Cachet Deja Vu Andantino RN "Andre" (pictured at right) got his first leg in Advanced Rally on Saturday November 15 at Monroe, with a fourth place, which is good for an apprehensive "lagging" boy. A fourth place Q even though he lagged!! On Sunday he was very relaxed and was enjoying greeting and sharing treats with several Rally classmates and their people. There must have been really good karma in the room because even the antisocial cattle dog classmate was congenial. Sonia took advantage of the happy atmosphere to get him jazzed before the start. He did a "line up" nicely. Then the first handler error happened: Instead of "heel", Sonia sang out "Ok let's go!" in her most lively tone. He went. The lagger sprinted ahead! He was nearly at the second sign before Sonia picked her jaw off the floor and began to activate her stunned brain. She should have asked the judge if they could repeat #1, but she hadn't really recovered yet, so they went ahead from #2. Sonia resports that she made at least 3 other handler errors, so they did not qualify. But he did what she asked, happily and without lagging except at the last sign! So that was a win as far as Sonia was concerned!Ch. Deja Vu Back Seat Driver RN PT JHD-s "Nash" was only entered on Saturday. The strategy was that he'd either Q, obtaining his third leg and RA title, or the team would know what they had to work on. Nash and Gabrielle arrived at the fairgrounds early, checked in, picked up the course and found a grassy area where they could warm-up off-leash. Gabrielle was feeling pretty good about their chances. They walked into the ring, Nash didn't want to sit at the ready (not a good sign) and then got a case of the zoomies as soon as they started - dashed around the ring, over the jump, circled a few pylons, into a play bow and they were excused. The audience loved it. "Some days you're the dog trainer and some days you are only the poop scooper."
It was a beautiful sunny autumn weekend in Monroe, unlike many we have seen at that time of the year. Neither competitor could fault the venue. The rally ring had few distractions - it was set up in its own building in the end of the room so that there were walls behind the ring gates on three sides. The only thing one could ask for might be more room to watch and wait, but then that would make it perfect and who has ever experienced an absolutley perfect setting?