I started showing dogs the summer I was seventeen. Really big dogs. Mastiffs!
That’s also about the time I became a super-fan of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. If you’re a fan, too, you know that this event, which is a lot like our version of the Oscars, is supposed to happen right around Valentine’s Day.
In fact, the Legendary Husband and I have a long tradition of moving Valentine’s Day so it doesn’t overlap with the dog show.
Recently, though, Westminster has happened in June. Outdoors! And yes, because of the pandemic.
I have adapted. In fact, I was thinking about that on Monday as I sat riveted to the tv, hypnotized by the Master Agility competition.
This was not the kind of showing I did. The run in a circle with a big dog and hold their mouth open for the judge kind was more my style. Mastiffs. Great Pyrenees. English Springers. Newfoundlands.
Agility is, literally, an obstacle course for dogs. AND their handlers! Hurdles and tunnels and teeter-totters. And speed matters!
The dogs are the athletes. Their handlers are the coaches who run along and encourage with voices and hand signals and applause.
The thing that amazes me most is how much they love it. Dogs and people!
Which is not to say that it doesn’t get tricky. Often.
Missed jumps. The tunnel taken backwards. Sight seeing from the top of the dog walk bridge. And the whole pole weaving thing.
And still, everybody’s having fun.
It reminds me of my teacher/friend, Steve Glenn. In fact, I can hear his voice even now. Whispering under the thundering applause…
There’s no such thing as failure. Only experience to be learned from.
What if WE could be like those dogs? What if we could teach others to be like that, as the handlers do. As my friend, Kate, does.
Then came the lightbulb!
What if Agility were a metaphor, as well as a sport?
What would WE do with that much joy – even with the learning experiences?
THAT’S what I want to help my girls learn! I want them to know they can go back and try again and I’ll cheer them on. I want them to be proud of themselves.
Even when, as at Westminster, often other dogs take home the big hardware.
In the case of Agility, this year, my personal fav, Truant, a Border Collie from the over 20 inch class. And the big winner, Bee, a Shetland Sheepdog from the over 16 inch class.
And, there’s more show to come!
At the moment, my favorite is the winner of the Herding group. A stunning German Shepherd Dog, named River, from just up the road in Woodstock, GA.
But, the Sporting and Working and Terrier groups are still to come before we head off to the big ring for Best in Show!
But, before that, flowers to paint. A guided imagery adventure with a dear friend who is beginning chemotherapy soon. And, I suspect, some more conversation with Grandmother Moon about what my version of doing what matters that much to me looks like at the other end of the mystery tunnel.
What if Agility were a state of mind???
ps… it is!!!
pps… want to know more? Check out Your Epic SuperPower Path ! I promise… no teeter-totters to fall from!
ppps… at our house, the agility course is made of paintings!