Let’s talk about our trip.

· Most of us met at Holly and Pandy’s. Soon it was time to leave. I watched everybody leave - except Annie and me. What was that all about??? Maggie

· The trip took forever. Can’t our handlers go without peeing for more that 30 minutes? Casper

· Later that day, Annie and I learned that we had to wait for David and Taylor to finish school. We traveled late into the night. Maggie

· How can it take 2 hours to eat lunch at Leavenworth? Acorn

· We thought Cloverdale was only a short distance north of the border. Seems like we drove forever. Rani and Lacey

· Race day was sunny and cool, however, we raced inside. We lined up for our first race. I looked around and noticed that Mom was the only handler that had not purchased one of our new beautiful
SpoK9 jackets. I was so embarrassed. Eddi

· Who in the heck came up with the name of Hauling Hot Dogs? What happened to my suggestion of Dexter’s Elite Turds? Dexter

· Did you see Dads face plant when he forgot to release me when it was my turn to run? And he didn’t learn the first time so I did it again. Pandy

· Did you hear Mom when I spun around before going after the ball during the warm up? I just wanted to get her blood flowing so she wouldn’t forget to launch me on time. Buster

· Mom would not play tug with me, she kept trying to get me to rerun. So I took my tug to the box and traded it for the ball. Mom’s face was as red as her hair. Holly

· I tried so hard not to goof up. I didn’t want to end up in Maggie’s thoughts. Rani, did you notice my efforts? Annie

· Mom may have the fly ball bug. She better choose a tough fast black dog. Casper

· You all wonder what Dad is whispering in my ear between races. Well, let me tell you that after I was mugged by that big bushy dog at the third hurdle, he had some colorful language to help me resolve my anger. Lacey

· I worked hard, lost weight and focused on this tournament. I ran fast and accurate, only to be denied stardom by Mom starting me wrong and discounting some of my great starting and running times. Puma

· Did you hear the entire buzz about me skipping a hurdle? With all their analysis they failed to consider that I did it just because I could!!! Rani

· Sorry Maggie about varying my recall speed. I know it’s hard to pass but it is fun listening to Jim trying to figure out a solution for slow passes. Scrappy

· I am blonde, handsome, muscular, strong, and big, yet this small white four legged nothing interfered with my race. Why Oh Why did Mom raise me to be a gentleman? Parker

· Dad made me watch several races and told me to get a clue. I guess it is time to get with it. Watch my practices next week!!! Casper

· Hey Maggie, I heard the K9’s are considering an all black team after Acorn gets a fur coloring. I hope the K9’s realize that I am a natural black height dog. CJ

· I thought the rules changed when Mom sent me to the box with a ball in my mouth. I exchanged it for the one in the box and got a lot of praise when I returned. I guess Dorothy was short of balls. Rani

· Why did Jim buy Mom dinner when I was the one that got the 5 perfect starts? When will they realize who really runs fly ball? Eddi

· Dad kept asking me why I was slowing down Sunday – then my lights went out and the next thing I remember was waking up at the Motel. Did he really throw me in front of that 90# muscle head dog in the other lane? Maggie

· Man was I nervous when the judge came over and talked with Taylor and me. I just kept thinking of Abbotsford. Annie

· I hold the record for spitting out balls and returning for a clean one 4 times and still winning the heat. Great prank on Mom – she was having too much fun. Parker

· I run much faster when the pressure of being the height dog is on Dexter. Let’s do more of that line up? Lacey

· Mom scared me when she woke up on the way home and yelled to David to stay on the road. She must have been having a nightmare. Scrappy

· Mom said not to tell anybody about this. Early early early Monday morning we all crawled out of the motel window, ran to the car, got in and drove home. I am not sure why. You guys promise not to tell anybody – okay???. Jeff

· Eileen - don’t give up. Mom is now following up on height pups whose parents have running histories under 3.7 seconds. Maggie

· I have been a polite good traveler and still I am only a fly ball spectator. Maybe I better act like a Border collie and I will get to play. After all I am a proud Border collie. Tesse

· I thought I would need to rescue Mom on the way home. At a rest stop she “called” (gobbled) to an enormous live tom turkey. He ruffled his feathers and walked very boldly towards us – even as we hustled into the van. Holly

It was a great tournament. The Hauling Hot Dogs got a First Place on Saturday in Division 5 and the Flyers a Second place in Division 3. Sunday brought a Second Place for the Hauling Hot Dogs and Forth for the Flyers.

I sincerely thank my teammates and all of you at the tournament that wished me well after my problem. Especially the Muddy Paws team Vet that cared for me. You are the greatest.

Remember to keep nagging our handlers for several more tournaments before winter comes.