I need to BRAG-edited (added photo)

[Vankarhi]

This is not about birds, but I will mention Skye anyway. We went away for the weekend to attend a dog obedience trial. My border collie is purebred but not pedigreed and until the 1/11/04 he could not compete in obedience trials in Queensland. So I entered him in a sweepstakes in which he needs to get at least 150 out of a possible 200 points before I can trial him. I was just hoping for a pass so that I could trial him the following day in a double trial. Well, he got 186 points and came first. He is the first unpapered dog in Queensland to get his qualifying score and now able to be trialed. So we did the double trial, we were doing well comming 4th out of 11 dogs, and with a qualifying score of 181 as long as he did the stays. He decided to lay down just before the end of the sit stay (he only needed to sit an extra 5 secs), so he did not qualify for that one. He did for the second trial and got 180 points and came second. He needs 2 more qualifying scores and he gets his companion dog title. He will then be known as "Mysta CD". I am so proud. My picture was again taken for the Bundaberg local paper and I am trying to get my hands on it. Yes we took Skye with us also and were told to put her back in the car as the gun dog (German Shorthaird Pointer) was getting upset, he wanted to have Skye. The dogs are actually supposed to only pay attention to the handler, and not to other distractions. Mysta and I had to put up with a trailer load of dogs barking as they left the trial (we were starting our part of the competition when that happened), then some of the other dogs got upset and were barking and growling and it did upset Mysta, but we went on and he still came second and with a qualifying score. Once you have a sweepstakes qualifying score of 150 points or more, then you must have a score of 170 or more to qualify for your title in 3 separate trials. We came home to a half full pool. We had about 4.5 inches of rain. About 4 weeks ago we only had about 3 inches of water in the pool and with the water the way it is are not prepared to fill it with tap water. We have a downpipe into the pool and are hoping for more rain. Today I have been busy mowing and whiper sniping the yard and tomorrow I will pull out some weeds. I will post a photo of my dog and myself at the trial when I get it downloaded.

photo is added now. Me and Mysta (Border Collie), the german shorthaired pointer came second and the big white dog did not qualify but he was one of the first (along with Mysta) unpapered dogs to be allowed to compete alongside papered/pedigree dogs, so that is an achievement. The two ladies in back are the judges.

[The Outlaw]

Congratulations. That really is quite an accomplishment. I have an Australian Sheepdog and I only wish I had something for her to herd. She drives me crazy. It really is amazing how strong their herding instinct is. Again, give her a pat. Good dog.

THE OUTLAW

[Vankarhi]

Yes I will give HIM a pat. He got a kiss and hugs the other nights too. This part is actually the easy part even though it is hard. Once he gets into Open dog (next title is Companion dog excellent - open dog) he needs to retrieve a dumbell and drop on recall and other stuff. Retrieving the dumbell will be a problem for him as he brings it so far then pushes it with his nose to me. it will just take time and patience and practice. Thanks for the well wishes.