Two great weekends, two new titles, and new plans

Tully and I packed up and headed to Lafayette, Indiana, on March 3rd and 4th for a 2 day agility trial, his first since his surgery in October and his first since turning 10 years old.  My one and only goal was to finish the one last leg on his AJP title so he'd have the "matching set" of excellent level titles (AJP and AXP).  Yes, a bit type A, but I know there others of you out there who understand.  At this level, he is having a hard time making time now.  He is usually clean in his runs, just too slow for Masters level competition.  I'm happy to say that on Sunday he gave me a wonderful jumpers run and made time to earn his last AJP leg, the title, and 1st place in the class.  Tully is officially retired from AKC agility.  It's sad, but it's time.  I'll let him play in low level CPE or NADAC, both of which are having trials in the Indy area this summer, but no more AKC and no more of the higher level events.  I've learned so much and met so many wonderful people. I'll admit I was a little teary driving home knowing that chapter in our adventures is over.

However, those of you who know Tully know you can't stay gloomy around that boy long. He's perpetual happiness.  We took off for Cincinnati on March 10th and 11th to compete in Queen City Dog Training Club's rally trial. I am happy to say Tully double Q'd both days to earn his last two legs towards his RAE title.  He scored in the upper 90s both days and even picked up a 3rd place in a 31 dog excellent level class on Saturday.  That unofficially ends his rally career.  He may "play" at some local rally trials, but no more traveling and hotel nights for rally.  We will miss all our wonderful friends we've met out of state in our travels.

Tully has hit a small bump in the road.  After the agility trial in Lafayette he was sore in his back and didn't want to jump or do much of anything.  After a few days in denial, I took x-rays and sent them to my favorite ortho vet and gave him Tully's history.  He's suspicious of lumbosacral stenosis or a Hansen Type 2 disc problem.  Tully is on 4 weeks of rest and prednisone.  If he gets better, we'll go  back to light competition. If he stays the same, he'll retire completely.  If he worsens, he'll have a CT/MRI and/or surgery and retire.  We are hoping for option #1 and sending in entry fees for CPE agility trials in Indy in April and May. Only time will tell, and we have a lot of time on our hands!



Tully, The Tullster, The Tully Monster, Tulls, Tullrini, or to the more formal crowd -
Firefly Rockin Red Rogue CDX GO VER RAE AXP AJP NFP CGC HIC VQW



2011 ACDCA National Specialty Video

Here is the video from the national specialty last fall in North Carolina.  Three weeks later he had surgery, but what a great week this was!  Although I didn't know it at the time, this most likely will end up having been his last major competition.  He made it a good one and I couldn't be prouder of him.  He gives me all he has every time we step to the line. It's always a honor to run with this dog.