Beagles rule!!

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

I am sorry about my slack blog posting. But, all the hard work that consumed most of our free time and prevented my regular posting has finally paid off!

You may not believe this, but I WON the Elementary class of the Paws N Music (Dog Dancing) competition at NDOA (National Dog Obedience Assembly), which took place in Porirua, Wellington!!!! Also, what I am even happier about is that MINT got the SECOND PLACE in his first ever dog dancing competition!!

It's been two years since I started dog dancing, encouraged by my wonderful friend and great doggie dancer, Honey the Great Dane. She has always been so inspiring. As many of you may remember, I was even given an honor to be a judge for her Dancing with the Doggie Stars contest earlier this year.

When I attended my first dancing class in October 2009, I just couldn't stop barking, as I was so excited doing spins and weaves. So, to start with, I had to learn not to bark when doing those exciting moves. It was not easy, but I couldn't do anything but stop barking, because my Mum was so determined and never gave in.

The second challenge was to keep my nose off the ground. When I joined the first Paws N Music summer camp in February 2010, I couldn't show other doggie dancers what I could do, because I just couldn't stop putting my nose to the ground. Look at this One Minute Busking performance that I did at the camp!! I was so bad at keeping my nose off the ground, someone even said to my Mum, who was preparing to welcome Mint to our family, "Are you sure? Are you really getting another Beagle?"

At the NDTA (National Dog Training Assembly) 2010, my first ever Paws N Music competition,  my nose couldn't stop working again during our performance in the competition.

Although I still find it most difficult, my Mum's determination and patience sometimes win. And, that is what happened in the latest competition.

Mum usually gives me some food reward after every two or three moves. So, I kept dancing, waiting for some reward, but Mum didn't give me anything even after halfway through the routine. I wondered what was happening, but I still kept dancing, hoping Mum would give me some of the food that I knew she had in her hand after I did the next move. However, when I realised, the routine had already finished!! Yes, that's right! I didn't get anything till the end!!! Mum tricked me indeed!!

Anyway Mum looked very happy when we were leaving the ring. So, I decided that I should be happy too. Also, when Mum and I were walking toward our car, some people came to us to say that it (our dance) had been nice, which made me feel even better. Then, Mum quickly put me in our crate and, instead, took Mint out and left with him. I don't know what happened after that, because I was in our crate in the car, until Mum came back in a different costume.

When I went back into the building with Mum, the organisers of the competition were preparing for prize giving. I waited for the announcement of the result with Mum and Mint. Then, my name was called as the winner of the Elementary class!! So, Mum and I quickly went into the ring and received a ribbon and a prize. Then, next, Mint's name was called as the second place getter!!

After all prize getters of all classes were announced, it was the time for the announcement of the overall winner for highest points in the whole competition. You won't believe this, but my name was called once again!! I was given a trophy with my friend Honey's name engraved among other past winners of the prize, and also I was asked to dance again to celebrate my win. This time I couldn't dance well, being unable to concentrate because we didn't have a chance to do any warm up. But, who cares!!!

I am going to post videos of our performances in the NDOA 2011 Paws N Music competition soon!!