Sniff 'n' Go

The Nosework club that our instructor belongs to did Sniff 'n' Go, kind of like a mock trial about 1 1/4 hour drive from here. We decided to bite the bullet and go. I was kinda nervous because Faith is so fast it's hard to keep the long leash from getting tangled up in stuff, and I can't always be sure if she is alerting, at least in class.

She did GREAT! So did Elijah! There are 4 elements, exteriors, interiors, containers and vehicles. Faith blazed through exterior in 6 seconds. Interior a bit longer, 35 seconds. Containers, 9 seconds. I burst into tears after that one because I'd been holding a lot of emotions in (Meadow's foot, our ancient kitty going downhill and having seizures, and a couple other non-dog challenges). And when she nailed that third element I was just busting at the seams I was so proud. The judge was a bit startled and said jokingly, "There's no crying in Nosework!"

Vehicles was a bit harder - she got the right car out of 3 immediately, but because it was under the frame on a low car, and the wind was blowing, she couldn't pin-point it. Eventually she crawled right under the bumper! The judge said "Go ahead and reward her!" So it wasn't a complete success but I was still SO PROUD of Faith!

Wasn't able to watch Eli but hubby said he was similarly fast and accurate. They just LOVE this sport!

 

Thanks, everyone, we really were super proud and the fact that it all went so fast.... hubby and I were kind of in a daze! Each judge had such kind things to say about our dogs and the teamwork, I guess it just kind of choked me up.

Mario the kitty is 17.5 years old, has been a good guy and lived with 6 Shelties over his lifetime. I think he has some kitty dementia going as well as physical decline. Seizures may indicate a brain tumor as his personality has also changed. I think he's our last cat. Our first lived to 19, she was the best cat ever.