Landing on my
feet...
 Pam
Jameson's first thought about agility was that it would be a great form of
exercise for her Bedlington Terrier Dash as she had been diagnosed with
Fibromyalgia and couldn't be as active as she would like to have been. She never
expected it would test her so much and bring so many new people into her life.
They had tried Flyball but found that Dash was totally incapable of catching a
ball. Instead he was very good at jumping the barriers in between lanes! Agility
it was then.
I
took early retirement from my role as an office manager in the Civil Service
(Crown Prosecution Service) at the start of the 'austerity cuts' about the same
time as I began feeling unwell. Fibromyalgia can be brought on by stress and I
admit that I did have a stressful job. While it can't be proven, there was
possibly a link there. Then IA worked as an on-line tutor for about five years
(Lean business techniques) but, as Capita took over the course provider's
business, they wanted more and more for very little return so I decided to
retire properly.
In
August 2017 I lost my old horse, and I had to move on from many equine friends
because it was just too painful to be around horses.
I've been lucky to meet new
dog people - some of whom are experienced agility competitors and others who are
just trying to make sense of it, like me. They've
accepted my limitations, pushed me to do more and supplied Dash with all manner
of tasty treats.
Our
first year of agility went by in a Dash-shaped blur!
His zoomies around the
arena were legendary – and occasionally involved a jump in it was in the way.
After a
break for his boy-op, we started training with Linda Cummings who was able to
help me understand the ways of the Terrier.
Dash is very sensitive (aka
stubborn) so I had to learn to be patient, positive and change my own behaviours
in order to start to progress with him.
I like to
learn new skills and knew the technicalities of agility would be a challenge and
good for my brain. Because I suffer from Fibromyalgia, an incurable, long-term
condition that causes muscle stiffness, pain and fatigue as well as problems
with memory and concentration, I don't have good co-ordination or balance, I was
sorely tested by remembering a course, running around obstacles and avoiding
falling over Dash, all whilst looking in the opposite direction in order to
achieve the elusive connection! I might be tempting fate, but I've only had one
face plant moment so far. That's pretty good going for someone who could trip
over a matchstick!
The last
month has brought big improvements in our agility, and I now feel that Dash and
I are, at last, a team.
We're
both enjoying agility and entered Linda's first fun competition. I was running
on adrenaline for two days afterwards and am now making plans for the next one.
Dash is a
star. He is so laid back and loving and gives lots of attention to anyone who
stops by and says hello to him. I'm a good talker and can make conversation with
just about anyone so we're probably well matched.
I was inspired
by many to continue when I thought we weren't making any progress, specifically
my trainer Linda for what she's achieved and her very positive training methods
and Selena Bray who quickly summed up the relationship between myself and Dash
as well as so many other people who I've met in training groups who have kept me
sane when life was challenging and made training nights so much fun.
 About
the author...
Pam
Jameson is now 62 and has been interested in sporty hobbies since she was 18
when she started doing yoga, but she was never particularly skilful at any of
them. Since she's never been a clubber, drinker, or party animal, those hobbies
have given her lots of satisfaction and helped her make many lifelong friends.
Pam and Dash
volunteer for a charity called Therapy Dogs Nationwide where they go to a school
to help four and five year olds with the 'Paws & Read' programme. In addition,
they attend an activity unit at Ouston for people with brain damage and stroke
damage.
Last month
they were also invited to the Teikyo University of Japan in Durham and will be
visiting to welcome new students each year.
First
published 4th November 2019
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