The 2023 National Specialty is just 25 days away. I am so excited. This is Me about the Specialty…
I love the theme — a hippie/Summer of Love kind of thing…
…and I have my tie-dye ready to go.
I love the location — so close to my family that I will be staying at my dad’s place for the week. I just wish my dad was still there.
Berkeley — the human — will be there for a day to show Capella in the PeeWee event.
Berkeley — the city — will be close enough to visit. I will walk through the campus that is Home and sit on my Granddad’s bench as I have so many times in my life.
Ph.D. Graduation photo — on Granddad’s Bench, in Granddad’s academic robes with people that matter — my two sisters, my dad, and my three children.
I.can’t.wait.
And with recognition that 2022 was a REALLY difficult year, I am sticking to what we — the dogs and I — already know well. Nothing really new — all things that just needed polishing and practice.
Like tracking — Claire has a TDX track in the Specialty Tracking Test…
Claire and Sundance will do Brace draft, and Claire will also do Open draft.
Claire doesn’t have either of those titles (or a TDX, for that matter) and so the events are new — but the training really isn’t. Claire has been ready to compete in these things for some time.
Claire will also show in Novice obedience, Rally, and the Versatility class.
This Specialty is Claire’s Comeback Story. The road has been so very long and hard — for both of us.
And just to be there — to be able to do all the things — will be success.
Do you see that light at the end of the tunnel (okay — driveway 😉)? I sure do…
Sparkle is almost ten now — can you believe it?!
She is going to show in Versatility Dogs Excellent plus the Veterans (9 - 11) classes. Capella will round out the team — all she is doing is conformation this year. Again — nothing really new. The amazing thing is that we get to DO IT 🙏🏽🍀🤞🏼
I suspect I will spend the week in tears — for all kinds of reasons — and hugs.
I.can’t.wait.
Well, I can because I am — but you know what I mean.