First Title – Rally

Holly has been busy.  Friday and Saturday she competed in Novice A Rally Trials at the Twin Ports Dog Training Club.  She had earned one ‘leg’ at a prior trial in March, now on this week-end earned two more legs to reach the magical 3-leg threshold to earn a Rally Novice Title.

Both days were warm, muggy and had warnings of dangerously high air quality alerts.  To top that off, the trials were running behind schedule by as much as two hours.  May I just say that Holly handled it all like a real trooper.  She was my inspiration to hang on with holding out at the club waiting for our turn to be in the ring.  Rally classes are in the afternoon and Holly & my reward for being in the beginning category of the beginning class – novice A was that we were the very last ones to go.  And I mean that literally!  Noone else was in Novice A on Friday so provided Holly & I did not NQ (not qualify), we were locked into first place!   Why there is stress in these activities, I don’t know, but everyone seems to experience it.  I don’t know if I could recite my own middle name when in the midst of doing a rally trial run with Holly.  Holly feels it too, or feels it because she sees how I do.  She stares at me with those eyes, seemingly asking me why we are there, what is this about, and who cares?  All very good questions. But she does it, to the best of her ability and understanding.  Much to my surprise on Friday, Holly was given a scored of 100 (out of 100 points).  When awards were being handed out, the judge was highly complimentary of Holly.  She asked her name and started talking to her, telling her what a good girl she was – to which Holly responded by jumping up on her, foot banging into the clipboard.  I of course was mortified and scolded Holly – “you don’t jump on the judge!”.  The judge calmly said “it’s ok, I have a golden at home.”  And my stress level dropped down to nil.

Back at it on Saturday.  Same weather, same air quality risk, same long wait time.  Nearly the same result.  One of the stations was to circle around the handler’s back side and fall into heel position.  Holly would not circle me.  She stood staring at me with a blank look.  Outside I practiced with treats and she was spot on.  In the ring, no treats are allowed, and Holly is not one to work for free if she has learned it is a paying job.  Nonetheless, she scored a 98, earning her second leg in as many days for a total of 3 legs in 2025.   She titled.

We stopped at the Harvey House on the way home where DeeAnn had a nice meal ready for both of us.  Holly took a few long laps in the backyard stretching those legs that had to rest on the floor for a third of the day.  Her real treat was coming home to find Kendra & Brooke in the neighbor’s yard.  The South Dakota family is home for a visit!  Kendra was in my backyard in a heartbeat and Holly & her had their own version of soccer going on.  I watched as they played.  Holly’s scores of 100 and 98 were showing off.  Maybe they were real, authentic and a fair representation after all.  Kendra would tell Holly to sit, then stay while she walked to the opposite side of the yard before kicking the soccer ball back to Holly.  And by golly, if Holly Dolly didn’t stay in place and wait for the ball to be kicked back to her!   The two played their soccer game until dark when I had to call Holly inside and help Kendra close the gate behind her.  Two tired girls after a long day of traveling or waiting went into their respective homes to cool down and crash for bedtime.  What was a long, long day of waiting with little more to do that just that, the day turned around in a heartbeat as soon as Kendra and Brooke appearedi.  That’s what friends can do!

Today was about waiting, wondering and worrying over Holly & my performance,  tomorrow Holly & I join the Sven Saw Sisters and Rainie, Keltie & Helen for our annual trip to Ely. And there again, that’s what friends can do – make a hard day go away by giving a full reset on life.   So grateful for my Sven Saw Sisters, understanding Rally Trial judges and my Holly Dolly!