What are our 2017 events of interest? I had to do some digging to remember back twelve months, but it was fun to see all the things my sisters and I did during this past year. 2017 is just about history, but before it is completely gone, I’d like to share some of our milestones from the year. I realized I didn’t accomplish too much, but my sisters sure picked up the slack!
January
The year 2017 started out just fine. It was a bit too warm, and not enough snow, but otherwise it was good until January 30th. What started as a joyful morning of Mom and Bailie running in fresh, light snow, ended with a broken right ankle for Mom. Bailie had no fault in the incident, it was simply an ice patch under the snow which caused Mom to slip and land wrong. This was a devastating blow to all of us. It made us realize, we have no plan in place for emergencies like this if they happen. Mom went into depression for about two weeks, a friend came by and walked us a few times a week, but mainly we were at home and it was not fun. January is not a month we like to think back on.
February
Having a broken ankle changed everything we normally do. Even taking photos was difficult as Mom had trouble getting into a good low position. We hung out at home mainly, went to our sports classes, and Mom was finally able to hobble around the block with us, one at a time which was at least something. Bailie had a nose work trial in Appleton, WI the end of the month. Thanks to Mom’s cousin, who agreed to drive, they were able to go to the trial, and Bailie got her Level 1 Interior Title. Obviously, nose work is a sport that can be done with a handicapped human!
March
Yay! The boot came off on March 10th which was a super happy day! I had the worst nose work trial of my life a week later in Moline, IL, and Madison completed her Puppy Agility Class. March was a quiet month.
April
Life came back to our house in April! Madison started her big roll with her Obedience 1 graduation, followed by her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Title on the first try!
A week later, she took her tracking certification test in a huge typhoon like rain storm and passed! The judge was very impressed with Madison’s work ethic, and Mom was quite relieved to get certified in such weather!
May
May was amazing for little Madison! She took her first TD (Tracking Dog) test at Kinnickinnic Park in Wisconsin and passed! She was the only dog to get a TD title that day and she did it in style, under five minutes. The photo is of Madison with the guy who laid her track, and the glove she had to “track down”. Not even nine months old and she became Ethos Intel Inside CGC TD.
Bailie also got a title in May. She had a leg in Level 1 Containers and earned another leg giving her a L1C Title. It was not her best searching, but she still got the job done.
June
Bailie turned four in June. Mom also took Bailie and Madison to that ridiculous Barn Hunt stuff one weekend. Madison had a total blast playing around in the hay bales and actually got one of the three legs needed for a novice title. Bailie earned her second leg towards a novice title. I hear they will go back again in June and try to wrap up novice titles and then quit the sport. I quit the first time I tried it. Not my thing at all!
July
July was my month to shine for the year! Mom and I finally were working together as a team again in nose work and did really well at the trial in Somerset, WI. I didn’t get my NW3 Title, but I did earn my NW3-C and NW3-E Titles. We were both very pleased with how the trial went for us, and that on a day where it was 95 degrees!
My sisters went to Chicago for three days with Mom the end of the month. They had a wonderful time touring the city, taking a boat ride, and hitting the dog beach. Bailie didn’t do well at her nose work trial, but they had so much fun on the trip, it didn’t matter.
August
Little Madison turned one in August. Naturally, she had a nice birthday party. She also made her first attempt at an ORT (Odor Recognition Test), but only passed one of the three elements. It was a super learning experience which was the main thing Mom was looking for.
September
September was my Golden Birthday, when I turned eleven! Mom made sure I had a real nice celebration and we did some fun stuff together! I must say, I do look good in gold!
Bailie traveled again for nose work, this time to Green Bay, WI, and returned home with her L2C (Level 2 Container) Title. She is now the first of us to get a Level 2 Element Title. At this point, she and I are competing head to head for trial spots as we are even on titles. Mom says she will let the draw decide who gets to compete and if we both get in, I get the spot because I’m older. I do like that! I need to step up my sniffing in 2018 or Bailie will leave me in the dust. She has matured and is getting quite good.
