I said goodbye to my first agility dog today. Chopper was the perfect first dog as he taught me more in those 7 1/2 years than I can ever tell you. He taught me patience, to not give up on a dog, to be more fun than the grass and to be a better trainer. Chopper was not an easy dog to train and run in the beginning but once he got it and we became a team he made it look oh so easy!!!
Chopper and I accomplished a lot for a team that both started as REALLY novice and Chopper was over 5 years old when we went to our very first agility class.
Chopper had a ton of titles and each of those titles brings back some wonderful memories.
I can still feel the tremendous sense of pride as I lifted Chopper in my arm to look out at the crowd, as was our start line ritual, before the finals of the performance speed jumping run at the 2006 USDAA National. There we were, me and my little dog. In the big arena. All eyes on us. All I could think of was "Please Choppy... Please don't pop out the tenth pole of the weaves!" Then we ran. Chopper was perfect and gave me 100%. The crowd roared!!! Chopper was 11 years old and that was his final hurrah and he took 3rd in Performance Speed Jumping at the Nationals!!!! Good Boy Chopper!!!!
Chopper was a little bratty to say the least. He was a foodaholic!!!! I remember one time I was walking a course and someone came into the ring and said " Hey- Daneen, Is Chopper supposed to be eating a whole bag of Nutter- Butters????
If heaven is how I think it is.... that we can create it just the way we want it... I know Chopper is laying in the sun having people feeding him hot dogs and cheese all day long. Sweet Dreams my Little Bear until I see you again and yes I will brings lots of snacks.
MACH ADCH Big Furry Chop-Monster TM-Bronze, SACH, JCH-Silver, SCH-Bronze, RCH-Bronze, EAC, ECC, S-EJC,
TN-E, WV-O, GS-E, JS-E-SP, RS-E, CGC, TDI, HCT
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