A Mid-Life Crisis on Behalf of Kim
I’m finally getting organised with all my show entries for the next couple of months. Shrewsbury entry went in a few weeks ago, and then this weekend I also sent in my EMDAC April and May entries, and my Waldridge Fell entry. The EMDAC July is almost ready to go, just debating on how long I want to camp for.
April EMDAC will be Dylan’s first 2 day show, so I’m glad we start summer training before then. He found four runs in January tough going, although it’s mental tiredness rather than physical. I know seven runs over 2 days will be asking a lot of him, particularly as this will also be the first time he’s “camping” (does staying in a Travel Lodge count as camping?!) but we’ll see how it goes. We need to take the step up at some point, and I’m really still considering any competition to be training runs rather than serious out-to-win stuff.
Now I’m just waiting for the Newton Heath schedule. I’m trying to fit more Kennel Club shows in with Kim, as I know she could potentially do very well at Kennel Club shows and I’d really like to get her Agility Warrant, she only needs another 30points or so. On the other hand, I much prefer BAA shows and they spoil me. I get impatient with the Kennel Club. I have to hunt through scribe tickets and pages of badly-written results to see whether I’m placed, usually hours after the class has finished, and even if Kim gets a win I still have to wait another two-three months before I can compete at the higher grade. With the BAA, I get to sit and watch live results being processed, so I know if Kim’s won even before the class has finished. The results are there, online, as soon as I get home on the day of the show, and if I want to move up after the necessary wins, I can do it the next weekend.
I’m also aware that at 7 years old, my beloved Kim is considered to be on the wrong side of the hill. At the moment, I’d say she’s faster and fitter than she’s ever been, but I’d like for her to get in as much of what she loves whilst she’s still fit and healthy and enjoying herself (although I do sometimes wonder if I’m having a mid-life crisis on her behalf) without overwhelming her with competitions, because I don’t know how long it will be before she isn’t fit or healthy or enjoying herself. Hopefully it will be 4 or 5 years before I even have to think about this seriously, but it’s been niggling at the back of my mind for a while now. Any retirement for Kim will also be too soon for me — probably for Kim too — and I can’t imagine not being on course with her, but I know one day it will happen.
Now I’ve thoroughly depressed myself, I’ll go and walk the dogs!
5 Comments
Charlotte
You do sound very oranised – I was terrible when I was showing – I missed a couple that I had paid for and I forgot to enter a couple that I really wanted to do.
Leanne
I tend to be quite good about entering – but it’s sometimes a surprise when my ring cards drop through the letterbox! I had that happen a few times last year so I’m trying to keep on top of it this year … let’s see how long it lasts! 😀
Vicki aka Giruff
Yeah, I’ve been sorting out all my entries too. I have a file with seperate sections with ‘entered agility’, ‘agility to enter’ and the same with breed and obedience. Its the only way I can keep on top of things.
Dylan sounds so like Inca. At training shes fab but she just goes so blonde at agility shows.
You at EMDAC tomorrow?
Dont stress about Kim too much. I know its hard not to think about it as they get older, but I know quite a few dogs that are over 10 and still doing well. Yes, they might not be the fastest dogs but they’re the most consistent and usually do well at the trickier agility courses. Shes medium too so you’ve got that advantage as the classes are usually smaller.
Leanne
You sound more organised than me Vicki, I’ve yet to work out a way to organise the flyball stuff as well as agility! I’m not at EMDAC tomorrow – we were supposed to be at Doncaster Flyball but it’s been cancelled after all the Kennel Cough outbreaks. Very sad!
Dylan finds it hard to concentrate for a whole day! He can work for an hour at training with no problems, but when it’s all stretched out … too much!
I do keep reassuring myself that Kim is a big Medium, so the jumps aren’t a problem for her, and I know of dogs who have won CC’s at 10 or 11. And flyball is keeping her super fit! Hopefully we’ll have plenty of years left yet.
Katie
Well good job Kim has you to worry on her behalf, and then she can be care free and win more things 😀 (which she is going to do btw!) I can’t wait to see how she gets on at some more KC shows!
She’s pretty young for a dog of her size, she has plenty of time to keep going yet, worry not! And win she shall.
Wish I was that organised. Though I have to fit in agility, flyball and stupid PCEMS!