Tough Day at the Dog Show

[elyse]

We probably shouldn't have entered, but I pushed it, like moms sometimes do. It was my 4H Club's Show. We were hosting it. It was in honor of my Standard Poodle who died very suddenly of Lyme Disease only 6 short months ago. They put a beautiful picture and a poem in our show booklet in her memory. She was a special part of our family and my daughter's 4H dog. My daughter worked with her for 8 years and won more ribbons than I can count. She even won Best in Show, Best in Obedience, and Best in Agility at the State Dog show a few years back. When my daughter and Chard were in the ring they were a team. So after she passed away and we got our wonderful new doodle puppy I thought we might try again with 4H. Being one of the leaders in the club I thought that we could do it, or should I say they could do it. My daughter is in college and this is the last year she can show. We only started training Harley in April and even then, it was me because my daughter was still away. When she came home from school and I took them to 4H my daughter said it wasn't the same and Harley was not her 4H dog like Chard was. She cried, but I pushed it, like mom's sometimes do.
So even though Harley is only 7 months old, I thought that because she is such a smart dog that they could do this. So I entered them in Rally, which they did, but not to well. And then I entered them in agility, which they did, but not well at all. Harley wasn't ready and all she wanted to do was lie down, which frustrated my daughter. After they came out of the ring, my daughter with tears in her eyes said she was done. Although Harley is a great dog, she is not Chard and those memories are still to fresh. But there was still Obedience and once again I pushed it, like mom's sometimes do. They could do this. I know how smart Harley is. So they go into the ring and start the exercise. They are doing great and then it happened. Harley pooped in the ring - an automatic disqualification. I did walk her before but I guess not long enough. She would have had it - they were good. Once again, my daughter came out of the ring with tears in her eyes and said "please, no more." This time I listened to her, like mom's sometimes do.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Oh, Elyse. I am so sorry that today was not what every Mother wishes for her children - to help heal the pain. But you did by just getting her back in the ring. No, Harley is not Chard - she is not supposed to be. She is Harley. She will mature into a great ragility and obedience pup.
Smile, you did what every mother does!! You love her!!

[elyse]

Oh I am so sorry to hear about your obedience dog. My daughter would have been in Advance Novice this year. You can understand how hard they work with their dogs and their training. It's amazing to watch these children in the ring with their dogs. Our last event of the year, and the last event she can enter is the county fair in August, but I will have to wait and see. It's just that I know Harley has the potential but the memories are still to freash. Thanks for your kind words.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

What a wonderful, heartfelt post. We lost our first obedience dog suddenly as well. Someone threw poisoned food over our fence. Lorien had just completed her first leg of her UD. I feel for your daughter as well. She lost a dear friend. Even though she came out of the ring in tears I think it was good she got back in the ring. It was very hard for your daughter, but she needed to ‘get back on the horse’. The first time back in the ring after losing a great dog is always the hardest.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Awwwwwwww, what a tough day it must have been. I'm sorry it didn't go so well. Your daughter must need more time to grieve her best friend. It will get better.