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Violet's Agility CareerViolet was my first agility dog and the best dog I've ever known. We learned about the game of agility when she was 4 years olf and we enjoyed 5 years of training, playing and competing. She was not as fast as many of the other dogs and sometimes she needed lots of encouragment to "make time" during competitive runs. But, she often qualified, earning many titles and placing in the top three frequently. Toward the end of her life, she became much more consistant and reliable on course. She loved to play with me and she learned new things quickly. Most of all Violet was my "heart dog" and losing her at 9 years old was one of the most difficult things I've endured. Violet changed my life in many ways and will be loved and missed forever. Visit her "Labradors" page
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Violet's Agility Videos Venura AKC, July 2004 |
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July, 2001: Violet and I joined the Goleta Valley Dog Club
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January, 2002: Our first show.USDAA, Happy Dog Agility in Fillmore. What a rush! We learned so much and actually earned 2nd place in a game called Snooker! |
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March, 2002: USDAA, DART at Mt. San Antonio College near Pomona. Four rings, great weather, but a lousy RV spot on the side of the road. Despite a lack of sleep, we Earned our first Q in Standard! |
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April, 2002: AKC, San Diego Agility Club |
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June 26 - 28, 2002
, USDAA, Happy Dog Agility We went for three days of agility paradise! Great weather, |
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AKC in SANTA BARBARA!!! So nice to have a show in town. The weather was absolutely perfect. We had a jumpers run and a standard run each day. Both jumpers missed a Q by 1 bar! But, in both standard runs WE Q'ED! Violet had such fun running! I noticed a change in her attitude, believe it or not. She seemed more focused and understood that it was more than just running around with me. She did not do any sniffing around for treats or looking for Mom. 1 more Q and we have our AKC Standard Novice Title! Update: September 10, 2002. Today I received our Standard Novice Title in the mail, to my huge surprise! It turns out that the Q I was given (one bar down) in Chula Vista by mistake made it into the record books. So, I have a title, minus one bar! |
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August 24 & 25, 2002, USDAA, Industry Hills Equestrian Center This was a very different show. It was on dirt in a huge covered arena. It was hot and I stayed in my trailer. Mia, Sharlene, Sam and others, stayed at a real swanky hotel a few miles away. We had 2 runs per day. Gamblers and Standard the first day, and Jumpers and Standard the second day. The first day I was cautious and tried to aviod mistakes. We missed a Q with the weaves. Peggi, veteran Lab runner, suggested I focus on RUNNING THAT DOG and not worry about Q's. Well the next day, I RAN VIOLET LIKE A CRAZY WOMAN and we Q'ed! |
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October 5 & 6, 2002 While I write this it is now January 2003. So, I don't remember too much except during these two Ventura shows we finished our Standard Novice and Jumbers Novice AKC titles!!! Our first show for the Open level is January 25 & 26 down in Industry at the equestrian center. |
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January 1 - 5, 2003 This was a 4 day marathon for us! I did not sign up for the 5th day and I'm glad I didn't, 4 days was plenty. Plenty of fun at our new Performance II/Advanced level! The courses were a little tougher, but definately do-able! We had 3 or 4 runs each day. Our classes were small so we brought home a lot of 1st and 2nd place ribbons, but only 1 Q, which we got in Gamblers. Mom and Holly stayed home, so we camped in the trailer in a wonderful walnut grove. Lots of friends came and went all week and we had a great spot next to the first ring.
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January 25 & 26, 2003 Drove down early Saturday morning and had a GREAT first day in our first competition at OPEN level. The courses were a suprise, not as challenging as I expected. We DOUBLE Q'd and took a 4th in Standard and a 3rd in JWW. There were over 25 dogs in both classes in our height! I was so proud of my little Violet! Finding success so quickly in our first OPEN show must have made us a little nervous. Sunday we bobbled with an off course in Standard, I should have been quicker to call her off the chute, and we crumbled at the weaves. The day got long and temps in the 80's got to us. Jumpers started off okay, but 2 bars down and another failure at the weaves. This is MORE than okay, since we are in NO RUSH to be in Excellent. Those runs look very tough! GREAT weekend! |
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Violet's Titles
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~ Birthdays ~ Inspiration ~ Random ~ Holidays~