Finding joy in a sport where your best isn't good enough

[wildo]

I had a sit-down with my agility instructor yesterday where we talked about my expectations and goals in agility. She really challenged me in a lot of ways. With Pimg being injured currently, she was able to make a lot of points that I would not have otherwise conceded. I wanted to try to relate what I learned from that meeting in writing so that I am forced to reflect on it further.

So here's the thing- it matters not what venue you decide to focus on in agility, it is a sport dominated by Border Collies. Most everything we see for agility is based on the Border Collie. Handling systems are created to allow for extreme speed while reigning in control. Turns are ever so tight and the dogwalk plank ever so narrow. And still we ask our dogs to sprint across the plank as fast as possible, or collect and turn on a dime for a jump wrap. In so many ways, it's like trying to drive a Formula One car at full throttle on a go-cart track. At what point do we say- this is too much? You can only drive so fast before things start to break down. You can only go so fast before the laws of physics start pushing things out of alignment. You can only be so fast!

I have not been into sports most of my life as I don't typically excel in them. With agility, I've finally found a sport where I can be competitive AND have fun. And make no mistake- agility is most certainly competitive. Every time we enter the ring, I have a deep drive to be better, to go faster, to push harder. Why not push as hard as possible? Why not push to be as fast as possible? Wait... wait... there is that whole F1/go-cart thing and the laws of physics to consider.

I have this phenomenal dog; I have a large female German Shepherd who looks at me with bright eyes willing and wanting to do absolutely anything I request. We have a bond unlike anything I've ever known. I swear sometimes she understands full sentences. She would do anything I request from her- and that includes the break-neck F1 turns on a go-cart track. In the past, I would have said that I have a fearless, unbreakable dog. She's a GSD for crying out loud! Better than any other breed, more willing than any other dog- she is extreme. And she'd prove to you that she was extreme. How self centered my perspective was! My German Shepherd is not a Border Collie. My German Shepherd is NOT a Border Collie! My GSD was not made to turn on a dime, or to sprint across a 12" wide plank held high up in the air. She wasn't made or intended to have two second weave poles or to wrap bar jumps at full stride. Most importantly, my dog is not unbreakable.

I've decided to reevaluate my agility goals. With such an incredible bond that my girl has with me, I have a responsibility to keep her safe. I have a responsibility to accept her best effort as good enough, and to not push her past that. I have a responsibility to allow her to have fun and excel in a sport that she has so much potential in. I'm ready to embrace that responsibility and start allowing Pimg to find the joy in agility. I have a hallway full of titles, ribbons, and certificates from a dog that I never thought could earn a CGC. I truly have an amazing GSD and now I will allow her to shine as a fantastic specimen of her breed in a sport that she loves.

Today I am grateful for the most amazing dog I've ever known- and I am so proud of what she has accomplished.

[Whiteshepherds]

You're an amazing dog owner. Pimg is lucky to have you, and you her!

[blehmannwa]

Thank you for a great lesson.