What to do with Zip...

These past few weeks have been interesting with Zip...keeping her quieter so she can rehab OK with no issues. She has been to the chiro and had massages...and has a massage on Friday before we got to the trial (which she is not participating in)...

This dog gives her all...and that is hard on her little body. I had her trained through to Open and never got to step foot on that field with her...because of an injury which has now become arthritic :-( She can do the PN outruns and not be lame....but if she does Open distances....she will be lame that evening :-((

My first BC, she has all the talent to get to Open...but, that won't happen. Knowing this, it really REALLY took the wind out of my sails...I have avoided running dogs at USBCHA trials...just training them at home and doing agility trials instead. Not sure why it did, but knowing Zip and I wouldn't run in Open just broke my heart. SHE could care less...but me, I wanted my Open dog to be HER. She is my heart dog...and means the world to me...

So I thought I could run her in Performance and Preferred levels (lower jump heights and A-frame)....but she is still having issues with her back...

I am trying to make that decision to retire her from agility...I won't ever quit working stock with her....maybe even put her in PN again this year? That is her #1 love of all...and I won't take that from her.....but agility...she doesn't need that...

She LOVES agility...but the reason she trials is ME. I love running that dog, her talent, her speed and her intelligence make her an absolute joy to run....

But...that is for ME....she doesn't NEED to trial, or train....and I don't want her crippled when she is younger...what kind of life is that for her...

So...maybe I can put her in PN and just run her...let her have fun...enjoy our walk to the post and the joy of finishing and turning in a good run...watching her read the sheep and try to fix what I mishandle :-)) I love the look on her face when I stand at the post and she knows the sheep are out there....watching..and she gives me that look....and I send her off.....NOTHING, I mean NOTHING is like that feeling...

I find myself as a pretty strong person...so it really surprises me that Zip getting injured really hurt me this bad. Made me so sensitive...and has made me not work as hard on my dog Klink...who is just as good as Zip and I ADORE working Klinker on stock....she is ready for PN and with some polish I could definetly trial her.....just needs some miles.

I see Zip in my Even...and I don't want to let that slide by....Lynn is also super talented and I am determined to not let my letdown about Zip let things go to waste...I have several awesome dogs and I really want to get back into trialing again...I miss the people and the challenge...nothing is like herding...it is the hardest thing I have ever done, but so rewarding at the same time :)

So I have lots of decisions to make....lots to think about and putting Zip's needs first is my #1 priority...she has given me everything...I owe her that for sure...