When Not Winning is Still Winning

Well, Honeybun fell down on a sharp turn heading towards the triple jump...and then tried to jump it from a near standstill. She knocked down the bar...and that was pretty much how the rest of the day went for her. It was certainly not the best day she has ever had in agility. However, the trees lining the fields were all just beginning to bloom, the sun was shining, and the carolina blue sky was totally clear but for hawks riding above us on the wind. It was a magnificent backdrop for not winning.

Maybe it was her hurt paw pad, or maybe it was that Asherel has been sick off and on the whole winter and hasn't practiced much...or maybe it was just an off day. Those happen. Still, after the class ended, the judge happened to walk by me on a break and saw me holding Honeybun.
"She almost did it!" said the judge.
I didn't ask, "Almost did what? Wiped out ten jumps instead of just one?"
"She'll get it next time!" said the judge, "I was rooting for her! it was a nice run!"
(It was? No, it really wasn't, but what a sweetheart that judge was to try to encourage a young handler!)
"Yes, she will," I answered smiling, "It can only get better from here!"
(Sadly, it didn't...but maybe next time....)
The judge scootched Honeybun behind her ears, and smiling, moved on to judge her next class.

Funny, I thought, I had prayed that morning that I would be a blessing to someone today...but instead, someone blessed me. In fact, lots of people blessed me. Agility people are some of the nicest people I know. Throughout the day, I was standing next to someone who was kind to me.
"Vicky," said Laura, "I was a little worried about Honeybun when she fell. I just want you to know that Danielle and I put Asherel's name on our raffle ticket to try to win an appointment for Honeybun with the chiropractor." I am not sure I even said thankyou. I was so stunned that anyone would notice, care, or make such a sweet gesture to my daughter and our little dog. And I felt a little jealous too... I could use some chiropractic adjustment myself....

I don't think we won the raffle. We left before we heard who won, but we will be back this morning. Maybe a chiropractic session will be waiting for Honeybun. So she didn't win any ribbons today, but I have a deep sense of gratitude anyway, and my head is filled with images of carolina blue sky and angels swooping on the wind.

2 Samuel 2:5
"The Lord bless you for showing this kindness ..."





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