|
|
|
|
We decided we were going to drive up to Michigan the afternoon before test morning - weren't going to start the day with a 4.5 hr trip just to get there. We did the usual last minute checks that we had everything before leaving: collapsible dog cages for the room – check, dog food - check, water – check, Myah’s tracking gear – check, my tracking gear – check, portable XM radio for the 4.5 hour trip – check, clothes and necessities – packed…we should be good to go. We left and had an uneventful drive to Lansing. When we pulled into the parking lot of the motel, Linda started to unload the van while I proceeded to walk and feed the dogs. As I got ready to head into the room I asked Linda...."You took my bag in, right?" “Umm....No.....I took my own bag in” was her reply. "My black bag with the logo on the side...did you already take it in??" I asked. Again her reply was “No! I have my own bag...nothing more.” I then started to get worried and tore the van apart! I started to think, ‘Where's my bag???!!! ....with all my clothes, toiletries and tracking pants......’ Then it dawned on me…”Oh **!&@@!!!!” It was packed alright, but it was back home, still sitting on the on the bed where I left it! I looked at Linda and said “Let's just turn around and go back home now.”
So.....we didn't, we were there, it was forecast to be a great Sunday - weather wise – Linda said we are staying. After we finished with the dogs, off to dinner we went.....with me kicking myself all the way. After dinner we scouted out a Meijer store to do some shopping for the "bare necessities". With the necessities purchased and Linda having started her Christmas shopping (it’s only 50 days away, you know), we headed back to the motel with me feeling a little better. We gave Myah a pep talk that night and went to bed.
Sunday morning was beautiful, but chilly. Everyone gathered at the club headquarters, for doughnuts and coffee. There were 12 entries, and I was # 12. We began the draw, in an unusual fashion….there were a bunch of decorated 6” tiles on the table and we were told to pick one as we were called…there was a number on the back and that would be our track order. Neat way to do it! Beats the boring old pick a number from the bowl! I ended up with number 4.
We headed down the road to where the tracks were laid and got started. Tracks one thru nine were here and the last three were in another field. Well, dogs one and two passed easily, dog three, had some issues and failed…time for Myah and myself…another pep talk with Myah and she was wired and ready to go!
My first thought was, ‘is she too wired?’, ‘will she settle in and do the task at hand?’ I need not worry, as soon as Myah dropped on the beginning article I knew this would be a good run! As soon as I said “track it!” Myah settled right in and just took off! With very little casting she powered down the first leg. She overshot the first turn a bit, but came right back, found a turn to the right and took off again. Same for the second turn, this one to the left….and the same for the third and fourth turns to the right…now we are into the fifth leg and I’m thinking we are running out of field so the end has to be near…when Myah starts casting….and casting…. Visions of the Youngstown test started to pop into my head… (in Youngstown, on the last leg, Myah went right and the track went left!). So I calmly pulled the sock out of my vest, and re-scented her…”track it, Myah”…then with very little searching she took off at about a 60 degree angle, nose firmly pointed down and really pulling into the harness. About the time I thought, “geez, I hope you’re right’, she dropped and I went running up to see her start playing with a glove!! I picked up the glove, waved it overhead and let out a yell! The judges and gallery started to cheer and Myah just looked at me like…what’d I do?? Can I have my glove back now??
Dogs five through nine passed as well. One dog even found a nest of field mice, but finally continued to finish the track. Dog ten had a problem with a drainage swale and failed. Dogs eleven and twelve passed easily. Now it was time to head back to headquarters for lunch and critiques.
All in all it was a very good day! Wonderful fields for tracking, perfect weather and great company…couldn’t have asked for more. I even got a few tips from several people on how to continue my training with Myah for TDX and VST. I think I’m glad we stayed!
|
