Last August, my mother took me far away to Enumclaw, Washington to run four times at the Cascade Coursing Club's "AKC Coursing Fest." I was super excited because there are usually hot dogs at "fests", but I was to be disappointed. However there were very fast slabs of raw short ribs darting around on a string, or at least, that's what I imagined them to be as I was chasing them.
The grass was green and the sky was blue as this shepherd ran the course three times in record time and was met with great applause and admiration, or so I seem to recall. But tragedy struck on the fourth run. You will not believe what happened to me.
My run started out just fine as I took off after the short ribs and accelerated to mach speed! The crowds were in awe of my intensity as I made my way around the field.
Flying like the wind, I was quickly closing the gap between my teeth and my prey:
I almost have it! Just a few more strides and dinner will be mine!
But it was not to be. Somehow, somewhere between closing in and cornering, something went terribly wrong.
Was it a divot in the field? A paw laid down at the wrong angle? An invisible monster grabbing at my legs, intent to destroy me and take the short ribs for itself?
The world will never know. But this gallant, brave shepherd ran until she could run no more, then watched in great agony of soul as the prey raced off without her.
I could do nothing but lie down, motionless, in the field, preparing for my horrible fate at the hands of the short-ribs-stealing monster.
Of course, my mother and everyone else was terribly worried about me because I had never done anything like this before. In fact, I had never even slowed down on any coursing run in my life, much less stopped. They knew something was wrong. My mother called to me from across the field, and I valiantly raised myself up from near death and limped over to her. I wondered if I would ever run again. Luckily, mom and the vet said I was too magnificent to be taken down by any monster. I took my medicine, rested, and saw a ridiculous woman at an agility trial who gave me an "adjustment" (excuse me? I was already quite perfect the way I was) and I was all better within a week or so.
I was not too hurt to visit this amazing bridge on the drive home from the Coursing Fest, though. Hmmm, would this not make the most wonderful dock jump ever? If only there was a river underneath it.
After I was all healed up, mom was worried that I might not like to lure course anymore. She thought I might get inured again or maybe I would remember what happened with the monster and be too afraid to run again. Pffft!! Too afraid?? Oh, how she underestimates my braveness. I am not afraid of anything. Do not ask the cat if I am telling the truth about that. Cats are vicious monsters, and liars.
Mom waited two months before entering me in another coursing event, and she only entered me in one race to see how I would do. We went to Spokane in October, which I already told you about since I won so many ribbons impressing judges with my obedience and Rally skills. Of course, I also got a lure coursing ribbon and got to spend the night in luxury accommodations that are generally reserved for famous, highly skilled shepherds like myself. I prefer extra pillows.
Four months went by and mom finally decided it was time for me to try for the last two runs I needed for my AKC Coursing Ability Excellent title. I knew this would be successful and couldn't wait to chase the raw meat, bunnies, or wildebeests, as the case may be. So in February we drove up to Argus Ranch in Auburn, Washington for my final thrilling performance.
Well, actually, I was not too thrilled. It was pouring rain. I am not a fan of rain. It gets in my ears, and that is no way to welcome a dignified shepherd to an event, now, is it?
I had to sit in the car. A lot. I did not like it very much. But I did it for the good of the breed, because I am noble and wanted to show everyone, once again, that German Shepherds can fly. And fly I did!
Mom only got one picture of my last run because it was so rainy out. She also got a few pictures of us covered in mud, but she declined to share those here. However I was very proud when the judge awarded me my CAX rosette!
Yes, I am now officially, on-the-books excellent, but Mom says I was excellent all along. I am, in fact, the fifth German Shepherd in the whole world to earn this title. I think they can stop having Coursing Fests now.
Here is a picture of me with all of my coursing ribbons. You are free to print this picture out to frame and hang on your wall. You're welcome.
Many thanks to the clubs we coursed with: Inland Gazehound Fanciers, Willamette Valley Basenji Club, Chintimini Kennel Club, and our favorite, Cascade Coursing Club. Tally ho!
