This & That

USDAA Cynosport Games 2009

4th place for Fable’s Team with Bill Pinder and Cajun and Mary Ellen Barry and EZ

10th place for Stuie’s team with Jen Pinder and Taser and Neta Jones and Toast

I was especially thrilled with the continued progress Stuie has been making since August this year. Our summer expedition seemed to help her confidence. Working in different locations, inside and out, different equipment and coping with being a demo dog some of the time. I am really looking forward to seeing how much more she can improve in 2010. It was just wonderful to step to the line knowing that she can run the same Gamble and Snooker course as Fable and has put up faster times than Fable.

Fable had some great runs too and but for an uncharacteristic slip after the long jump where she was unable to recover for the next jump she put up the 5th fastest time in Steeplechase semis. That may have rattled her as she crashed the first bar in GP semis – an even more unusual error (maybe twice in her career) but not unlike her to be affected by the slip – so no individual finals for her this year but maybe next year for both of them…..

Spinner and Whist turned 17 & 15

Despite a 2 1/2 week long episode of vestibular disease at Christmas, Spinner is back fighting fit chasing his son around the property—trying in vain to control him… failing that when he is too tired to get up and organize him, he barks his loudest at him (funny coming from a dog who never made a sound)…

Spinner and Whist continue to exercise around the property going for two walks a day. Although both can still make it around the whole trail, we now only take them for 3 laps of the lower path as the steep hill at the back of the house is a little dangerous when they come down.

Whist is not quite as steady on her back legs (but considering she has mild Hip Dysplasia—she’s not doing too bad). She still has some hearing and good sight. This evening she was playing with Gifted.