Q

Such a simple letter, but what a long road to earn it.  At long last, we've done it.  That long unatainable Q has finally crossed our path and yes, we grabbed it with both hands and four paws.

The trial is hosted by the Chomedey Kennel Club in Chomedey, or if you prefer, Laval, Québec. I've never been there before, but it's a great excuse to stay overnight at my big brother's place in Boucherville.  Not many of my Ottawa area agility friends are there, so other victims fall prey to my unending chatter during the weekend.

Our jumpers run during day 1 is uneventful.  Jasmine zooms away after a series of flicks and blind crosses from my part.  I calmly decide to withdraw her.

Day 2.... Ah yes.  Day 2.  My two Ottawa agility buddies are very supportive, but my flicking reputation preceeds me from a Facebook post the night before.  They have been instructed to help me analyse the course.  Still, I'm extremely nervous.  I prespire like a little piggy, and I can't feel my legs.  Am I worried about a Q?  No way!  Not flicking my dog is more on my mind.

It's finally my turn and Jasmine allows me to do a lead-out like an old pro.  The rest, dear blogging friends, is history.  Here is the video.

After the run, a felllow participant came to me to announce that the judge hadn't raised her hand.  That simple sentence was music to my ears and I screamed like an idiot.  Yep, I screamed.  A lot.

That scream represented all the work both Jasmine and I put into training for the past three years.  As I'm writing this, I feel an Oscar moment coming up and this strange urge to start thanking everyone I know, including the ones I don't, for helping me get this far.

Rest assured, I will not.

You know who you are, and to you, my thanks.  We couldn't have done it without you. : )

At long last, like other blogging agility enthousiasts, I can finally add Jasmine's AAC achievement page on my blog.

I'm feeling all tingly inside as I click.