxnHi40y5whAc3Z9lHdaBczau68_2QiXHEx6jZZjpSVmgXqGtyz0OAwd8mxu7BcU6seAAO0r4Motce_7H3dB/s320/Marc+Me+and+the+Guys+Spain+WAO+2013.JPG" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wingate-Wynnes @ WAO Spain 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It has been intense.
Marc and Big’s at WAO’s in <st1:city w:st="on">Oviedo</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> – fabulous 2 seconds and 2 firsts, a good
clear in the team to assist <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>
to achieve a Silver team medal. In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> they have won two reserve
tickets and qualified for the semis. Great form. For me grooming for Bigs to
sitting last major exam, submitting an assignment and doing a presentation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discipline to keep going the last two
years has been intense. </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With agility it has been a case of there but not there,
so much </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
studying and how Zev and I have managed to achieve being reserve</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsJ2f6-ZcOq7kNtcqpMRVwKrbWhyphenhyphen4XBIcdJDec_a1yoLcCdzxPD_O1k9B9L1gldsKTLxilcR73Vo9wzeX_i3QX1nKuPAXVSB5RSGNFll8Qg6grU-inFtNajELsm-KMcCSL7QNwf4RwASI/s1600/Bear+and+Zev+June+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsJ2f6-ZcOq7kNtcqpMRVwKrbWhyphenhyphen4XBIcdJDec_a1yoLcCdzxPD_O1k9B9L1gldsKTLxilcR73Vo9wzeX_i3QX1nKuPAXVSB5RSGNFll8Qg6grU-inFtNajELsm-KMcCSL7QNwf4RwASI/s320/Bear+and+Zev+June+2013.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear and Zev - play time</td></tr>
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both
for WAO England and Team GB, whilst all this is going on is both amazing and
crazy. Being the team reserve has it down and up sides. The training
sessions meant Zev and I were getting some training, remembering agility and
gaining some great ideas to improve our competitiveness. The down side of being
the reserve is just being nearly there but not there!!!! Mentally it is quite a
challenge, but I’d rather be a reserve and than not gain a place at all.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I am already thinking
how I can make me and Zev a better and faster team. As the rules for having a
chance to try out for representing Team GB have changed. Understandably I get
why, but bugger me we need to seriously raise our game. How much can we max out
of our performances every time? We are so on the edge </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">, so I need to now get back to agility being
seriously fun and nail those courses.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-l0O6od2SXmZIK6mJFgcjdtcTazRz5q1qhuWo82UPhg_ENUXfb0EBaA4iDjVVSmG3Kj2qwhgtOPfbw52oXceU7duMs_nWvWTtyW55FVHzmJOj1KKanMJvHOVD0wyfyLs0g46sq79SLVM/s1600/Bear+and+Fox+Poo+-+June+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-l0O6od2SXmZIK6mJFgcjdtcTazRz5q1qhuWo82UPhg_ENUXfb0EBaA4iDjVVSmG3Kj2qwhgtOPfbw52oXceU7duMs_nWvWTtyW55FVHzmJOj1KKanMJvHOVD0wyfyLs0g46sq79SLVM/s320/Bear+and+Fox+Poo+-+June+13.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We have ordered some
more and much needed agility equipment so that we can start to set proper courses rather
than elements of courses. This should be arriving this month. Who knows I might
do some teaching of agility again?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Then the beautiful Bear
continues to be a delight and lead me quite the merry dance. He has topped it
by having his first fox poo-roll. Darn, foxes coming into the garden ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-89959989006737588312013-04-28T16:24:00.001+01:002013-04-28T16:27:11.871+01:00The Bear @ 4 months :)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WqX-wIFGKbblnbQz2ffhNk7dFnv4hlPGq1T9CmTs3CTjG1xZydfTJNobq_oXRC4DatJ2fcMNqXHSf9oWamDXOVfMczX3d3YKX_kUmAYNuf3dWZkadOGzNx2ICWeCOaYK_43aAxSJRKGa/s1600/Bear+March+13+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WqX-wIFGKbblnbQz2ffhNk7dFnv4hlPGq1T9CmTs3CTjG1xZydfTJNobq_oXRC4DatJ2fcMNqXHSf9oWamDXOVfMczX3d3YKX_kUmAYNuf3dWZkadOGzNx2ICWeCOaYK_43aAxSJRKGa/s200/Bear+March+13+013.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear at 4 months - Mar 13</td></tr>
