Outdoorama: Novi, Michigan
This weekend we had an event in Novi through UAD that we entered both the boys in. It was the first time they’ve jumped in 6 months, their first indoor event and the first event of the year. We’d heard a lot of horror stories about lack of space and dogs refusing to jump because of the noise/lights/water temperatures. But, we figured there’d be no problem.
We were wrong.
Well, in part. The space thing: it was jam-packed but we found a spot to put both of our new soft-sided crates (bought especially for this event) and sit down. It was a busy place with a lot of noise but the boys didn’t seem anything but excited.
Mason was in the second group of dogs and Midas in the fourth, for the first Splash. He was extremely excited and seemed to remember what the dock was all about. He had complete focus on me. We tried the sit/stay but his little silver butt kept scooting forward on the dock he was so excited. I finally just held him, tossed and then sent him. He jumped just like he did last year…
3′3″ and 4′6″ 
But he loves it!
He placed 14th in the Novice division 
. Such a cutie!
Midas didn’t seem to remember anything. He got up on the dock all excited, ran…and slid to a stop. I tried to re-place and re-send him, nothing. Still hanging over the edge like an amateur.
I thought he might do better after he warmed up, but nope. He was the same through the whole event. Milt did comment on his great form but it would’ve been a lot more impressive with a run and jump, instead of a stand-still jump. Oh well, practice makes perfect. The crowd loved it. They laughed when he lurched to a stop and cheered when he finally went off. I had more trouble getting him to jump than I did Mason.
He jumped 7′7″ both times.
He did make it to finals, in Novice (Mason’s division and two whole divisions lower than he normally jumps). I felt guilty for bringing him to jump in finals, like we were tricking the system. But, we weren’t and it’s two legs towards his UKC title so…he got 2nd!! He jumped 8′9″ the first time and 9′3″ the second. First place ended up with a 9′9″ jump so it was pretty close.
This was his winning jump lol :
We had a LOT of fun though. It was lovely seeing everyone again and we got some good laughs…
Moose falling off the dock
There were some BIG jumping dogs there and it was really exciting to see them beat their PBs and see their owners SO thrilled. The rest of the photos are here. I can’t wait for the Grand Rapids event coming up!!