tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730801.post4231292513424842543..comments2023-12-31T17:47:27.217-08:00Comments on Taj MuttHall Dog Diary: Assorted Notes from Nationals Final ThoughtsElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827436807468320435noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730801.post-89320747508329995242007-11-14T08:55:00.000-08:002007-11-14T08:55:00.000-08:00Heat--well, a matter of perspective, I guess. It w...Heat--well, a matter of perspective, I guess. It was in the mid-80s, maybe low 90s one day, but still coolish in the shade, so if you avoided being in the direct sun for long periods, it wasn't bad. I've done tons of trials in this temp range and higher, where it *wasn't* cool in the shade. And I also use the Ellen-shorts-o-meter: I switched to shorts for 4-6 hours each day, which means it was pretty warm, but back to jeans in morning and late afternoon, which means it was plenty comfortable.<BR/><BR/>Space--I had no problem playing frisbee with my dogs in the areas by the crating tents. Sometimes there were more dogs playing so room was more limited, but for there being 1000 dogs or more there, the spaces were surprisingly uncrowded most of the time. <BR/><BR/>Not finishing your run--(read this as: "excruciatingly mixed feelings") Yeah, I complain about that. On the other hand, one might argue that it's not worth making the huge effort of a long trip for just one class, that it's a better deal if you've at least qualified in team. Although at least one local guy had byes into the semis for GP and Steeplechase and didn't Q in team, so was guaranteed of only 2 runs, and then he made it into the finals, so maybe it was worth the trip after all. Also, any local or regional trial has the right to impose fault limits, too, and sometimes do. Plus at the nationals one might argue that continuing after an E is more or less training in the ring and we're all experienced, qualified, top-level dogs. On the fourth hand--with only 1 or 2 runs a day, it sucks to have gone all that way and not be able to complete it. I think of the folks who managed 0-point snooker runs, though, which is always a whistle-off anyway... Ha! OK, there's all the mixed feelings for today! ;-)<BR/><BR/>-ellenElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01827436807468320435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730801.post-51121723907411323772007-11-12T17:32:00.000-08:002007-11-12T17:32:00.000-08:00Thanks for all the info - really interesting for t...Thanks for all the info - really interesting for those who have attended - YET!Johann The Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11676712437788270947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730801.post-22356056480205737032007-11-12T06:08:00.000-08:002007-11-12T06:08:00.000-08:00I still haven't been to the Nationals, partly beca...I still haven't been to the Nationals, partly because I didn't feel my dog or I was ready but also because it seemed like there were more reasons not to go than to go.<BR/>And this year I hear the heat was worse than ever. I'm just not going to want to ask my 10 yer old dog to run in that kind of heat. And I hear there's not much room to potty your dog or play with them.<BR/>And can you imagine *flying* you and your dog(s) out there and not getting to finish your run??<BR/>It's definitely time for an East Coast Nationals but I really doubt it's going to happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com