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Well it is a crazy time with a puppy to entertain, exams coming up in May and the agility season to commence. Talk about trying to cram it all in. What can I say about having a puppy after a five year wait, it is chaos, brilliant, occasionally frazzling and so exhilarating. I so luv the whole puppy thing apart from house training especially as it has been one of the coldest March and April since the <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaM_MtlxPO5yfa3tQpBhRH4aY-xxBqZuxEaXGW6L383NB2veTQoAbGVNXdUohhOccHLLNrxq6dwO5McPAwdA42HwPBFu75lsTiCmFyln39Sq4ibGq6Pv9l4Z2Yc8C9o3OI8iJhnMakWgm/s1600/Bear+&+Zev+-+Mar+13+-+Snow+dance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaM_MtlxPO5yfa3tQpBhRH4aY-xxBqZuxEaXGW6L383NB2veTQoAbGVNXdUohhOccHLLNrxq6dwO5McPAwdA42HwPBFu75lsTiCmFyln39Sq4ibGq6Pv9l4Z2Yc8C9o3OI8iJhnMakWgm/s200/Bear+&+Zev+-+Mar+13+-+Snow+dance.JPG" width="195" /></a>records begun etc etc.,.<br />
<br />
With learning and developing for me and Bear the focus is on life skills and what I call co-incidental learning. Like with the cone that Bear goes round in the video clip, he is just following the toy - the cone to him is co - incidental and it is me who is excited as it is a cone ;) little sessions and not to repetitive and not as a drill. I am really pleased that he will now run around with a toy in his mouth rather than try to get Zev's fur, that was a behaviour that I definitely did not want forming and fortunately the toy playing has stopped it. Phew!<br />
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<br />
What do we have as the basics of behaviours that I will be able to cue or be useful in no specific order:-<br />
- sit - park your bottom please<br />
- recall/chase - run round with your human<br />
- play with toys - even whilst the other guys are running around<br />
- get your treat bag - get your treat bag and bring it to your human who will give you sausages<br />
- hand touch - wanting both hands touched <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsv61Ib1lBbLTgXiAvB7mENkwBKHnSeHFrJhEy7wsLiLOgiLlmq30cHqaH3ntc2eO-cBnYZENhPMzv_zwI-tCGOcZmwWyhcvGOh8tG4ofUguP4o33RR6xbDisTPV741N3vUQfhHfJjJyh/s1600/Bear+March+13+having+a+chew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsv61Ib1lBbLTgXiAvB7mENkwBKHnSeHFrJhEy7wsLiLOgiLlmq30cHqaH3ntc2eO-cBnYZENhPMzv_zwI-tCGOcZmwWyhcvGOh8tG4ofUguP4o33RR6xbDisTPV741N3vUQfhHfJjJyh/s320/Bear+March+13+having+a+chew.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear at 4 months - having a soft chew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- respond to praise - that Bear indicates he is really pleased with rewards i.e showing what he finds - rewarding<br />
- loose lead walking <br />
- wobble board - balance and turn around on<br />
- back up - to go through doors<br />
- lead on <br />
<br />
So far Bear has fitted in with all the guys really well, and seems to really enjoy camping which is brill as that is currently a big part of our agility lifestyle. Hopefully we will have many years of fun and entertainment with this little cutie...<br />
<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-67686268754359515982013-03-24T15:54:00.000+00:002013-03-24T15:56:11.161+00:00Training With Janita Leinonen - A great day :)Last year, Marc had the opportunity to train with Janita Leinonen and Jaakko Suoknuuti and this year we were really lucky to get the opportunity to train with them again as Nic Jones organised a training day. <a href="http://www.kelpokoira.fi/" target="_blank">Janita and Jaakko</a> are phenomenal agility handlers and we admire the style in terms of how they<br />
communicate the course to the dog and enables the handler to move around the course - with fluidity, swiftness and clarity.<br />
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For me as with my own particular things that I need to minimise or strengthen it suits me particularly well, I have to work at the movement but once I get it, it feels natural and fluid in terms of movement. I remember the day after Marc did the training last year and his handling just went up a whole level. Really exciting and gives me even more to look forward to when Bear will start his training.<br />
<br />
To start Janita gave us the opportunity to practice particular moves that we need to learn so that we will be able to teach ourselves and our dogs. That was a good workout and means that the dogs were happy as they had done decent work before we had our individual sessions. <br />
