When I think about Sully, I am amazed at how alike we are. I know what he needs, he anticipates what I want. Sully knows when I am sad or happy or excited. It wasn't always like this. When did this happen? How did it happen? Can I have this with my other dogs? I want those zone runs where my dog and I are one thought, one motion and time stands still.
I think this began when I realized that Sully was fast enough to go to World Team Try Outs. I started to track him times and yps. We were qualified for Nationals, qualified for World Team Try Outs and we had won a major overall event for international class at Springfield. Our first adventure was flying over the pond to Italy. Sully and I had our alone time with no other dogs. He knew when his airline bag came out of the basement that he and I were going on a trip. It was just me n' Sully. The special time is important in any relationship. Think about your human relationships. The more experiences you share, the closer you become.
Now Sully is semi retired. I want that special bond with Pippin. He is so different than Sully. It feels as though he comes with his own set of rules and his own needs. He barks at me, He has demands. He is loveable and friendly with everyone. He is easily aroused in agility or play. How do we get that respect for each other?
So we begin. I am spending a lot more training time with Pippin. If I go to a seminar or workshop, I bring Pip. All my focus and energy is going into this dog. We have taken a couple of airplane trips. Once we traveled to the West coast and once down south to Florida. I see little bits of progress toward that relationship I want. It is coming, I feel it.
They say agility is a journey. "Enjoy the journey". If we get so hung up on the final results the arrival of the place you want to be on your journey, then what? Don't be in such a hurry to get to where you are going. Enjoy the struggles and savor the awesome moments because someday, the young dog becomes your old dog and all you have left are those memories. Make them count, remember them and once day you realize it.........we have become a team!!!
I think this began when I realized that Sully was fast enough to go to World Team Try Outs. I started to track him times and yps. We were qualified for Nationals, qualified for World Team Try Outs and we had won a major overall event for international class at Springfield. Our first adventure was flying over the pond to Italy. Sully and I had our alone time with no other dogs. He knew when his airline bag came out of the basement that he and I were going on a trip. It was just me n' Sully. The special time is important in any relationship. Think about your human relationships. The more experiences you share, the closer you become.
Now Sully is semi retired. I want that special bond with Pippin. He is so different than Sully. It feels as though he comes with his own set of rules and his own needs. He barks at me, He has demands. He is loveable and friendly with everyone. He is easily aroused in agility or play. How do we get that respect for each other?
So we begin. I am spending a lot more training time with Pippin. If I go to a seminar or workshop, I bring Pip. All my focus and energy is going into this dog. We have taken a couple of airplane trips. Once we traveled to the West coast and once down south to Florida. I see little bits of progress toward that relationship I want. It is coming, I feel it.
They say agility is a journey. "Enjoy the journey". If we get so hung up on the final results the arrival of the place you want to be on your journey, then what? Don't be in such a hurry to get to where you are going. Enjoy the struggles and savor the awesome moments because someday, the young dog becomes your old dog and all you have left are those memories. Make them count, remember them and once day you realize it.........we have become a team!!!
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