When the trial weekend arrived, I decided to go for it. Miles was entered in Intro Level, scheduled for first thing in the morning. I got to the training center in plenty of time, and I walked the course several times before the judge’s debriefing.

The judge, an upbeat woman in a ruffled pink sleeveless shirt, emphatically reminded all the competitors, “Remember, this is supposed to be FUN! This is time well-spent with your dog. Don’t be nervous, go out there and have FUN!”