What a great weekend ! !

[eSPO]

I Just got back from Los Angeles. The PSA Nationals was a blast ! When you get some of the best dogs and decoys in the country together for a weekend the results cannot help but be pure excitement. I had a great time and met alot of great people and some great dogs. I finally got to met Cathy and her dogs in person, Juan and his wife and many other nice people from all over the country. Sancho had a good time , he did not get to meet many dogs :D but he did get to meet Elijahs trainer Jason and Dewayne from Utah. I will be flying to Utah next weekend and hitting a training session with Dennis and Elijah. We were late for day one ,thanks to a delay due to an ammonia plant leaking and highway closure. Both lanes of the highway on the way to L.A were closedfrom 4:30 Am to 9:30 Am . I did get there in time to see Cathy and Tianah hit the field. Tianah is a real thinker and always has Cathys best interest in mind. Ajani Baruti and I got to hook up and it was a treat. Ajani is a great guy and class act and has an awesome pit. Sunday was very exciting ,I got a few pics and will post them later. I am so impressed with the quality of dogs and people. The banquet was awesome and we all shared some laughter and a few tears when some recently passed dogs were remembered. There was not a dry eye in the room. Alot of us met downstairs and played pool until they chased us out, if I could handle a dog like I play pool, well, Id be pretty darn good. It was a great time to meet so many people who are dedicated to working dogs and their passion of personal protection.
I am left with one predominant thought. The internet can be a two edged sword. It can be used to foster relationships and friendships that last a lifetime or it can be used to tear others down. I wish more people could meet face to face , 90% if the internet animosity would disappear and we all could worry about our breed instead of the trivial internet bickering and B.S. I am excited for our club trial in 2005 , I can`t wait do do what I have been waiting so long to do. The PSA Nationals were extremely well organized thanks to a good guy named OJ. The decoys were excellent and very intense. The competitors were good sports , the dogs were some of the best and the weather was gorgeous. All in all, I had agreat time and met some great people.
http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat3.jpg

Billy Reyes and Ray Newman pose for a pic before the start of the PSA3
session on Sunday !

[Juan00]

I am left with one predominant thought. The internet can be a two edged sword. It can be used to foster relationships and friendships that last a lifetime or it can be used to tear others down. I wish more people could meet face to face , 90% if the internet animosity would disappear and we all could worry about our breed instead of the trivial internet bickering and B.S.

I agree.

Hey David, my wife, Molè and I were glad to meet you in person. We were bummed that we couldn't stick around for Sunday's heavy hitters, PSA 2's and 3's, but I'm sure they put on a great show. I've seen Lamont & Porter compete twice before and it's truly a site to behold.

Btw, that's one thing I like about PSA trials and most of the working trials that I've been to...all the comraderie and sportsmanship that is shown is truly awesome.

[eSPO]

I was also bummed when Paula informed me that you guys had left. I was looking forward to getting some pictures of you guys and Mole,Tianah, and the other dogs that were with you. Sunday was awesome, to see some of these dogs and their level of training is very impressive.
http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat10.jpg

Here is Ray waiting for the train wreck. In this this scenario the dog is muzzled and the decoy has no equipment on. The dog is sent on a passive ,sitting stranger and tries to bite but it can`t get a grip with the muzzle on. This dog hit Ray so hard in the chest he flew back, the chair collapsed and then Ray got up to finish the "fight with him. I know that Ray has to be hurting and bruised up today.. Wow ! Some of the dogs initially ran right past Ray and had to be redirected. In this case it was a punishing direct hit.

[eSPO]

http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat5.jpg

This guy is an awesome decoy and a hell of a nice guy, a dog lover to the core ! The quality of decoying was outstanding.

[Juan00]

I really respect and admire the work that goes into decoying...it's hard and dangerous work, and the people that do it deserve much credit. I'll definately try to get my hands on a video to peep the level 3 dogs, since they are simply awesome to behold. David, I think only true working dog enthusiasts could appreciate the things that we're discussing on this thread...btw, when is your club going to host it's PSA trial? If all goes well, I'm seriously thinking of making it to that trial...

[eSPO]

http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat8.jpg
Speaking of decoys... This is Billy Reyes" Mickey", a nice pit . Mickey placed 3rd in the PSA2 group. Mickey is a high drive dog that loves to fly. In this scenario you will notice the decoy in the background "hassling" the handler. The dog needs to be called of of the fight with one "bad guy" and go to the rescue of his handler who is being assulted by a different "bad guy."
http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat9.jpg
Here is Billy anxiously awaiting his score, imagine decoying and competing
at a trial. Wow !

[jasonfarrish]

It was awesome to meet you as well. Im very much looking forward to seeing you and hopefully you can bring your boy, if he works half as good as he looks youll have quite a nice dog there. There is quite a contrast in conformation between the bully types and the less extreme ones its very interesting.

[eSPO]

Juan it would be great if you could make it out. I will let you have the date as soon as it is nailed down ! ! Jason, I will not be bringing my boy. I wanted to but it is not possible at this time. Perhaps I can make a tape and send it out to you when I arrive back home. Thank you for the compliment on Sancho, he is a good all around dog. I am looking forward to being at training Saturday A:M.
Here is a picture of Hans and Varo at the Nationals . In this scenario the dog is sent in on a bad guy hiding behind a blind and is immediatly hit by a stream of water to the face. The dog must continue, without hesitation, to take out the bad guy.

http://www.bessie.tv/images/jpg/elpresa/espo/psanat7.jpg
Hans and Varo placed 2nd in the PSA2 class. Here is a link to more pictures of Hans and Varo competing in different venues.
http://www.alpinek9.com/napandpsatra.html