all in all

An entire year training at home, my first goal was to come here at the end of this year and say that I changed things, that all I did was worth it... it was! I don't have words to describe this year, it was unbelievable. My boys are greater than ever, and our love and connection grows every day.

My goal with High was to connect, we had similar passions and that brought us together, but now we have deeper reasons, there is nothing I'm prouder than my dog laying with his head on my feet right now while I'm writing this post. This is everything I wanted to accomplish with him. I love my silly dog and how after 2,5 years he've returned to the puppy mood I always loved, and his eyes show joy in everything he does... he is my dream dog.

We finally went on a competition, after an entire year we went to the Brazilian Championship for the first time. With no major expectations, since we are changing his A-frame... and he did a great job. I will not say that it's always awesome to run with him, on trainings we have a different interaction, and run as one, not aways perfect, sometimes really chaotic, but aways trying our best and running our hearts. On competitions all changes, I don't like to be on the spot light, I get to nervous and he feels it, he gets nervous too! He barks, he bites, he doesn't listen, my legs get heavy and I can't run, I forget to talk, I get lost... can you imagine?

But no, our last competition was not bad! High was awesome, he did his contacts, and got all the slalom entries right, we finished 2/4 runs. The ones we didn't finish were absolutely my fault, because I almost fall on a jump, and dropped it, on the other run he touched the contact but did't wait for the release, so I sent him back on... But I have no regrets, we can only grow, and we are working, having fun will always be my priority.

Koda is a different story, my goal was to come here and say, what I proudly say now, I did my agility and social sheltie from start to where we are by my self, I did it! I proved to myself that I can overcome challenges, and work out of all difficulties on the way to raise the dog I wanted. He is perfection on furry ball form! But yes, he is still a sheltie, do not expect to see him offering to go to anyone arms but mine. on the other hand, get a ball and he will run with everyone. I'm so pleased with all we've accomplished. There's a long road in front of us, but we've come a long way in such a short time. It's easy to run with him in agility, it flows naturally, my challenges with him will come in a different way, I don't know how, but they will, otherwise where is the fun? We had a lot of challenges, but overcame all, and I hope we continue this way.

He also competed, for the first time ever and already on the Brazilian Championship. He did an excellent job, only doing wrong on the parts I already knew he would, the obstacles he have difficulty. All in all, a perfect weekend, on the best companion we could ever wish for! I so thankful for the friends we found so far, and even though supported us all the way. They gave us strength to come this far, and keep going, and always try something new. Thank you so much.

Before the competition we spent a perfect week learning with Tiago Rocha and Dan Wroblewski. Carol Engelke was always there and helped us a lot, helped me to talk when my sis was not there hahaha. Not only them but all the Dog World team, thank you so much for everything, mostly for having us again, and for all your friendship. We love you guys!

And the final touch to the perfect year came now, on the end, and changed a lot, I decided that I didn't want to train by myself anymore, so we are training where I started, where all this craziness began, and I'm loving it, we found crazy people like us, and ooh it feels good, to share every experience, and learn together. Our journey is coming along perfectly, I'm glad that I took all the steps that brought us here. And may it keep coming next year.

It has been a perfect year! Merry Christmas to all of you!!