Gametime Approaches

This photo depicts our two dogs at an agility competition last summer, but the looks of anticipation on their faces could apply just as well to this week. That's right -- opening day of their season approaches! We started earlier last year, but we didn't have a newborn last year. So Mavi and Rip get to launch their 2005 campaign on Memorial Day weekend. Jenn brought Maverick to an extra practice session on Monday, but it was a waste of time; he was completely unfocused and didn't want to do anything. Maybe it was a sign of things to come when I make my handling debut on Friday, but perhaps he no longer recognizes Jenn as his handler. Ungrateful dog. That's fine -- Jenn will take Ripley to extra practices from now on. Ripley did much better at her regular class last night, and Nathan got to meet the Tuesday crowd for the first time! (He had already gone on Thursdays a few times.) He was also very well-behaved, fighting off one bout of crankitude and then falling asleep. Ripley, of course, fell completely apart at one point when I took Nate out of her sight for a few minutes. She's very protective. Jenn and I will be competing on separate days this week (so that, if the weather's nasty, we don't want to have to bring Nate), but if I do bring the boy down to see her run, maybe I should be careful not to let Ripley know we're there until her event is over.

Anyway, there will be full competition updates this weekend. Let's hope our dogs are able to shake off the rust, and let's hope Mavi's new handler doesn't embarrass himself too much. There could be hot dogs in it -- for both of us -- if we kick butt.