On May 29-31, Team Alasera competed at the Bloomington Obedience Training Club agility trial on Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday, Mellie was entered in the USDAA trial in Lake Elmo for a Dog Agility Masters (DAM) Team Tournament with her training buddies, another Papillon, named Sky and Josie, a Lhasa Apso.

The dogs again enjoyed some great successes as well as more humbling defeats. Never a dull moment with this group.

Abby managed to do the teeter several times IN PUBLIC during her runs. Great moments to savor! She also had a great Jumpers run on Saturday even running in tall grass, earning a second place finish (edging out Mellie!) in a very competitive field of participants. She earned her ninth MXJ leg with that run and quite a few MACH points. She did manage to get an Open FAST leg on Saturday as well. Sunday did not go quite as well, as she decided the Standard run was way too scary and she quit after the second obstacle. She never even got to the start line on her Jumpers run, as she started reverse sneezing and couldn’t settle down. On her Sunday FAST run, she ran great, but a send to an A-frame proved too tough.

Ace had a beautiful jumpers run on Sunday and earned his MXJ title, much to Terry’s delight. He had a great set of weaves and stuck with Terry til the end. He earned an Open FAST leg on Saturday and took 3rd place, showing that he CAN do some distance work after all. He melted on his Standard runs and the curse continues.

Ripley did get an Exc. B Jumpers leg, but no MACH points as he barely made course time. He is staying more focused and does not try to run off anymore, so we feel we are making progress. He really shut down on Sunday and I can only think that the combination of heat, and being outdoors got the best of him. We’ll keep trying and I’m sure he’ll eventually get the hang of it.

Mellie was once again, on fire. She double Q’d on Saturday with two great runs, including a second place finish and a third place finish. She had one of her best ever Standard runs on Sunday but dropped a bar. Fastest yards per second she has ever had in a Standard run. She earned a second place finish in her Jumpers run on Sunday and took in 56 more MACH points for the week-end. She also managed to get two Open FAST legs and get her Open Fast title. On Monday, she and her DAM teammates earned their first DAM qualifying run at the USDAA tournament. She had clean qualifying runs in all 5 of her runs at the tournament. She placed well in each run as well. I am especially happy with this accomplishment as she had to jump 12″ versus the normal 8″ for AKC. Never dropped a bar all day.

On May 5th, Alasera’s Catch Me if U Can, “Katie”, showed in the PCA National Specialty Sweepstakes show under judge John Oulton. This was her first time ever in a conformation show, at 7 months of age. She looked every bit the “full of herself” show bitch and intended to make the most of her time in the spotlight. After seeing the rest of the families ribbons from the agility trial, she was determined to not leave without one too. She managed to place fourth out of a large class of 25 puppy bitches. Not bad Katie!!

On May 7th, she was also entered in the Phalene match. She took first place in her class and enjoyed strutting her stuff once again. She has a great conformation future and we look forward to seeing how she does in the local shows this summer.

On May 3rd and 4th, Team Alasera competed at the 2010 PCA National Specialty Papillon only agility trial in Des Moines, Iowa. All four adult dogs participated and everyone brought home ribbons. Here are each dog’s accomplishments:

Abby had nice runs both days. A few dropped bars (very unusual for her) kept her from qualifying in some otherwise super runs. She did manage to get an Open FAST qualifier which involved some distance work, so that was a pleasant surprise. In addition, she managed a second place finish in that run. She showed good progress in trying to overcome those pesky stress responses.

Ace enjoyed some nice runs as well. He earned his Novice FAST title and took 4th place and received really nice ribbons. In Jumpers with Weaves, he took 3rd place and another leg towards his MXJ. His teeter issues surfaced, so no Standard legs were earned. He vows to do better next time.

Ripley had some surprisingly good runs. He earned his final Open Standard leg to get his OA title and the very next day, got his first Excellent A leg toward his AX. Didn’t think that would ever happen! He also had a nice clean run in Jumpers but didn’t make it under course time. Go Ripley!!

Mellie was the star of Team Alasera. She earned High Phalene in Trial both days of the trial, getting some very nice ribbons, a travel carrier and a dog bed for trophies. She double Q’d both days of the trial and placed in all her runs. She earned an Open FAST leg toward that title and took first place with a score of 78 out of 80. She earned two first place ribbons, and three second place ribbons and 100 MACH points. Best of all, her speed is improving with almost every run. Look out world, here she comes!!