Delia and another dog that's been bugging her for months got into it last night. Neither were injured, but by the time everyone's attention was on them, their positioning looked like Delia was the aggressor.
Aggression is cause for banishment from all USDAA events. I doubt they would do that over one occurrance, but an incident report was written up (I didn't know our club had incident reports).
Delia doesn't get along well with other dogs, but she's never actually gone after another. Magic, the other dog, has gone off course at just about every class and fun run where she was allowed off leash and made a bee-line to Delia, regardless of where or how far away they were to each other. Unfortunately, most people don't pay much attention to any dog other than their own; this concentration is a necessary part of the handler. So I'm afraid if anyone else is questioned, the only thing anyone will remember is Delia chasing Magic last night and all the other times will be like they never happened.
This sport is our only social connection with other people (other than me and y'all), and a very important part of our lives. Delia has the potential to be a world champion and that potential plays a large part in our plans for her which are a bit complex for this post. Right now all that is in jeapordy because another dog wasn't controlled as it should have been.
I'm probably making way more of this than it will eventually come to. Like I've told others, the anticipation is almost always much worse than the outcome itself. I'm trying to take my own advice, but there's a lot up in the air right now.
Once the report was filled out, we left. As we were walking through the parking lot I spied a butt on the ground. The brief thought that a year ago I'd be lighting up from the stress flitted through, then I refocused on the incident. Once home, Becky broke down and started crying. I spent the rest of the evening, about 2 1/2 hours, just comforting and talking to her, trying to sort out whay may come. Never once did the thought of a smoke cross my mind. A year ago, I'd have been out every 20 - 30 minutes.
Sorry, this wasn't one word.
Shevie
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 346
[B]Cigarettes Not Smok