Now I did it, perhaps she will leave me alone!!

Hi everyone, 

It has been some time since I wrote in my blog but it is time to talk. This Sunday (Write it down!) my family went to Maryland for us to compete in an agility trial.

We spent the night at The Boston Inn---one of my favorite agility motels!! Lots to smell.

This is me and my "hotel" crate. I like my personal space!

Hasten is restless in motels. 

I know I have never said this in public, but I lOVE to get blow dried. Mom started to dry her hair and I went and looked at her and waited...and then I get nice warm air and some petting.

We hung out in the room and I even decided to sleep on the bed. All night!

The next day all 3 of us joined Mom and Dad at the trial. I had a good Jumpers run! I like it when Jumpers is first. It was chilly and a decent run was had by me.

Hasten had a good Jumpers run until she stopped at weave pole 10 and looked at Mom---don't know what happens to that girl.

Just before my Standard run Mom disappeared and this woman I have known since my first agility class, Marcie Smith, came and got me out of my crate then later, she took me to Mom. Kind of confusing! I had a good run and was under time--people were yelling and Dad said, "you got it." Then Mom grabbed a bar from a jump and ran around the ring and I went with her!!!

So, that means folks, that I made Double Qualification number 20!!! I earned my PAX and now can honestly retire. I do like agility---but only on my grounds and when the mood strikes me. Mom will have video of my runs and show people I am sure! The one time I earn my big title and Mom didn't bring a camera or ipad!!

We have a tradition--a routine that after we run, we get "baby food." It's really nice wet dog food that is frozen in baby food jars. We call this our Big Treat and it is very exciting!!!

A bunch of us little dogs earned big titles on Sunday.

I then was able to receive MANY honors.

I picked some treats I liked from the guy who had so many things to choose from like chicken feet and sausages!!!

It's really rude to show a dog something and take it back! But Mom gave me a nice fresh bone, a buffalo chewy and a jerky. I wasn't allowed to eat them all in one day though.

Hasten then ran her Standard class and Q'd. She tied for 4th place and she and Mom had a run off. It was exciting for the humans. Me, not so much.

Ciaran ran in his 2nd trial and 2nd attempt at Q-ing in Novice. He jumped off the teeter (but did more than last time) and jumped off the dogwalk! Beats me why a dog who loves to hang out on the dog walk, runs across it at full speed in the dark at night and who plays on the contact equipment regularly cannot finish it at a trial--guess we all have our issues.

His Standard run was very good. He was happy (I have no idea why) and he Q'd and earned 1st place.

Dad at his briefing. 

Slow down--don't know what the hurry is! 

There are two things funny about this picture. 1. Ciaran's ears are really big when he jumps and 2. He is looking at David Beckham while he is jumping. They covered his face with paper--because some dogs get really bothered by the image out there--but he is still looking. Not at the ring crew--but he did visit the ring crew once.

Watch out for that teeter!

Once we were done with Novice, we left to have more honors!!! Mom bought a cheeseburger for me and I shared it (well, I didn't have a choice) with my brother and sister.  YUM!!!

Overall, it was a good day. People were celebrating, congratulating me and I had good treats!!!

Here's a wrap up or a timeline of my agility career:

1st trial October 2006, Weyers Cave

My 1st Q!

My first trial in Excellent Level, March of 2008. 

Then luxating patella surgery :(

Started back May 17th 2008.

August 2008, another set back--PTLO surgery on my left knee. 

Started back February 13th, 2009

Earned my first Double Q on September 9, 2009 @ Rectortown...one of my favorite venues for outdoor agility!!!

Mom sprained her ankle very badly at the Mountaineer trial on November 11, 2009. Wendy ran me that weekend. 

2nd TPLO surgery--this one of my right knee, December 2009. 

6 months later, July 9th, 2010 was my first trial back. 

Then Mom had foot surgery.

We ran some, we Q'd some. 

Mom went to a Sylvia Trkman seminar and she suggested Mom try doing a few obstacles and running out. We tried this many times. Sometimes it actually tricked me and worked! 

Mom had ankle surgery in March of 2012 and Wendy ran me in several trials. I earned my 15-18 Double Q's with Wendy Pendleton. 

Mom was cleared to run in July of 2012, we had a few double Q's. 

Late October  2012--Mom tore the facia in her foot.

John and Stacy DeFillipi ran me at Winchester in March 2013 and I earned my 19th Double Q. 

Mom went to England for almost 3 months. I did not compete. 

PAX earned August 25, 2013. 

Even though I have not been very interested in agility--I have had good reasons for not earning this title earlier (only 4 years!). Both mom and I have been on the injured reserve list many times!!!

Thanks to all the "fluffers" out there. Sheli, Wendy, Susan Merchant, total strangers and Marcie on my big day!!! Special shout out to Grrr and Jan Larsen--he was a good fluffer! Hasten adores him. 

Special thanks to all the people who have run me over the years: Dad, Sam, Wendy, Stacy and John and who knows who else? 

Thanks to our trainer and friend Wendy Pendleton. 

Thanks to all the teachers along the way, Wendy, Sheli, Bridget, Claudia, Elsie, Carrie...

Thanks to our good friend and my "Aunt Stephanie!" 

It took a village to get me and mom here!!! Thanks everyone!!!

To those of you who told mom to quit and give up on me--thanks too! I think it motivated her more to keep on trying. (Maybe I don't thank you for that!) 

I have no idea where this will take me.  I know that Mom says I don't have to do any trials --but I like going to the Terrier trials--so maybe I will go to Kimberton.  I might do a few trials--let me see how I feel while watching my sister and brother run. 

As for this blog--I don't know if I will continue and write about their travels or leave that to my mother. Who knows? 

Peace Out folks!!

Barclay, the Reluctant Agility PAX Dog!!!