Today in Vermont, Will and I got his AKC Tracking Dog title! It was 37 degrees this morning, warmed up a little at 9:30 when we were told "this is your track" by the 2 Judges.
You have to wait until the dog is out 20 feet of your 40 foot tracking line to follow. Yikes, looks like a MILE away. I was so happy to see alfalfa and higher grass in the field, because it's what we practice most often on.
It was so pretty, the leaves are gorgeous in the nearby mountains. The sun was shining, and Willy powered out! Then...he stopped to eat grass on the second "leg". Does he hate me?!! I understand when I get nervous he eats grass.. but still-just go Willy!
So I took a very deep breath, waited a minute, then told him to "find it". And off we went again. It felt like forever, but I thought we were getting close when suddenly Willy dove down, grabbed the glove, and pranced up to me with it!! Oh my gosh, I cannot tell you what that felt like! All those practices in the snow, rain, mud..it was all good looking at him with that glove in his mouth.
I promise you I could not have done it without all the tracks people have laid for me, and of course, my friend, Lisa Pattison, who has taught me everything I know about tracking, and always encouraged me.
450 yards, 4 turns, ahhhhhhh.
Laurie
