Great evenings training!

Well I said I'd probably post something after tonight's session, and sure enough here I go! We had great weather, a great group of dogs and handlers, and an even greater trainer - Martin Tait really had us thinking and everyone had a really enjoyable time. Lots to work on of course, even from those who appeared to have done it right - there's always room for improvement, always milliseconds to be shaved off our times. The dogs must love Martin coming along and sorting us out, they of course just follow our directions and I'm sure quite often wish it were them directing us! :-)

Ella & I had a good session and I'm pleased with what we achieved. My timing isn't as off as I had feared it might be, and although we had some broken waits and a self-released a-frame contact, these were corrected and weren't too much to worry about. Group sessions are fantastic for us because she's so hyped up watching the other dogs, it's closer to a show situation than we get during our 1-2-1 sessions. That said I'm looking forward to my 1-2-1 with Martin in a couple of weeks time. It'll be nice to really work through some of our issues and feel like we're getting back on track.

Website updates

Despite a very long weekend, I felt the urge to update the Daybreak websites (dog training & pet care - http://www.daybreakpets.co.uk/) to include baby Callum & whilst I was at it, the rabbits too. This was prompted by the capture of some beautiful pictures of the boys which I wanted to share - my favourite is this one I think:

Now I know I'm their mother, but aren't they just scrummy! Not to mention good little people - we went caravan hunting at the end of the day yesterday, and despite obviously being tired were ever so good. I think Jamie is quite looking forward to caravanning at the shows, if we can ever find a suitable caravan that is!

With the shows in mind I'm really looking forward to a training session with Martin Tait on Tuesday evening for my competition class at Daybreak. If I could explain to Ella I know she'd be equally excited, so perhaps it's better that I can't - two of us excited probably wouldn't be a good thing! Plus, along with my friend Caroline & her dog Jake, we might be paying a visit to Tace Allen for the dogs to have a once over. I don't have any specific concerns, but would like to make sure Ella's in tip top condition to start the season. We ask a lot of our agility dogs and I think it's only fair we repay them by making sure they're fit for the job we ask of them.

So expect an update after Tuesday I guess - can't wait!

UK Agility Beckford

Well some success at the UK Agility Easter show yesterday, 2nd in the Beginners Standard Steeplechase, and although unplaced because of faults in the rest of her rounds she worked really well. The bloomin' weaves are letting us down and I'm seriously considering petitioning the Kennel Club & UK Agility to ban them! A photographer caught her in the weaves, although sadly as you'll see if you look at where she is, it's as she's making a mistake through them - durrhh!

Still I'm not too disheartened. Callum was only 7 weeks old yesterday and for our only problem to be the weave poles after such a layoff, I haven't much to complain about. And it was such fun to be back at shows and bumping into people I haven't seen for ages! Not to mention being able to run around with her, rather than what seemed like a very long way behind her!

Plus Hattie & Helen Sharp won another 1st place rosette in their Novice Toy Jumping class, so they're really going to have to start thinking about an extension for all Hattie's winnings :-))

Out of little acorns..

Some lovely things of this past week or so:

1. Baby Callum giving me and my mum his first smiles - aaah!! :-))


2. Having a lovely evening out with my husband Mike on Saturday for his hockey club's annual dinner
3. Lel & Hattie winning Grade 1 agility on Saturday - go girls!
4. Ella & I winning the agility round in Sundays league match, and nailing two sets of 12 weave poles during the evening - perhaps winning Grade 1 isn't as far off as I worry it might be?!
5. Lel & Hattie coming 3rd in the agility during the same league match
6. New starters group at Severnside really inspiring me, and enjoying being back teaching agility

Summer's round the corner!

The clocks do their thing tomorrow, and even lighter evenings are just around the corner! It's such a positive time of the year and I'm very excited about going into this summer with my wonderful husband, two wonderful sons and two very special dogs. Last Sunday Ella and I did a league match for Severnside (Callum was only 4 weeks old on the Friday) not really expecting much as we've had such a lot of time off. She was her usual confident self, and provided me with two great rounds, weaves withstanding :-) Safe to say she hasn't forgotten it all, and the season is looking promising.

I went into the match with a different attitude than I have done in the past. I wasn't interested in winning (although I can't say it wouldn't have been nice!), I was just interested in having fun with my wonderful dog. In the past few weeks 3 close agility friends have lost their dogs to old age, dogs who shaped their lives and inspire them still. With that at the forefront of my mind, not to mention my own experience with Kai, I ran my girl with a glad heart and winged heels. We had such fun and I intend that each run this year should encompass those happy feelings.

Baby Callum

Well it's been an exciting week! Baby Callum was born on Friday 20th February, just over 3 weeks earlier than we were expecting him. Despite being what the doctors class as premature at just under 37 weeks, he weighed in at 6lb & 10.5oz and at his 5 day weight check today hasn't lost more than 10% of his body weight which is considered to be a good thing. As you can imagine we're quite tired out here, but just wanted to post quickly to let people know what's happening in the Osmond household.

Susan Garrett

Two of my Christmas presents to myself were DVD's of Susan's - one on her 2x2 weave method, and the other on her crate games. I love watching her teach and hope to get on one of her workshops the next time she's over here in the UK.

Both DVD's have inspired me so much that I've ordered yet another set of weaves - this time custom made to Susan's specification on the 2x2's. They should arrive early next week - very excited! The crate games DVD was obviously easier to get on with as both dogs are happy in their crates and I have two in and around the house. However - who knew it could hurt a pregnant woman's back as much as it did!! Bending up and down to reward really took it out of me. Much as Ella was razor sharp in picking up the game (teacher's pet!), I think I'm going to have to postpone those games until my back's in better shape. Bit of a pain, but better to be able to walk afterwards than not!

At least the 2x2's should be a different matter. I can at least be upright, and I don't think throwing her toy should be a problem. Tugging with her might of course, but hopefully she'll be satisfied with shorter bursts. Plus of course the DVD only advocates a few minutes at a time. Just right for a heavily pregnant person!

Took a look at some show schedules for April onwards. Still don't know what's going to happen re. induction or not, so haven't entered anything yet. Should perhaps know in a couple of weeks and that should still be plenty of time to enter. It's got both Mike & I thinking about caravaning with 2 babies and how that might work. Scary stuff!