I love you Bird.

At the agility trial last weekend I struggled to smile; I had just lost my old corgi Moose, aka Bird.  I’m not sure too many people noticed I was having a hard time but thanx to those of you who asked if I was ok.  I was not ok.  I was very sad.  Bird came into this world into my hands and left this world while I was holding him and God was it hard.  But I think it was even harder watching everyone complain and bitch and moan about this or that missed contact, or missed weaves, or knocked bar, or off course, or….  And I’m not gonna say I haven’t been there!  Agility is hard, there is a lot of failure, a lot of struggle, a lot of “wish I had” moments; but to put it in perspective, at least you have your dog!  Right there at your side, and they are doing stuff with you!  Cherish those moments!  We have had multiple retirement runs the last few weekends, and some dogs are out due to injury, and some dogs never even got to have a retirement run, agility just ended (Pickle).  You have to treat every run like it is your last!  Throw every ball or Frisbee like it is your last!  Make those moments count!  And while I was holding Bird at the end, I was not listing his titles in my mind, or adding up his accomplishments, I was thinking of those days on the beach, and hiking in the desert, and sleeping on the floor in his bed.  THOSE are the things I cherish and remember.  The titles mean nothing to me now.  They were just boxes in a list that I checked off.  His barking, and wagging, and bossing everybody around will be missed.  I would give back all his Q’s to have it end a different way, more peaceful and calm, but I guess that was part of the journey.  I miss you buddy!  May you rest peacefully under the beautiful mesquite we planted in your memory.

Bird’s Tree

Moose and Hunda running!

Bird On A Bench