"We had a nice [Jumpers] run, but Apollo the boxer, of all dogs, beat us by .13. (Sorry, Apollo, I know you're a good dog and you're handled by a National Champion and World Team border collie handler, but [insert 2nd place Jumpers dog name here] usually
Well let me say that YES, I'm offended. I'm not quite so obsessive about keeping track of results as some people but I know that Apollo has beaten this dog on more than one occasion, to the point that us beating this dog is not a shock to me. Sure they beat us sometimes, but we beat them too.
It was not just "our course", we won jumpers both days and beat [insert 2nd place Jumpers dog name here]
This is also not the first time this person has 'dissed' Apollo on her blog, although the first time someone pointed it out to me and I just laughed and ignored it. I believe the person said something like (this is definitely paraphrased), "If Apollo can make it to [the 2008] pGP finals and get 3rd place, imagine how much better
Say what you will about me. I don't care if you call me a bitch and never talk to me again. But don't diss my dogs. And no one. NO ONE. DISSES. APOLLO.
WOW. It really makes me sad (though tragically not surprised) that someone would say something like that about another handler's dog. It reminds me of evil parents who diss someone else's child- hello, they are CHILDREN(/DOGS)! They are all amazing. We should be supportive and proud of each and every one and of what they accomplish- NOT putting them down. Here's to Apollo's continued awesomeness and to the hope that someday people will learn...
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Wow... what an incredibly pathetic person if they have to make diminish Apollo's success in order to feel better about them self. That's just beyond sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. Yes, it's sad to me too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about this thoughtless action. You and Apollo have been very inspiring to me and my rough collie team. We loved Apollo's appearance on 1 Jump/2 Jump videos- one of the staples in our library. I think that you have an incredible partnership with each and every one of your dogs. You examplify sportsmanship and professionalism, and the best that the sport has to offer. I wish you and your flashy boxer boy .. .and your really cool bc's... the very best.
ReplyDeleteYeah, what Tammy said! Don't mess with Apollo! I can just hope and pray that Kahve can follow in just one of Apollo's paws because no boxer is as awesome as Polly.
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ReplyDeleteOK, I'm guilty! I overstepped reasonable bounds. I know that Apollo doesn't compete that much in USDAA and yet could does well enough that he could be in Top Ten range, so he's no slacker, and I know that, too! I apologize, Apollo, and I note that you also are a way cute dog, and I'm sorry, Channan. I am now multiply chided by multiple people and I apologize to all of you, too.
ReplyDeleteI left out "anyway"--am I messing up my apology?--I mean even though he doesn't compete that often, he's good enough to get more TT points than most other dogs anyway. Sheesh, did I get it right yet? I'm not the handler or trainer that you are and never will be, and that's certainly not up for argument!
ReplyDeleteKind of, actually, no, really pathetic. I'm sorry but is it really that exciting to beat other dogs at local shows? REALLY? Polly has proved he kicks butt at NATIONAL events, whoop-de-do someone "beat" him at a local show. I think they should give out medals and trophies for that sort of local win.
ReplyDeleteI've had people do this to me too. Like the fact that they beat me, at a local show... newsflash: I don't care. AND... IT'S PERFORMANCE. They aren't 3, 4, 5 year old dogs... give 'em a break.
Okay, I'll admit in 2008, when I saw Apollo's PGP run, my first thought was "damn, Finn's going to get beat by a boxer!" That said, Apollo has shown himself to be extraordinary, for who he is, not what he is. Bummer that they weren't able to just say, "we were beaten by the amazing boxer Apollo".
ReplyDeleteRuh Roh! Good thing Apollo can't read, no telling what he would do. Or, wait. Can he read? I wouldn't be surprised...
ReplyDelete@Katie: Well, yeah, I spent my first 13 years in agility with one dog who never won anything, one dog who was barely over the cutoff in 22" and hardly ever made it even into the placements, and with my 3rd dog in 26" championship surrounded by national & international stars and other fine dogs winning classes at a local event only maybe half a dozen times, so, yeah, the last year or so it *is* exciting to win at local trials with a 9-year-old dog against a bunch of excellent other dogs in Performance. I'm not ashamed to be excited about it. But I did let myself get carried away and overly full of myself, and I'm still sorry that I did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the apology, Ellen. I appreciate it. It really did tick me off but I get over things pretty easy. Anyway, Apollo told me that I'm overreacting.
ReplyDeleteI think you have every right to be proud of everything you accomplish with Tika and Boost. But maybe just don't post the gory details on your blog ;)
Apollo dissing is a no-no!!! But I'm glad to read that things were worked out.
ReplyDeleteTara, Hermes & Leda
well, I have to give two thumbs up to Elf for apologizing publicly as maybe now she can see there is no value in beating anyone as you only defeat yourself.
ReplyDeleteAs for Apollo himself, he is one hell of a representative for his breed for the fact he is still alive AND kicking butt in agility! Whose butt doesn't matter because his own boxer butt is just so darn cute to look at:>)
Nobody ever got ahead by underestimating Apollo. He's fast and athletic, and very well trained and handled. Yes, he's cute and charming, but that is besides the point. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you are at the top of your game there will alway be someone trying to knock you down with thoughtless statements. Apollo rocks! And has proven he can kick agility ass! I'm glad you got an apology.
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