Whew - we went to class

Gracie here: Stacey pulled in the driveway, right on time. But her car was in the shop, too. So we drove in a car. I don't think I've ever ridden in a car. It was kind of weird. We still rode in a crate (mom says we always have to ride in a crate in a car. It's safer for all of us. We're protected in case of a crash, and we don't get into trouble running loose in the car) but the crate was sideways. It took some getting used to, but Dobbie was next to us, and told us that the woozy feeling would go away. And when we got to class, we got out of the side of the car. I wasn't even sure that you could DO that.

Class was a blast, as always. And I was the star, as always (not counting Toby, who's always perfect. And Kelli, who is really fast. And Blazer who tries SO hard. And Bella who listens to her dad every time. And Dobbie, who runs like a sports car. And Jack who runs with enthusiasm.) But I was DEFINITELY better than Arnie. We worked on front crosses, mom's least favorite handling move. But she likes to work on them in class, to make herself better at them when we show. I'm pretty good at them, if she would just get out of my way, and tell me BEFORE I'm past the jump which way to go. But she does try.

The worst part of class was working on "stay". We work on that a lot, because mom says I'm so crazy I need a "stay". I don't think I need one, because they're SOOOO boring. I just sit there, waiting. I'd rather be running and spinning. But I get cookies if I sit for a few seconds, so I "stay". But I don't have to like it.

I'm so glad we got to go to class. And even more glad that the van will be done tomorrow. Back to riding straight in the car, and getting out the back end.

The van is sick

Arnie here: Mom says the van is sick. Not sick like when Gracie eats too many treats and pukes all over the back of the couch. Not sick like when Tango couldn't walk for a long time before he died. But sick, like WE MIGHT NOT GO TO AGILITY CLASS TONIGHT!!!!

The van stopped working out of the blue, and it's the transmission. Mom says it will cost a lot of money to fix, and we might have to cut back on our showing a little for a few months. It will get fixed in time for our show next weekend. But it won't be done until tomorrow, and we have class tonight. If Stacey doesn't go to class, we won't be going. I can't stand the thought of that. What will I do if I can't hang out with my friends in the 7:30 class? Who will run in the 12 inch group with Jack if me and Gracie aren't there? Who will show them how to run the fastest? Jump the highest?

I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I'm mentally preparing in case we can't go. And trying to think good thoughts, like mom says we should. Even though the van is dead, she says it could have been worse. We could have broken down at a show miles from home. Or on our way to class at 10 o'clock at night. Or the day before a show, and we wouldn't be able to go at all. We have another car, but we can't fit with 2 dogs and all our gear. So I'm trying to think positive. I could be missing class because I was hurt or sick. But it's hard when you love class soooo much. So I'll just keep hoping Stacey pulls in the driveway to pick us up.