Some might say that after almost 50 years as a reporter, I’ve developed a nose for news.
Aidan was born with a nose for scents, and after 2 years, his nose can discern specific ones — birch, anise, clove and cypress — from all the others in the air.
You may recall when I retired Buzz, the next chapter in our journey was to learn about another dog sport – AKC scent work. Dogs use their amazing sense of smell to find the aforementioned four different scents, which are hidden inside small containers and placed by the judge either inside or outside depending on the class.
Although I was pretty clueless about how this all worked, I had a trainer come here to teach us how to do this sport twice a month, in between eye surgeries and recoveries. Both Buzz and Aidan took to this new game enthusiastically – while I was merely the person at the end of a 10-foot leash letting them do their thing and trying to stay out of their way.
When Buzz died back in June, the primary reason for learning scent work went with him and my heart really wasn’t in it. But, after taking a break from it, I continued for Aidan – in part, because I wasn’t able to train in Rally with my limited vision, but even more importantly, because Aidan really enjoyed doing it.
Have I mentioned that Aidan is happiest when he has a chance to train, run, chase balls, do something every day to get his ya-ya’s out?
Like Rally, you need to qualify three times to get the lower level titles and Buzz had two qualifying scores in all four novice classes but wasn’t able to finish them before he died.
I almost quit at that point but decided to continue in his honor. (And, because the competitor in me doesn’t set a goal without at least trying my best to achieve it.)
My goal with Aidan was to attain all four novice sniffing titles. And let’s just say we had our ups and downs at the shows but, at the end of September, Aidan achieved all four novice scent titles, which means he also earned the overall novice scent work title.
And all the ribbons he’s won are now beginning to fill up his special wall of honor in the same room where the best of Buzz’s many accomplishment ribbons are hung.
Along the way, Aidan also earned two advanced qualifying scores in one element so he has a start on the next level sniffing competition.
And although I’ve gone back and forth about whether I want to continue showing in scent work, he really enjoys it, so if I’m going to spend time training in it, I might as well put the training to the test by competing in it. (I did mention I have a bit of a competitive gene, right?)
This won’t happen until the spring, but in the meantime, a couple of my friends are now coming here to train on weekends – so sniffing training has become a day of fun and friendship and feasting as well.
Four little red dogs sniffing their little hearts out to find those hidden scents. With Buzz keeping watch from over the rainbow bridge, rooting all of us on.
