January tracking

1/12/23

Robious Middle school fields 60 F, moist grass but avoided mud.

S5;W40;F20 on single turn start tracks, T1, T2, T3. Intended these to be easy as Duck seemed tired from k9 influenza vaccine.

Started out really good, with him heading on the track and I let line out to 20 ft. He did tend slightly left of the track line which was down wind. It was only a slight breeze. Interesting that River strayed slightly left and downwind too. Duck's tail was doing the end flick on the first leg, and he coursed left, but found the right turn. On T2, we had challenges. So, the intentionally pretty easy tracks became a Duckman nightmare. Started T2 and he went off course to check out what looked like socks. He swung out to the right, I gave him line to investigate and after sniffing, he turned around and came back to the track. But, then soccer ball came bouncing toward him after kick from nearby older teens. Our track after the turn went right near their play, so I thru an article down and had him end that track. We walked to the start of T3, 2 more soccer balls landed nearby, only once they yelled heads up. Personally, I had some time as goalkeeper so I didn't care, but Duck was uneasy that this was happening. Took him off to the side until he seemed more at ease, tail wagging again. Start on T3 was good, and his tail was doing the end flick of joyful tracking again. He courted to find the right turn, but was fairly efficient and happy doing the 3rd track . We ended on a high note.