Have you ever awoken on a weekend, and while enjoying a cup of coffee decided to do something kinda off the wall?
Something that at the time sounded like a good idea even though it might blow up at the last minute?
Well, that’s what happened on Jan. 17.
I was straightening up a counter and came across a couple of premium lists for upcoming dog shows in February. I had planned to recycle them, because, well, it’s winter in Michigan. And, unlike a lot of dog show folks, I won’t take a risk and drive if the roads are bad.
So, I’ve pretty much stopped showing in the winter because I don’t wind up kissing off those $30-plus entry fees per class.
But, Saturday, I completely changed course. I decided to enter not just one show, but the second one, on the same day … in February.
So, twice the entry fees, and, because the entry deadline was fast approaching, I drove them to the post office and spent an extra $33 to express mail them to the show secretary. With the post office closed Monday and a deadline of Wednesday, it was a necessity.
Also while filling out the entry form while sipping a second cup of coffee, I decided it was time to take off Aidan’s training wheels and forego Novice and enter him in Intermediate in both shows. I’d been holding him back and staying in novice to put more show mileage under his little white paws.
A bit of context is needed here.
Aidan began 2026 with a bang. Yes, showing in the winter.
Not the beat-a-drum and toot-your-horn kinda bang; rather a strut-your-stuff in the Rally ring and show-those-other-dogs-how-it’s-done kinda bang.
I decided to bump him up a class level from novice to Intermediate, which is still on leash, but includes many more skills. In addition, I also entered him in novice, so I could see how he handled two classes in one show. This is something he’ll need to do as he progresses through the five levels of Rally obedience classes. But more importantly, in July, when he competes at the Rally National Championship in Ohio when he’ll show multiple times in one day.
In fact, on Tuesday, the list of qualifiers was announced by AKC and there was Aidan’s official fancy name – Wildphox’s Football Phanatic – among them.
But back to the recent dog show. For the first time in his young career, he showed with dogs competing in an adjacent ring. Rather than a single ring setting where he was the only one on a course. At Rally Nationals there will be hundreds of dogs showing in multiple rings simultaneously.
There’s no way to plan for what can happen in an adjacent ring, so my job is to keep him focused on me and not what’s happening outside the ring gates.
I am more than pleased to say that Mr. Aidan handled himself better than expected. There was a slightly scary moment in Intermediate when a jump was dropped in the corner of the next ring as we approached a sign. Yup, it spooked him, and I had to redo that sign so we lost 3 points. But those were the only points we lost.
Aidan earned a terrific 97 in the higher level and finished second. He needs two more qualifying scores (70 or better out of 100) to get the Intermediate title.
In novice, he also got a 97 and second place – thanks to me. Again. Aidan didn’t perform a sign to the standards I want, so I made him redo it, losing us 3 points. And, once again, I was told by the judge that he had completed the sign and I lost us a win and the 3 points.
I smiled and said thank you, knowing exactly what I’d done – in preparation for future performances that I hope will completely meet the high standards I’ve set for us.
So, here’s where I ask for everyone’s help. We are entered on Feb. 7 in Flint and I need everyone to think positively and send calm weather messages to Mother Nature so it doesn’t snow. The plan is to leave here very early as I am also showing a friend’s dog on the Master level, which is fodder for another column.
Please dear readers, do your best sunny skies and no precipitation dance. Aidan and I thank you in advance for your best, most positive good weather wishes.
