PJpupp: This past weekend the gang traveled to Chula Vista, Calif., for an AKC agility trial hosted by the Agility Club of San Diego. That’s not unusual for our team, however something was a bit different about this trial.

Rickie Roo: Yeah!! They let the mutts in at an AKC trial!

Gigi: Hey! They are not called mutts. They are called “Canine Partners.”

Rickie Roo: But Magi told me that he and Kokomo were mutts. Doesn’t he know what he is?

PJpupp: Well, Roo, Magi is right and Gigi is right. In AKC the mixed breed dogs (or mutts) are called “Canine Partners.”

Rickie Roo: I’m a Rat Terrier.

PJpupp: Yes you are, Roo.

Rickie Roo: But I’m a canine and a partner to mommy on course, so does that make me a “Canine Partner,” too?

Gigi: No, it does not, Rickie Roo. You are a Rat Terrier. Stop being silly.

Rickie Roo: I want to be a “Canine Partner,” too. They got a special show ribbon just for showing up!

PJpupp: That’s true Roo, the AKC is very excited to allow the mixed breed dogs into their companion events like Rally, Obedience and Agility. So they gave each mixed breed “Canine Partner” a special maroon-colored ribbon that says “AKC Canine Partners – Lots More Dog Fun — April 2010 First Events — I Was There” on it.

Rickie Roo: I want a special ribbon!

Gigi: You have enough ribbons, Rickie Roo – stop whining.

PJpupp: Magi and Kokomo were never allowed to come to the AKC trials to compete before, Rickie Roo… they didn’t have a chance to win ribbons like all of the purebred dogs on the team. So this was to make them feel welcome.

Rickie Roo: Magi’s been to lots of shows with us. He’s been to more agility trials than me!

Gigi: You dummy — Magi went to USDAA, CPE, NADAC and ASCA trials, not AKC trials. Those are different. We are talking about AKC trials today.

Rickie Roo: Well, he’s an Agility Champion and he had to compete in Novice.

PJpupp: That’s because his Championships are in other organizations. He has to start his AKC career at the beginning just like you did, Roo-ster.

Rickie Roo: He got lots and lots of ribbons, and so did Kokomo!

Gigi: Magi got four first places and a fourth place. Kokomo got four first places. They did great.

Rickie Roo: I did good too! I got ribbons!

PJpupp: Yes Roo, you did good too, and so did Gigi and Bogey. Bogey even got a new title ribbon.

Rickie Roo: Everyone got ribbons except for Hobo!

Gigi: Hobo is team security. He doesn’t compete in agility, Roo. He can’t win a ribbon.

Rickie Roo: Doesn’t that make him sad? Doesn’t he want to run on the course and then afterwards go to the cookie chair and get ribbons, too?

PJpupp: Roo, Hobo still has the stray dog spirit about him. He can’t be trusted off leash like the rest of us. So mommy gives him cookies just for behaving.

Rickie Roo: Is Hobo a “Canine Partner”?

PJpupp: As a matter of fact, he is.

Gigi: Maybe someday he will get to run agility, too?

PJpupp: He’s taking lessons, so maybe.

Rickie Roo: I’m gonna be faster than him if he does! I can run faster!

Gigi: You won’t be in the same class. He’s a big dog, you’re a little dog.

Rickie Roo: I’m still faster.

PJpupp: Maybe you are Rickie … but for now you need to work on doing your own course without mistakes. When you can do that then you can worry about being faster.

Gigi: Being the fastest isn’t always the most important thing. You have to run the course without mistakes to win.

Rickie Roo: Sometimes, I don’t have mistakes. I win lots of ribbons.

Gigi: We all do.

Rickie Roo: How come you didn’t show this weekend, PJpupp?

PJpupp: I’m old and tired, Mojo and I decided to stay home and relax. I spent a lot of time watching the box turtles, and Mojo took lots of naps.

Rickie Roo: I could beat you, PJpupp! I can be faster than Mojo!

Gigi: Shush it Roo, they are old dogs. You are a young dog – that’s different.

Rickie Roo: But when I lick Mojo’s teeth and she growls at me I can run away really, really fast!

Gigi: If she wanted to catch you she could, Roo. She’s just giving you a warning to stop it.

Rickie Roo: Well, I’m still faster!

PJpupp: Ok girls, I’m tired of all this terrier talk-back. Why don’t we go bug mom for our lunch?

Rickie Roo [she starts hopping up and down]: LUNCH?

Gigi [she starts looking around frantically]: LUNCH?

PJpupp: Yes! Lunch!  [she runs out of the room with the ratties following behind] 

PJpupp, Gigi, Rickie Roo: MOM!!! Stop typing! We want lunch!