Reader Mailbag
It turns out that a fair number of readers have had at least one kidney stone. After hearing one reader’s story, I’ll never complain about mine again:
“I was riding with the windows down…when intense pain hit me. I thought I’d been shot and pulled over to the side of the freeway. I felt around my waistline but didn’t see blood. I got back on the freeway and made it to my [work] where I parked and started blaring the horn…and I blacked out! When I woke up, I was in the hospital where I passed a kidney stone the next day.”
Holiday Homes
It’s been a slower process than usual this year, but our Christmas decorations are mostly in place, from the tree to the stockings hung by the fireplace. We also swapped out holiday inflatables in the front yard, and a giant Buc-ee’s Beaver adorns our lawn. In Texas, Buc-ee’s is a well known “travel center” that features numerous clean bathrooms, gas pumps, and a huge indoor store that sells everything from BBQ sandwiches to fresh fudge. The kids are huge fans, as am I. Honestly, I’m in it for the clean bathrooms. Fun facts: Buc-ee’s gets its famous mascot from founder Arch Aplin II, whose nickname was Beaver. As for the Buc-ee’s name? His beloved Labrador Retriever was named Buck.
If you’re that person who goes all out with exterior decorations for the holidays, I’d love to see your house this year! Send me a photo and if I get enough submissions, I’ll share some in our special Christmas Edition Wednesday Wrap Up.
AKC Invitational
This weekend, the highly anticipated AKC Agility Invitational kicks off with a special Juniors Only event on Friday, offering young handlers the chance to qualify for the main competition on Saturday and Sunday. Among the talented competitors, our very own Jennifer Crank will be running her Sheltie Bee, while her son Ethan showcases his skills with Sheltie Sting and Border Collie Hi5. If you’re attending, be sure to say hi to Jennifer and cheer on Ethan! Best of luck to all the competitors!
For those watching from home, you can catch the event for FREE on AKCtv—don’t fall for scams asking you to pay for the livestream!
WAO Team USA
Bad Dog Agility Sponsored Athletes Sarah Baker and Jada Sawhney have been selected to represent Team USA at the FitPaws World Agility Open which will be held in Arnhem, Netherlands in May 2025! In addition, Abby David and her Border Collie Bungee will be an alternate. I am recognizing Bungee because our VIP members have seen me running with her as my demo dog for the monthly Short Sequences.
UKI events serve as key qualifiers for the WAO Team USA, providing opportunities for handlers to earn spots based on their performance. I’m especially glad to see that handlers can make the team with multiple dogs, showcasing their exceptional skill and versatility. The FCI/AKC Agility World Championship team should consider adopting this policy to ensure its team is as competitive as possible.
Congrats to all of the team members listed below:
250mm
- Daneka Hedges & Flint
- Melissa Tiedemann & Vibrant
- Peter Wirth & Welly
- Yukari Nishimura & Fiona
- Alternates: Rachael Breder & Chesapeake, Diane O’Reilly & Delaney
300mm
- Han Yu & Skye
- Laura Dolan & Coos
- Laura Dolan & Pre
- Sarah Baker & Skeptic
- Sarah Rutland & Primo
- Alternate: Rebecca Thrift & Salty
400mm
- Casey Keller & Fidget
- Christine Brew & Indi
- Kate Moureaux & Prize
- Stefanie Rainer & Imagine
- Stefanie Theis & Alchemy
- Cristiana Crespo & Zelda (Junior Handler)
- Alternates: Lynsey Heffner & Vision, Pamela Reid & Grifter
500mm
- Bob Daigle & Blew Bayou
- Jessica Ajoux & Hallelujah
- Madelyn Rohde & Ivee
- Perry DeWitt & Genuine
- Robin Terry & Mercy
- Jada Sawhney & Zula (Junior Handler)
- Alternates: Abby David & Bungee, Tawni Millet & Dazzle
600mm
- Andy Winther & Zoom-Zoom
- David Jeffers & Pup
- Jessica Ajoux & Empowered
- Kara Sheerer & Lore
- Laura Selmic & Hup
- Perry DeWitt & Wit
- Tessa Trusner & Molina (Junior Handler)
- Alternate: Stefanie Rainer & Believe
The team will be managed by Karen Holik and Mary Ellen Barry.
Streaming Spotlight: Mystery, History, and Galactic Adventures
We’ve been thoroughly enjoying the streaming show Elsbeth for her quirky personality and tenacious sleuthing skills as she helps the police department solve murders. Every episode begins with the murder, showing how it’s done—a structure reminiscent of the classic series Columbo, which featured Peter Falk as the iconic title character. Additionally, we’ve been captivated by the political intrigue and historical backdrop of Shogun, set in Japan in 1600. Be warned, the series contains some gruesome violence, primarily involving swords. We’re eagerly watching the season finale of this 10-episode series, and so far, it’s been absolutely binge-worthy. Lastly, we’ve started Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on Disney+, a kids’ adventure set in the Star Wars universe, and it’s looking quite promising!
Westminster Closing Date for Random Draw
The 12th Annual Masters Agility Championship at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The trial is limited to 600 runs. Entries have already opened and will close Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6:00 pm EST. There will be a RANDOM DRAW held on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 3:00 pm EST. Click HERE for entry information.
Just two more weeks until Christmas–remember to email me at team@baddogagility.com with a photo of your fabulously decorated holiday home!
Happy Training,
