Perfect "Mr. Perfect" -- December 1, 2009

• Seven years of waiting.
• Lots of grey hair.
• Three blue ribbons.
• Three first places.
• At least two trials where Bing was the ONLY dog to qualify.
• Finally, an AKC Novice Standard Agility Title.

Last Friday, Bing and I went back to Dream Park. I got there in time, this time!

Long story short, despite being way more anxious than he was two weeks ago (see Bing Blog 47) -- because this time he had to stay in the van in the crate for 2 hours -- we went into the ring and he was PERFECT. Textbook perfect. If you were to watch a video on how agility should look, you would have seen Bing.

He nailed everything perfectly, including a Table Down, off-side entry to the weave poles (entering with the dog on your right instead of your left), and all of his contacts. He was gorgeous. AND he was 15 second under time!

It took everything I had to not break down crying in the ring. Such elation at finally having reached a long-awaited goal that I knew he’d earn. I had to wait an extra two years due to pregnancy and finding the time to do this with him.  But he could not have done it with more grace, style, beauty, and, of course, agility.

There are tons more titles to earn and way more skills to learn. But he was SO proud of himself, and we had a great time together, just US.

I’d like to thank Joanne Stock for supporting me and working with me, Scott Stock for running my butt off in the early days and helping Bing to get over his fear of the teeter, Dr. Karen Overall for helping me get Bing to a reasonable level of insanity, my husband Pete for supporting me ALL THE WAY, Acacia for letting me have time to work with Bing, Clyde Closson for always being the cheerleader, and Cheryl Bare for being my trial buddy (who always calls me to tell me that I’m about to miss the walk-through!)

We can’t wait for the next trials!!!

Bing Blog 48