Pickle's First Agility Trial: Context Clues

Pickle's First Trial

1Imani had practiced agility with her dog, Pickle, every afternoon for six months. On the morning of their first real trial, though, the indoor arena was nothing like their quiet backyard. Dogs barked, a loudspeaker crackled, and handlers hurried past with leashes and treat bags. Because the noise came from every direction at once, Pickle was skittish. He flinched at every bark and pressed himself against Imani's legs.

2A tall border collie named Scout waited beside them for her turn. Unlike Pickle, Scout was completely composed. She sat perfectly still and watched the course with calm, steady eyes, as if all the noise were only a gentle breeze.

3Imani studied the course map taped to the wall. The course was intricate. It twisted back and forth like a tangled ribbon. Tunnels, jumps, a seesaw and a row of weave poles were all crowded together. Imani walked the path three times so that she would not forget a single turn.

4At last, the judge called their names. Imani unclipped the leash and pointed Pickle toward the first jump. He sailed over it, and then over the second one. Next came the tunnel. Pickle was reluctant to go into the dark opening. He sniffed it, backed away and looked up at Imani, so she ran to the far end and called his name until he crept through.

5In practice, Pickle zipped through tunnels like a rocket. Today he was sluggish. He came out of the tunnel as slowly as a sleepy turtle. Imani was watching him so closely that she lost her bearings. For a moment, she could not remember whether the weave poles were on her left or on her right.

6Pickle ran straight past the weave poles, and when Imani called him back, he ran past them a second time. Imani felt exasperated. She let out a long, frustrated sigh and put her hands on her hips. Pickle tilted his head at her, and she laughed in spite of herself.

7After that, Pickle seemed to relax. He wove through the poles, trotted up and over the seesaw and flew over the final jump. When they crossed the finish line, Pickle was so elated that he spun in happy circles and barked at the crowd. Their time was far from the fastest, but Imani did not mind. It was the best run they had ever shared.