Tips and Tricks for Filling out an AKC agility entry form

Being a trial secretary is not that difficult; entering data, answering emails, printing all paperwork, collecting and sorting through all fees received. But it takes a lot of time.

AKC has requested that Trial Secretaries do not assume anything and that incorrect entries must be filled out correctly before the dog is entered in a trial. Each issue requires an email to the owner, each incorrect check requires a new one to be sent, and this is all without counting the errors that Trial Secretaries don't know about (accidentally selecting the wrong class/level/jump height)!

I've compiled a list of common issues that show up when trying to enter dogs:

• Using an old entry (2014 when it's 2015) or an online entry form service that you have to manually fill out fees, classes and days. I'm happy to receive these forms (easy to read!) but PLEASE double check! Fees sometimes change, all classes aren't offered on all days.
• Checks made out to the wrong person
• Incorrect Entry fees enclosed. Please double check, we all make mistakes... being put on a wait-list just because of a calculator mis-key or addition error really sucks!
• Forgetting to select classes/jump height. 
• Signing Page 2 - I must have this before I can enter your dog in the trial. Don't forget!!!

Please check your confirmations! Some fixes can be made after closing (Fixing the trial secretary's typo), but anything that was "your fault" cannot be changed after closing! Please double check and let us know before this date! Most common issue:

• Incorrect class selection - I don't know if your dog has/hasn't titled, so it's up to you to make sure you circle the correct class. AKC lets you check how many Qs your dog has received, making it much easier for you to know (Sign in, my AKC - Manage Dogs - Add a dog). Also www.dogshowscores.com is another resource you can use to try and track down how many Qs your dog has (sometimes slower to update). If you are entered and run clean in a class level that you haven't Qualified for (ex. Q in Excellent without your Open title), AKC will revoke the Q.

Please also double check your confirmation if you've selected a jump height that higher than what your dog measured for (ie. 26"), and double check you were entered in Regular/Preferred as requested (especially if you have recently made a switch). The database will automatically enter your dog in the last used/expected jump height or Class type.

Trial Secretaries try to enter your data correctly and get you a confirmation as soon as they can. Please be patient and kind :) Often we are not paid, paid in free runs. or paid in club coupons. 

Staying thin isn't always a good thing

When 2015 started I saw a lot of posts about goals and new year resolutions. Tori self posted a particularly moving entry about her theme for the year, which got me thinking that a theme is something much easier to keep on track. So my theme for this year is HEALING. I have plenty of things that need healing, especially with my two girls. Sam has mental healing to do, and Rosey has physical healing. My goal is that 2015 will help us heal and be stronger than 2014.

I've been on a trek for the past year and a half to try and figure out why Rosey can't gain weight.

When I explain to agility folks that I'm frustrated confused as to why she is so thin, they feel her ribs and tell me she's at an ideal weight for agility. I know this, and I'm very happy that she's not trying to lug around any extra weight as she's jumping and having fun in the agility ring. The problem is, her weight is independent to what she's eating and what type of exercise she's doing.

I've increased her food to almost double the recommended calories and she's been on crate rest for the past month (more on that later, still trying to figure out where I stand on that). I've managed to get her to 60.2 lbs; she was 58 lbs in December and had a high of 62 lbs in January. Her ideal weight (granted, it's mostly muscle) is 65 lbs.

Just heard back from the Vet and she's clear of internal parasites, blood work (complete panel) is great, her liver levels are ideal, her thyroid perfect, and only a slight increase in creatine. I've been doing acupuncture with her to see if it will help, but so far no major changes. The acupuncture has helped with her skin and overall health (something relatively uncategorizable by western medicine), but in eastern medicine she has a clear deficiency in her spleen. Hopefully with some time and more treatments, it will continue to improve and maybe even show that she can gain weight?

The "elephant in the room" with Rosey is that she has a heart murmur that so far has been asymptomatic. It is always at the back of my mind and is something I know I can't "fix". Its a scary thing that is out of my control and I keep finding myself wanting to push it away like it isn't there anymore. It's tough having her grow older!

I'm very grateful for having my two girls, and want to keep them both in my life as long as they are able. I want to strive to help both of them heal.