Parade of Titleholders – HAZEL

We dove into was AKC Scentwork, and Hazel absolutely thrives in this environment. Her enthusiasm for any sniffing game is unmatched. From the moment we started, I set goals for us – but she surpassed them, time and time again. We’re just two legs away from completing our overall Master Scentwork title, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve now taken the leap into AKC Detective, a new challenge that has pushed us even further.

If I’m being honest, I think we could’ve had our first Detective leg a little earlier if someone cough cough (yes, that would be me!) listened a bit more closely to Hazel’s signals. She’s always one step ahead, and there’s no question that if I pay attention to what she’s telling me, we’ll be on track to achieve even more success in Detective events.

We have also ventured into the world of tracking. This sport has been a real test for both of us. Hazel is laser-focused when she’s on the track, and watching her work is a thing of beauty. The challenge? Well, Hazel does love the “critter” aspect of the outdoors, which can be a bit of a distraction at times. Still, we’re learning to adapt and stay focused together. Our ultimate goal is the TD (Tracking Dog) title – and if I can learn to better read her cues and trust her more, I know we’ll get there.

In addition to all of that, we’ve started doing FastCat. She’s already earned her BCAT title, and we’re gearing up to complete her DCAT at Nationals.

Looking back at this journey, I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate than Hazel. She’s not only taught me a ton about these sports but has also shown me what it means to be patient, focused, and in tune with our goals. She gives me everything she’s got, and together, we’re making unforgettable memories. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us next, and I can’t wait to keep playing these games with my favorite partner!

Here’s to many more adventures ahead, Hazel!