Sometimes my otherwise completely normal and healthy lifestyle of cycling, camping, and coffee intersects with Mrs. Pondero’s bizarre world of dog agility. I enjoy those outings with her. It is an opportunity to spend time with her, to learn a little more about her interests, and to support her. Finally, and most importantly, it is an opportunity to establish (refresh?) conclusively which of our loving twosome has the strongest hold on sanity.
Dog agility people have their own bizarre culture. They have special clothes, vocabulary, and buy all manner of obscure gear for their dog-related activities. It seems they make up any kind of excuse to get together and do things with their dogs. Some of these activities include running through complicated courses, and they have a wide variety of intricate rules for doing so. They talk endlessly about things that happened at their last gathering, and where they plan to take their dogs next. Although I get the idea that some of them are “unusually focused” on this activity, it is fascinating to watch these wonderfully warm people enjoy their rituals.
But I always bring a bicycle along. It is a security beacon that helps keep me on firm footing. It is a lifeline that helps me return back to a sane world.
“Sure, I’ll be happy to provide logistics support for your agility trial…but first coffee.”
Pondero 
I’ve never been to such an event but the notion of a culture with its own clothes, vocabulary and gear seems oddly familiar, as if I’ve been there before. Have to think on where that may have been.
Yep…me too…now where have I seen that before???
I really enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.
Mrs. Pondero here: the best part of the video was the dogs (Ferris Bueller and Oliver) at the end, huh?
@Mrs Pondero I’ll give you that….who couldn’t fall in love with Ferris Bueller and Oliver?
Thanks, Doug. I’m having fun playing with the GoPro. I’ll try to improve my filming and editing as a I go.
Last year I convinced my wife that she wanted a bicycle for her birthday. I don’t think she has regretted it at all. After that she convinced me that I wanted to convert our now evacuated son’s bedroom into a shared art studio. I have not regretted that at all. The more time we spend together doing things for pleasure not only makes me appreciate her companionship but also has me wondering why we waited so long. Thanks for the post. It reminds me that mixing coffee and our terrier, Ollie, would be a crazy thing to do.
After being married awhile, it is great to find ways for each one to enjoy what they love…and do it together. It brings a kind of joy unanticipated in my youth. There are some benefits of age.
Good way to get some rest and enjoy the shade 🙂