Year in Review: 2012

Work-A-Bull has been quiet for a long time. I'm just not much of a blogger, but that's going to change. We have a lot of plans for 2013. But first, let me summarize what's happened around here in 2012.

We lost Howie. He was my heart, my love. He was the dog that started it all. He's been gone for six months, and the days don't get any easier. The house is too quiet, it's not the same. He was 4 years old, and he wasn't around nearly long enough. I don't think I will ever stop missing him.

As big as that dark cloud has been, 2012 has been full of plenty of ups. Jax really stepped up to the plate and not only was he a fabulous Nanny Dog for my daughter, he been an even better companion. He is the model of what an American Pit Bull Terrier should be.

We earned our Grand Champion show title early in 2012, and from there, it was nothing but good things. He went on to earn his AKC CGC title, his Coursing Aptitude title, his United Rally 1 title. In June, just after Howie's passing, we started our journey to be ranked in the UKC Rally All-Stars. As of the date of this posting, we are raked as #12 in the URO1 All-Stars and plan to compete in the invitational at Premier in June of 2013.

We tried our hearts out for our UCD obedience title, but it wasn't in the cards this year. Next year we will train hard, with some good support who has our backs, and we will move on.

While that in itself is an achievement for me, Jax's shining moment came the past November at the National American Pit Bull Terrier Club's National breed show. On the day of our National show, he racked up a list of achievements that made me bursting with so much pride for my little awkward dog:
- Jax and junior handler Megan earned the title of National Junior Handler
- Jax earned an Award of Merit, this combined with his qualifying scores in Rally earned him his 5th Total Dog award (his 3rd of the year).
- Jax's breeder drove up from GA with his mom and littermate brother, and together, his mom earned National Brood Bitch.
- Together, we had three qualifying scores in Rally that weekend, and a qualifying run in lure coursing to earn his CA title.

After Nationals, we took it easy. We kicked back and relaxed. I am using the next few days to map out our road map for early 2013 - at least the events that get us up to Premier in June. I will write a separate post soon once certain announcements have been made and plans have been finalized.

2012 has been a rollercoaster year for me. I hope 2013 brings more joy and goal achievement for us.

Wordless Wednesday - Jax

(Yes, I know, I'm a day late...)

In which, I am a horrible blogger.

My last post here was in August of 2010. That was a long time ago.

Since then, Howie has gone on to earning a couple legs to his first C-WAGS rally title, the first two legs of his AKC Rally Novice title, and the first leg to... some other title. And then he became a couch holder-downer. Howie loves training and learning things, but when it comes to competing, he'd rather cheer from the sidelines.

Also, since then, we added a new member to the family (actually, two new members, but that's another story!). His name is Jax, and as of last month, he's been a member of our family for a year now. And, in that year, he and I have earned his UKC weight pull title and his first UKC rally title, and also his show champion title. This past weekend, with a little help from our friends, he finished his grand champion title. He's also finished 30/100 points to his weight pull champion title. So, he is officially:

UWP URO1 Intl/Natl CH UKC GRCH'PR'Cross's Home Run Hitter

He is a great little dog, from a wonderful line of wonderful and accomplished dogs. And now, he and I are on our way to accomplishing the Super Dog title together. To do this, we need to earn a show champion title (check!), a weight pull title (check!), a rally title (check!), an agility title, and his United Companion Dog title. I suppose this blog will turn its focus to our adventures down this road together.

And I will do my best to keeping up with the blog!