POPTOP (06-11-2018)
So Ram Jet Rocket Dog is on fire. It's like it's all coming together for her. Her breeding predicted a dynamite dog and it's taken her 4 years to realize all her potential.
When I was in TX Bill Hillmann asked why I'd come such a long way and what I hoped to achieve. I sorta hummed and hawed and finally said, well... I'd like to complete a Master National before either she or I died. He said there was no question the dog could do it. But (he's brutal this way) he made it plain I was going to have to step it up.
Skip to present day... RD is tearing it up running Senior stakes and will get her title soon. She's already running Master stuff in training. I'm going to be sick a bunch over the summer with chemo... but the cool thing about Hillmann's method is that an awful lot can be done in short sessions training alone. I should be able to do some things over the next 4 months, even if for only for 5 minutes at a time in the back yard. I'll get out with the group when I'm able. We won't NOT train.
I've been encouraged to return to TX in early spring to train, and to run a bunch of HT's down there while it's still winter up here. For sure I'll learn a heck of a lot. And maybe I'll pick up a ribbon or two. I may return to Reno with a few notches toward our MH title. In April there are a couple of HT's in N. CA. First weekend in May, we hold our Double header. After that, there are HT's in Oregon. Maybe... God willing... 2019 could be a good year.
And here's the deal. The MN is going to be in Cheraw S.C. in October of 2019. My whole family is in the deep south. If we pick up enough qualifying scores, come late summer, we'll hook up the little travel trailer and decamp for points South and East. We'll run our first MN.
Now THAT is crazy talk. But you gotta dream.
Here's another angle. The Master Amateur Invitational begins counting qualifying scores in March. That would mean... we could qualify to run the MAI in 2020. I'm not sure where it's going to be held, but I'm not sure that would matter. If we're on a roll... if our health holds up... we'll run that one too!
POPTOP (06-11-2018)
That's the attitude to have. Make everyday count and do what you can. I have been doing a lot of training alone lately and I can't believe M's attitude on line. Her breeder saw her last weekend and couldn't believe the speed she ran her blinds at. Set the to do list and start ticking thing off. Chemo won't be a walk in the park but when you feel up to it get out with RD. The dogs always made me feel just that little bit better.
I hope Lee Roy's diagnosis comes back with good news. You certainly could use some.
Sending good thoughts your way.
TuMicks (06-11-2018)
I swear if you qualify and decide to go, I'll make it my mission to show up wearing a "TEAM ROCKET DOG" t-shirt!
TuMicks (06-11-2018)
You go for it, we'll be rooting for Team Tumicks.
Hidden Content
Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
TuMicks (06-11-2018)
barry581 (06-11-2018)
"They can do at four what they couldn't do before."
Can't remember who said it, or if it's one of those things that's been said for many years (and chanted by many a two year old performance dog owner) but so far, I think it's true. It's a great age!
I hope you get where you want to go; I think you can. I'm rooting for you.
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