So it looks like I need to buy a ticket on an aeroplane for Otterpop. Because we’re going to Kentucky. This could indeed be a fiasco, but everything seems to be falling into place for a grand scale flushing of money down the crazy toilet! We’re going to Louisville, Kentucky! Kentucky Derby tourist traps! Former denizen of slavery! Muhammad Ali once lived there! Baseball bats! OMG.
We found a team mate right away. I know she’ll be a good team mate because she emailed that she could hardly believe she found someone as neurotic as her to be her team mate! She has an 8″ pomeranian that was up here for the Regionals, and if she’s as neurotic as me…hey wait. Am I neurotic? I thought I was like the most UN-neurotic person in dog agility. Am I deluded AND neurotic now?
Regardless. We both live by the beach and are spending giant buckets of money to shove our tiny dogs in tote bags for a cross country plane ride and a weeklong stay in what will probably be a dicey motel near an interstate or airport. I am going to go whole hog and spring for a crappy rental car, too! Because the scenic beauty of Lousiville will be calling me and I’ll share it all with you.
Oh my god. I am so totally in over my head. Now what have I done. I am flying on a plane with Otterpop to the state of Kentucky. Did I really just say that? I am hoping with all my might, eyes squeezed shut and crossing voodoo toes and knees that this doesn’t result in me sitting in some filthy bathroom stall at the Kentucky Expo Center weeping. Please no weeping. Please no weeping. PLEASE NO WEEPING. Otterpop. Sometimes causer of weeping.
So off we go. I don’t know how to do any of this travel stuff and will start the learning right now of how to get an airplane ticket with a dog. What one packs for a sporty dog show in Kentucky. Wifi. How you take a week off of work. The advice mill can start here, now, kittens, because I think this is going to take a village.
we get to meet (part of) TSD in person!!! we have the christmas card and the personal email, we have been close enough to touch rob and wings in scottsdale (and approached him with the greeting "aren't you that guy from TSD?") now we get to meet the captain and otterpop!!! will october ever get here?!
valpig
So glad you have decided to go! Will be SO MUCH fun for all of US!!! Here's "Fresh Air" story on epidemic of beg bugs in motels. Be sure to listen to the podcast before you check into your motel!
Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bedbugs …
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129701363
Yay, so glad you're going! Your blogging alone will make it all worthwhile!
We will be there for PVP only. Well, and Euro Standard and Rekoons 'cause they sound fun. But very little actual competition for us. We'll try and find you to say hello at some point!
Okay, breathe.
http://www.kayak.com is your friend for flights and hotels. Use priceline.com for your rental car because who cares what company you get a car from as long as its cheap. (I would guess a crappy sub-compact rental in KY in Oct should be pretty reasonable.)
Start packing now. Or at least make your packing list now. Anything that can be set aside in a "Going to KY" pile that you wont need until you leave, do it this weekend!!!
Do you have an Otterpop-Under-the-Seat-Tote yet? I bet one of your international team friends does. Start cramming her in that damn thing NOW and driving around, etc. Maybe they sell an audio CD of plane noises you can blast for more realistic practice!!!
You got four weeks, if you start planning this weekend, you'll be fine.
And, congrats!!!
I have no advice on the travel part, because my dogs always insist on driving, not flying. But on the nationals part, I advise going for the fun of it, for the atmosphere, for the experience, for the opportunity to up the ante on TSD blogging, for the photo ops, and don't take the competition too seriously, just be prepared (you know, the practicing weak spots thing) and go with the flow. I'm excited that you're going; that's almost going to be as much fun as me going, but much cheaper for me.
I have a Sherpa bag for travel if you need it. A couple of Team Chihuahua members have used it on flights, but it hasn't had much use lately, and I'd be happy to loan it! Just let me know – I'll be at the VAST trial this weekend.
Hey Teach, you got me all deluded, neurotic and anxious … and I've been to Kentucky and done all the packing, car rental and hotel thingy a few times.
So, to quote Bob Newhart, aka Doctor Bob …
"STOP IT !!"
Google health certificate dog. When I flew home with a puppy he needed one from the breeders vet. Also reserve your seat soon. There's a limit on dogs per flight
Sent the entries off this morning. We always bring our own sheet to motels and will hope for the best with the bugs. We're picking up Vici's tote bag on Sunday. Nancy G. called me with the full tutorial on flying on airplanes with little dogs. I taught Otterpop to get in a bag at the pets store the other day, she thought that was pretty fun, I think I'll take her on some trips to the mall when we get Vici's. Make a plane res and find motel and we're good to go! See everyone there!
ixnay on the iascofay – it will be fabulous, fantastic and fun. and if it's financially challenging… so what?
I wish I had a crazy toilet. Mine are maybe a little depressed, but I would never think of them as crazy. I think you should post a picture of the crazy toilet. They might sell…
That's great!! Can't wait for the blog entries chronicling the Nationals for all of us to share in your experience. Good luck and Go, Otterpop!!
Fabulosity! TSD at the Nationals! It's really just another (big) dogshow with a boatload of vendors, and dock dogs, and flyball, and spectators. And you get a swag bag. Weeping is totally allowed, BTW. I saw weeping people at Nat'ls in Scottsdale – one in the mirror, two little babies in backpacks, one woman who dropped her icecream, the guy whose foot was run over by a goat, and three people who had just won. WON!