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As an individual we got 22 minutes and this was timed. This is great as it means your free to relax, watch, prepare and cool down whilst it is not your turn. It also means that it is very fair, you all get the same amount of time and can work on specific elements that are personel to you. This approach really suits us.<br />
<br />
Janita as a guide to their style of handling was clear, supportive and encouraging. It was a great day :)Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-8778039589208990612013-03-16T17:31:00.002+00:002013-03-17T20:56:27.830+00:00Mister Bigs and Zev @ Crufts 2013What a brilliant event this is. And this year the excitement was built as Marc and Big had qualified for British Open, Singles, Team and Championship. They were gonna be busy for sure. Then Zev and Me achieved my dream of being in the Agility Championship at Crufts. It was also extra special as it was Zev's mommas retirement Crufts and what a fabulous sheltie she is not just talented but a super nice sheltie too. To me the Championship event is the one to qualify for, whereas Marc would say all of them are. In fact Marc has already given me instructions to qualify for more events ;) We had a brilliant time and Sunday being Championship day was a new thing for me and Marc both in the same event albeit different height categories. Mentally we handled that aspect pretty darn well. <br />
<br />
The links are to Bigs Jumping Win in the British Open, The Beacon Small Team Win and The Champ Finals as Marc and Bigs made it through.<br />
<br />
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The Kennel Club and Crufts so great with the videos to share with all. Incredible to us Mister Bigs Jumping Win has already had 14,000 views. He is becoming famous methinks, as a poodle should be. Next month the work begins to qualify for Crufts 2014.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-88116601193426349362013-02-24T21:40:00.002+00:002013-02-24T21:40:44.710+00:00All about love and life..<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbSqKwZFVR4Obqez9aiL6_h8_znGxowKvgolwDwYlEJBWXdD62-1puqUz7wt7ywYbGcEfhfRFUzhpUgxLNhY0-dQydWGF9UADoIMR3Sy-gPfGFFyMAXshiwjRCQuUiwttkP47gpN6JhIu/s1600/Jan+13+-+My+and+My+Guys++Wingate-Wyne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbSqKwZFVR4Obqez9aiL6_h8_znGxowKvgolwDwYlEJBWXdD62-1puqUz7wt7ywYbGcEfhfRFUzhpUgxLNhY0-dQydWGF9UADoIMR3Sy-gPfGFFyMAXshiwjRCQuUiwttkP47gpN6JhIu/s320/Jan+13+-+My+and+My+Guys++Wingate-Wyne.JPG" width="320" /></a>Valentine week saw my beloved Nuts turn 13, it is a continued source of joy that he still with us. Then I think of the luck and work that Marc and I are still together since we met 20 odd years ago.</div>
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Love is a transient thing it could last a day or a lifetime. That is the scary thing I guess it can make you feel 'top of the world' high or when broken 'the lowest of the low'. </div>
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The truth is no one knows why love happens as it does. That gives it both strength and also fragility. The same is true of life spans, why some live long and for others it seems as if they were robbed of time.</div>
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Another joy of the Valentine week is Bear has joined our family. This puppy search has been long and hard, and I have had a few disappointments on the way. Even grief as one pup I really longed for died at just 10 hours old. I lighted a candle for him and cried as so many dreams and hopes seemed to wither at this point. I thought of giving up but friends rallied and a through a journey of unexpected turns I found Bear. <br />
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As soon as I saw his photo I knew, as soon as I met him I knew and most importantly he liked me. It was instant and it would seem I am an instant kinda gal. What relief, what joy. The cliche of life being a journey so true in this case and so we are joined by a much loved and long wanted addition :)<br />
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Bear in action, playing and having a chew... puppy time<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-90829895344674704062013-02-06T20:47:00.001+00:002013-02-06T20:47:44.774+00:00Whats in a name....Rivioli...?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivi by Watts Photography - June 12</td></tr>
