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Spok-9 Clips

September 25, 2006

September 22^nd and 23^rd the Spok-9’s traveled to Stanwood for our first U-FLI Tournament. We entered three teams, The Flyers; The Hauling Hot Dogs and It’s a Miracle.

All three teams had a fun weekend under sunny skies and 70-degree temperatures. The tournament was held at a sports complex and we ran on green grass.

Fran makes her début

The K9s welcomed a new member. A pretty female Border collie ran her first tournament after working hard all summer mastering her skills. She ran very well and continued to refine techniques. By the end of the second day was running strong and made a positive impact on the Flyers. It must be noted that Fran ran without error except the one bad pass that forced her off course. She is learning her sport well.

Flyers finally win again

After too many tournaments finishing 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th or worse the Flyers broke the streak of bad luck and placed 1^st in Saturday’s tournament and came back on Sunday to again capture 1^st place. Capitan Eddi reports that she had a closed door meeting with her team and decided that the team had to take matters into their own paws and run as though the handlers had stayed home. It worked – they are now deciding if they really need any handler involvement other that driving to and from tournaments.

All the Flyers earned advanced titles for their hard work. The exact titles will be reported later.

The Flyers are awaiting information on Buster’s aching shoulder. Even with the painful shoulder he decided to run a few heats and earn his UFLI title. We wish him well!!

Hot Dogs run like a Swiss watch

The Hot Dogs put on a Fly ball clinic at this tournament. Their blazing speed and precision passing moved them to 1^st place early Saturday morning – however those attributes also caused three “timed break outs” and disqualified them from placement standing in the tournament.

Sunday they again ran smooooth however were able to adjust their running orders and stayed within their division parameters. They ended the day in 1^st place. Their perfection provided all the team members with advanced titles. At the team meeting Sunday evening they decided to insist that the handlers review their future seed times and assure they can race at their potential level without any fear of “breaking out”. Captain Rani stated, “look out Argus entrants, the Hot Dogs are planning to kick butt”.

It’s a Miracle is almost there

They came to run, to conquer and to place first. After a shaky start earlier in their first season, It’s a Miracle is making giant steps toward competent and competitive racing. Saturday they ran very well often ending with times fast enough to give them big points leading to advanced UFLI titles. Sunday they focused on balancing the point awards among teammates, experimented with various running orders, and still place 4^th in their division. At their team meeting Sunday evening they decided that Fat Ruby might have to change her name to Slim Ruby if she keeps loosing weight - Good Job Ruby!

Our veteran Sweet William (Bill) overlooked his aches after being “Jack Russelled” and also titled. Co-captains Ruby and Casper reportedly have counseled Bill about keeping his thoughts to him self when in the presence of Jack Russell’s

Singles racing

Lacey and Rani entered a new event called singles racing. These races were held at prescheduled times throughout both days. They ran very well but were handicapped by the lack of precision of the handlers.

Up and coming Tesse also enter the competition. Tesse showed great skills and ran many heats without a single mistake. She also demonstrated her Swimmers turn with competence.

Casper and Lacey stop the show

As always, we leave every tournament with something to remember us by. My hat is tipped to Casper and Lacey for the “Hoot of the tournament”.

Sunday the tournament officials rushed us to finish every race early so our handlers could go home early and get their “beauty rest” before returning to work Monday. Casper and Lacey decided that the handlers should not be tired. They hadn’t run 24+ heats. So they put on what they called “The C & L --- P&P Stall”.

During the second heat of the race between the Hot Dogs and The Miracles, Casper stopped in mid run, walked to the edge of the course and POOPED. That stopped the racing until it could be cleaned up. Then before the third heat could be started, Lacey PEED on the other lane. They succeeded at embarrassing our handlers, displeasing the judges and delayed racing for at least 20 minutes. Our plan succeeded!!!