Goals VS. Dreams

Many people have goals and dreams but there are few people that have dreams and not goals. How do you expect to make those dreams come true if you don't have goals? Goals are the back bone to all of you're dreams.

Dream

• to think or conceive of something in a very remote way

• most desirable; ideal

Goal

• the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end

   I think the reason why most people don't achieve their dreams is they don't have the goals. Without the goals you have nothing to work towards that dream. Dreams and goals can go hand in hand. If you have a big dream that you are determined to see come true then set up goals for yourself along the way. Goals are based on variables that you do control. Like saying you will practice jump work for a day out of the week. If you have a specific plan as to how you will achieve that idea then it's now a goals.

 Dreams are where you want to end up and goals are how you want to get there. Dreams are the prize we get at the end of the journey. Goals are the steps we take to get that prize. During you're journey there are going to be road blocks on the way and you will have to remember the reason of  your journey and why you have held on so long.


"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great"



   Write them down. Catch them. Look at them. Post your goal where you can see it. Put it on your bulletin board. Tack it beside your computer monitor. Tape it to your bathroom mirror. Seeing these goals every day will help remind you what you need to do for that goal to become a reality.

 Dreams are wonderful things. Goals are what gets us there. Make your dreams your goals and get what you want in your life.

Ace's Water Intoxication.

    Saturday a friend came over and we took the dogs hiking in the creek. They were in the creek the whole time there and back and we took a few times to stop and rest. I headed back home and when we got home we rested for 1hr and 30mins. Ace wasn't showing any signs of anything at this point. He was just chilling on the bed. After that we went outside and the sprinklers were on and I let them play in it for about 10 mins. After that we went into the backyard and I went to my room to put on my swim suit. My sister comes in and says Ace isn't moving and will not get up. I thought aww, his pads are probably ripped and she said no he's like shaking. I ran out the door and there he was laying upside down having a seizure. I started screaming and Chris picked him up and we took him inside. He was drooling so bad, eyes were huge, he couldn't walk and had about a 5 sec seizure. I felt like he was drying right in front of my eyes.

   Chris, me, and my sister all jumped into the car and we took him about 30 mins down the road. When we got there he peed when Chris picked him up and again when he was in the lobby. It took about 30 mins for them to take him back. They said he temp was 98 so they put heating pads on him. They asked all what happened and after about 20 mins of more waiting they came back into the room and I explained that he had water intoxication and she didn't know much about that and said it wasn't that but it was a seizure. Really?? he has a seizure?? No shit I just told you that!! I didn't say that but that's what I was thinking. We quickly left and looked up on ER about 30 mins away.

  At this point he wasn't drooling his much and was sitting up to watch cars but he was still really bad off. We got to the ER and we checked in and the lady said if he isn't critical you will have to wait 2 hours. I said ok thinking they would know that a dog that cant walk and is drooling all over is critical. She came to get Ace and I said can you hold him cause he cant walk and she said he will have to walk eventually. Umm...ok? So, after about 30 mins of waiting I went to the front desk and said can you see if Ace is critical or not? She checked and said that he wasn't critical. I firmly told her we were not waiting 2 hrs and I want my dog back now please and I wasn't going to pay. Ace did come back in her arms and we took him and started to look for another vet.

  We drove around for 20 mins trying to find another ER vet and we couldn't find one. I looked up on my phone an ER vet 45 mins away and we took of to there. When we got into the place right away they came to help us. While sitting down with Ace in Chris's lap he peed all over him. They immediately took him into the back to get looked at. While Chris went to Wal-Mart for new shorts they put me into the room. The vet came into talk to me and that dude knew what he was talking about. He told me that he thinks that it is heat exhaustion and I said we think its Water Intoxication. He said that that is a possibility and that in 3yrs that he has been there he has only seen one other case. He said he wanted to do bloodwork, check his electrolytes and Platelets.

   About 30 mins later he came in and said that his electrolytes were low and they would but him on an I.V. He said his heart was really strong and I agreed :). About an 2 hours later he came back and said everything is normal and he looks 100 times better but wanted to keep him for another hour to see how he does with the I.V's off. By the end of the night we were able to take him home.

