1-25-2025 - A day of age and challenges

Saber

Location: Pearson's Corner ES

Weather: 35 degrees, Sunny, 6 mph S wind

Track 1 time in: 9:25 am, Age: 15 minutes, Length: 125 yds

Track 2 time in: 9:30 am, Age1 hour, 20 minutes, Length: 215 yds

Track 1: I ran as soon as I had both in. The asphalt had food every 2 steps. As we approached our start flag a couple parked directly on the track. Then got their dogs out on long lines (at least they weren't loose!) and walked directly on my track marking along the way. They then barked at Saber, who found their behavior rude and intrusive (she was right). So right from the start there was a lot to overcome.

Saber started, somewhat suspiciously. She was able to let the rude dogs comments go and get back to work. I was proud of her for this. I did seem a little like one nostril was on the track and the other was more environmentally aware. She made the turn (should have been easy). Fortunately most of her food drops were still there. She got a little distracted crossing the islands because of course she needed to mark the light poles over the other dogs just so they know who is in charge.

She navigated around the car on her track really well! I was quite pleased with this. I did not have to help her at all. She finished fine.

Track 2: This aged while I went up the street to watch my nephew's basketball game. I have no idea if his team won because 5 year olds playing basket ball is like wildebeest trying to escape lions. Pure chaos.

Saber's new arch nemeses were gone. Her start was ok. She struggled a little more on the mulch than I expected. It took her checking all directions before she would enter it. She completed this track with little to no help from me but the whole thing was lackluster, not her typically bold self. This track did not have a lot of choices and her turns were on grass but you could see her working hard. That might be because it was a little older than what we've been working. She was also very interested in the environment. There is a little garden down the last leg on the concrete, which she found most interesting.

Track Maps

Syd

Location: Eagle Point Farm In-field

Weather: 19 degrees, Sunny, no wind

Time In: 7:20 am, re-walk 7:30am

Age: 1 hour

Length: about 350 yds (7 - 50 yard legs. Last one was a little longer to not leave article in manure)

Track Design - I serpentined (with 90 degree corners, lol) back and forth. Due to space could not do a traditional stairstep

Syd's start was a wiggly. He was casting but about 25 yards in straightened out. First couple of turns and legs were nice. He struggled a little crossing the gap where you can enter the in-field. I helped him across that. He indicated the leather belt. Restarted tracking well and then we hit the mother load of manure, which happens to be one of Syd's favorite snacks. They've been spreading manure on the in-field, which I didn't realized it was as heavy in that area until I was constantly making Syd drop his frozen treats. The next two legs were shit, quite literally. The last leg was better. This was an exercise in overcoming obstacles. I am pretty sure I lost. At least his article indications were good.

Map