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This really made me chuckle to myself. Rivi's name I made up from Drive which is part of her KC name Nedlo Drives Me Wild. To me it is a great name and easy to create affectionate names such Rivioli, Beautyoli, Sleepyoli and even in time of crises we have botheroli! But Rivioli is the most frequently used and endearing.<br />
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But what did I know? As I have recently I have found out:<br />
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<strong>a]</strong> The Ritz Hotel, a renown and internationally famed hotel has a bar called the <a href="http://www.theritzlondon.com/rivoliBar/default-en.html" target="_blank"><strong>The Rivioli Bar</strong></a>. This bar is in Art Deco style which is a favourite of mine and heralds and age of elegance, romance, creativity, innovation, light and style. I hope that I go there one day, for wining, dining and romance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivi and Me by Watts photography</td></tr>
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<strong>b] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rue_de_Rivoli" target="_blank">Rue de Rivoli</a></strong> is apparently one of the most famous streets of Paris, with some of the most fashionable names in the world based there. Along with a hotel called <a href="http://www.hotel-parisrivoli.com/pages/hotel.html" target="_blank">The Hotel Paris Rivioli</a>, I will have to get too Paris for a romantic weekend as I think I have found the right hotel to stay at.<br />
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So blimey indeed, my Rivioli is a bit on the posh side...rather ironic really. Named it seems after such fabulous places. <br />
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And just goes to show, when you think you have had an original thought, someone, somewhere has already probably had it!!!<br />
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These great shots are by <a href="http://www.wattsphotography.co.uk/" target="_blank">Watts Photography</a> . I luv the detail he picks up in the dogs, the intensity, colouring and character. They give great memories :)Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-7931825160581463822013-01-27T08:22:00.000+00:002013-01-27T08:23:01.610+00:00Snow and Rest 2013Snow brings both chaos and pleasure. But as always the guys have such a delight in the initial snow and Nut's new coat from <a href="http://www.camddwrcanine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Camddwr Canine</a> has been a brilliant blend of providing him with warmth but so light and comfortable that he will come in the house and lay down in it and quite happily keep it on. Which for his comfort needs is perfect, otherwise it just would have been too cold for him to come out and play.<br />
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Snow will always be a chance to capture memories of the guys having a good time.<br />
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We have had a complete two month off from training, and next week will see us getting back into training. So glad to have the time off for various reasons and we really think it does us all good the canines and the humans. </div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-28548625348624787562012-12-31T16:49:00.000+00:002012-12-31T19:13:42.044+00:00Hello to 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guys New Years Eve 2012</td></tr>
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Wow on Christmas Day, discovered this fabulous new walk for the guys acres and acres to be explored and hours can be enjoyed watching the guys having a great time. It is off the beaten track, so the guys can really let rip and we can walk to the walk - perfect. Since moving to the midlands we have found many lovely walks but this is the best so far :-)<br />
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So many things seem to be falling into place, just can't help feeling that frisson and excitment for what may be coming next. So time to say goodbye to 2012 and hello 2013...