 I have had a few people ask if I think it was because of the hike and I don't think so. They know better and I didn't see them drink very much water at all. Do I think it could be from both the sprinkler and the hike? Yes but I mostly think it is from the sprinkler. Ace does swallow a lot of water when he bites the sprinkler. Now since he has had it he will be more prone to having it again so I will be keeping a good eye on him and no more sprinklers! For more information about Water Intoxication please go here:

http://www.thebark.com/content/danger-water-intoxication

Juniors

   I got to work with my first junior handler today. He is a 7 year old boy that came with his Grandma just along for the ride with no intention of running the dog. About half way through the private lesson the grandma asked if he wanted to try. He did such a great job with the dog. After he worked the sequence he had this huge smile on his face, his grandma would give him a big hug and tell how great of a job he did. He really was a great student and a great handler. I had such a great time teaching him and working with him. At the end of the lesson he asked if he could come back cause he liked it so much. He had a huge smile on his face from the time he started running till the time he go into the car.

   I am excited to continue working with him and his grandma. Maybe one day y'all will see him in the ring :). When I was younger I was told by a few trainers that they wouldn't work with me because I was junior, but I am very grateful for the ones that did as I would not be where I am today without them. I have to be honest and say that like to teach the juniors better. I still LOVE to teach all my students but I really have a soft spot for the juniors. I love kids and agility so whats better than cute kids doing agility?!.

I got that case that Chris got me! It's really super awesome. Here it is:

Oh, and a picture of Legit cause he's really super awesome(and handsome) too!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

    I really love Dr. Seuss and his books. I remember in elementary our teachers would read us the stories all the time and I my favorite was "Oh, the Places You'll Go!. In life you have many places you will go. Maybe, places for vacation, college or moving to a new location. Maybe, it is moving up in you're job. I have recently thought about taking classes for photography and going that route but my parents wouldn't go for. If I did I would have to pay for the classes myself. We shall see....maybe one day! I have such a passion for taking pictures. I don't even own a camera, just me and my iPhone!

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
  
 I just got back from San Antonio, New Braunfels and Austin. We had a great time! Saturday, we went to we went to the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Sunday, we went to float the Guadalupe with was so clear and cold! We had about a 2 hour float then headed to Canyon Lake which was probably one of the best lakes I have never been to. Sunday night we headed to Austin and watched the bats fly out over the bridge. Monday, we headed to Mckinney falls and the springs.


“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

Taking the plunge.

   I have much much going on in my head right now.

  There is only a month and half till the Chicago regional and the Missouri regional. Getting pretty excited and nervous! I have been going back and forth and back and forth on weather or not I should enter Legit in team or just do Local GP and Steeple. I just started jumping him at 26 about 2 session ago. He looks great over 26! He has really nice form and jumps with ease but he is having a hard time adjusting his strides and that's when he knocks his bars and hes been knocking a lot but I'm not worried too much about it. He just needs to figure out his striding and he will be ok! Also, another thing is at home and training hes super awesome! He will send with no problem but at shows he gets really clingy and barks at me a lot. In the ring he will refuse a jump then bark at me and I have been telling him a soft no then going on and it works.  So, I have been going to different locations to train him so I am crossing my fingers that will work!

   His running contacts are looking better than ever. I am SO thrilled. This last session he hit every time and had the deepest AF he has ever had. Super stoked. We started some soft turns and its looking great. I am also learning what to do when we hit bumps in the road with RC's. It's making me such a better trainer on that end. Oh, however am I glad Devi told me I should do RC's. Best decision. Thanks Devi!

 Ok, back to the regionals (ha). I am taking the plunge and I'm entering him in team for both regionals. Every time he gets in the ring he just gets better and better. So, hey, its just more ring time! I have asked a few people what they thought. Some said he isn't ready and some say what can it hurt? I have been working really hard with him lately so I am hoping more training and taking him different locations will help. Both teams are non stress/baby dog teams and are with really good friends so there will be no pressure there. I just hope we don't make a fool out of ourselves but if we do oh well! He's a baby and we will have fun. That's what its all about right?!

