Summing up our 2024 UKI US Open Experience
26 Nov 2024
. In the two day drive home to Chicago I think I came up with a half dozen things I’d love to write more about. But, the key thing I took home was: gratitude.
I’m grateful for the two dogs who are always happy to play this crazy game of dog agility with me. Who always give their all and always forgive my mistakes.
I’m grateful for friends who have changed my life. Dana Pike (K9s In Motion, LLC) who continually learns and helps me grow with changes in the sport and who tirelessly studies dog training, judges, and courses to keep us improving. Dr. Lisa Woodside (Ready to Go Veterinary Rehabilitation) who is always keeping my dogs at the top of their game and making sure I give them the best care. Stacie Cwik for always giving me different training and handling perspectives and helping us on our running contact journey. Chris Kerton (Karma Fitness) for helping me to move better and faster. Honestly, without his warmup instruction I would have been done after “going all out” in the Speedstakes finals.
I’m grateful for so many agility friends with whom I shared the USO experience: all the discussions of plans, strategies, up and down moments in each run, and our amazing (and sometimes mysterious) dogs. I’m so, so grateful for friends who stayed to watch us run in finals at the end of their long days and to everyone who cheered us on.
It was fantastic to stand on the podium with my Snap! It was amazing to see my Spark running confidently on big challenging courses. But, what I’ll remember most was hearing friends cheering us on. Those cheers are still ringing gloriously in my ears.
Thank you all. ❤️
Photo: Michael Fenton | Unsplash
If you enjoyed this article won't you please: 
Thanks!