[mikebosmans]

Just a vent here, my 15 month old is about to run her first hunt test this morning, and I'm stuck at work.

Due to a couple guys quitting recently my work schedule has gone from crappy to unbearable. This would have been my weekend off so I entered Maggie in her first HRC Started test. As it turns out, I will be working most of the weekends that I had hope to compete in tests. Luckily one of the people in my small training group is also running her dog in the event(which I didn't know) and is willing to run the morning land series for me. (Thank You Michelle!!!!!) Hopefully I will make it there before Maggie is up for the water series.

I know my girl is ready! I've taken everyone's advice and we are just starting to run our started test and soon our Junior test. I'm about 85% sure we can pass a Senior level AKC HT, so I'm not too terribly worried about a started test. Just bummed that I don't get the whole first pass all to myself.

Michelle and I haven't been able to train together since last fall, but a quick phone call and we managed to get together for a single very short training session. Actually it was more like, I went and hid in the bushes while Michelle got Maggie out of my truck, walked her to the line and ran two single land marks. You could tell they aren't a cohesive, polished team, but my pup did just fine.

All I guess I can say is thanks to all of you for some of the fine advice you given to me and to others that I have read. I have no doubt the day will end with a pass. As Michelle picked up my girl this am, we made a gametime decision to have her entered for Sunday as well, so hopefully we'll have two down this weekend.

 

[tim bonnema]

I feel your pain. Have a nice pup myself that due to working 12.5 hour day 7 days a week got sent to a pro friend of mine. Oh well soon the rat race will be over and back home to 8 hour days

 

[mikebosmans]

We passed about six hours ago and im still grinning

 

[Martha Lancaster]

Congratulations! Way to go!

 

[Wayne Nutt]

Congratulations! Hang in there. The crappy work schedule will pass too.

 

[Mark L]

Congrats... I hope you made it for the second series.

Mark

 

[Rich Martin]

Congratulations, I too have had my work schedule changed.

 

[mikebosmans]

Thanks everyone. I made it in time for the afternoon land series, but due to a little confusion about the rules on two different handlers, Michelle had to run my pup for the land series and the morning water series. I've got mixed emotions about it but all in all I am thrilled that Maggie passed.

One of the test clubs member offed condolences that I wasn't able to run my pup for her first ever pass, but as I told him, this was just test day. Just four little retrieves, out of the thousands of retrieves that brought us to where we are now.

I told him that no matter if we have to wait until next year to pass the title, no one will run her but me for that fourth pass. Even if that means scratching for the last pass on a weekend when I work and some one else handles her for me.

It was actually a little insightful to be able to be listening to the gallery as Maggie was running her two marks. Nothing makes you feel like you were sucessful in instilling momentum than hearing three different people commenting about her drive and speed. "That dog is a f$#%ing rocket" is kind of a good thing to hear from people who know this game a whole lot better than me. "You'll need to be quick with a whistle in the advanced levels" was also a good reminder that the momentum is a great thing if used properly and can be trouble for a new handler like myself. It was also cool to be able to take some very nice pictures of her land series.

I knew that I would not be able to see or run Maggie at all on Sunday, but Michelle took her back for day number two and I am now the very proud owner of a dog with back to back passes. Halfway there, Hurray!!