Newman Lake

Newman Lake is a LONG way from home, but what a fun weekend we had!!

Although Bados had a small pad injury the previous weekend at Roy (along with most other racers!), J decided to drive up to Newman Lake as she had been planning.  This was for coursing after all, and that is our favorite family past time.

Kam, Cayman, & Garis were still nursing pad injuries, so Jackie did not drive up; plus Jane & Iola were tied up and could not bring Tootsie & Lego over to play.  Only Karen Sanders had both time & healthy dogs (Sky & Nike) to join us.  She & J decided to drive up together in Ivan.  This made the long drive more crowded than most weekend excursions, but it was much less crowded & much shorter than the cross country trip.  No problem.  I could still convince the others that the window seat is MINE.

The field was beautiful green grass and HUGE.  I think less than 1/2 of it was used for the courses.  There were some sports goals that the people made a point of staying far away from, but this was easy with so much space.  The soft grass was so nice on the paws!  The morning was cold but it got up to the upper 60s or low 70s in the PM.  Yummy.

There were not many entries at all.  2-3 courses each for RR & Cirnecos, 1 Silken threesome, 2 Saluki, one Afghan & one Whippet.   I had 4 or 5 singles competitors.  Despite this Saturday CRAWLED by.  I am not sure how it took ALL DAY to complete the runs.  True:  there were equipment issues that ultimately had them switching from drag lure to continuous loop.  True:  they did AKC CAT testing in the middle (only 5-6 dogs).  BUT honestly!  We were not done until dinner time.

After the 1st run, Nike had 2 points over Bados & Sky was not far behind.  Unfortunately, Bados then STEPPED ON A WASP.  Seriously, the klutz.  There was a bite between his toes.  J gave him Rimadyl & Arnica, stuck his foot in cold water, & put some anti-sting stuff on his foot.  He had stopped limping & competed in the final.  Despite the sting, he ran well, but he could not make up for being behind Nike.
The one toe still looked swollen & bruised on Sunday, but he was not limping in the morning.  After the prelims he & either Sky or Nike were tied.  The other was just one point behind!  Very tight.  Unfortunately, Bados initially was limping when they finished the prelims.  Nothing new, it was the stung foot bothering him.  J was torn up about what to do.  To scratch or not to scratch . . .  She repeated her treatments from the prior afternoon and waited until the last second to decide.  No limping en route to the start . . . so off they went.  Bados coursed beautifully, and eked out a win over Sky followed by Nike.  That made Bados a Provisional ASFA FCh.  Pretty cool; but J is so proud of him it is just disgusting.  I mean, he already had the ISWS FCh and then LCM - what's the big deal?

I had lots of fun and have some new fans.  In the big open fields there was lots to consider when evaluating possible turns.  I managed to stalk & pounce at least twice on each run.  The wife of one judge told J that she thinks the judges score me "wrong".  She thinks I deserve more credit for my 'focus' even though I don't blindly chase.  What a wise woman; she has great insight.
Another person said she wanted to take me home, but I think I'll stick with J.  We have a good time together.

Next week:  LC at Roy!!