In September of 2000 a tiny little puppy arrived on the plane from North Carolina. Three days later she fell off the bed and broke her leg.
After spending six weeks in a splint and some time in physical rehab, we began agility training. She loved it and was going to be fast!
At six months of age she was attacked in class by a Cattle Dog, and thus began a fear and anxiety problem that has haunted her ever since.
It took us months to work her through even coming into the training building. Her first competition was just a year after breaking her leg.
We weren't really ready and weren't a team, and the run was a train wreck! I wasn't getting the information to her adequately and she screamed
in frustration! The judge's comment -- "She has a little bit of an attitude, doesn't she?" Uh, yeah, that's pretty accurate!

About a year later, she was again attacked by a dog coming out of nowhere. This episode took a long time to get over and a lot of desensitizing work.
But I was bound and determined not to give up with this little dog with so much promise. I learned what set her off and how to work around it.
And, more trialling and exposure to different environments continued to give her confidence. We did some herding and she earned her PT title fairly
easily. We also did some nominal obedience training and she quickly completed her CD title as well.

In August of 2004 Dixie completed her MACH (Master Agility Championship) title. I was so thrilled and thought this was the high point of her (and my) career.
Having qualified, we set out for the AKC Agility Nationals in Tampa, Florida, with zero expectations. The 12" class was the largest in the trial with some
pretty formidable competition. I was gratified when she qualified both days in the state team competition classes, jumping two inches higher than her normal
jump height. On Saturday in the regular competition she managed a Q in both Standard and JWW. Imagine my shock upon arriving at the show site
on Sunday to learn that we were in 21st place! We did qualify in the Hybrid round with a pretty good run, and after taking her out for a little walk,
I put her back in her crate and told her she was done for the day.

While I was visiting with some other exhibitors, one of my friends ran up and told me that we had moved into 10th place and were now in the finals!
I had trouble believing it, and in fact, despite several people's attempts to convince me I don't think I really believed it until I heard it announced
on the PA system. When I picked up and changed into my red finalist shirt I kept thinking that someone in authority would stop me and demand an
explanation as to why *I* was wearing one of those shirts!

Then it was time for the finals! The stands were full of cheering spectators and the bright TV lights were set up for the Animal Planet broadcast.
There were cameras and TV technicians all over the place. Pretty intimidating! As I walked to the start line, I heard the announcer say,
"This is Jo Ann Mather with her Shetland Sheepdog, Dixie." I led out slightly and turned and looked at her. That little dog, who had come through
so much, sat there looking at me confidently, ignoring the lights, the cameras, the screaming spectators and all the confusion. Her calm attitude gave
me confidence as well. When it was all over, our run and time held up for Third place out of 202 dogs in the 12" class. I was so proud of the furry
little girl, for her love of agility, her love of me, and her ability to overcome so many things.

MACH Jubilee Windgold Slickchick, CD PT (akc "Dixie")
Bronze Medalist, 12" class, AKC Agility Nationals, January 16, 2005, Tampa, Florida

Jo Ann Mather

Off to a bad start! Dixie in her splint.
But just give it a few years and see what
a courageous heart can do!

Dixie in her MACH run, just under four years later!