Handicapped (and we’re pleased about it!)

Posted on September 14, 2008 by Paul

Yep if it’s Sunday, it MUST be Beagle Racing.

Today races were all for points, and as before, a handicap system was in effect. This forces the dogs who’ve won previous points races to start some distance behind their less successful peers. As it turns out, a handicap isn’t just applied to a winning dog’s next race and then forgotten – it sticks, but is reduced by one yard each week until the dog is starting level again. I think that’s actually quite a nice system – as the season progresses it gives the slower dogs an increasing chance to win. However, today’s races were also subject to weight handicapping, which favors lighter dogs, and forces heavier dogs to the back. What’s more, the handicapping was capped, ie. there was a limit on just how far back a heavy, fast dog would have to start. It was all very complicated, but somehow Carolyne (Murphy’s mum) worked it out and the racing got under way.

Thanks to all the handicaps, Beanie was pretty much starting at the front in her races, so it wasn’t any great surprise when she won her first heat convincingly:

As you can see, I finally managed to capture Beanie doing her Superman impersonation. I’ve caught most of the other Beagles at full stretch before, but not Beanie. Unfortunately low light made the pic a bit grainy, but still, I’m chuffed!

Her second race was much harder, as Derby winner Murphy rocketed through the field to win, but Beanie got second place and so was through to the final:

This time Beanie held on to her lead and won, with Murphy in second and Sam in third. Fantastic! However having won, Beanie will be starting at the very back in her next points race. That’s why it’s often better to finish second consistently if you’re after the end of season points prize.

Beanie doesn’t care about racing tactics though. For her, it’s all about the thrill of the chase.. and of course the chicken – or in this case the WainWrights dried liver cubes -waiting for her at the finish line.

Beagle Hill

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Paul

Both Susan and I were in need of an uplifting couple of hours with Beanie at the park this morning, but as we entered the so-called “puppy field” at the lower end, it looked deserted. Then we caught sight of the infamous Labradoodle duo Zack and Amber. Beanie gets along brilliantly with Amber – she’s playful and very fast, so I figured Beanie would at least get plenty of good quality chases. I wasn’t wrong!

Before long another Doodle called Lola charged onto the scene and immediately joined in the fun:

And it just kept getting better and better. Tess and her pups Tara and Clara arrived, quickly followed by Beanie’s sister Bella.

Clara, Tara and Bella

I was amazed at how much the pups had grown in the two weeks since I’d last seen them. Their confidence had grown too – they were totally at home with the other, much bigger dogs and even gave Beanie a chase!

And as for Tess, well just take a look! I’ve never seen her so full of energy!

Bella also seemed much happier and more playful than last time. She made a beeline for Beanie when she arrived and the two set off on a mad dash round the field:

Beanie and Bella

Beanie is still a lot faster than her sister but Bella is catching up. With any luck she’ll put in an appearance at the Beagle Racing. It’d be quite something to see the two of them chasing the lure down the track! There’d be a lot of pressure on Beanie to win of course. In fact I think Beanie already feels a little threatened by her new, high speed, high energy sister. What makes me think that? Well, how about a few attempted humpings for a start:

A perfect demonstration of lateral head-humping. And she keeps hold of the ball too!

Robbie the retriever – now fully recovered from his previous exposure to the Beanie Chase Workout – also joined in the fun:

He seems fitter and faster too, but not quite fast enough to bite Beanie’s bum:

In a brief moment of non-chasing, the two sisters spotted another Beagle heading their way: Baxter.

Baxter’s a very handsome, well behaved boy. He knows that you don’t get a treat unless you sit patiently. I just wish Beanie would follow his lead:

How to do it (Baxter), and how not to do it (Beanie)

So, that was six Beagles together in the park. Almost enough for a small hunting pack!

The retriever community was quite well represented too, though:

You splash me..

I’ll splash you right back!

But as Tess’s mum Louise said, with so many Beagles romping up and down the field, maybe they should call it Beagle Hill!

[NOTE: I’ve put these photos and few others up on Flickr – just click here to see the full set!]

Retail Therapy

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Paul

I felt the need for some RT this week so I upgraded my camera. I’m not up to speed with it yet (it’s got more bells and whistles than a pet shop) but I gave it a try on my favorite subject. The image quality is way better than on the previous camera – click each photo to see a larger version. You can see the dew on the grass and even the water droplets thrown up by Beanie as she’s running in some of them!

Is it teatime yet?