Last Saturday we loaded up the hounds, Priceless (Fancy Freda), Blondie (Fancy Kate) and of course Lola (Kinetic Flyer), and travelled to the Kapiti Coast to stay with our friends Clare and Matt and their hounds Zing (Thrilling Zing) and Gerry (unraced).
Lola and Blondie were to be assessed for their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Foundation certificate on Sunday the 15th in Levin. So we decided to go halfway on Saturday to make the trip a bit easier on all involved. The hounds love to visit with each other and as usual had much fun running around and snoozing together. Lola has visited the 'boys' before, the first time she was a little bit unsure and soon settled. This time she was super relaxed, fitted in beautifully and acted like she does at home. She really has come on leaps and bounds in the last few weeks as far as her confidence and behaviour are concerned.
After a good night, only interrupted by Blondie and Gerry at 4am deciding it was time to party, we set off for Levin on Sunday morning. The weather was lovely which was fabulous as the forecast early in the week had been for rain - which would not have been fun!
We arrived at Levin early so the hounds could have a good look around and relax before their assessment. There was lots to see as there was an Obedience competition running at the same time. They quickly settled and had a lovely sleep in the sun before their assessment started.
Both hounds were very well behaved through their assessments. Lola had a bit of a 'whoopsie' in her loose lead walking test, but was forgiven, as there was something on the ground that she didn't want to stand in so jumped it. Blondie (the little baggage) was naughty in her recall in that I called her and she decided it was time to sniff the ground. Luckily she came the second time I called her or I would have left her there!! (kidding).
Lola's recall is amazing. She comes like a bullet. With the recall for CGC Foundation the dogs are held by someone loosely at the collar. The handler walks away, stops and calls the dog when told to do so by the assessor, clips the lead on quickly and safely once the dog has arrived. Then they walk away on a loose lead for a few paces.
Lola came so fast she overshot me by a metre, but was by my side in a flash so that was fine. The assessor felt the power of Lola's back legs as she took off and was gobsmacked at how fast she came! Good dog!
Lola and Blondie flew through the rest of the exercises and I am so proud of them both. At the end the assessor said to me "congratulations, both your dogs have passed" and I burst into tears - what a sop!
We were lucky enough to have our friend Cate (Marshall Images) at the event and she took some amazing photos for us.
Lola and I had our first go at the CGC Foundation assessment back in July (where Bernie & Piper both passed!). It was a miserable freezing day and I was very nervous. Lola and I didn't quite make it that time and failed on just one exercise. Since then we have continued to work hard and I am surprised at just how much better she is behaving all round. It's amazing what a few weeks can do.
Obviously Lola will be moving into her new career soon and we will have to say goodbye. It is going to be a little bit heartbreaking and our household will be very strange without her as she is such a big personality. It has been an absolute privilege to have her in our lives and to be a part in her very special journey.
Special thanks to Greyhound Racing for supporting Lola in her training.
Bec
We'd like to say a special thank you to Bec! If you've been following Lola's blog posts you'll know Bec has been looking after and training Lola for nearly six months. It's been a huge commitment both timewise and I'm sure emotionally. Fortunately Lola's going to a wonderful home with Melanie at Kotuku Foundation where she'll be well-loved and will be able to put her skills and adorable nature to great use in her role as a therapy hound.
Thank you Bec!
Jacqui, on behalf of everyone at GAP and GRNZ