Traveling and Competing

Here it is the end of May; and, I'm finally doing an update! Yeesh......so much for my New Year's Resolution!!!

When last I wrote, we had just purchased a Fifth Wheel and were heading to Long Beach, CA, the first weekend in March for a competition. We really had a great time in the Long Beach area and enjoyed the Fifth Wheel.........the only hitch.....Mia wasn't really into the jumping! Her jumps ranged from 10' to 14'5"........at best! Plus, a few times she came to a complete stop and just looked up at Pete as if to say, "You want me to get that!". When this did happen, Pete was able to coax her to get her ball and avoid a "dnf". Even though Mia didn't make Finals, it was great to watch other LVDD members compete for honors........our club made a BIG SHOWING and we're all quite proud of all the accomplishments.

To be honest, Pete and I were somewhat baffled as to what exactly was going on with Mia.........she just didn't seem that interested in competing. On the other hand, Belle was really into visiting with any one or thing that came her way. We still needed to be careful with Belle and her activity level; she needed to be kept in the xpen most of the day at the competition. Belle has also become very, very vocal!! When Pete and Mia were on the dock, she wanted to be with Mia and was making sure every one within earshot knew it. I finally placed a sheet over the entire pen which seemed to quiet Belle down.

At the end of March, we headed down to Del Mar, CA, for another competition. The weather seemed to be a little warmer and Mia acted as if she was excited to participate. On Friday, Mia's first wave was okay....a 13'4" recorded jump and 4th place in the Junior Division.

Since Saturday's competition wasn't scheduled to start until after 12:00, we decided to take the girls to the "dog beach" at Solana Beach. Both enjoyed playing in the sand and getting into the surf! Belle's activity still needed to be somewhat limited, so she was kept on the leash. On the other hand, Mia was having a complete field day running in and out of the water! She would run along the shore chasing her ball...in and out of the water...tail wagging and barking having too, too much fun!

Team Pete and Mia jumped the three scheduled waves for Saturday and received a 3rd place-Juniors, 1st place-Juniors and a 1st-Novice. Since her jumping distance dwindled as the day wore on, we figured she just ran out of gas by the last wave. Sunday morning dawned cloudy and overcast......we knew this might be a problem....we truly feel Mia needs WARM weather! She's just not one of those girls who gets wet just to get wet! Sure enough....Mia hesitated before she jumped and recorded a jump of 11'0". Once again, we missed the Finals. However, on a positive note, Mia's recorded jumps titled her in the Junior Division. She is now titled and eligible to jump in the National Competition held in October in Mason, OH.

Las Vegas Dock Dogs participated in "Pet-O-Palooza West" held in Peoria, AZ, the weekend of April 4-5. The venue for the event was the outfield of the San Diego Padres' spring training facility. And, Belle and Mia were ready for a fun weekend. Belle was having a good time walking and rolling in the grassy outfield. Mia's jumps for the weekend were consistently in the range of 13' to 14'.....the good thing was....she actually SEEMED EXCITED about getting in the water! She wasn't hesitating at the end of the dock any more. Also, Pete felt Mia did better using the "sit and stay" method rather than the approach he had been using. She WAS jumping better, but now the problem was in Pete's timing of throwing the ball.

Groupings for FINALS are different than the "TITLED DIVISION". The Amateur Finals are comprised of the top 8 Teams (or up to the top 8) with a Top Score of 17’11” or less from the Open Waves within the event. Team Pete and Mia had qualified as the Top 7th Team within the Amateur grouping and had made FINALS! FUNTASTIC!!! In fact, all of the LVDD's who attended the event had made a Finals Grouping....(Semi Pro - up to 21'11" and Pro over 22'). Pete and Mia took the dock for the first jump but Mia slipped and her jump was only 7'6". Her second jump was better at 12'6" and she finished No. 8 in Finals. All in all, we were happy that she had made finals and seemed to improve from the previously competitions.

We really enjoyed using the Fifth Wheel as it proved to be the perfect way for us to travel with Belle and Mia. They, too, seem to feel more comfortable and not so antsy and drooling!! Pete and I were now faced with a dillemna......there aren't any more "close by" competitions scheduled for awhile..so...we bought the Fifth Wheel so that we could travel...WELL...WHY NOT!!!!!!!

Thus, we took off last week and went to Magnolia/Plantersville, TX, for an affiliate club competition, Houston Area Dock Dogs "2009 Spring Fling". Mia WAS OUTSTANDING. Her first jump out was 17'2". All of her recorded jumps for the weekend "TITLED" her in the REGIONAL SENIOR DIVISION. The format used for the Finals was Top 8 Dogs in the Division. Team Pete and Mia had made the Senior Division Finals. Mia finished with a 3rd Place in SENIOR DIVISION! Belle and I were sooooooo PROUD of our TEAM!!! They really SHINED!!!

In June, we have planned to travel to Osage Beach, Missouri, for a National Competition. We also have planned a trip to Ridgefield, Washington, for another National Competition in August. In addition, we are planning to compete in the National Championships to be held in Mason, Ohio in October. Pete and I are both excited about our trips........we figured.....hey, we've got the time now, so let's see some of the United States.

Once again, I've turned this into another epic! That's what happens when there's such a lapse in my postings. But for now, I think it's up to date. June is a BUSY, BUSY month for me........I'll be in Phoenix to take care of my favorite little guy from 06/2 thru 06/7 (so Leslie doesn't have to worry about Tanner while she's busy getting things ready for the annual recital)........will return home and have 1 day to get ready for the Missouri trip. We'll return home from Missouri on Wednesday, June 17. I leave again on June 21st to go to Daytona Beach, Florida, with Leslie and Tanner for the Studio's National competition. I'll be back in Boulder City on June 30th.......after celebrating Tanner's 3rd........and will probably need the month of July to recuperate!!!!!

I won't make any promises....but, who knows.....just maybe, I'll be able to do an update some time between Missouri and Florida!!!!!!!