Better pic

I had a better version of the finalist photo sent to me.  Although I have a pretty decent camera, I really don't know how to use it properly (and nor does the Luckiest Man Alive).

Thank you John for the wonderful pictures of my bestest dog.

Happy TENTH Momma D.

It's Darbi's 10th birthday today!!  My, how time flies.

I've said to people that Darbi is a good trial dog, but she is a GREAT dog.  Plain and simple, just a great dog.

I'm blessed to have her in my life.

I had a few photos sent to me from the first series of the Canadian National last week of her and I.

Lining up for the long retired.  She looks like she's got it.

Still running hard and loving her job.

Always nice to get the first series out of the way.

Happy Birthday sweet dog.

FINALISTS!

We're back from the Canadian National.

Remember what I said about me thinking that Libby might go farther then Darbi...

well...

forget that.

Darbi is a 2012 Canadian National Finalist!!

She was a warrior throughout the 10 series and 8 days of the National.

We were in GREAT shape going into the 10th series, but unfortunately had to handle on one bird of the water quad.

I can't express enough how much it means to finish a National with her, my first dog.  She's 3 days away from turning 10 days old and she ran with heart, style and precision.  Several people there commented to me that they couldn't believe her age and how stylish she ran for an old gal.

The arthritis in her right ankle was starting to act up near the end of the trial and I could tell that her leg was bothering her, but she kept running hard and straight.  It brought tears to my eyes on line.

Good job Momma D.  It was truly an honor.

Heading out...

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.  It has been busy around here.

We're heading out to the Canadian National in Iron Bridge, Ontario today.  Talk about a long drive...

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

I'm not sure of the internet situation once we get there and don't know if I can blog, but I'll try.

We have 8 dogs going, including my very own Libby and Darbi!!  Libby is only 2 years old, so it will be interesting to see how she handles it all and Darbi is at the twilight of her career and will possibly be retired after this trial.

Libby is going to be a great dog when she grows up.  She just "gets" blinds, has a phenomenal memory and has guts-her greatest quality.  She is a more talented dog then Darbi.  Darbi has age and experience, she is not very easily "tricked" and she has seen hundreds (thousands?) of tests in her lifetime.  But if I were a betting woman, I'd put my money on Libby to go farther then Darbi right now.  Libby is more likely to "blow up", but she is also more likely to do a very difficult water test then Darbi.  We'll see if I'm right...

Plus, we have other Elmingo puppies Meg, Turq and Zink!!

Of course Miikka is coming along for the ride as the official Team Horsetooth Mascot.