Paws In Pursuit: Sepia Saturday for Yesterday & Black & White Sunday for Today!

Hi all - I am increasingly sorry for my absence yesterday. We were competing all day and I had no access to a computer to blog whatsoever. Annoying. Anyway, the only reason I am actually doing a Sepia Saturday today, is because we cohost it!!! Sorry Ruckus, pal! We are so sorry.

Anyway, we had a fun day yesterday, Earl really enjoyed himself and his speed is coming along lovely. We technically got two 4th places, out of about 15 dogs, however it only placed to 2nd, officially, and we gained a few times faults, surprisingly. The times get tighter as you go up the grades, as we are doing! He was a good boy though! And when you get a few time faults (our faults were tenths of a second!) you don't even officially get a 'clear round', even though we made no mistakes in the first two. The last and final one he couldn't be bothered to enter the weaves properly, and gained 5f. But then we went back cheerfully and he did them well. He finished with a rocketing finale for everyone to clap!! It was a fun day - and the biggest achievement was his confidence and enjoyability of the competition and the atmosphere to him. We're progressing a lot, and that is fabulous!

Anyway, there, I bought them their Christmas presents… shhh, you can't know or see yet!!… 3 hollow hooves to chew, and a PAWsome new long ball thrower as the other one snapped recently, with a flashing ball!! And where did I buy these doggy treasures from at the show?! Non other than the dedicated show attendants regularly, Paws Trading - thanks so much for the friendly and helpful services, and the wide range of PAWsome doggy stuff!

Ethel modelling the new ball and launcher with much interest

Earl, very gladly modelling the hoof

It was a fun day, and plenty of positive progression was made on mine and Earl's part. Oh, and by the way, on our first run of the day, I was slightly in the wrong place at the wrong time, therefore made Earl stall at a jump. If that hadn't have happened, we would have been in the time - he's not a slow dog, but he's not a Border Collie - you don't see many Border Terriers in the sport, actually!!

Thanks so much to our furry pal Ruckus The Eskie for hosting the Sepia Saturday Blog Hop, with us at Earl's World! as the willing cohost!

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Now, for today's actual post - for Black and White Sunday, on Sunday!!!

Today, we had an absolutely thrilling time as always, spending the day with our fellow doggy peeps and their beloved, trained pets (or in training!) at our dog club's venue, where Ethel did Agility and Obedience, and Earl did his usual full Agility.

First off was Ethel in her puppy/newbie class - and she did incredibly well! I managed to negotiate her exceedingly fast little paws racing around a course of twisty jumps successfully, and worked on her waits before I set her off (giving me time to get in front of her, hehe!!). She did the weaves with me only holding her lead, and not having to guide her using the lead as much, which is a real accomplishment! Our trainer believes we'll be off lead doing the weaves too soon!!

Earl was great too, as always - speedy and happy-go-lucky. I can't stress what progress we're making with confidence and happiness.

Ethel did so well - and she was tired out properly when we set back off in the car, heading for home!

I absolutely love our Sundays training - its a fun, long day doing what we all love doing the very best!! What more could we wish for on a glorious weekend?? We absolutely love it. And if there is anything we could advise you to do, it would be to join a doggy club with your four-legged best friend(s). You make friends, spend a day and more, and do what is close to your heart! As well as keeping you and your dog both interested and busy!

We're delighted to be participating in the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop, very kindly hosted by Dachshund Nola and Sugar The Golden Retriever - thanks again, guys!

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!