  As for that Speed Racer Dog? Man oh man am I excited to run that little dude. He's only been to 2 shows in the past 4 months and this is the least I have never run him but I am ready looking forward to running him. Our next show isn't till the IL regional. We are taking 2 1/2 months off. It will do both me and the boys good but it will feel SO good to get back out there with Ace.

We are leaving for the weekend. My cousin is coming into town from Ohio and he wants to go see the Alamo and go to Austin so that's what we are doing this weekend. Next Saturday we leave for Florida fro a week then a week after we get back we leave for 12 days to Hawaii then a week after that we head to Chicago regional then Missouri regional. Phew!!!

Life is a gift.

    Most of you know that Elicia was in a terrible car accident Monday morning. Her puppy was killed upon impact, Nika and Tobie went missing and 3 others were sent to the vet. Unfortunately, Nika did not made it and was hit by a car. A day later Elicia and Tobie were reunited and she was in awesome condition. Her other 3 dogs are expected a full recovery. I got to see the pictures of her car and I was shocked that she survived. What a walking miracle she is. I remember at Ft. Worth regionals when I went to take the boys out to potty and Elicia was standing there with Nika and Ice. Nika ran to Legit and started doing zoomies all around him and play bowing. We let them play for probably about 10 mins before Elicia had to pull Nika away from Legit. Legit thought she was some pretty hot stuff, one eye and all . That girl was some hot stuff and just amazed me when I saw her run at 2010 USDAA Nationals. You would never have guessed she had one eye. She was one superstar. .R.I.P Nika

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

    The agility community is just amazing. They raised over $20,000 to help Elicia with her bills and we all came together to help her. I am so happy/grateful/honored/blessed to be apart of this amazing community we have. People all around the United States were pulling and praying for her. Its just incredible incredible energy. One person said that her angel was Suni and I totally believe that Suni was watching over her that day.

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.”

    It's hard to wrap my head around that this could happen to me. People think this could never happen to them and it could. It could happen to anybody at anytime. Life is such a gift and so precious. You never know when the time will come and you only live life once. So, live life with no regret and when you step onto that ring with your dog, run it like it was your last cause you will never know when its your last.

 I am so grateful for the runs I have with my boys. That we get to take this incredible journey together and I enjoy every moment I have with these special creatures.
    

  

Dog Agility Blog Action Day

Attitude.....


         Attitude can mean two very different things. You can have a good attitude or a bad in agility. I think attitude is everything. If you show up to a show with a bad attitude nobody is going to want to be near you. How can you have a good time with them or your dog when your surrounded by people with bad attitudes? When I go to a big event I try and surround myself with people that have good attitudes and positiveness outlooks. Which ever attitude you have is going to feed off of people surrounded by you. Your attitude also feeds off your dog. It boggles my mind after people are done with a run that didn't go so well. They get mad at their dog and just throw them in a crate. Have you even thought that your the one that trained your dog? Your fault or the dogs your the one that trained him/her. Sometimes I wonder if the dogs ever wanna throw people in their crates for people sending them off course :).

         I'm sure you have heard the saying "it takes more muscles to frown than to smile." So, why not be lazy and smile instead of frown :)! Also, I love it (not really) when people say this course is way too hard blah, blah. Then train it :) Plain and simple :). I think in agility the more positive you are the more success you will have. There is a quote that says "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right." -Henry Ford. If you keep telling yourself in life or agility that you can't then by golly you can't. How do you think you are going to succeed with a bad attitude like that? TELL YOURSELF THAT YOU CAN!!!!!

   The next time you have a bad run think about the positive stuff and less of the negatives.You can even think of the negatives as something you need to work on and take that with you to your next training session!

Woah...

