Sunday, December 9, 2012

Best Laid Plans

I was so excited for today, it was my first tracking class with Donna since I left Thunder Bay in 2007.  Donna was my tracking coach there & without her help I would never have gotten Tate's TD.

Anyway, everything seemed to go wrong today, except for the actual tracking part.

It started at 8am , I left nice & early to get to Calgary with plenty of time to spare.  I made a quick stop at Tim Horton's for a coffee & breakfast sandwich.  I pulled over before I left to check my coffee as they are always putting sugar in it, no sugar, however, I had a blueberry bagel instead of my breakfast sandwich, ugh!, I had to park, run in & get them to make my sandwich.

Finally on my way, I am rolling along & I notice this terrible smell :(  I look back & Tate has shit in his crate, never in 10 years has this ever happened to him, & he did go before we left.  I had to find a road to pull off safely as I was on the highway, poor Tate had to stand in his crate while I was looking.  I found a road & let Tate out while I cleaned.  Thank goodness I am always prepared with things, I had garbage bags in the van so I was able to throw all the bedding in there.  I had some no rinse shampoo, but it had frozen so I wiped off Tate's feet & bloomers as best I could, I had an extra bed for him so at least he could be comfy.  After about 15 minutes we were on our way. 

Nothing happened until I got to Calgary, I actually had made up some time so I was happy.  Then came the next snag, a water main had broke on Crowchild & the traffic was backed up, like 45 minutes backed up :(  I texted Donna saying I was going to be late. I ended up having to infringe on the next groups class as mine was already half over by the time I arrived.  Donna was awesome & just took things in stride.

Tate did a mini Urban track & did pretty well for having done no tracking in over 5 yrs!  I will post some video later.  He was very pleased with himself for finding the glove & he carried it all the way back ♥

Next up was Kort & as I expected he was very keen, especially because it involved food!  Some things have changed since I tracked with Tate, so I will explain about Kort's first time when I post his video .

After a wonderful spring roll sandwich & pineapple square that Donna made I was on my way. 

Of course that was easier said then done, due to the Crowchild being closed I had to find another way to get to the Deerfoot, after driving around Calgary for over an hour I found a CAA fella in a park, he gave me alternate directions, super! Well, not so much......there were 2 roundabouts that I had to navigate, it took 3 trys, & going out of my way each time, to finally get the right turn , ya.

I was just so tired & so frustrated by this point I wanted to cry :(  I was supposed to go to High River on my way back to see Amanda & Brit in their herding trial but I didn't pass through until almost 5!

The wind was super bad on the way back, so along with the wind rocking the van & the dark, I was getting dizzy !  I had to stop in Fort McLeod & rest my eyes before I vomited !

Finally at home & in my driveway one would think I was home free, nope!  The wind pushed the door as I got out of the van & the corner smacked me right on the back of my head, geesh!!!

So that's my story, I'm glad I'm home, think I'll stay here forever :)

3 comments:

Squishy said...

O. M. G. and W. T. F.
Pooooooooooooooooor Taters. I bet he really didn't want to shit in his crate.........your trip sounds exhausting but regardless I am looking forward to seeing the video. I'm glad you were able to go though.

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Bowsers, with an adventure like that we would want to stay at home too.

We feel for poor Tate. The frozen shampoo brought back memories of North Dakota for Dog Dad.

Essex & Sherman

Dianne SS said...

Yikes, the trip from hell!! Poor Tate, but I am impressed that you are prepared for such emergencies!! If there's a contest for the city I hate to drive in most, Calgary would be the clear winner--and that's on a good day!! Thrilled that Tate did so well after 5 years--dogs have an amazing memory! And our food hounds-Kort and Duffy!! Will always work for food!!