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We met a few tricky courses at today's trial. There was only one pass each run ... but no pass cards with my name on it. Oh well ...  we tried our hardest.  There will always be another trial.

Well, last year was a really exciting agility year for me. This year has been disappointing. So many trials have been cancelled, we have recently spent an extended period interstate which affected our trialling and there have been a few trials where just haven't been well nor found the motivation to attend.

We did attend the Croydon Trial in September.  I worked very well - we had 4 runs and each round was a very nice round. I was just beaten by time every time. 

Today we attended the K9 Trial at KCC Park.  I had a ripper round first off but the judge called after us as we both happily left the ring. Apparently there was a timing problem and ... we had to do it again!  The judge said it was our 'lucky day' unfortunately it wasn't.  I had no interest in running the course again and refused to do the first obstacle. Karen decided to quit while we were ahead rather than push me around a course that I did not want to do again and, instead of standing a chance of achieving a place, I was disqualified.

The sun came out this afternoon and I slowed down a bit. We no longer enter agility as the A-frame has been  a bit of a struggle since we no longer have the opportunity to practice so today we had a trip to Cranbourne for only 2 runs.

Part of the fun of agility is getting out there and having the opportunity to catch up with other people.  There is no enjoyment in being ignored by people you know ...  We are entered again tomorrow.  I'll enjoy myself ...  Karen is still determined to give me every opportunity to achieve my Excellent Jumping title, which given normal circumstances we had hoped we would have achieved this year.  It is disappointing we are coming into Summer and I still have to achieve my final two passes.

We recently enjoyed an extended break away. It was good to escape Melbourne for awhile and to have the opportunity to keep busy and active and get out there and do things once again.

Well, Mum's forgotten to help me update my blog in recent times.  Hunny went home to Canberra in February and life has since been pretty quiet for this little guy. We are looking forward to catching up and spending time with her again in September.  This time we will be following in a certain "Julia's" footsteps and be becoming temporary residents of Canberra.  We've been to Canberra before but this time we'll have lots and lots of time to explore new walks and pathways.

We entered the Papillion Agility Trial in March; the Moorabbin Trial in April and last week the Trial at Bulla.  I think I got a ribbon at the Papillion Trial but, I'll have to recheck my ribbon collection as, that was months ago and I can now no longer remember. 

Last week at Bulla was cold. Jolly cold infact!  So cold infact that I literally burned around the course ... so happy to be back doing what I love - agility!  Mum looked at me and said I was totally out of control. I by-passed numerous obstacles and was just like the silly old unpredictable Murf of years ago.  Mum seems to think I am missing my training and we don't quite know what we can do about that at the moment.

Apart from attending the occasional trial, I havent been doing terribly much. I still love my agility and really wish Mum would take me more often. She knows I am getting old, almost 11, and despite my continued enthusiasm, this will most certainly be my final year.   Karen is pretty proud of what I've achieved and just hopes we  still have time to achieve what will be our final goal - my Excellent Jumping title before I finally retire. Our trip to Canberra will also impact on our end of year trialling commitments which will make the next few months even more crucial.  Karen has never trained a dog to Masters level, we are very close and I know she is fairly determined to achieve our final goal.  There's probably not too much time to do it now and so I will have to try my hardest!

We have also spent lots and lots of time at Phillip Island this year. We simply love it down there!  This year young Hunny came with us.  I think she really enjoyed our evening beach walks too.  We all know Karen really, really enjoys and really, really wishes she could spend more and more time helping out down there.  It is nice to work with people who really appreciate her efforts and, no matter what time the year, Amber and I love sharing the beach with her. Maybe we will be able to spend more time down there perhaps even one day soon?

e still have Hunny staying with us. She has fitted in very well and still seems to be enjoying her little holiday. Jo will be home early in the New Year

- we have been very lucky to be able to spend this time together and know she will be excited to return home to Jo, Squibbie and Zig.