Agility-Back In The Saddle
Again
Semper Fi Boxers
Fayetteville, Georgia
October 25, 2002 marks the first anniversary of our losing Libby-CH Semper Fi Hue City Liberator CD/MX/MXJ/HIC/TDI/CGC/Youngest Obedience Titled Boxer Ever.
Libby was MY pup from the moment the “runt” of the litter hit the floor of the whelping box. She was MY girl. There was just something about her that I just couldn’t put my finger on. We bonded instantly. My wife, Claudia says it is only because Libby looked just like her mom, Abby.
Claudia tells people that I spent more time with Libby than I did with her. Quite often, that was true. Everywhere Mike went, Libby was sure to follow.
Libby made Agility and every other dog related activity fun for me. I always knew that she would go out and do her best for me. She would usually excel at whatever she was doing. And knowing this, I didn’t want to let her down either. I guess that’s part of being a team.
Then, the unthinkable happened. According to neighbors and the police, on October 25, 2001, Libby cleared the fence at our home to go next door where a grandmother, her daughter and two grandkids were sleeping and break up a burglary in progress. She was subsequently struck and killed by a car. Most likely, it was the same one that the burglars were driving. I was devastated!
Without Libby, it has been hard for me to get going again in Agility. I just didn’t seem to have the fire that I once had for the sport. Sure, I had the old geezers, JD and Abby to run with. And of course, Shiloh was there as always. But, they just weren’t Libby! I just couldn’t seem to find the spark to re-light the fire.
Sort of like a robot, I would continue to work JD, Abby and Shiloh each week. But, it seemed like I had to force myself back onto the agility field. I was mostly doing it to keep the dogs from forgetting everything more than I was for enjoyment.
One day I was just going through the motions of running Shiloh on our agility course. Then, out of nowhere, it hit me hard. Shiloh is REALLY trying hard and performing wonderfully.
It was at that moment in time that I realized the treasure I possessed, but had been too blind to see. Shiloh was the jewel that had been hidden in Libby’s shadow for so long.
The fire was back!!
Be it dogs, family, work or whatever, we sometimes become so narrow in our focus that we don’t see the other opportunities that have been placed before us.
At some time in our lives, we will get knocked on our butts. It is always tough to get up, knock the dust off the seat of our britches and get moving again.
It doesn’t matter if it is Conformation, Obedience, Agility or life. While you’re down, it may be a good time to take a deep breath and clear your head. It may be a good time to re-evaluate everything that you do.
Libby, I miss you dearly. But, Shiloh is taking care of me!
Isn’t
it time that you and your Boxer had some fun together? Try Agility! Again!
Copyright
2003
Semper
Fi Boxers
Michael
& Claudia Clifton
All
Rights Reserved
Not
to be reprinted or copied in any format without express written approval.
