Times of Change……
Late last year when Stormy came back to training after recovering from his shoulder injury, I knew that we were very fortunate to have a second chance to finish our goal. It was decided then that if we were lucky enough to finish the OTCH, he would be retired immediately. He would not continue to compete because it simply would not be worth the potential risk of him re-injuring his shoulder.
Marianna told me not long ago that finishing this long worked toward, much anticipated goal would be both wonderful and bittersweet. Well, boy oh boy, was she ever right on that one! As expected, since finishing the OTCH things have changed….. Stormy still comes to obedience classes, he is doing bits and pieces here and there for fun and to keep his mind in shape. But, Robbie and Britt have become the main focus in training now.
Today was my first obedience lesson since Stormy finished his championship, while driving to the lesson on this damp Fall day, I was feeling pretty melancholy. It was the first time I felt the full impact of just how bittersweet finishing the OTCH really would be for me. Robbie and Britt were with me, Stormy stayed home because there wouldn’t be enough time to work him as well in the short time that we had for our lesson. WOW, it seems so strange to even think that…..Britt and Robbie have been in the “back seat” at obedience lessons for so long while Stormy was the one seriously training. To even think that he was not to be a part of this lesson just felt so odd.
Fall is the season of change….and I guess things really are changing for me, as exciting as it will be to move forward with the “back seat” kids, I will miss the constant working and trialing with Stormy. He was always “on”, always “ready”, he was always “there for me”…… he is nothing short of amazing, he truly is a once in a life time dog!
