Signs

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign.

I Saw the Sign.

Aslan - January 2017 Rally Trial
Dick Clark Photography

Last week, I wrote about the signs pointing me to go for an obedience title on Spirit.  

Today, the signs indicated to me that I should not show Aslan in conformation -- at least not any time soon.  

Aslan and I have been training hard for Rally and Obedience lately and have not spent much time practicing for the Conformation ring.  There are some upcoming shows in which I had considered entering Aslan, and I wanted to gauge how he would do, so this morning I took him to a B-Match.  (These events are often called Puppy Matches because, even though there are classes for adult dogs, the majority of the entries are puppies.)  

Actually, today, the signs suggested that I should have stayed home in bed!  The first sign was that I overslept.  Then, one thing after another wasn't going right.  Okay, well, because sometimes that's normal around here in the morning, I ignored those signs.  I finally got out the door, much later than I wanted, but still within the realm of making it to my destination on time.

Minutes after I got onto the highway, traffic stopped.  After a few minutes, I wondered if this was a sign that I should have stayed home.  Traffic began to crawl again, and I considered getting off at the next exit and going home, but I decided to go a little further and see.  I was relieved when traffic started moving again, but the relief was short lived, and again I considered going home.  Then, finally, we were back to normal speed.  Whew, we could still make it...

Justice - January 2016 Agility Trial
CSPN Photography

The next sign that I should have stayed home was actually one that I *didn't* see -- the sign for the exit to the next route I needed to take. I never saw any signs that it was coming up, and I never saw it when we passed it.  It seemed like I had driven on this road far longer than I thought I would, and when I glanced at my directions, I was correct.  At that point, I had no idea exactly how far past it I was and no idea whether it would be better to turn around and try to find the exit or to continue on up to I-71.  And, lo and behold, there was a sign for I-71 ahead.  

Since I hadn't planned on taking I-71, I wasn't sure which way the venue was from my present location, so I guessed.  Of course, I guessed incorrectly.  By the time I took the next exit and headed back the other way, I realized that I had less than 10 minutes before registration closed.  That meant less than 10 minutes to go about 20 miles, park the car, grab my paperwork (which I had, thankfully, had the foresight to fill out in advance), and get inside.  No way that was going to happen unless I was transported there by Star Trek's Scotty.  

When I reached the exit for the venue, I considered just driving on past and heading home.  Registration was supposed to close at 10:30, and it was already 10:40.  But my nerves were on edge, and I had to use the restroom.  I figured I would slip in and ask, and when they told me it was too late, I would use the ladies' room and then leave.

Aslan - January 2017 Rally Trial
Dick Clark Photography

I was quite surprised to discover that the registration table was still fully staffed.  "I suppose it's too late to register?" I asked the woman at the herding group table, my voice tinged with embarrassment.  "Of course not!" she replied with a smile.  Honestly, when I arrived, I was almost in tears from frustration, and then I was almost in tears of relief from their friendliness.  

Armband number in hand, I went back to the van to finish grooming Aslan.  Once he was ready, we walked inside, and I saw some other people registering.  I was quite glad to see that I wasn't the last one :-)  Spotting some other folks with Belgians, I walked over and hung out with them until almost time to go to our ring.

I've often heard that it's better to set your expectations high, but I disagree.  I think it's better to expect nothing, and then, if something good happens I am happily surprised.  This has been true in many instances in my life and was true again today.  Even being able to register falls into that category.  Having had no preconceived expectation that I would be able to register, I was happily surprised that I could.

However, I've often heard that it helps to go in the ring expecting to win -- and I did!  I was sure that my dog looked fabulous, and I fully expected to go in, show well, and win.  Not today.

Justice - January 2013 Rally Trial
Dick Clark Photography

Conformation showing has never really been "my thing."  I've never been a good conformation handler, but I've had some good teachers, and I thought I was improving.  Apparently not.

All that obedience training and lack of recent conformation training resulted in a lot of sits, no ears, and a general all around poor performance.  Someone posted photos on Facebook that she took at the match.  The shot of Aslan in the ring was not flattering, and it demonstrated how poorly I handled him.  I'm glad she posted it because I needed to see.  To top it off, the judge had a conversation with nearly all of the other Tervuren entrants, but me he just dumped.  

It's okay, though.  Truly, I'm not whining or complaining, merely musing on the events of the day.  It's not sour grapes or hard feelings or anything like that.  As they say, "it just is what it is."  I went to this match to find out if I should enter Aslan in any upcoming conformation shows, and now I have my answer.  

Sometimes a reality check is painful, but life's journey is not without disappointments.  Looking on the bright side, that's less money that I have to worry about spending on show entries -- or show clothes, for that matter!  LOL!  

At first I thought the signs were pointing that I should not have shown at the match today, but now I realize that this experience directed me back to where my focus needs to be:  obedience, rally, and agility.  

For the moment I am content not to think about conformation.  We can try again some other day after we've had more time to practice.  For now, the signs are guiding me along another path, one that I believe will be rewarding and fulfilling.

Today, instead of posting my own photos, I am including shots taken by professional photographers at agility and rally trials.  When I look at these pictures, I see the strong bond that we have built through training, and it makes me incredibly happy.  

Seeing the love in their eyes is always a good sign. 💕💕💕💕

Aslan - January 2017 Rally Trial
Dick Clark Photography