Friday PM - At the hotel (I should really be in bed!)

I just signed off, but my brain is going a mile a minute (again), so I guess I need to type more (although I don't think I'm going to have time to post in the AM).  Last night I couldn't fall asleep and tonight I still have way too much to process!  What a day!  I had a great time watching all the wonderful handlers and seeing how different each country's handling style is.  There was so much to soak up and the day just flew by!  We had such great supporters in the stands.  As soon as any Canadian was announced, there was the loudest whooping & hollering that could only be rivalled by the Dutch, who were not only loud but all dressed in orange. LOL


Susan & Kayl

The weather here continues to be gorgeous.  The sun didn't stop shining today but there was a nice breeze and you could keep cool if you were in the shade.  Mr. Fly didn't think that being a black dog in the sun was very pleasant, so we tried to keep to the shadows as much as possible.

I guess I should get to bed.  It's after 11pm here and the bus leaves at 7:15am.  I will attempt to type as I go tomorrow, but that may not happen as I'm having too much of a good time watching some of the runs (sorry, didn't mean to rub it in to those at home). 


Marie-Pierre & Minnie on Friday's Standard course

Saturday AM - On the bus to Ingelmunster

Today we are running four courses.  We are starting with the Gamble this morning which we already know is a distance gamble (yea for the Canadians!).  In the briefing that we recieved on Thursday night, we found out what the final gamble is worth and that there is a mini gamble.  Completing the mini & the final, doesn't double the points, it just adds a few points.  I think the mini will give you +3 points and the final +15, so really they aren't huge points.  We know its going to be a 2-3-5-7 system, so the jumps are worth 2pts, the doubles and round obstacles 3pts, contacts 5pts and weaves 7pts (please, please, please weave Mr. Fly!). 

Next we will run the Biathalon Standard—In order win the World Biathalon title, you have to have the best combined score in yesterday's Bialtalon Jumpers and today's standard.

3rd run will be Snooker, which is part of the "All Around" competition (Yesterday's Standard & today's Gamblers, Snooker & Jumpers)

Last run of the day will be Jumpers.

Tomorrow is the team event.  Tonight we will choose the dogs that are running the best over the weekend to make two team of three.

Saturday PM - Back on the bus...

I had good intentions of typing during the day, but hey, 'twas yet another busy day.  For little Fly's Fan Club:

Gamblers—Mr. Fly ran perfectly and got the gamble and gave himself a 3rd place finish!  Hey Kyra—you may get you Belgian ribbon for European Week Show & Tell after all!

Standard—Fly rocked again.  I can barely remember the run, but it was very nice and clean.  We still don't know the results howver.

Snooker—Yea!  I finally ran a full Snooker round with Fly.  My very first time making it to the closing.  Yea!  (I know I've already mentioned that, but I have to say I was excited)  Anyway, Fly did two 7 point weaves and then we were headed to the 6 point teeter, but he decided to be a little "Naughty" (as Tracy would put it) and cut across in front of me and took the #2 tire.  It wasn't the worst move, as it set him up for the closing very nicely! 

Bialthalon Jumpers—A very fast course.  Fly flew, ran clean (although Craig claims that the bar I heard jumped straight up in the cup and then landed back in!) and earned himself a 5th place finish and an 8th place finish in the Biathalon.

Trevor & Picoooo (as the announcer calls her) - They had a perfect day running all four courses clean!

They decided that awards and results would have to wait until the morning, so we are headed back to the hotel.  Its 9pm and we still have to go out for dinner.


Bartender Marti - Keeping the Party Going in the Stands!  I'm sure his hockey teams would be proud!


Celebrating Belgian-style at the end of the day

Anne & Gavin showed up and learned about the whole world of doggie events that they never knew existed.  I think they are waiting on the hotel patio for me to join them.

Hmmm.... Having a lot of typos.  Could be all the round-abouts as we drive or maybe I'm lacking in brain cells yet again? 

Sunday 5am - Can't sleep!

I think I must have been reviewing all of your motivational and good luck notes in my sleep, because I woke up suddenly and decided I MUST get on line!  Last night, by the time I got home from dinner, the front desk was closed and I couldn't buy any internet time ( 

We didn't get back to the hotel until close to 9:30 and Fly & I headed to the Markt with my friends Anne & Gavin for dinner and quite a few laughs.  I'm very impressed that both of them re-capped correctly the rules of Snooker for me! 

Today is going to be a good day, I know it, despite the fact that I did just flood the bathroom yet again with the shower...  But wait, I finally found the light by my closet, so now I can actually find things.  Definitely a good day!  Hopefully we will get the results this morning of all the events yesterday and probably on the bus this morning, we will find out which of the six dogs on our team will be running in the team event.  The team event consists of a jumpers & a standard which all six dogs run and the a three-dog team relay.  Each country is allowed to pick two teams of three with the following restrictions—one team must be made up of two 'large' (22" & 26") dogs and one 'small' (12" & 16") dog and the other team has to be made up with two 'small' dogs and one 'large'.  The two large dogs must be from the same height category.  There must be three different handlers on each team.

Unfortunately Lightning came up lame yesterday afternoon, so Christine pulled him from the competiton   Therefore our 2 large-1 small team will have to be made up of two 26" dogs because Kayl runs the only other 22" dogs and she really can't pass a baton to herself in team (yes AAC friends, there is going to be a baton and probably only one box!  will it be safe?  LOL).

I just heard a rooster crow outside my window and they turned off the floodlights on the little turrets, so it must officially be morning time.  I must run downstairs now to see if the front desk is open!

I will let you know how things turn out today.  Go Team Canada Go!