Here are some of our best runs at the WAO! - (I did not include the gamble run as it's tough to watch)
I've tried writing this a few times but have struggled to find the words. Our experience at the WAO this year was mostly fantastic. However, it ended very unexpectedly.
During the Gamble Finals on Saturday night, Bee-Line made a misstep on the teeter-totter. Her front right paw slipped off and got crushed under the board as it hit the ground. I was doing a blind cross at the time and didn't see it happen. I don't know how, but she continued to finish the course. The teeter board cut her leg very deeply, so we had to rush to emergency in a nearby town to get it stitched and to get X-rays. Sadly, they confirmed that she had also broken one of her toes. I'll spare you the details, but the following days were terrifying and stressful. The doctors/vets in the Netherlands were excellent, but we decided to get home as quickly as possible. Thankfully, we were able to get her surgery within 24 hours of being home. She is doing really well, but we're both still recovering from the shock and stress of it all. The surgery went as well as it could have, and she is expected to recover fully.
The last week or so has been challenging, but I don't want it to overshadow our amazing time at the WAO before the accident. Bee and I started a little rough earlier in the week, but we got better and better as the days went on. By Saturday, we had really found our groove. Of the 8 courses we got to run, she had 3 clean rounds and earned 1st place in all of them. Some of the other runs had a few errors, so the results could have been better on paper, but 99% of it was spectacular. Running a dog at her speed is a real challenge, but she is such a thrill! Bee pushes me to run boldly, to trust her skills and my handling choices.
We won Snooker, which gave us the privilege of running last in the Gamble Finals. Running in the packed arena with all the competitive energy is so fun. (I had a smoke' n plan, too!) We also won Team Standard 2 and Team Jumpers 2. These wins helped move Team Canada from 14th up to 8th and into the Relay Finals. Unfortunately, I missed out on running finals for Team Relay and Biathlon, but our team did us proud, finishing 7th overall!
I've said this before, but the WAO Team Canada is always one of my favorites. The camaraderie and support of each other at this event is unmatched. Whether we're discussing courses, performing ridiculous cheers, or providing a well-needed hug, everyone has each other's backs. I was particularly grateful for the support of my Team after Bee got hurt.
Our team leaders, Angela Koop and Nickie Ciochetti, did a fantastic job organizing and keeping everyone feeling positive and ready to take on the day's challenges. Coach Andre Landry's vibe was a perfect match for me. He kept me laughing and feeling confident before entering the rings. We compared heart rates a few times before the runs, and post-runs, I almost gave him a few heart attacks. They were a fantastic trio!
Special thanks to Andre and Angela, who kept me together at the airport to come home. I was SO grateful you were there by my side!
Our healthcare team did a great job, as always. Carrie Smith and Carly Tweedle ensured Bee and I were running well! Thanks to our team vet, Dagmar Schouten, for helping me SO much with Bee's situation. You're truly a saint!
My travel partners-Morgan, Jordan, and Linda- what a blast! There are always so many laughs, crazy traveling adventures, and excellent dog-training discussions. These 3 were by my side every step of the way when Bee got hurt. They spent over 7 hours with me at the emergency! Tired, dirty, and hungry - they supported me all the way (Although I thought it would be death by bike there for a moment). I can't thank you enough for being there when I really needed you.
These events require a lot of support from home (well, they do for me, LOL). I have an entire posse of people who are always a text away. I'm so grateful for my friends and family. I REALLY needed them on this trip.
The last person I want to thank is my Vet, Dr. Paula Dupuy. She's my literal Hero, superwoman, and angel lady! She helped me immensely while I was overseas, organized Bee's surgery for when I got back, and talked me off a ledge with her calm and confident demeanour. Gah, I have so much love and admiration for you!
Sorry, this is long-winded. It's essential to acknowledge those who help you in times of need. I've been struggling to understand why these awful things keep happening to us. First covid, then Lyme disease, measuring thing, and now a broken toe. It's hard to maintain a positive outlook. But what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I've learned through this experience I am strong! The next few months will look different than I expected, but we'll get there.