When I took the dogs to practice yesterday, I made up drills with important themes such as Anti Backside Drill, Tunnel Aversion, and No Bullshit About This Blind Cross Business. I made myself the hardest course I could make up there on the spot, and ran it a few times. I didn’t write it down, but trust me. I made the gnarliest weave pole entry I could, some very fast running bits with terrifying tight turns waiting on a backside of something hard to reach. Running dogwalk to a front cross to get to THAT end of the tunnel. Tables. We all had a great time. We worked on speed and accuracy and being the best.

When we ran in class tonight, we were presented with some weave pole entries I hadn’t even considered. A different kind of gnarly. I wrote them down, to try next time I practice. I can’t explain them without drawing a picture and right now, I’m too tired to draw a picture. They were very hard. Gustavo had excellent listening. We were having excellent communication.

Agility life is good. I am serious about this agility business. I try to practice effectively and with intent.

Except the intent is for what?

Lots of my friends are hopping on planes to the Czech Republic and in their cars to drive to Denver over the next couple weeks. I know they are practicing hard and getting ready.

I’m not hopping on any planes this year. I sure did like flying Otterpop on a plane when I took her to the Nationals in Kentucky. Now I don’t even know if there are any regular car trips to agility the rest of this year. Agility limbo.

I’m adrift without any goals.

I had some goals, but now I don’t.

Otterpop earned her LAA-Bronze. Goal over. I just ran her in Gamblers and Standard this year. I guess she’ll end up somewhere in the Top Ten, but I don’t think she wants to go to any more shows this year. I can drag her out for Gamblers on occasional Sundays, and have a goal of getting every gamble, every time. But that feels a little bit, blah. Adrift.

Gustavo is hard to have goals with, because I don’t like to put any expectations on to him. Especially when you look at his new squishy mouth with no teeth. He’s running great, but a goal that involves an airplane trip to a big dog show isn’t right for him. I don’t even know what to do about showing him at all right now. He’s happy now. I don’t want to undo the happy.

I had a goal of getting a puppy. That goal is on a semi-permanent hold now. It’s a long story why.

Agility without a goal, feels a little fuzzy. Running up and down but never to a finish line. A frumpy lady in mismatched sporty gear obsessing over little black dogs for no good reason. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Raised eyebrows and a little shrug. Huh.

Once again, my pretty good made it to the place called almost.