Woah...so this weekend was pretty awesome! It was so busy! Friday we had my sisters grad party/birthday party during the day and at night we went to her graduation which are very small and only lasted 1hr and 15mins. We had lots of friends stay the night. Saturday we got to watch my brother in a basketball tournament all day and came home and watched the OKC Thunder beat the Spurs again! I love that my team is the underdog. I like the underdogs usually. People always doubt them and when they come and win its always an exciting thing! I like the underdog in any sport, even agility! Sunday was a blast!! My friend Jackie came over with her 3 BCs and we did a lot of hiking and swimming with the crew in my neighborhood. The trials where beautiful and the docks were new and awesome. Its so nice to have two intact males get along and even play with each other! Legit loves him some Zeke!

Sunday we also went to Joel's for some Dock Dogs! His new pool is amazing and his set up is sick! Legit was jumping really well and even tried Extreme Vertical for the first time! At first he wouldn't even get the ball/bumper and by the end of the night was was jumping 4ft 10in straight into the air! I don't think there is anything this dude wouldn't do and be good at! Hes a stud. Legit is showing in Dock Dogs Friday and Sunday! He hasn't done a show in awhile and he loves it! Chris has to work Friday so I will be jumping him and Chris will jump him Sunday. Not entering Saturday cause we are going to Beach House!!

Getting some training in tonight! Going to a friends to train and catch up! Girl talk is always fun and much needed ;). As for the Spurs VS. Thunder game tonight..I'm a little nervous! Spurs are an amazing team and I just hope the Thunder can hold up! It a big game tonight! GO THUNDER!

Legit with his because im awesome ice cream.

Chris is REALLY considering moving to the Bay Area in Cali! Yes, we know its expensive and yes we know it might not be the best idea but hey, we can always move back! We figured when he graduated it would be the best time cause he will go to a 4yr and he just has a job that he can pretty might find anywhere. It would be hard to move 10yr down the line when he was a real job job. If we do move it will be next summer. Exciting stuff/grown up stuff man.

I got the magic in me....

Magic...

I love the feeling of magic. Not the magic you go see at a magic show but you know the agility magic. That's the reason I do this thing called agility. The feeling where Ace and I are one..a team..two minds are one. The feeling where he is already one step ahead of me knowing where we are going next. The feeling where hes reading my mind and everything falls into place. When I can feel that special bond on course. That's the magic..I got that magic last night. Man, that magic feeling is the best. I coundnt help but smile and look down on him and tell him how perfect he was. He knows how perfect he is. I could tell by the jumping up on me and wagging his tail :). I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I cant help but get tear eyed at how lucky I am to have him. One day I hope to have that same magic feeling with Legit as I do with Ace. You have come so far my little red dog.

“That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.”

We are taking 2 months off of showing. Ace and I need it a break and Legit needs work. Legit was really awesome yesterday at training. I think he had 1 or 2 bars total and wasn't refusing jumps. He was doing some big boy courses and I was really proud of him. Hes faster than Ace. The places I thought I could get in a front I would have to rear. (HE HAS REARS NOW, YAYY!!!!!!). Rears are my weakness, anyways has been so that just gives me an excuse to work on them! 













 I had lots of thoughts running through my head at 2am last night. I wanted to right down and wanted to blog about bout it but I was too lazy to go right them down and I didn't really wanna right a blog post at 3am lol. Chris only has a semester (I think) till he graduates at the 2 yr hes going to. That means transferring to a 4yr and he wants to go anywhere from Houston to Austin to OU. I'm trying to convince him to go to California for college. That where we both eventually wanna move so why not go now! Anywhere he wants to go I will go with him and don't want to stop him from going to any school he wants to so I will be tagging along :).

My baby sister's birthday is today! She will be 18 and she is graduating from High School tonight. Wow. wow. wow. wow. Has it really been 2 yrs since Chris and I have graduated High School?! I don't wanna get old! We are having family and friends come over and we are having a party for her then going to her graduation tonight! My sister and I were not very close to each other when we were younger. She was the girly girl and I just wanted to play with boys, dogs and dirt but as we got older we are much much closer. We go places together and hangout just as we were best friends. She is planning on moving an hour away and a half away to a college and getting her own place. I will cry when that day comes. I will miss her being in the same house.