30 Days of Gratitude: Private Agility Lessons (and the ability to pay for them)
Today's Facebook post was very simple:
I had my first agility lesson with Jacque in 2008. At that time I had three dogs, all in varying stages of agility. A month later, the oldest, Molly, would be dead from hemangiosarcoma. My next oldest dog, Josie the cockapoo, never really got the hang of agility, preferring to run around and greet people. She was a little high strung and I later learned her "zoomies" were a product of stress.
At the time of our first lesson, Casey Mae was two. We had been struggling and needed a new approach. Jacque gave us that in a gentle, non critical way that encouraged and inspired me. We got the one on one attention that I really needed. She also helped to boost my confidence, which culminated in most joyful moment when we earned our MACH (Master Agility Champion) title under Jacque.
When I started agility with Jet, Jacque was there right from the beginning. She gave us excellent foundation skills which have really paid off. She also observed his physical difficulties with jumping. She encouraged me to get him checked out, which resulted in us utilizing a chiropractor, which has helped him immensely. I have now stopped going to classes and rely exclusively on lessons with Jacque. Jet (as well as I) do not have the patience to sit in class and wait for our turn, only to have a couple of minutes of actual work. With Jacque, I can easily mark the improvements from session to session.
And just as significantly, Jacque has become a very good friend. There is not a session where we don't erupt into gales of laughter over one thing or another. And we now socialize outside of the agility ring and I have been able to enjoy a whole other side of her.
My dogs and I are indeed fortunate to have someone like Jacque in our lives.