<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-72358747409479952042012-12-26T20:43:00.000+00:002012-12-26T20:43:22.006+00:00Wow Christmas & 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Friday 21st December 2012 heralds the shortest day. And I always feel a little jubilation as to me it signals that slowly but surely daylight time will increase. It keeps me going whilst in December and January from Monday to Friday we walk in the dark and play in the half light of electric bulbs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDL-6fHfAWbbWQ4g3F5r86BtKqv1ldnHun5PlNeM_y846PEKjCIfbFbzdIT__eK3eHmgSIbZdwGnHsg6NoUzWmUW4QWoOZNbU3QLgJxH4tYPGdTCh6UIodoxbebtgh5VlQziT_uoJs5ku/s1600/Zev+handsome+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDL-6fHfAWbbWQ4g3F5r86BtKqv1ldnHun5PlNeM_y846PEKjCIfbFbzdIT__eK3eHmgSIbZdwGnHsg6NoUzWmUW4QWoOZNbU3QLgJxH4tYPGdTCh6UIodoxbebtgh5VlQziT_uoJs5ku/s320/Zev+handsome+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a>Time enough for reflection of the year, and it has been a darn good year. Marc, Dixie and Bigs have had such a terrific year, as I have too with Zev. With the agility the last 12 months have seen us start to <a href="http://wynnesjourneywiththeirdogs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/metamorphosis-in-agility.html" target="_blank">metamorphosis</a> in handling style. I have gained so much experience of handling Zev with his running contacts and it is such a thrill to run this way for me and for Zev and getting less 'oh crikey' and more 'game on we can do it'. <br />
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Then Rivi I am still retraining her contacts 2 fundamental elements that have hindered progress as I did not get my head round it till 12 months after I started retraining. Hindsight, wish it was foresight ;)<br />
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1. Deconstructing a static paw target is what I should have taught as the first element.. Thanks to <a href="http://www.eastlondondogtraining.co.uk/#" target="_blank">Kamel Fernandez</a> for his input. Gave me the confidence with an idea that I had been playing around with. Any future crossover 'hugger' of contact dogs I will incorporate this first.<br />
2. Never withhold reward in a training context. It fundamentally was wrong for me and Rivi no matter how nicely you do it to not reward is not to appreciate the effort Rivi makes. Thanks to <a href="http://www.lolabuland.com/training-videos/" target="_blank">Silvia Trkman</a> for 'RC that make you smile' DVD. Always reward and jackpot, is the theme and this is the approach for me. It made me chuckle, when the DVD came out with the title as I did a <a href="http://wynnesjourneywiththeirdogs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/smileits-agility-time.html" target="_blank">smile posting</a> in June...so great that agility is not only a competitive sport, but the sheer hard work pays off with moments of elation and smiling... the yes and yahoo moments even in training.<br />
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2012 draws to an end it has not been without heartache, but also many wonderful moments and so much to look forward to....all with Nuts still by our side...<br />
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I love the Christmas holidays and the time it gives us to be together. So happy holidays and have a cracking 2013.<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3120365463034797958.post-47850167947935074662012-12-10T18:23:00.003+00:002012-12-10T18:29:38.923+00:00Dixie's turn to Shine :-)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crikey, only said on my last posting little Dixie's and Marc's run seemed flawless to me ;-) and then they did it again at the Riot </span><a href="https://tug-e-nuff.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tug E Nuff</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - </span><a href="http://www.ukagility.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UKA</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Final on the 01/12/12. This time coming 1st overall (1st place jumping & 2nd place agility).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Marc qualified Big for the CSJ and I did Zev too. But the day was all about Dixie and Marc. And have to say all credit to the organiser's it is a great final and the sponsorship of the prizes so fabulous. Marc and Dixie got a £150.00 Tug E Nuff voucher and a beautiful big glass trophy. Fantastic :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So proud of Marc and Dixie, who must be one of the smallest large dogs in agility. As someone said small and mighty :-) Our thanks to <a href="http://colliewobbles.webs.com/" target="_blank">Mandy</a> and <a href="http://www.nedloagility.com/" target="_blank">Lesley </a>for letting me get her for Marc.</span><br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06254267524612386018noreply@blogger.com0