Today I got up early & loaded all the dogs into the van and we headed North to Marlton, NJ for an all breed NOTRA meet.  (Oval Track racing)  Unfortunately there weren't enough Whippets entered to have an official meet, so I pulled my Whippet entries since I primarily went to race Saluki Zuli.  Jean Pennie was there and had her Saluki, Cooper, entered so we had an official meet for Salukis. 

Zuli won the first race, then Cooper won the second race, so going into the last race the two dogs were tied.  Jean offered to pull Cooper so that Zuli would be guaranteed the point towards her title, but I wouldn't take her up on it.  I think that I'm even more proud of my dogs' achievements because none of their points were received from forfeits.  They've earned everything they've achieved.  But it IS more fun for me when my dogs win.   Cooper drew the inside box for the last race and he likes to run on the outside, so when the starting box opened both dogs sprang forward and Cooper slamed into Zuli trying to get to the outside.  However, Zuli was like a brick wall & held her ground, so Cooper dropped back to try to pass her on the outside, and he just never caught up.  So Zuli won the third race and brought home the point! 

Zuli now has a third of the points she needs for her racing title.  I don't know if she'll get there or not, there just aren't that many meets around and not that much Saluki competition.  I think I can get her out to two more meets this year if I skip some other events.   I think I was most pleased at how well Zuli ran considering that she's just finished up with her season and going into her regular false pregnancy.  What a great weekend!

~~~Joanne