Merit was everything I ever dreamed to have, and more, in a four-legged best friend. I was a former 4-Her who was “forced into” being a 4-H leader when I couldn’t find a dog training club for my daughter. I had no particular aspirations to become a significant part of the adult dog world, but decided to treat myself to a puppy of my own when I found myself spending so much time with my 4-Hers at dog events. Merit entered my life, and it didn’t take long to realize her potential far exceeded the opportunities I could give her unless I began to learn more. And so, learn we did. We played hard together at obedience, rally, and agility. We even dabbled in dock diving. Merit and I were enjoying fun matches by the time she was ten months old, and she got her rally novice and beginner novice titles early. But I held back showing her in Novice with the goal of attaining high scores when we finally did — and our hard work paid off. She debuted in Novice at the Nisqually Kennel Club Show in Lacey, Washington in July 2012. The show was outside, and it was hot and sunny, but she showed beautifully! On Saturday, after winning Rally Advanced B with a score of 99, she showed in Novice in the two obedience trials, earning scores of 196 and 197 and winning both her classes. Then, on Sunday, Merit finished her CD title with a score of 197.5 and won High in Trial. In January 2013, she achieved High in Trial (non-aussie) at an ASCA show after earning a 196 on her first Novice leg in ASCA — after which her handler was advised by the judge that most of her points off were handling errors. Although I continued to need to work on my handling skills, Merit was ready to show in Open and I planned to be showing her the Spring of 2013. The month she died, Merit was invited to participate in the inaugural AKC Rally National Competition after receiving her Rally Advanced title with scores of 99, 99, and 100 in her Advanced legs. Outside obedience, Merit just finished her elite jumpers and elite regular titles in NADAC agility. She was my first agility dog, and an ideal one — always trying to figure out what her novice handler wanted and making an effort to achieve what was wanted even if the instructions were poorly timed or delivered. Aside from a happy working obedience dog and enthusiastic agility partner, Merit was a wonderful friend and family member. She took the addition of our baby in December 2011 in stride, happy to be petted, poked, and crawled on by the strange two-legged puppy. When one of my 4-Hers lost her dog right before fair, Merit willingly partnered with her to be shown in showmanship, where they were grand champion at the county level and ultimately obtained a medallion at State Fair. I have no doubt Merit would have been my first OTCH, among other dreams I envisioned us pursuing together. I am heartbroken to lose her and our dreams together, but I know she’s my inspiration for continuing to want to achieve those goals, and the reason that any dog in my future will ever achieve them.
