ScareBear's Journey

I finally got my Breeders prefix. Keshwar.

For the curious I got the name from:

1977: An Afghan woman activist named Meena Keshwar Kamal laid the foundation of RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan). Later, when the Mujahideen defeated the Soviets and freed Afghanistan from communist rule, RAWA became critical of them, and even accused them of war crimes. RAWA wishes to establish a secular government in Afghanistan, and are against an Islamic government.

1987 (February 4th) - Meena Keshwar Kamal, the founder of RAWA was assassinated.

Faxon and I spent today at a freestyle heeling or heeling to music workshop.[bordercolliebrs, Faxon says this is like the walking properly beside Boss stuff but way more fun].

I was a bit reluctant to go as my sense of rhythm is appalling. But after watching some videos of other people doing it and starting with some basic moves I'm really glad I went. Faxon and I need a lot of work, but it is a fun activity and something totally different to the normal obedience work we do.

It also helped that it was a beautiful spring day here in Canberra. :)

Avery tired Bear & Faxon.

Well this weekend was the ACT State Obedience trails, as the subject says it was the tale of two days.

Saturday: CCD was on after Novice and dogs were on after bitches. This meant we didn't get into the ring until 12.15. Not a good time for afghan hounds unfortunately. By this stage Faxon was over the whole deal. We seemed to forget what drop meant when we were heeling. the stand for exam was good the recall was, well non-existant. We heeled beautifully from the start peg off lead, unfortunately I tried to predict when the Judge was going to say halt and stuffed up the whole stopping bit. when we got to the correct position Faxon did a wonderful sit/stay. Unfortunately when I walked off, did the about turn and called him he continued to do a beautiful sit/stay. I tried calling him again, he sat there looking noble and regal totally ignoring me. So I simply waled back to him telling him that he was gorgeous. It seems that the Judge disagreed with my evaluation of the situation and informed me that "He is not gorgeous, he is lazy!" I simply smiled at her and left the ring. We didn't stay for the stays.

Sunday: CCD was on first, Dogs were up first. We were 3rd dog on. We started out well in the heeling after a bit of a false start where Faxon had to have a bit of a scratch. Unfortunately he then noticed a friend ringside. That was it for the heeling. All he wanted to do was go visit to say hello. We failed the heeling again. Although this time we did remember how to drop while heeling. He just didn't want to go in the direction that the Judge wanted us too.

Our stand for exam was again great - 9/10. Our recall today was excellent. 19/20. We stayed for the stays and performed two wonderful stays.

I left the grounds yesterday feeling a little discouraged but today was great. OK we didn't get a qualifying score today but we worked well together and had fun. We also learnt not to have someone ringside who he recognises and wants to say hello to!

Our next trial will be the June long weekend. We can only get better. :)