Stevie got her first ribbons… Stevie got her first ribbons…

Stevie got her first ribbons!

Since March of 2020, we have basically been on hold. I got COVID and was in and out of the ER for several months. Afterwards, and still to this date, I struggle to get a full breath in to my lungs. Lots of doctors involved. I am apparently going to be a long-hauler. There were about 8 months where I couldn’t really practice. My mother also moved in with us during that time period. She has Stage 4 cancer. Then, Christmas Eve of 2020, Greg got a lung infection (not COVID) and was hospitalized.

Needless to say, things were pretty stressful around here. Around November of 2020, we picked things back up again by going to classes. I had to have something happy to do after being locked down for so long. AJ and Stevie were a hot mess, so at the beginning of 2021, we switched over to some more focused private lessons. I needed to figure out a way to get Stevie up to speed again and get my boy back in to being excited about things again, instead of worried about Momma.

So, for a couple of months, we plugged away and tried to make everything fun. I can’t run like I did, but the exercise is good for me (as long as the inhaler is nearby) and the pair responded well. We even took Buster out a couple of times to play gymnastics with us (she and I are now moving at about the same speed).

It was time. Let’s get back in to the competitive ring. There was a ASCA trial a few hours north of us. We had never done ASCA, but everyone has told us those are fun and relaxed… so let’s try. I sent the paperwork in.

AJ was UNREAL! He freaking ran like a Olympic sprinter and made me look like the greatest handler in the world. Trust me, I’m not. I swear it was like I just showed him the course maps and he said “I got this.” Pretty sure nobody at the trial ever wants him to show up again, because… DAMN.

Stevie on the other hand… well, she was entertaining.

Stevie was the epitome of her butterfly girl self for 8 out of 9 runs. She went to say hello to people (we joke and call it signing autographs), and went to the fence to find Daddy, and scratched herself. She even went to the Judge once to get some tummy rubbing love. Everything was more interesting than mamma and our gymnastics games. BUT... each time she got in to the ring, she got a little better. I just tried to keep things fun and positive.... and cheered and laughed. Everything was "Yeah Stevie."

We went through this with AJ at his first event too, so it didn't surprise us this time with Stevie. There is A LOT going on at a dog trial. Treats and other dogs and people moving about everywhere. Plus it was hot.

Then... SHE RAN and SHE FOCUSED. She was fabulous. We knew she had it in her, but holy cow.

I was just excited because at the end, I KNEW she had a qualifying run (the whole place knew how excited I was, trust me). Then when results came up... oh crap... she won it. Most points accumulated during her “Gambler’s “run. WHAT?!

AJ and Stevie are in different divisions because she is taller than he is. Stevie has to compete against full size Aussies and Border Collies and such, so I never thought she would place in anything… ever. The bigger dogs have a definite stride/speed advantage. But there it was. Stevie was in first. BWHAHAHAHAHA.

That round, AJ did not Q or place. I made a mistake in the ring and he got disqualified. So I grabbed the Q and 1st place ribbons for Stevie and walked back over to the tent where Greg was sitting. He looked so dejected. He was so excited for his little white wing dove and he assumed I was holding stuff for AJ (like always) and somehow Stevie didn't Q. I had to explain it to him 3 times that that these 2 ribbons were for STEVIE, not AJ. STEVIE won, not AJ! He couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the day. We couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the day. A year and half's worth of training and work and patience and treat making... all put together for 40 seconds of BAM. Drop the Mic.

We know AJ is a rockstar, but little miss "don't you think I'm a pretty pretty princess" finally kicked it in to gear as well for me... at least once. Here's hoping that it sticks (though honestly, I think it will take more time with her).

At that point, we had to head home for other reasons, which worked out well because AJ seemed hot and tired and we were able to end on a high note with the girly-girl.

Now, excuse me while I go find a place on the awards wall to hang these suckers. :-) I am a very proud mamma and there will be steak for dinner!