Is this wierd behavior?

Okay, I realize that is probably a loaded question. A better question might be, “On a rising scale of 1 to 10, how weird is this behavior?” This is possibly the only time in my life I might be considered a 10! But only by non-dog people, of course. From a dog person’s point of view, I am absolutely normal.

I just spent some quality time with the AKC Web site, checking trial dates, sites, judges, etc. for places I’d like to show Phoenix the rest of this year. I confirmed all the “standard” trials I always go to and added a few new potential “maybe” trial weekends. In other words, I’ve planned our show schedule for the rest of the year. And it’s still April.

I found so many excellent trials this fall that I even questioned the sanity of entering seven weekends in a row during September and October but decided against it. I did that a few years back with Jamie and learned my lesson. Showing seven weekends in a row is only fun for about the first three weekends, then it’s just dog show hell and you can’t wait for it to be over so you can wake up in your own bed on a Saturday morning and not do anything more complicated that day than make toast. How do those people who trial EVERY weekend do it???

It freaks out the non-dog members of my family (that would be pretty much ALL of my family and the Farmer’s, too) that I know what I’m doing on any given weekend a minimum of six months in advance. Most non-dog people don’t even know what they’re doing this weekend but I can tell you exactly what I’m doing every weekend for the next two months and probably more. I’ve discovered that scares people. Non-dog people, of course. All my dog friends have this same ability to keep a running calendar in their head with trial dates filled in neatly. In ink, of course.

Any “free” weekends quickly fill up with local matches (planned, of course, not to conflict with trial weekends) and plans for lessons or training group get-togethers. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a weekend “at home” that didn’t involve at least one trip to a training building to meet friends or just work my dogs by myself.

In other words, no, I don’t have any “free” weekends. So don’t get hurt feelings when I don’t come to your baby shower, bridal shower, graduation party, confirmation brunch, anniversary open house, wedding or some other silly thing. I’ll be happy to stick $20 in a card and mail it to you with my best wishes. We’ll both be happier that way, trust me.

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re doing. Phoenix and I are off to the Heart of Iowa shows to play in Graduate Open. Our class won’t start until after noon so no need to get up at the butt crack of dawn for a change. How nice is that!