April 13, 2026

Friendship and Fast Fur...


Goodness, we had fun last weekend! I met up with Judy, her husband, their friends Bruce and Paula, and dogs, Elvira and Thumper. 

Judy was gracious enough to take the time to explain the process, and then we watched Elvira earn her 43rd ribbon, while Thumper earned number 7.

After every event, Judy's tradition is to slip the pups into something cute; clip her Bluetooth speaker to her belt, and play each dog's "theme music" as they pick up their awards.

Watching them earn their awards was great fun, but watching them collect them was just adorable.  

We gathered and put our lunch plan together before heading to Judy's friends' home for our barbecue meal. I left for home a respectable time later.

After Judy's dogs compete for more points Sunday morning, they'll be leaving for Tennessee. We exchanged hugs and goodbyes, and I left.

Once I was back home, I told Handsome all about FastCAT competitions. He was intrigued. So after getting a It more information from Judy, we went back down Sunday morning with Bella and Carly. 

We couldn't take one and leave the other home, so we entered Bella in the non-official fun run.  Her time to run 100 yards chasing a lure was just over 10 seconds each time. She reached 19 (plus) miles per hour, having never done it before.

Pretty impressive for an 11 year old, right? When she wasn't running, she was still amped up at the prospect. That's our girl.

Carly was pretty impressive, too. Once she understood the assignment. She ran the 100 yards in 9.2 and 9.5 seconds, and she got up to 22 mph doing it! By the time each of the girls accomplished their two runs, we were all a muddy mess. 

You know what that means. The back of my Explorer was a muddy mess, to say nothing of the girls. Baths were in order when we got home, and thank goodness I thought to put towels down to avoid having my car looking the same.

Handsome and I discussed how this could be perfect for us and the dogs. We're not quite fit enough for agility or hunting anymore, but this was right up our alley - plus, both girls loved it! We're definitely going to enter more in other events areas of the state.

I have an appointment this afternoon, so I'm going to enjoy my cuppa and get busy. I also decided what I'm going to do for a table runner  more on that tomorrow.

 

12 comments:

  1. What a fun weekend you had, and with a little extra unexpected adventure! Good for the two, oops, I mean four of you for jumping right in so bravely! 😊

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    1. Hi Lois-
      We all had a ball! We're definitely going to do it again. It's right up our alley. Squeee!
      xo
      Donna

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  2. Congrats to Elvira, Thumper & Bella & Carly for trying the competition.
    That sounds like fun to watch.
    Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn-
      Elvira and Thumper are veterans compared to us first-timers. We sure did have fun. Seeing dogs from teeny Yorkshire terriers to huge Irish Wolfhounds run that course was pretty impressive, too!
      xo
      Donna

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  3. It sounds like great fun and I'll bet Bella and Carly were pretty happy to play along. Guess you could have done without the mud factor though!

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    1. Hi MA-
      It sure was!! Carly actually howled when she had to stay behind in my car while we ran Bella. We couldn't help but laugh. They were all so enthusiastic! Yes. I could have done without the mud, too. Ugh.
      xo
      Donna

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  4. Well you go girls, Bella and Carly. You two beautiful girls are on to a new adventure now.
    So is it safe to say that you and Handsome enjoyed the weekend more than Bella and Carly or
    was it a tie??
    If you have never seen the Fly ball events, this is with teams, it's worth checking out.
    The barking and the speed, wow.
    I've watched it with Westminster Dog Show, but You Tube should have something.
    Elvira and Thumper, real champs. Love those ribbons. Congratulations.
    Shirley

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    1. Hi Shirley-
      I think it was pretty equal who loved the whole event. I know we'd like to do it again and the dogs will be enthusiastically onboard. Elvira and Thumper are truly impressive! Haven't watched fly all, but we may add "Fetch" events along with FastCAT. It's going to be fun, for sure! Thanks, hon.
      xo
      Donna

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  5. Cant wait to see pics of your Carly and Bella in action at future competitions. What a great event for dogs who love and need to run.

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    1. Hi Bev-
      I'm anxious to see them, too! This is perfect for Carly. She lives to work. Bella's no slouch either...even at 11 years old. I'm pretty sure we'll continue to run Bella as a "fun run" candidate.
      xo
      Donna

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  6. Sherryofcreateology: Sounds like a perfect fun weekend for all. Bella and Carly did excellent in site of never experiencing such an event before. Oh the mud is so good for our skin…LOL!

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    1. Hi Sherry-
      It was great fun. Our girls are quick studies. One look and they're on their way! I'm glad mud is good for the skin because we all sure had enough of it! lol
      xo
      Donna

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Blessings, Donna