Flying!
Henry was flying!
That’s a comment that I’ve rarely — if ever — heard during my agility journey with him. You see, our journey of roads less travelled (see what I did there?) and the twists and turns has been our own. It’s been different. Our victories have not been measured in Qs but in confidence and personal growth.
So last night in class, Henry was flying! (Thank you, Janice!) Nevermind, my errors or perhaps a teeter that was too close for comfort. The unequivocal and objective observation of the dog that’s been percolating and simmering and flying (pun intended) just under the radar for months now (that’s easy to do in the shadow of Team Gus — whom I love more than anything) tells us that there’s a bona fide agility dog there. There’s an agility dog when in the past we’ve heard comments from people who’ve said “I don’t think he’ll ever be able to trial” or “I don’t think he should do premier” or “I think DREAM Park is too much for him” or “maybe he’s just a jumpers dog.”
Discounted, disregarded, underestimated…well, I’m sure we’ve been all of those terms in this journey of ours. I’m sure others have described us in other not-so-flattering words, too. Believe me, there were times I wanted to give up on him because I wasn’t sure he wanted to play this game. He never let me do that.
He never let me give up.
And, so every time we walk to the line, no matter what happens, it’s just me and him having fun. His ever-present smiles tell me this. Do I have a world team dog? No, but that’s never been my goal. Do I have a partner who’s blossoming into the best version of himself? Absolutely! I’ve noticed it the past few months; at Periland’s first UKI trial…at A&C World Team run-throughs….in the basement. Fast, feral, and most importantly, happy.
So, it’s the little things. The personal victories which mean more than ribbons or Qs or gold. I began thinking about last night as I came down from a euphoric high. Take Henry, put him in a class where class is taught to the dog he is, not where handlers are taught a one-size fits all approach, and boom…he begins to grow, ever so slowly…until one day a blossom begins….and then that blossom begins to thrive.
Don’t believe me? See for yourself: from pokey to flying. A/k/a then and now.
2019 April SSCGB Trial - F.A.S.T.
And last night’s flying…
Are we perfect? No. But, by God…to anyone who’s struggled, don’t give up. Are we beyond any kind of pokey stage? I don’t know…nor do I care. The difference is that now there’s no going back. You see, unlike a year ago, Henry’s shown me the dog he’s capable of being, and that’s the best gift in the world.
I’ve welcomed this: the day where I show up to class, gassed after running, and having the horrible realization that my presently out of shape and former marathon runner and personal trainer self is being schooled by her dog. It’s a swift kick in the butt to remind me that if he’s doing right by me, I need to do right by him. We’re a team after all, so I’m on it. Henry, I promise to step it up — and begin working on my own blossoming — even if i’m secretly harboring immeasurable happiness that you’re gleefully outrunning me all while having the biggest smile on your face.
