Reader Mailbag
Several readers replied with the correct answer to last week’s literary trivia, which asked what work spawned the phrase “double double toil and trouble” which made its way into a Harry Potter movie. The answer? MacBeth. Someone replied Hamlet, and I’ll give you partial credit for that response.
We also heard from a reader who’s a DVM and shared an interesting case involving Valley Fever. One of her agility patients came into the ER with subtle neurological symptoms, with no respiratory signs at all, about a month after competing at Cynosports in Arizona. Eventually, the dog was diagnosed with Coccidioides in the cerebrospinal fluid. It was a rare presentation and a good reminder of how important travel history can be when tracking down unusual illnesses. (And yes, I love travel history as a clue to illness.)
Podcast: FOMO in Dog Agility
This week we’re talking about the Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO. As coaches, we see it all the time when people are planning their season—trying to decide which trials to travel to and which ones to skip. It’s a tough balance, and that sense of “missing out” can really mess with your head.
With Jennifer adjusting her schedule around pregnancy and a newborn, it felt like the right moment to talk about how FOMO shows up in our sport. We look at where it comes from, the pressure it creates, and how it can turn toxic if you’re not careful. Then we share a few ways to deal with it so you can stay focused on what actually matters: you, your dog, and the joy of training and competing together.
LISTEN HERE: Episode 370: FOMO in Dog Agility
Life of a Showgirl
Sarah here! This week, Taylor Swift released her 12th album, Life of a Showgirl. I wouldn’t call myself a Swiftie (because I only know a few of her songs), but I do love how Taylor approaches her work and navigates today’s media world. I do have a favorite song, though:
Jennifer, on the other hand, is a full-on Swiftie. She has a dog named Taylor, a dog named Swift, and one named Apex King of My Heart. Here’s to a new album full of dog name inspiration!
Halloween Approaches
It’s really starting to feel like October—cooler mornings, shorter days, and the neighbors are already putting up Halloween decorations. We’ll be doing the same this weekend. We also watched the second season of Wednesday and really enjoyed it, though it almost feels like it came a little early this year! If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the perfect time to dive in and get into the spooky spirit. I’ll add that a friend texted me and said she was shopping and the store was already playing Christmas music.
In a few weeks, I’ll want to see your Halloween decorations and costumed canines! Until then, you can reach me here at team@baddogagility.com.
Happy Training,
