Okay so here it is, the final gripping instalment of my
experience in Spain. Better late than
never – my PA (Mum) kept saying she’d write it up for me but I guess you just
can’t get the staff.
Saturday was another early start. Good job I could stay curled up in my crate
to catch up on beauty sleep as I wasn't due to run for ages. It was really cold and wet too. Soggy Saturday. Bit like being back at home in November
really. I may have questioned Mum’s
sanity about all the coats and things she’d put in but actually I was really
glad she had. I had to use two
waterproof coats and Mum even tucked me up in my pyjamas for a bit. So much for sunny Spain! The weather was so bad they had to move the
outside rings inside at lunchtime. This
delayed the proceedings and it was 7.30pm before I got anywhere near a
ring. This time it was a class called
gamblers. Never heard of it but I'm sure
it was designed just for me! 30 seconds
of take your own line with all the different obstacles worth different
points. Once again Mum was muttering all
sorts of numbers. She really should have
concentrated more in school because I've never heard counting like it! After 30 seconds a buzzer was going to sound
and then we had to do this gamble thing.
There were two options; one being harder than the other. Mum reckoned we were going to do the harder
one.
I think the rain, mud and cold had made everyone go a bit
funny because everyone was very excited and there was a lot of clapping and
cheering as dogs were running. This was
more like it! All that noise actually
scared the monsters away and it meant that I could do what a Brown Rat 1 does
best and that’s run. Wahey! Mum (well Ceri actually) had made up this really
fun course that covered all the ring. We
flew round getting lot of points with the crowd cheering us on all the
way. After the weaves the second time
Mum slowed down and started faffing round this jump. No idea what she was playing at! Turned out that the dozy muppet was waiting
for the buzzer to go so we could start the gamble. It had already gone though! Not sure whether it was me woofing or the
crowd cheering but she hadn't heard it and we missed doing the gamble. Methinks I need to get her a hearing
aid. Mum was gutted but at the same time
really proud of me for running so well.
Once we got back to the hotel we found that had actually come 4th! If Mum had heard the buzzer …… well, who
knows?
 |
| Biathlon Agility |
The last day seemed to come round very quickly. I only had one run but there were lots of
other England team members and medals to be decided. Exciting stuff! No sign of those pesky monsters; I think all
the shouting and cheering the day before had sent them packing. Mum said she liked the agility course because
it wasn't too twiddly. She’s always
harping on about how wide I turn. That’s
because I am rear wheel drive and turbo driven.
I slow down for nothing! She
compares my ‘turning circle’ to the QEII.
At least it’s classy and not a barge I suppose. We set off at a rate of knots (in keeping
with the QEII), had one hairy moment when I spotted a tunnel and run fell pelt
at it causing Mum to shriek like a fishwife.
She wanted me to weave instead.
Ha! Just keeping her on her
toes. I managed to control my excitement
on the seesaw and didn't launch into space off it but the pull of the
aforementioned tunnel after the dog walk was just too much AND I might have got
my feet burnt for touching the contact so I decided to play safe and not touch
it. Pretty good run with 5f, even if I
do say so myself!
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So that was it.
Competing over for me. Nothing to
show for it but we came very close in Gamblers.
Once the monsters had gone I ran my socks off (not that I've ever worn
any) and showed everyone how amazing I really am. Several members of the Team England had some
amazing results and it was an absolute privilege to be part of it. Those that ran in the team competition took
silver. We also had a new World Champion
in our midst as Shaun and Phix had won a gold medal. Wow!
All that was left was to return home. Whereas Kita and I had been allowed in the
same cabin as Mum and Sarah on the way out, we had to go in kennels on the way
back. The indignity! I'm an international superstar! It actually wasn't that bad. It was nice and warm in in there and I had my
own comfy bed. My neighbour was a bit
noisy but I ignored him. Oh and I met
this cute Papillon who, to tell the truth, was a bit handsome and a real
flirt! Poor lad got in quite a spin!
Mum was very excited about seeing dolphins on the Tuesday
morning. Wish I’d seen them too. We got home at about 8.30pm on Tuesday. My 10 days of being an only child were over
and now I have to cope with all the rabble again. Mum’s got loads of new friends, all as mental
as she is and we regularly see them round the shows here. A few of them are competing this weekend at
the European Open in Belgium. I'm sure
they’ll all be as amazing as they were in Spain.
Have to say I did enjoy this foreign agility lark – hope Mum
does that selection show again.
Apparently it’s Italy next year.
Surely it’s sunny there?
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