Chelsea State Bank ad

Publisher’s message: Introducing unofficially …

Photo by Burrill Strong. Buzz looking up at me adoringly.

If you dream it and work hard at it, you can achieve it.

That’s what Buzz and I learned as a team during the last few years.

I didn’t tell readers about our marvelous recent accomplishment because it’s one of those milestones that needs more than a few night’s sleep to really appreciate.

So, since I’ve buried the lede, here it is: On Sunday, Nov. 18, Buzz added Rally Champion, or RACH, to his American Kennel Club registered name.  

Buzz earns his (unofficial) RACH under Judge Bonnie Hornfisher.

To achieve this, we had to qualify 20 times while showing in three classes in each show. Qualifying means receiving judge’s scores of 70 or higher out of 100 points. In addition, we had to earn 300 points, 150 points or more in the Master (highest level) class.

I won’t bore you with all the details of how the points are calculated but, a perfect score of 100 equals 10 points, a 99 is 9 points, etc., and points are only awarded for a score of 91 or higher.

Keep in mind that the Master class points are tough to get. One major mistake costs you 10 points – and 90 or below nets you 0 points. So, my inability to know my left and right made this an even more difficult task. With no app for that, I did make a number of mistakes, but eventually solved the problem by placing several brightly colored bead bracelets from Global Marketplace on my left wrist as a visual reminder. (Thank you, Kevin Frahm.)

Like any team sport, you must trust and respect your teammate, and neither of these things were easily earned, either. But careful and slow progress was made along the way as well — without the ability to have a conversation with my dog. In dog training, actions truly must speak louder than words. And I am so humbled to have earned Buzz’s trust. 

But during this journey, Buzz learned that children and seniors and all kinds of everyday folks weren’t scary or mean. They wanted to be his new friends. And Early morning adventures to new places became fun, because good stuff happened while there.

Let’s not forget that health-wise, Buzz had to overcome Lyme Disease along the way as well.

Buzz and I had quite a week in Kalamazoo.

So, many of the things I’ll remember about this journey have nothing to do with all the awards and ribbons Buzz won for his marvelous performances. (Oh, wait, I take that back, the $300 he won in Kalamazoo Nov. 8-11 was pretty cool. I’d never won any money before and it paid for his entries for the four-day cluster of shows.)

Yes, there were many really big and very pretty ribbons along the way. But there’s no doubt that I much prefer looking at my cute, little, red dog snoozing in my lap or at my feet. He rarely leaves my side. Training and showing a dog is so much more than ribbons, although that’s what you get for doing it well.  

I met so many terrific people I would not have come across had I not decided to go on this journey, and many of them gushed about how much they enjoyed watching Buzz and I perform. There’s something pretty special to be said about fellow competitors who rooted us on at every step and congratulated us when we beat them. The “rally folks” are a special community of supportive, friendly and caring people.

I tried to be a good ambassador for the sport, and Buzz wound up being a popular “spokesdog” for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, too. So, mission accomplished.

Although I made my share of mistakes along the way – far more than my terrific partner — I think I did a lot of things the right. And for that I am proud.

Buzz won’t be among the first to achieve the RACH title, if you remember, I did an about turn and returned to showing rally after heading into the obedience ring. We did accomplish something that few people have done. Buzz happily marched through all the levels of rally – from novice to champion – qualifying in every class he showed. That’s 99 straight classes without scoring less than a 70 out of 100 possible points.

It was a glorious journey. One I’m glad I chose to pursue, and one that I’m happy to say Buzz chose to take by my side while championing his talents, his breed and his home town of Chelsea every step of the way.

And although it won’t be official until February, Buzz will then forever be known as RACH Redwyn’s One Giant Step, (with a bunch of other letters after his name).

I know he’ll earn more titles that will go after his name because we’re back to training for new obedience titles. Another journey that we’ll take slowly and methodically, since he’s only 5.5 years old.

But the title of RACH is special in the annuals of the American Kennel Club record books, and in my heart. The title is one of a very few that AKC deems special enough to go in front of a dog’s name.

I was never sure if this timid dog would ever have the courage to compete at all, but together, we proved anything is possible — with a dream in mind, a lot of hard work, patience, determination and mutual trust. We were able to overcame every obstacle in our path.

I think that’s the best memory of all.

Buzz (with support from Ryan in the background) with all the ribbons (and checks) he won in Kalamazoo, Nov. 8-11.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

7 thoughts on “Publisher’s message: Introducing unofficially …”

  1. Congratulations!!!! I still cannot figure out how you find the time to provide the community with all the wonderful information. Then take the time to train, practice, travel and show and WIN. Thanks for sharing, what an awesome TEAM.

Comments are closed.