The True Cost Of A Dream

60 Thousand Miles
1 Airlock in Gas Tank
1 New BMW Transmission in Jeep
20 Nights in a Hotel
2 Rental Cars
13 (or more) Dogs
6 Months off Work
2 Airline tickets
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1 All Round Stockdog and 4th Place Finish at 2010 USBCHA Finals -Priceless

Yes Virgina, There Is A Santa Claus

Talk about Christmas coming early this year! Gin did me so proud, I am still busting up inside - quite overwhelming it is really. I didn't realize everyone was watching so closely - I would have waved at everyone at home. I did tug my ear for my family who was watching on the web - and they stayed tune in all day! And thankyou to those who said stripes were flattering - I made sure my underwear had stripes going vertical. I think I may had caused a few vertical stripes in people's pants those last few seconds of that run. Don't send me your underwear for me to clean please.
After the run, I had so many hugs..it was great! Then I had people offering to pick up Gin's bowel movements on the grounds...it was great! I should have maybe picked it up myself and had them bronzed. Pictures were taken with people I didn't even know - it was like one of my family reunions (I really don't know my cousins very well).
In my little mind, Gin was Reserve Champion for about 2 hours yesterday! But you know, 4th isn't that bad at all. I could die today and be a happy woman (which Corey tried to do last night as we were driving without our lights on the hiway). Gin and I played with the big boys, and it was a great booster to the moral - makes you want to go out again to play.
Gin got the All Round Stockdog Award - we were competing against Tom Forrester and Pete. Pete had received Reserve at the 2010 USBCHA Cattledog Finals, and Gin was 7th. I think this showed the great versatility of the dog, and proved that these dogs can be great at both!
Gin is having a slight extended stay at Virginia - she will be bred to Pete. She had a look in her eye as I shipped her off as if to say "What the heck, didn't I do good for you?" Don't worry my girl, you'll be back soon.
I made sure Fly knew she still is my favorite dog - she hung on, and pups will be born in Canada (probably in first week in October). As long as she is alive, she will be the number one dog.
We are going to fly out of Baltimore in the afternoon, but before we went, Coach Corey and I drove around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for some civil war history. I will be sure to post alot of pictures when I get home.
Coach Corey/Tour Guide Corey is telling me it is time to go. Until later.....

Do or Die Tomorrow

Hello all. This isn't the great Wendy at the keyboard tonight. She's above that after her great run late in the day. It's her travelling partner, mentor, and coach Corey. Yes, I'm the guestblogger! Today was an exciting day. I saw some tremendous runs, and some great dogs. Scott ran fabulous with both Don and Maid. Tommy, Alisdair, Amanda, and Wendy had nice solid runs, as well as others. She ran second last today and layed down a beauty! Had us a bit worried, as she almost brought the sheep back through on the cross drive but got er done! Still had a beauty of a turn, and her shed pen and single she got completed with about 10 seconds left! Wow. Anyway, it's going to be a cooler day, the course is set for the double lift tomorrow. Wendy runs in the lucky 7 spot tomorrow. Tonight I bought supper( east Indian- spicy but good) Wendy's mouth is still smoking. We decided on the # 6 spicy. Scared to think what the # 10 would be. We're packing up and heading closer to Baltimore tomorrow. It's hard to believe we flew down a week ago. Time goes by when you're having fun. I'm getting homesick for Alberta. Too damn hot for this guy. Cheers all.

This has been a public service announcement.

La, La, Laaaaaaa! The Fat Lady Sings.

Sorry District 9, sorry about the bad luck. Cheer up, 64.2 is not a bad average for your team. We know District 10 brought about a 111.3 average - I even helped to decrease it a bit with my run with Fly today, walking off after a single ewe really didn't want to play with the others. Proud to say, Fly did her best under the circumstances - being about 2 weeks from whelping. She was fit, she worked her heart out, and that is all I could ask.

After it was apparent that District 9 did all that they could do, I then whipped up a little more pixie dust to use for Gin. Cripes, I may even get into the semi-finals! The day was very hot today - hi 90's - and the dogs dropped like flies. Some were suprising - Alasdair McCrae and Star retired when she ran very wide, and was going to the next county. The real nice run of the day was Tom Forrester and Pete - made it look effortless. I don't think Gin will be standing heat for him at this time, and am really contemplating to leave her behind to get bred. It is either that, or bring her home and breed to Scott and Jenny Glen's Don or Pleat. What to do, what to do.

The drawing order is up, and I believe we can carry on the District 9 versus 10 competitions further. District 9 has two dogs in (Amanda Milliken's Clive and Roz), and District 10 has my Gin, and Scott Glen's Maid and Don. Gin runs second from last, so I think that will be a good time of the day, and will also know what kind of run that would have to be done, to (hopefully) get into the finals - top 17 dogs.

They are doing the semifinals and the finals via the web (on the national finals website you can find it to watch). I am told that I have to wear appropriate clothing for the casting - tv puts and extra 10 pounds on you (like I need any). Stripes may be in order tomorrow - or a tent dress. Running starts at 7:30 tomorrow, the day is supposed to be in the 80's.

Corey and I went out for supper with some handlers, and Vikki Kidd did do a partial payment of the bet. I wanted her to sing karoake, but even two marguitas wouldn't persuade her. It could have persuaded me though. Maybe there will be singing tomorrow night - the possibility is most likely. This is my third finals, and my second time being in the semifinals (Fly did it the first time round). But the most important thing I have learned on this trip was.....DISTRICT 10 WHIPPED DISTRICT 9'S BUTT. WHIPPED AND SPURRED!!!!