On Jan. 24th, the Alasera team headed back to Cannon Falls for a one-day agility hit. Mixed results once again.

Ace went 0 for 2 but really had a spectacularly fast Jumpers run with one run-out-probably handler induced. Lovely weaves. His Standard run had some interesting activities, but once again, the teeter was just too much for him. Time will get these things under control.

Ripley lost all focus in his jumpers run but did manage to finish the run with just a few errors. But he proved he is not ready for further trials at this time. I scratched him from his Standard run. We will work on getting that focus in the upcoming weeks. Not an easy task!!

Abby had a nice jumpers run and qualified with 11 MACH points. Unfortunately, she had another stress meltdown at the thought of a course with contacts. On her Standard run, I did, somehow, miraculously get her to do the teeter, but the run proved just too much for her. We’ll give her some time to settle back into competition. I’m certain great things are in store down the road. Patience, I am told, is a virtue. Who knows, maybe she doesn’t like running in dirt?

Mellie is the new star of the Alasera team. She rocked the courses, gaining another Double Q, a fourth place finish in Jumpers and a first place finish in Standard. Outstanding times, earned another 60 MACH points in just this one day. She is focused, excited, happy and fast. Took 4 1/2 years, but hey, who is counting?? Check out her runs below.

After Mellie’s great performance at the last agility trial, I decided that since she had qualified to be able to enter the National agility trial, we would go ahead and give it a whirl. Travel plans are being finalized for a road trip with fellow local competitors. To qualify for this event, the dogs had to earn 6 Double Q’s and 400 MACH points from Dec. 1, 2008-Nov. 30, 2009. Mellie had just 452 points and 13 Double Q’s. Most of the top dogs in the country will likely compete at this event. We look forward to going and hope we can have a few good clean runs to prove we could do it. The event is March 26-28th.

We took the whole Alasera team (except Katie-who had play dates scheduled!), down to Cannon Falls at Simon Arena for a three day agility trial last week-end. Mixed results for the week-end, definitely some highs and lows!

Mellie: The star of the week-end. Qualified in 5 of 6 runs earning two Double Q’s, and great placements. She took first place in two Standard runs, and tied for 2nd in the third Standard run, and had a third place in one Jumpers run. She tallied up 129 MACH points including the multiplier bonus. She looked great and obviously didn’t mind running in the dirt!

Abby: This was Abby’s first trial back since August and having her litter. Her first day was fabulous! She earned her first ever Double Q and fourth place in both Standard and Jumpers runs. Against very tough competition! The second day, she had another qualifying Jumpers run (and third place), but had some stress issues in the standard course. She earned 29 MACH points for her runs. The third day was tough. She had major stress issues-esp. with weaves. In her Standard run, she refused to even take the second jump. It may be that three days of trialing after all that time off was just too much. We’ll see how things go.

Ripley: Ripley earned another Ex. A. Jumpers leg. He actually had some very nice other runs, with just a few issues. Unfortunately, he decided that he wouldn’t let me catch him after the runs and played “keep away”. Needless to say, he didn’t listen to me at all at that point. He actually forfeited his Ex. A jumpers title, because although he had a clean run, he decided to chase after the next dog that was running the course. An embarrassing moment, but obviously, he still needs to learn more control.

Ace: Ace had some very nice runs with just enough errors to keep him from qualifying. He had issues with weaves, and definitely still has some trial stress with the teeter still. He went 0-6 but am sure he will rebound once he gets a few more trials under his belt. Not sure he enjoys running in the dirt, and three days may have been a bit much for him as well.

Alasera’s Back to the Future, “Marty”, met his new owners today. He joins the Winsor household, and will be Laurel Winsor’s new agility partner and companion for the whole family. He will have new canine siblings, a French Bulldog and a Standard Poodle. We wish them all a wonderful life together. We will miss him, but am glad he will be here in the Twin Cities, so we’ll see him around.

On New Year’s Day, Roisin O’Donnell braved subzero weather to become Tippi’s (previously Thelma) new mom and owner. Tippi (Alasera’s National Treasure) and Roisin flew to her new home the next day in Tucson, Arizona. She will enjoy the warmer weather!! Roisin and her husband Bill look forward to having a dog for the first time. We wish them all the best!