October
Once again, October was all my sisters! Madison tried her ORT again, and passed the remaining two. Now she is clear to do nose work at all levels. She tried her nose at her first trial the end of the month, and passed two of the four searches. It was a really nice learning experience for Madison and Mom.
Bailie made her sixth attempt at her NW2 Title and succeeded on October 29 at Afton Alps which is where I got my NW1 Title in 2015. I can’t tell you how happy Mom was to finally pass that one with her. They were both thrilled and had a wonderful day of searching!
November
November went to Bailie again when she finished up her Level 1 Elements with her L1E (Level 1 Exterior) Title. It was great as the trial was just a few miles from where we live. Trialing close to home makes it all so much easier. We enjoy traveling to trials, but it is much more stressful.
December
In December, Mom and I went to Blue Grass, IA for my trial which went really well, but we were one short for that title. Nevertheless, we had a really nice two day road trip together. The rest of the month has been more relaxing, and we’ve been busy with the holidays. Every year in the second half of December, we take a couple weeks off from our classes and training too. A break is a good thing.
We are all looking forward to a great 2018, so stay tuned!
Loved going back over the year with all of you!
Thank you. We always like to go back over old posts, photos, and events too.
you three are so cute!! It seems like Madison has always been a part of the gang! She is only a year old!! This is a great review Emma. Have a great day and Happy New Year (almost!) your doodle friend, Dash
We often forget she is so young, but she fits in so well with everything we do it does feel like she is older than she is. Believe me, she does let the inner puppy out plenty, though.
You guys had a great year, minus the broken ankle of course. How fun to look back.
Mom went through a year of mishaps/accidents causing ER visits 3 times. We hope she has finished that phase as it is not fun at all! Even with the ankle, after the first two weeks, we managed to get back to a lot of normal type things.
Well, you might have gotten off to a slow and frustrating start, but your year definitely got better after that, and you accomplished a lot! Most of all, you all got to spend a lot of time together doing the things you all enjoy. We look forward to seeing what exciting and fun things 2018 brings for you!
We are in a sport mode around here. This year we are even doing a trial in January. Mom says taking the winter off is just too long. We need to stay on top of our sniffing, so back to school starting in about a week. It’s lots of fun.
I can’t imagine you having anything less than a great 2018! I look forward to hearing all about it! Happy New Year Emma, to you, Mom, Baillie, Madison and Bert!
We have our paws crossed it will be a fun and successful year.
What a wonderful year you all had (minus the boot). Great to relive with you and hope you have an even better 2018!
Hopefully nothing medical in 2018 and maybe even more fun!
Y’all had a very successful year and I’m sure 2018 will bring even more titles! You look beautiful in gold, pink or any color. I’m looking forward to New Year’s Eve in Blogville with my love! XXOO Bentley
I’m getting ready for the big night. It will be a lot of fun I’m sure.
WOW!! What an achieving, adventurous, year! My mom swabbed my mouth for my POAG test (finally) and it came back CLEAR! My sister is active and one n my brother’s is a carrier. Lucky me! š XOXO, Sparkle
That is wonderful news for you! Now you won’t have to think about glasses for years!
Last January was so difficult for you. It makes everything to come so precious, doesn’t it?
Hope 2018 is splendid!
We learned how much we take for granted being healthy but it can all go away in an instant. 2018 should be awesome if it works as we hope š
That really was quite the year and a fun look back, except for January of course!
That broken ankle was a really bad thing, but looking back we know we survived and learned from it.
Looks like quite the year. Here’s to a pawsome 2018.
Thank you. We are excited to see what happens in 2018!
You had a busy year, except January and all had fun on nose work. Hope 2018 has lots of good times too.
Nose work is our main sport, but we had some fun in tracking, agility, and obedience too.
We all enjoyed obedience, Tyler loved agility he was really good at it, Aspen likes Rally but Mom needs some work. Of course our favorite is swimming. Didn’t get to do anything last year so we are hoping 2018 is lots of fun.
My mom doesn’t like obedience, but she is trying to convince herself to work on it with Bailie so they can do Rally. We shall see if that happens. Hope you get to swim in 2018!