Sweet little poodle Minttu tells a touching story of some dramatic events that ended up changing her whole life. This is the second part of a series of two blog posts.
Have you seen the start of Minttu’s story? Read her first post here.
Some of my training buddies thought that my career was over, BUT….
When mom first brought home my little sister, she also got herself a OneMind Dogs Premium membership! Looking through the information, mom realized that we should take some steps back in our journey. She began to think about agility from a different perspective and she started learning things such as handling techniques from scratch on her own, without me. My dad was not so happy when mom was jumping around the living room at night, since we had candleholders and chairs as obstacles. We began to practice focusing and independent obstacle performance for me. I also got a treat ball from the USA so I didn’t need to follow her hand anymore to get a candy. Suddenly, all of these pieces came together and it all worked out!
We started to compete in March, but at the first competition we only got disqualified. Mom told me that we still need 4 agility course zeros to be able to take part in the Finnish nationals and she asked me if I thought we could do it. Of course we can, just tell me what to do! I still visited my masseur and had some acupuncture, but I started to feel better, so we decided that, despite having had 6 challenging months behind us, we would set the goal for our first nationals.
Some people said that I was slow, but mom has always kept her own head. She said that I am a special little dog. She is positive and believes in the power of the mind. She thinks that strong thoughts can determine the path we will take. I am so happy that she never stopped believing in me. She decided that we will get through this. Together. Even if mom has not told this to anyone, I happen to know that she made a treasure map in the beginning of this year. One part of the map said that I will be healthy again, the other one said that we will qualify for the nationals and last one stated that we will get our first certificate this year. Quite a high mountain to climb, I would say.
I have had difficulties in the past, with coming in under predetermined course time in competitions, but it was never due to the reason that I could not run. I just did not know how to. But this was now the new me, new Minttu (and new mom). You know, dogs can change too. I have all these new abilities and my mom was finally (at least most of the time) learning to cue and connect. I also felt much more secure about obstacles and understood her handling more easily. Within the next 4 competitions, we made at least one clean run in all of them and fulfilled our goal. And much more, since we also got our first win and agility certificate in the beginning of June. Imagine! Me! The dog, who would not run in February!
Nationals was a great experience and we were awesome in the team competition. “What speed Minttu had!” - said many handlers to mom after the course.
So I wanted to write this story to all of you moms and dads out there. There is no mountain high enough. Never say “my dog can't or won’t”. Just believe. Draw your own map. Despite the fact that I am not so keen on other dogs anymore, I still love agility!
Ok bro’s – I am done with my story for you, even if I feel that mine is actually just beginning.
Believe in yourself and especially your dog, and have fun!
Minttu, 3 yrs, Vaasa, Finland
