Since the last entry which wasn't nearly as long ago as I feared, we've moved out to Virginia to be closer to my family. We've also added Raven to our household and though she firmly believes she is just another Aussie, we're pretty sure there's some Sheltie in there. She is, as is everyone, a frisbee dog.
These days, when we bring the pack to an event, we usually choose UpDog Challenge events. They have multiple games and allow rollers which means that Steel gets to play and we don't have to worry about him making stupid high jumps and bad landings that injure his back and paws.
Now about Rogue. She is what this is all about after all. She and I have exploded in our disc ability. This year alone, we've qualified for the Ashley Whippet Invitational world championship, took first place in Throw and Go at our last Updog Challenge event, took first place in Time Trial for our division at a Skyhoundz Discdogathon and are currently tied for 8th place out of well over 1000 international dog/handler teams in the K9 Toss and Catch League. I can't get too excited about that one yet since we're only in week one of five but holeeeeeee...
What happened? Rogue is a natural athlete. She is a world championship caliber dog without a doubt. After she realized what this whole frisbee thing was about and how fun it was, the real handicap for our team was me. I was throwing just over 20 yards all over the field. The total points of our first five weeks was 35. (max possible in one week is 55). This year we've exploded. I have started throwing over the 40 yard line occasionally and our Spring score (three years after our first Spring score was 148 points. Wow. We practice a lot and since we don't have a big yard at our house in VA, we visit a nearby dog park at noon 3-5 times a week.
And here we are. I'm throwing farther than I would have ever though possible and we'll be heading back to Illinois for the AWI world championship as a qualified team and not help. It's still sinking in.
We've traveled a lot already this year. We went to Maryland for the AWI qualifier, we sent to North Carolina for an Updog event, we went up to Canada for Updog and to visit Rogue's breeder, Teri for the first time since I brought her home five years ago. We took the whole crew down to southern Virginia for Updog and Rogue and I went up near Chesapeake Bay for the Discdogathon.
I haven't yet met any other deaf disc dogs since Decibel is retired. I met her handler in Canada. But I've heard that there are more deaf dogs playing disc now than ever before and that makes me happy. I'd like to believe that Rogue and I have played a part in that.
So, looking forward to more disc this year and years in the future.
The only thing Rogue can't do is hear.
These days, when we bring the pack to an event, we usually choose UpDog Challenge events. They have multiple games and allow rollers which means that Steel gets to play and we don't have to worry about him making stupid high jumps and bad landings that injure his back and paws.
Now about Rogue. She is what this is all about after all. She and I have exploded in our disc ability. This year alone, we've qualified for the Ashley Whippet Invitational world championship, took first place in Throw and Go at our last Updog Challenge event, took first place in Time Trial for our division at a Skyhoundz Discdogathon and are currently tied for 8th place out of well over 1000 international dog/handler teams in the K9 Toss and Catch League. I can't get too excited about that one yet since we're only in week one of five but holeeeeeee...
What happened? Rogue is a natural athlete. She is a world championship caliber dog without a doubt. After she realized what this whole frisbee thing was about and how fun it was, the real handicap for our team was me. I was throwing just over 20 yards all over the field. The total points of our first five weeks was 35. (max possible in one week is 55). This year we've exploded. I have started throwing over the 40 yard line occasionally and our Spring score (three years after our first Spring score was 148 points. Wow. We practice a lot and since we don't have a big yard at our house in VA, we visit a nearby dog park at noon 3-5 times a week.
And here we are. I'm throwing farther than I would have ever though possible and we'll be heading back to Illinois for the AWI world championship as a qualified team and not help. It's still sinking in.
We've traveled a lot already this year. We went to Maryland for the AWI qualifier, we sent to North Carolina for an Updog event, we went up to Canada for Updog and to visit Rogue's breeder, Teri for the first time since I brought her home five years ago. We took the whole crew down to southern Virginia for Updog and Rogue and I went up near Chesapeake Bay for the Discdogathon.
I haven't yet met any other deaf disc dogs since Decibel is retired. I met her handler in Canada. But I've heard that there are more deaf dogs playing disc now than ever before and that makes me happy. I'd like to believe that Rogue and I have played a part in that.
So, looking forward to more disc this year and years in the future.
The only thing Rogue can't do is hear.
