My Princess is Gone

My Princess is Gone

Posted on by beyondtheq

My Princess is gone.
“Nina” MACH C-ATCH UKC Ch. Leigh-Hi’s Keepsake RN MXS MJC MXP MJP2 MJPB OF T2B SCN CGC TKI CL4-F, CL4-H, CL4-R, CL4-S, chST, ITD
5/3/07 – 12/30/18

Words cannot even explain how difficult it is to type this. In November Nina was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. She fought her cancer diagnosis right up to the end. Sadly she started to have difficulties breathing the last couple days and on 12/30/18 she let us know that she could not fight any longer. The cancer had finally won. We had to make the difficult decision to let her go and my heart went with her.

Nina was such an incredible girl. She brought me places I never dreamed and changed my life forever. She was the first dog I finished an agility championship on. The first dog I ever competed at a national event with. The first dog I finished a UKC Conformation Championship on. The first dog I ever trained in scent work and the just the third sheltie in MN to earn an AKC Scent Work title. I could not have asked for a better partner the last 11 years.

Nina loved everyone and everything. Her heart was a big as they come. Never a more loyal and loving dog. She loved agility, especially her dog walk. Nina loved clearing the yard of evil rabbits and squirrels. She helped me through some the most difficult times. She would do anything for me and I for her. She was my world and just one of those “special” dogs and I thanked God everyday for her.

I feel blessed to have been able to spend some extra time with her but saddened as we had so many exciting things planned. I loved her so much. I would have given anything, paid any price to save her but cancer is cruel. I know she is with Ollie again and is no longer suffering. I am trying to find comfort in that. I know time heals but right now it hurts to even breathe. Somehow, someway, I will find a way to get through. I promised Nina I would take care of little Reba for her.

You can run free again Nina. I hope they have dog walks where you are. Say hi to Ollie for me. I loved you so much Princess, I just pray you knew that.

So you want to qualify for the CPE Nationals in 2019

So you want to qualify for the CPE Nationals in 2019

Posted on by beyondtheq

Nina at our first CPE Agility Nationals

CPE officially released the information for the 2019 agility nationals this week. Here is a quick overview of the information.

 

Location

The competition will be June 7-9, 2019 and will be held at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI. This was originally scheduled to be held in Minnesota but the show site had to be changed and the Minnesota Host Group did a fantastic job at locating and securing a new site. The new location is right by the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. There will be 4 rings indoor on dirt and 2 rings outdoor on grass (if needed.)

 

Requirements

• Your dog must earn at least 40 legs in the height category (regular, veterans, enthusiast, specialist) that they will be entered in for the Nationals during the qualifying period which is between January 1st, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

• The 40 legs can be earned at any level within the entered height category.

• For regular and veteran dogs, you must have completed all titles in the level you started at through level 3. For example, if you started in level 3, all level 3 titles must be completed by the end of the qualifying period. If you started in level 2, all level 2 and level 3 titles must be completed. If you started in level 1, all level 1, 2 and 3 titles must be completed.

• Enthusiast dogs can skip up to one class per level (must be the same class for each level.) Specialist dogs can skip up to two classes per level (must be the same class/classes for each level.)

You can find all the detailed information by clicking here to go to the CPE Agility Nationals Information Page.

 

Goal Setting

Sometimes it can be easy to get overwhelmed when looking at the overall requirements of things. I find it useful to break things down into smaller goals to help keep on track and stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. In this case if we break down the 40 legs requirement, we would need 3.34 legs per month or 10 legs per quarter to qualify for the 2019 CPE Nationals. Suddenly that 40 leg requirement does not seem so overwhelming!  

 

Remember dog agility is all about having fun with your dog. If you start overthinking things and stressing that “fun” factor will start to fade and your dog WILL notice. Sometimes things happen that are just out of our control. Take time to enjoy the journey and grow your relationship with your dog. In the end that is what really matters.