Clean Run - November 2020 - 5

Silver Linings
By Brenna Fender

This might be my last-ever Clean Run editorial. There's one
more issue after this, but I don't know if I'll be writing for
that one. I'm pretty sad about it. I've loved writing the editorial and connecting with readers through it, so I'll miss doing this every month. I'm hoping you have enjoyed at least
some of these editorials as well.

you appreciate agility trials when you do get the chance to
go, which can increase your ability to have fun regardless
of your scores or placements. Absence really does make the
heart grow fonder!
The reduction or absence of trialing opportunities may have
also given you other unexpected gifts, like more time to
train skills that you had previously put off working on. Or
maybe you even got another puppy and worked on foundation skills during the break!

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that 2020 has been a
rough year. It's been hard on all of us in many ways. Along
with many serious and difficult life challenges, agility competitors have found their hobby
(which for many is an entire lifestyle)
changed, diminished, and even
I've enjoyed writing for you all
suspended entirely. This has been a
these years. I hope to continue
source of frustration and even depression for a lot of competitors.
interacting with all of you on our

I'd love to know what silver lining
you might have found during whatever time you were forced to be away
from your regularly-scheduled trials.
What did you learn that you are happy to now know? If you'd like to share
your thoughts with me and others in
the agility community, please email
me at brenna@cleanrun.com. I'll
compile the answers in a post to the
Clean Run Magazine and More Facebook group (https://www.facebook.
com/groups/CleanRunMagazine). I
think it will be nice to spend some
time reading about positive things
rather than negative ones, don't you?

Some people, though, have found
Facebook group and page
their silver lining. They've discovered
(https://www.facebook.com/
a different kind of enjoyment in dog
sports. Some have joined at-home
CleanRunProductions) and in the
programs and have learned that the
Clean Run Learning Center
challenges on the course and the
chance to earn qualifying scores and
(https://www.cleanrun.com/
titles are enough to make them hapcategory/learning_center/
py-at least, for a while. Others have
learned there are other dog sports
index.cfm).
that they can do right now that also
I've enjoyed writing for you all these
make them happy. Some people have
years. I hope to continue interactdiscovered that they enjoy the time
ing with all of you on our Facebook
shared with their dog outdoors and that they can have a
group and page (https://www.facebook.com/CleanRunPro
good time without competing. Most importantly, many
ductions) and in the Clean Run Learning Center (https://
people have learned that they can live without agility trials.
www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm).
They may really miss trialing, but they have survived the
experience.
Why is that so important? Because that realization gives
you perspective, which is a key factor in helping you maintain your enjoyment of the agility sport in the long run, as
well as helping you keep balance in your life and improve
your overall level of happiness. Perspective can also help

Brenna Fender

Brenna Fender is a freelance writer and editor who works for Clean Run. She lives in Florida with her husband, two children, a Papillon (Spark), a Beagle (Wrigley), a
Border Collie (Tessa), her daughter's Chihuahua (Chase), and a variety of other creatures. Tessa has agility titles, UpDog Challenge disc achievements, and a Trick Dog
Champion Title. Over the years, Brenna's dogs have been titled in conformation, agility, Junior Hunter, Junior Courser, rally, obedience, and Canine Good Citizen. Brenna
can be reached at brennafender@gmail.com and you can visit her website at brennafender.com.
November 20 | Clean Run

https://www.facebook.com/CleanRunProductions https://www.facebook.com/CleanRunProductions https://www.facebook.com/groups/CleanRunMagazine https://www.facebook.com/groups/CleanRunMagazine https://www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm https://www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm https://www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm https://www.facebook.com/CleanRunProductions https://www.facebook.com/CleanRunProductions https://www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm https://www.cleanrun.com/category/learning_center/index.cfm http://www.brennafender.com

Clean Run - November 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - November 2020