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She sat near the back of the room silently listening, drafting copious notes and almost inhaling every word and nuance of the workshop. I watched her during the day as I lectured and taught new games. I watched her play with her dogs and smiled as I saw them respond to her kind hands and words. She paced and thought and finally formulated specific questions. As I answered them it became clear that the answers were not solely for her benefit. She had carefully crafted each question based on something she had seen or heard during the day. Within a few hours, I knew. I’d seen her type before. She was going to be one of “them”.
I flew the 1,500 miles home when the weekend was over with the knowledge that I had managed to meet another “one”. I knew then that someday she would joint the short list. There are not many around. People like her who offer time and service to mentor, to pitch in and help, manage or plan a function. Who in addition to their generosity also have that magic touch when it comes to coaxing the last bit of motivation from their dogs. She and the others like her, set goals in their mind and silently march forward, one step at a time, sometimes dragging the breed or sport along in their history-making wake.
Six months later I moved a few hundred miles from her. I sent an e-mail one day and begged her to drive the six hours each way to participate in a match. I needed to see if I was right. She came, I watched and I knew. She would be one of the very few to reach the top of what I have called the mountain. It is a long and hard trek and involves perseverance, dedication and above all belief in you and your dog’s abilities.
For the last year we have spent numerous weekends together, plodding across parking lots, between buildings and thoroughly enjoying helping each other work towards our goals. It soon became time for her to prove that she was ready. She made the drive and a few hours later called me crying. She and Toad had climbed the mountain and stood triumphant on the peak. In that brief moment, the history books were re-written. On that cool April morning, with Lois Ballard believing and working as a true teammate, Toad CT DC Sadsack The Cupid Clone MW ME became the first Champion Tracker and Triple Champion in the history of the breed. Best of all, they had done it her way; earning the TD, TDX and VST at DCA Nationals.
Two weeks later she cried for joy when she heard that my Border Collie and I also climbed the mountain only a few hundred feet from where she and Toad had made history. Now we are working with Owen and someday soon Hazel will join in our outings. I’m very proud of what she has accomplished. I know her well and it is not done for the titles or glory, but for the challenge and inspiration for others to follow in her footsteps. I was right you know; she is one of them. She is my friend.
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