Wednesday 22 August 2012

Medium, but in no way average



"He's a strong wee dog".

Gail's face burst into proud smile when the 'measuring lady' told her that, as I stood on the table being gently persuaded into the correct stance.

I haven't lately said much about my agility club activities have I? Truth to tell, Gail and I are not the most dedicated and committed members of the Deeside Dog Agility Club. So some weeks we go along to training, others we do not.

Now Gail is being encouraged to enter me into local events, although I have not yet mastered the see-saw and am far from convinced that there is a point to weaving along a line of poles. But anyway, as a first step, it was decided on Saturday that we would drive down to Camperdown Park in Dundee, where an agility show was taking place all weekend, and I could be 'officially' measured and logged into the system.

As you can see, there was a long queue of dogs waiting to be measured.

And if you are thinking, gosh Bertie, that all sounds quite a palaver, then I would say, you might be onto something there.

Well, for the record, I stand precisely 42 cm, or 16 1/2 inches, high at the withers. In agility terms, that means I'm classed as 'medium', despite the fact that in every other area of endeavour I am clearly well above average.

Gail made me watch some other dogs perform, which was supposed to inspire me. "Look Bertie, see how the dogs all jump over the hurdles rather than running under them...."



Well, if by inspiring me Gail meant instilling the thought that "I could at least do better than that", then I guess the process was to some degree successful.

I mean, one German Shepherd wasn't even walking round the course, much less running, he was taking it all at a slow amble. Then there was the Collie who climbed back and forth over the 'A' frame three or four times.  Not to mention the handler who stumbled, fell flat on his face AND incurred ten penalty points for his dog by knocking over the jump as he went down...

Well all this was very interesting, but with Gail too mean to pay for any of the  extra-curricular activities on offer...

... and the weather threatening to turn typically Scottish...
 ... we decided to call it a day and head home with my newly acquired Kennel Club Agility Record Book.

Oh and I did get a new toy out of the deal too.

24 comments:

  1. Bertie, you are certainly well above average. Can't wait to hear about your exploits in the agility ring.

    Cindy

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  2. Oh Bertie, least you gotta new toy!! Too bad Addy wasnt there, you two could have teeter-tottered!! BOL OH that would be cute huh??

    wags
    jazzi

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  3. What's the point of all that? Sheesh. Bertie! You're well above average and how many of those agility dogs can swim in a loch?? Really!

    Bart and Ruby

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  4. Blimey Bertie I'm nearly twice as tall as you, hehe! Is that a new squibble toy I spy? Deccy x

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  5. And did Gail take you down to Lunan Bay on the way back from Dundee ? At least you got a toy even if you didn't get a massage.

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  6. Thank dogness you received a new toy after all that palaver. There are some among us who don't go over or under jumps..... they go through them! Won't mention any names but she is the biggest in our pack.

    Taffy

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  7. We think you should do Cross Country Agility...over munroes and stuff. Do they have Cross Country events? You might have to start them.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  8. Woohoo! Looks like an awesome day! Despite the weather too! And a new pressie at the end of it - very nice!

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  9. Great day Bertie and a toy at the end of it...wow. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  10. Well Done Bertie. Burns will look forward to having you in the Medium group. Tell your mum to fork out for some extras...Thor and Burns love Shiatsu.
    Enjoy your toy. See you at training soon.
    High paws, Jeri, Thor & Burns - The texas ratboys

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  11. We can't wait to see pictures of your first trial!

    Sam

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  12. Most stuff is worth it if you get a new toy! Momma has thought about doing agility training with me. I'm obviously smart enough to master it, and she thinks it looks like fun.

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  13. You's don't need no traning to be top dog, looks like you allready have it mastered, got a toy for just being there!!!

    Susie & Bites

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  14. Wow that agility stuff looks fun! And you got a new toy out of the deal? That is pawesome!

    Rooooo!
    Douglas

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  15. That's not news, we already knew you were a beauty!
    Benny & Lily

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  16. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, those other pooches were working so hard! I think you're onto something...watch them and still get the toy. Much much smarter than those other dogs!
    Still...some of those things might be a lot of fun to try. Hmmmmm.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  17. Bertie that was a Wonderful day. Of COURSE you MORE than Measured Up!!! heheheehe and you REALLY do deserve the new toy.

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  18. Where can I line up for the toys? You are going to have so much fun with this Bertie as the real skill to learn is getting Gail to run and wave her arms about while shouting new words at you. You willl get her to respond to your actions (not the other way around as some humans like to think). The more serious she gets, the funnier it is when you try new things mid-course like suddenly stopping to sniff something.

    Woofs,
    Riley

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  19. Hi Bertie, at least you got a new toy after all that business. We go to school and get NOTHING! Sure there are treats involved but never toys. We'd try even harder if there were toys (hint, hint, Mum!). We would like to try agility but mum is hard enough to train just with normal dog school. Some days she can't even tell her left foot from her right, sheesh. See ya mate. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  20. Oh my Bertie...I am most petite INCLUDING MY BACKSIDE, compared to you...I'm 131/2 at the shoulder and 13 1/2 pounds...on a good day. Scruffy is just the same height as you and Stanny is 24 at the withers...short for a Dale, but built like a bulldozer. His front end and back ends don't work well together when he lumbers...one wigs and one wags, poor boy.

    That dark gray cloud was most impressive...I hope you had your umbrella!!!

    Kisses, dear boy...Miss Lacie Teacakes

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  21. Bertie-

    I'm with you, pal. I love to climb the A-frames and run through a tunnel, but why would I want to go over all those jumps and on a see-saw. And my mom lacks focus...ha ha.

    Looks like you made a grand day of it and came home with a new toy. Nice work!

    Wyatt

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  22. Bertie - We were sent this and thought immediately of you : www.lovepetsshow.co.uk/

    Who knows after Dundee and Lossiemouth you might be able to get a trip to Edinburgh !

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  23. Bertie ~ Looks like you got the best of both worlds - watching the other dogs and getting a toy!
    Sweet William The Scot

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  24. When there is a new toy involved it couldn't have been a bad day at all. You look very handsome and stately, I imagine the other dogs were intimidated by you.

    Loveys Sasha

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