I went to Banner, MS in March for a week of field training. It is a great group of people to train with. We get a lot done and have fun doing it. Win happened to come into season so I had to pull her from the hunt test I had her entered in the following weekend. It would have been her first senior test. But we still got to come out and play at Coolwater Farms. Sadly for Abner I had to leave the boy at home.
For the good news, it looks like we should have puppies around May 8, 2024. I will take Win in for an ultrasound April 5. I had planned to run her and Abner at the Central Kentucky Retriever Club hunt test at the end of March. Now only Abner is going but he won’t mind being the only dog. I will update as things progress.
Thanks to Justine Embach of Dark Water Labradors for the great pictures you took during training.
I took a few as we were training. It is a perfect afternoon when the weather is beautiful and you can get out to work your dog.
I have been busy the last few years. My covid puppy Win and I have been very busy. She has come a long, long way, from her first UKC hunt test where she stressed over the dog in line behind her to not noticing the other dogs because she is so bird motivated now. She has gotten several rally and agility titles, a dock diving title and of course her junior hunter title.
Last spring I got a crazy notion to drive over 5,000 miles round trip to Portland Oregon. I wanted to check out a stud dog. This would allow me to attend The Rose City Labrador Retriever Club Specialty and other events along the way. And I have a sister in Portland I had not seen in years.
It was truly an amazing trip. It was a challenge to coordinate dates and events but it all worked out. Our first stop was in Colorado Springs for a rally trial. We obtained our fist Rally Excellent leg. Then that weekend we drove up to Castle Rock to run in the Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club agility trial. We had some fun and challenging courses but she did not qualify. We were there for the experience.
Our next stop was Mountain Green, UT for the Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club agility trial. Again there for the experience. David Nauer was judging, he is one of my favorites with big open flowing courses. I’ll have to say we got a lot of distance practice in but she didn’t qualify but came close a few times. We have struggled with start line stays. Lots of friendly people and great lunches for workers.
Next stop Portland, OR for the Rose City Labrador Retriever Club Specialty. My sister came out to join me at the beautiful Champoeg Sate Park. The club provided some wonderful lunches each day. It was a very pleasant laid back outdoor show. We went out early one morning to compete in Rally. Win managed to qualify with a first place in Rally Excellent.
My sister and I did manage to have a little fun other than the dog show. We drove out to the beach at Lincoln City, much to my surprise it was dog friendly. We had a great time walking the beach. When we decided we were hungry we stopped at Chinook’s Seafood Grill for a to go order. We had the dog with us so we found a wonderful little park to enjoy the Bay Shrimp and Crab Cake Melt. It was a perfect day for a picnic.
We spent one afternoon at Potter’s Vineyard and Clay Art Gallery. It too was dog friendly so Win got to enjoy sitting out under the trees while we were enjoying the wine, food and conversation. The proprietors are great and they have the sweetest yellow lab, Terra, to great the guests.
As we headed back home we stopped once again in Colorado Spring to spend time with my sisters and brother. I entered the Pikes Peak Agility Club trial out in Latigo. Win did mange to finish her Fast Novice preferred title.
