Three more sleeps...

The suitcase has been packed for a week and now just a few odds and ends to get completed before we board the plane bound for Paris!  I officially got excited yesterday when I picked up my Euros from the bank.  Until this point I have been worried about getting re-connected with Slice since being side lined with a broken foot.  We have had a couple of trials, the CKC Scout Out West and last weekend a three day seminar with Terry and we are ready to go.  We have been working on international courses and studying course maps to make sure there won't be any surprises.  Both Slice and Pint have been handling all the challenges brilliantly and I know we are prepared and ready to kick ass.

Our uniforms are hot, the dog gear is amazing(especially now that I have added the bling to it) and the team is amazing.  For the most part we all know each other but there are a few new faces and it will be so great to meet everyone in Belgium.

As much fun as it is to embark on this journey it makes me sad to leave my old boy Porter and the my new baby Arson behind.  Two weeks is a long time in both their lives.  If it wasn't for my husband, Troy, and good friend Amanda,  holding down the home front and making sure my boys are looked after, I couldn't leave.  Also wouldn't be making this journey if Rhonda wasn't looking after my business.  Thanks everyone for your support and help.

Your next post will be coming to you from an airport somewhere.

Spring Cup

March 31 was the day of the Spring Cup hosted by BLAST Agility to raise funds for the WAO team.  All of the Alberta team members were there and it was a great day!

The courses provided lots of challenge and the day was full of healthy competition energy.  Just coming back from a broken foot this was a good test to see where I was in the healing process and how reliable my foot would be.  Good news, the foot held up, bad news, Slice and Pint had a lot of pent up energy to burn and our timing was a little off.  Very proud of them both but now we need to tighten the reigns and get our team work together.  At the end of the day, Pint finished 3rd overall and brought home a little bit of prize money.  He keeps bragging about to Slice who swears she will show him whose boss very shortly!

Team Practice and First Flight for Pint

Just back from a fabulous weekend of practicing with half of the team in BC.  This was Pint's first flight and he handled it like a trooper.  Truth be told he flies better than Slice.  Here we are chilling at the airport waiting for the flight.

The weather was typical of BC in the winter and quite wet all weekend.  The papillons say they choose snow over rain any day.  The practice was great and we got to spend time with half of the team.  The people are great and the dogs amazing.  Challenging drills and courses to get us in top form.  

 waiting our turn

muddy and wet, awesome

Everyone is very tired after all the running and socializing today but Slice sums it up best with this....

Team Uniforms...well the dog part

The team has been graciously sponsored by Julius K9 and every dog on the team received a fancy new harness complete with name and country.  Pictures of dogs in harnesses and handlers in jackets to be used on website were taken.  Unfortunately, being so wee there is no way you can see there harnesses but the team photo is still nice.

The new logo

We have an awesome new log this year that has created a lot of excitement.

 Thanks to Jennifer McCaffrey for her brilliant design.

This year Slice takes Pint along on the journey

December 1, 2012 and the 2012 Canadian WAO Team is announced.

12"

Anneli Hilton & Slice, AB

Anneli Hilton & Pint, AB

Barb Flower & Vegas, AB

Jamie Moreau & Batman, ON

16"

Funkee Monkey & Kayl McCann, ON

Lucie Robertson & Dune, Quebec

Nicki Gurr & Ninja, BC

22"

Deb Rhodes & Britt, AB

Kayl McCann & Slyce, ON

Nancy Laser & Breeze, ON

Meagan O'Neil & Wynd, AB

26"

Mark Herfert & Fynn, AB

Fred Waters & Tanafon, Quebec

Lynda Coughlin & Coolhand Luc, AB

Bev Mattson & Zsimba, BC

Stephan Henry & Bullitt, AB

How exciting!  Not only do Slice and I get to travel to Belgium to defend our medals from 2011, we get to take Pint along with us.  The baby will get the chance to show the world what he can do too instead of always being in his sister's shadow.

Once again, the team is full of great people and management that will prove to make the experience that much better.