The Twelve Months of Training

This was Cindy Alspaugh's entry in the BDL "Twelve Days of Christmas" contest. We've all been here -- so everybody sing along!

Those of you lucky enough (VBG) to see Risky and I perform in agility at the national will fully understand where I'm coming from!

Risky*s Twelve Months of [Agility] Training

In the first month of training my mommy said to me Next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the second month of training my mommy said to me Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the third month of training my mom said to me Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the fourth month of training my mom said to me *Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the fifth month of training my mother said to me PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the sixth month of training my mother said to me Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the seventh month of training my instructor said to me, *Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the eighth month of training my instructor said to me, Easy o'er the dog *walk*
*Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the ninth month of training my trainer said to me Through not under *tire*
Easy o'er the dog *walk*
*Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the tenth month of training my trainer said to me, *Over* means you're jumping
Through not under *tire*
Easy o'er the dog *walk*
*Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the eleventh month of training my trainer said to me, Balance on the *teeter*
*Over* means you're jumping
Through not under *tire*
Easy o'er the dog *walk*
*Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and next year, please just stay in the ring.

In the twelfth month of training the drill sergeant said to me Stretch for the *big jump*
Balance on the *teeter*
*Over* means you're jumping
Through not under *tire*
Easy o*er the dog *walk*
*Scramble* up the A-frame
Sit or down on *table*
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
*Tunnel* that's easy
Finish the full course
Hit all contact zones
and for God*s sake, Risky, stay in the ring!

Cindy Alspaugh and he-Risky

(not to be confused with Cindy N. and she-Risky) 11/11/97

Off to a BAD Start

 Bad Attitude