High in Trial

At the NADAC agility trial different people can sponsor awards called "high in trial". Anyone with the most Qs in that category will win that award and prize. There are various different categories including tailless dog, rescue dog, etc. Morey and I entered the Novice Handler and Intro Dog and we won both!

In addition to ribbons we also got prizes. Morey was most excited about two new toys and liver treats while the human prize was a book and gift certificate to an agility store.

It's not every dog who keeps winning even after the competition is over!

NADAC Trial

Morey and I love competing in agility. We go to class every week but we are more about having fun rather than competing. Our club hosts a North American Dog Agility Coucil (NADAC) trial every spring and Morey and I have competed the past 2 years. This year we entered 10 events which was rather ambitious but hey, we like a challenge!

Morey's happy agility face

We entered all Into events which is the beginner class. These courses usually involve 7-9 obstacles and aren't too tricky. Each course must be completed in the correct order in a specified amount of time. Dogs are judged by speed and accuracy. If a dog completes a course with no mistakes (taking an obstacle out of order, missing an obstacle, etc.) and within the time limit it is called a Qualifying Run or Q. Dogs are judged by speed against dogs in their same height class (different size dogs jump at different heights).

Morey has so  much fun with agility. He gets his "happy face" on when I pull out the treats and we get ready to run!

Agility Venue

The trial was held in the same venue as last year, an indoor horse barn with a dirt floor. Last year it was really hard for me (and others) to get around on the soft dirt so this year the organizers asked if the facility could pack down the dirt. I still needed my FreeWheel but it was so much easier to get around. I suppose there isn't a lot they can do about the strong scent of horse!

Morey holding his ribbons from First and Q in Intro Weavers!

Morey and I ready to go!

 In Morey's first event of the trial he won 1st and Q in Weavers. Morey still isn't super skilled on the weave poles so I was very surprised we got through the whole course on time and without a mistake!

 There was a large crating area where people "camp out" between their runs. Some people who trial a lot have super fancy set ups with rugs, crates, chairs and various amenities to make a long day at the venue more comfortable for the humans and canines! Morey and I kept it simple with his collapsible crate, a bag full of supplies and a rug. 

Morey in his collapsible crate

 

Morey chilling on his rug, looking distinguished with his paws crossed

 I have to put Morey in the crate when I can't directly supervise him but most of the time he preferred to lay on his rug and watch the activity going on around us. When I do put him in his crate he likes to keep an eye on me as much as he can!

Morey peeking out the window of his crate

Morey power napping in his crate

Morey modeling his Title Ribbons

 In order to earn a Title in a specific event you have to earn 3 Qs (or 30 points). Morey's runs this weekend earned him his first two titles in Intro Regular and Tunnelers! More ribbons to add to his collection!

All in all Morey earned Qs in 9 out of his 10 events! We missed a Q in Jumpers because we took a bit too long but we still won first place based on speed. 

If you want to see video of our runs they are posted on Morey's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6rHjKOJttf1RzWWRmEIOmg . I think the quality is better than trying to embed them in this blog.

It's fun for Morey and I to learn to work together in new ways. We've improved a lot in agility over the past year and it was fun to see our work pay off! Now it's time to start training for next year!

Parking Mobility

Morey and I recently became part of an innovative program called Parking Mobility. Parking Mobility utilizes trained and deputized volunteers to report accessible parking violations using an app (http://www.parkingmobility.com). The county I live in has a contract with Parking Mobility so the constable's office actually issues tickets to the violators who are reported. They also offer an education program as a way to reduce the fine and so far the people who have chosen the education program have had a 0% recidivism rate. I love the concept of Parking Mobility because it empowers people in the community, gathers data to prove a need and partners with counties to provide consequences and education to those who improperly park in an accessible space. Win, win, win!

I completed the training in December but you have to be sworn in by the constable before you are officially deputized to report violations. It took a while but I finally made it to the courtroom to get sworn in. Now I just have to train Morey to sniff out the violators and I will make the report!

The newest group of Parking Mobility volunteers with Constable Suits!

The courthouse is downtown, just a few blocks away from UT, and I decided to be a good citizen and take the bus. Sometimes I like to transfer to the bus seat but that day I decided to stay in my chair and get tied down (my chair, not actually me). Morey is not sure he liked that idea because he couldn't figure out where to lay. He finally decided to lay between the tiedowns but said it wasn't very comfortable!

Update: I just reported my first violation! I have been on the lookout for a while (and am happy all the cars I have checked have been legally parked in accessible spaces) but downtown I found a car without a placard parked in the loading strips. I hope they will learn their lesson with some help from Parking Mobility!

Valentine's Day

Morey holding a Valentine rose in his mouth

When you aren't in a romantic relationship you can react to Valentine's Day in a variety of ways. I choose to celebrate by having fun with Morey (what's new?) and sharing his cuteness with the world. Key elements of our celebration included a headband with hearts, a velvet rose, a homemade valentine sign and plenty of tasty treats!

Once Morey had his Valentine's Day photo shoot I sent his photos to many of his fans I work with at UT. We also made the rounds of the folks who work in my building and it was fun to see how many smiles he brought along with him.

Morey holding a heart asking "Will you be my Valentine?"

 Morey and I enjoyed getting a Valentine surprise from Indiana. I got chocolates and Morey got a bag of heart-shaped salmon treats!

Morey makes me happy every day. He is such a special dog to me and I am happy to share him with others in my life who also recognize and appreciate his awesomeness!

Fun with Friends

Morey hasn't seen his yellow lab friend Stevie for a long time. We recently went over to her house to celebrate a baby shower for her humans. The dogs were immediately escorted outside to play and within minutes they had both jumped in the pool (in Texas most pools stay open year round). Of course they then wanted to come inside and couldn't believe why we wouldn't want two web rambunctious dogs in the middle of a party! After a few minutes they would go jump in the pool again and start the whole routine over. We finally let them in the house a few hours later when they seemed calm but the moment they went in the house they began wrestling and chasing each other again. Let's just say Morey slept well that night!

Stevie and Morey looking in the window

 Camilla came back for another visit and this time she and Morey spent more time together. Morey seemed to figure out that he fit better in his bed, even when Camilla decided to join him!

Morey and Camilla sharing his bed

Morey and Camilla hanging out on the deck