Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Virginia Beach Heat and Cold Tail

Team 3 Dawg Flite got back home from our dock diving event in Virginia Beach very tired, but happy and loaded down with bling and ribbons! See….here’s all the cool stuff I won.

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It was pretty hot up there, but not as hot as it gets down here in Georgia. We arrived Friday morning, and Spud and I had our first jump Friday afternoon.

Then something bad happened. The next morning, when we went out for our walk, Spud looked funny. His tail wasn’t wagging or even moving. It was just hanging straight down.

My dad asked my mom if she thought he might have something called “cold tail.” My mom said maybe so.

Now, I don’t know what cold tail is, but after experiencing that heat the day before, I thought it sounded pretty good. I was about to ask if I could have some of that cold tail.

Then I realized that it was something bad. My mom took Spud by the tail and tried to move it, and he yelped. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Spud yelp before. I yelp all the time…but then I’m a drama queen. So I knew when I heard Spud yelp, something was wrong.

When we got to the dock that morning, I heard my mom tell the event secretary to scratch Spud from all of his jumps that day.

What!!!!! They expected him to sit there and watch all that dock diving and not participate! How cruel.

Back in our crates, I talked to Spud and told him that I was mad at them for pulling him out of competition like that. But Spud said he was glad they did…that he didn’t feel good at all and his tail hurt.

Poor Spud. So the only ribbon he ended up getting was the on from Friday afternoon. It was a first place Senior Division.

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Poor Spud.

Well, I kept jumping. Here are some pics of one of my Big Air jumps.

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Here’s the last photo from that jump. As you can see, the throw was a little behind me, so I had to put on the brakes, but I could only stop the top part of my body. The bottom half just kept on flying. I could feel myself coming in for a landing on my back, so I tucked my tail, clamped down on that duck (so I wouldn’t lose it), and prepared to make a landing flat on my back.

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I actually managed to pull out of it just at the last minute. I landed more on my butt and not on my back, but the crowd loved it!

My best Big Air jump was only 19’ which is only average for me. I don’t know why I didn’t do any better, but it was still fun.

Here are some Speed Retrieve pics. Speed Retrieve is my favorite type jump!

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I was really disappointed in my Speed Retrieve times. My best was only 7.63 seconds. I can do under 7 seconds. My mom and dad said that the heat got to me and I just gave out of gas. Now, I have no idea what they were talking about, but something sure made me not on my “A game.”

I also did Extreme Vertical, but we don’t have any photos of that. Besides, I didn’t do so well in EV anyway. But my mom talked to an EV expert while we were there and got some tips that might help next time.

The only other thing I need to tell you about it Hoppy. Oh geez! I’m going to make an entire separate post about that boy. What a goof ball!!!!!

All in all, it was an okay event. It would have been better if Spud hadn’t have gotten that cold tail. He only needs one more leg for his Master Title, and we were all expecting him to get it at this event.

Well, there’s always next time! Only two weeks and we’ll be at another event in North Carolina! And this time, Spud, keep that tail high and dry and warm!

Sally, the Captain of Team 3 Dawg Flite

Proud member of Dixie Dock Dogs

9 comments:

barb said...

Really awesome photos, as usual. You look like you're jumping better than ever to me. Sorry about poor Spud and his cold tail. We've never had that problem, but have heard that it is painful. Hope he's feeling better.

Life With Dogs said...

Holy smokes did you clean up. I have to remember to plan our first event at a location you will not be visiting :)

Unknown said...

Looks like you all had a great time. well, all but poor spud. i don't know what cold tail is, but it does'nt sound like its very much fun. congratualtions sally on all the ribbons and medals. i am still waiting to get my lab fred in a dock diving contest.

Kristen said...

Huff Huff! Love your blog! My mommy helps with ours too!
Hope to see you at some upcoming events.

Martha said...

Sally, you are such a star! You did so well and look amazing in your photos. You also look very cool with all your ribbons! You worked hard and we are very proud of you. We are proud of Spud too and sorry he wasnt feeling so good! Shame he had to pull out of some of the jumps. He did come first place in the senior division so that has to be fantastic!!
It all looked like great fun and now we have learned about cold tails too! Poor Spud!
love
Martha & Bailey xx

Chester said...

Ahhhhh Sally-you look absolutely fantastic in all your new bling!! I can only dream of such awards. Your pictures are superb and show off your style perfectly!! You may not have been up to your personal best, but you are still amazing to me.

So sorry about Spud's tail-I hope it feels better and I also hope I never have to experience cold tail. That bites him not being able to jump. But I'm sure the both of you will be ready and rarin' to beat the slobbers out of the competition at your next event.
As for Hoppy-I hope you aren't too hard on him on your post about him. He's who he is and he makes no bones about it!!!

Woofs and blingified slobbers,
Chester

howard said...

Nice dog in action. Great photos too! By the way, did you by chance see this article about Zootoo’s shelter makeover? http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-12-zootoo-shelter-clash_N.htm

The Musketeers said...

WOW! Those are some pawsome picture ! Way to go you guys ! We never have dock dog event at our side. how sad right ?

Love
Four Musketeers

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Hey Sally! You did great...and so did Spud, just look at all that bling! We hope |Spud's tail is better....we've had that condition before and it is NOT NICE!
Those photos of you diving are awesome, great action :D
Oh and umm....the rainbow socks....Mother has tried to put them on us for a giggle (yeah, real funny Mum!) but we prefer to chew them, hehe!
Slobbers xx