Super Mouse

We’ve had a lovely weekend! Newton Heath KC show on Saturday, just the two runs, and one clear round. The past couple of weeks Maisie & I have gone back to basics and tried to introduce a bit more drive into her performance, and it seems to be paying off. One thing we’ve worked on particularly is speed over the dogwalk – something she has always struggled with a bit, especially when people (judges!) are nearby. In one class she went over it very confidently, but unfortunately in the other class the judge stumbled very close to the up-plank and Maisie got worried but hung in there and crept over with her eyes almost shut, bless her for being so brave. The show included an ABC Olympia qualifier class, which our friends Jules and Jette had entered (in a freak form-filling accident!) Despite a bit of pre-performance terror, they went in and gave it such a good bash, and even did quite a few of the obstacles in the right order! Teehee, even the judge giggled at Jette’s comedy antics. They did have a lovely run in our grade 1 class too. It was a really fun day and those big scarey KC shows are now seeming a little less daunting and more enjoyable. And we had a lovely romp over the moors near Haworth on the way home, though Billy was mortified as he accidentally leapt into a boggy bit and got a boggy leg.
Then on Sunday we had NAWS. Really nice, interesting courses, and lots of friends there – including some new friends made through the previous NAWS shows. It was a lovely atmosphere – friendly banter around the rings, and lots of cheering/sympathising for everyone’s runs. Maisie got a comfortable double clear in the jumping, and in the agility class she got a 5th!! It was the first time she’s really been placed on the basis of being a speedy(ish!) girl, and it was a very pleasing run – she fair scooted over the contacts, and skipped through a couple of pull-throughs like a pro. A bit of bad planning left me racing her through the tunnel to pick her up on the opposite side – managed it but nearly did myself a mischief. She got a big pretty pink rosette, and several people commented on how happy and confident she looked - and that is the real prize. Loads of other good results all round. Helen and big Skip (who gives smashing kisses) were placed in both classes; lovely lurcher Amos, with Rachel, did a whole round off-lead for their first time, and with only 1 pole down – an awesome achievement for which they were rewarded with a ‘special’ rosette!!
What fun!