I ran so fast in OHIO at the AKC FastCAT Invitational 2025 last week. Remember in May I earned my FCAT2 and retired from the sport? Since we were already in Wilmington for Olivia, Mom let me come out of retirement to run. Olivia and Madison ran in 2021 competing against another GBGV. This year it was only me but it is important to represent our breed when we can.
As a reminder, FastCAT is pretty simple, just run fast. We loved the banners they had around the course this year.
Olivia finished her Scent Work Master National Tuesday and I ran my first time on Wednesday afternoon. Despite not running since May, I was out of the gate like a wild animal. Well, sometimes I guess I am a wild animal. I got my fancy Q ribbon as expected. One of our long time blog followers actually came to meet us and got to watch me run. It is always fun to meet people we know online in person.
Thursday I ran my second run. Here is a photo of my releaser. She released me on my very first run in May of 2023, on my retirement weekend in May 2025, and here at the Invitational. She is also our Navigator making it a practical thing to do. Shortly after the photo my wild guy side got going and I started howling and lunging until it was my turn to run.
I ran another great run and had a blast. Bummer it is over with in about ten seconds! This run earned me my second Q and the ticket to compete against myself in the final the next day.
Friday afternoon we came back for day three, the beginning of the finals. I was ready and all I needed to do was complete my run to get that big fancy ribbon. Even though I was running against myself, I was also running for Madison who was invited this year. We think of her all the time as she loved to run FastCAT too.
I ran my Final run just like the others, all three were almost the exact same time. This run makes me the Best of Breed for the AKC FastCAT Invitational 2025! I earned a third Q ribbon and a gorgeous really big ribbon with lime green on it!
Naturally, Mom, my Catcher, wanted a photo with her fast fellow.
I wouldn’t be running with out our Releaser, which means a Team Lime Green photo.
Now I am done with FastCAT but I will always love running fast and I can do that at home with Olivia. I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent our breed and do a good job of it too.
We’re joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
That is one huge and beautiful and well deserved ribbon, Nelson! Congratulations to you and your mom and we love the photos!
Thank you. I had a blast as I always to, running! Now we are done with that sport and can focus on other ones.
congrats… you are such a fabulous boy… you ran for your sister and we bet madison smiles now and she sends a kiss to you tonight
She is always with us. There was a Madison in Olivia’s scent work event too and her name kept popping up by Olivia in the lists they sent out. It is all a sign from her.
Congratulations, Nelson!!! So thoughtful of them to have lime green on your ribbon (giggle)! Now, you can just run for fun.
Olivia got a burgundy/red colored ribbon in 2021. I wanted a better color and I got one! 2025 had much better colors.
Go Nelson!!!!! We know Madison was running beside you in spirit!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
She sends us signs a lot. We saw her name a lot last week on lists and we know it would appear near our names because she wanted it that way.
Wow! Nelson ~ what exciting news about you and Mom ~ congratulations to you sweet doggie ~ ”way to go ~ lots of hugs ~
an artist reflects
Thank you. It was a good way to really retire from the sport!
Congratulations Nelson, what a fun and fast day you had!!! Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
I got to run over three days and did well each day.
You left on a high, well done! You look great wearing your ribbon.
I did a great job, pretty much the same time every day and a great ribbon at the end!
Nelson OMDs look at all the colorful neckties you have being so fast and so adorable
Hugs cecilia
I love running FastCAT but now I will just run in the yard with Olivia who is faster than me, unfortunately.
So proud of you and Madison would be proud as well
She was a good runner for being so very short and she enjoyed FastCAT a lot. I’m glad she got to run in the Invitational in 2021.
Hooray for the fastest GBGVs in the land!
That would be us!
Way to go Nelson!!! Please keep running a bit, I am trying to catch up for next year, because RIGHT NOW, I am second fastest on the list and I WANT TO MEET YOU, and beat you (I THINK I might be able to) if I get more experience. I’m not even two years old yet. Lydia (aka Lifetime’s Cool as a Coconut)
Your run times are set in stone, so you will be on the list for each year and for all time forever. Olivia is the #1 of all time for GBGVs in FastCAT. I’m just going to run with my sister for fun.
p.s. I really, REALLY like that ribbon You are so handsome!!!
Thank you. My ribbon is super!
Beautiful ribbons for a beautiful run!
Thank you. I love my new big ribbon.