25/11/2024
Dara....my heart.
Let me tell you something about THIS dog. She is the embodiment of selflessness, loyalty, love and giving her all for me - even when she only has 20% to give.
She was under the weather this last weekend at the Flyball show. The signs were subtle, but I could see them.
Day 1: I told her that it was okay; that she could tell me at any point that she was done. She could tell me, without fear of retribution, that she had given me everything she had - at one point she did and I pulled her from the race immediately. I praised her, treated her, loved her and thanked her. She gave me 100% of the little that she had.
Day two: I told her that we didn't have back ups. I said that I was sorry to ask her, but that I needed her to run. I said that I didn't care whether we lost. She could walk the race for all that I cared. I just needed her to participate and that I would give her everything I had to support her. She looked at me and I knew she was rallying. I knew that she was going to do what I was asking - for me. Because she knows when I need her and she ALWAYS shows up.
Because of her, her team got to compete and team mates were able to be rotated to allow for rest. Because of her, new and upcoming dogs and handlers were able to gain vital experience with minimum pressure or stress.
Dara is my heart. She beats for me; she pulls me forward when I am tired. Dara gives me everything she has and that makes me get up every morning to do the same for her. Even if all we have is 20%.
BUT....
By know means was this weekend a "Dara and Tracey" show. Without an INCREDIBLE team like ours, Muttley Crew Flyball , we wouldn't be able to give ourselves and our dogs everything. Our captain and team mate, Yolande Johnson , took one look at my face and asked whether I wanted to pull Dara on Saturday. I said yes (without guilt or fear or shame) and without blinking we swopped her out. Our box loader, Martinus Nel , gives us constant, vital feedback that tells us where our dogs are at physically or mentally. Our non-competing team mates are constantly monitoring the dogs and the handlers, also giving feedback and providing encouragement. Swopping dogs, cooling them down, phsyching them up, checking for injuries or just giving some love. In that kind of environment, winning is not holding a trophy. It's creating a space where you are allowed to make mistakes and learn. It's about building a relationship based on trust and open communication with your dogs. It's about learning to LISTEN with more than your ears. It's about cheering everyone on enthusiastically.
It's about creating a community where everyone in the team, including our dogs, want to (and will) give 100%.
Even if your 100% is only 20% - and that is okay.
Dara, thank you for giving me your 20% this weekend. Now we can physio and spa and massage and swim and play and give you everything back that you have given me and the team this year.
I love you β₯οΈ