The Thirteenth Fold

The Thirteenth Fold 
text & Photos by Chris Ott

They walk amongst the flat ground markers. Like displaced puzzle pieces looking for their missing link.  Mourners amble through the rows of graves until they stumble upon their lost loved one's burial  place. For a moment, their puzzle is complete and the bereaved stand, frozen, staring at the familiar name on the grave marker. Reunited, reconnected, in the only way they have left. Row upon row of flags wave in the warm breeze this Memorial Day. One flag per grave marker, so many markers, so many flags, so many heroes.


A simple photo cant seem to capture the feeling of the moment, though the man one row up from me keeps trying. The afternoon wanes on. I watch others gather around their loved ones grave plots. I hear some talk of the memories of life, others like me are in solitude, pondering death. So many questions as I stare at the acres of waving flags marking all these fallen soldiers. Where is the God that I heard spoken of at the memorial? The Thirteenth Fold.

A small child singing a song approaches me, "here ya go" she says as she hands me an umbrella to shade the harsh afternoon sunlight. "Oh no, I'm ok" I say choking back the waves of tears that have been ebbing for the past hour. As if I haven't said a thing, the child reaches out and hands the umbrella to me. I take it from her tiny hands and we share a short smile. "I'm sorry" she says, glancing down at the grave marker I'm sitting in front of. "Me too", I say glancing over her shoulder to the grave site nine plots away from where we are, where her family is spreading out their picnic on this very sad holiday.

"Actions Not Words Matter" it says on my nephew Nick's grave marker, that I've been sitting crossed leg on the ground in front of for over an hour. Actions, the little girl continues her song as she skips back to her family. She returns and joins them, turns to her familiar grave marker and sings out "I love you Brother". I can almost feel his love for her in that moment, like it was pouring down all around her, powerful.

The umbrella is a large blue and white stripped one. The kind golfers use, with the comfy grip. It reminds me of my dad's golf umbrellas and feels at home in my hand. The shade it casts immediately makes my eyes unsquint and my skin cools down a few degrees. Why didn't I think to bringing one on this hot day? "Next time bring an umbrella", I tell myself. "Next time, bring two so you can hand one off to someone who might need it", I hear my mind echo back.

I return my attentions to my nephew's gravesite. "Actions Not Words Matter".  Thinking about what just took place. The child, the action, simple and selfless. The Thirteenth Fold. God is that you?

Class Flyers!

New Class Schedule for Spring/Summer 2012

Speedoggie Agility & Green Leaf Pet Resort &
HotelGrand Opening Training Extravaganza!


In celebration of the grand opening of The Green Leaf Pet Resort and Hotel, Speedoggie Agility is offering special pricing on all of their training classes!


Location: 23 Burnt Tavern Road, Millstone Twp, NJ 08510 www.greenleafpetresort.com
FMI: speedoggieagility@me.com


• 1 hour classes are only $95 per 6 week session!
• 1.5 hour classes are only $125 per 6 week session!
• 3 week 1 hour session classes are only $50 a session!
• Sign up for any two (2) classes and receive a $5 discount!


Because we are so sure you will love the new indoor/outdoor facility and our expert training, we will honor these sale prices for the rest of the 2012 for any student who signs up for two of our upcoming classes! Sign up now and save on your training for the rest of the year!!!


Speedoggie Agility training classes offered at Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel are held outdoors in two fenced 100x100 grass and lighted rings as well as in our Indoor 40x90 facility with agilflex matting. Visit www.greenleafpetresort.com for more information about our state of the art facility. Contact Speedoggie at: speedoggieagility@me.com for more information and/or to register for class.


**Drop-ins are welcome in any Competition Level Class that is not full. Drop-in rate: $20.

Monday
Sherlock Nose 6-7pm
Indoors: All Ages. Introduction To Scenting Work. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 11, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
Harness the power of your dog’s nose! Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. A dog’s natural desire to sniff, hunt and search has now been organized into a sport. K9 Nosework is a new dog sport that is taking the dog world by storm. Our class will help develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by harnessing the love to hunt, play with toys, food rewards and exercise. It’s a fantastic way to have fun with your dog, build your dog’s self esteem and confidence as well as burn lots of physical and mental energy! Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Animal Acting 7-8pm
Indoors: All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 11, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
Learn the basics of training your dog for advertising, television and film. Get the inside scoop on how to break into show business with your dog with one of America’s top animal trainers in the industry! Expand your dog’s talents and have fun training new skills. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Rally Obedience 8-9pm
Indoors: Beginner/Novice. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 11, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
This class will teach and help perfect all of the novice Rally exercises. For people and dogs that are brand new to the sport, and those who need more polish to get ready for competition. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Masters Standard Class 6:30-8:00pm
Outdoors: Competition Level. 6 week session $125
Start Date: June 4, 2012
This class focuses on excellent/masters level standard agility course challenges as well as tournament and international course challenges. We will be working on executing contacts at speed, course analysis, and perfecting timing and side changes as well as building consistency and teamwork. Additional focus on distance skills and balancing turn cues (excel/decel, verbal and hand signals, etc). Instructor: Chris Ott


Tuesday

Beginner Agility 10-11am
Outdoors: All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
If you are looking to get your dog started in agility, this class is for you! This class introduces you and your dog to all the agility obstacles. Everything you need to know to get started in agility is covered in this class. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Focus & Motivation 11-12pm
Outdoors: Competition & Pre Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
Is your dog easily distracted? Does he run off to visit other dogs or people when off leash? Does your dog seem unenthusiastic or need more speed on course? Whether your dog is a social butterfly, a ground sniffer or a bit of a slow poke, this class will help you understand and fix distraction and motivation issues to get your dog focused and running with you. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Jumping & Turning 12-1pm
Outdoors: Competition & Pre Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012.
This class focuses on jumping form and efficient turning. Jump grids and jumping skill drills will help you work and focus on your dog’s jump form as well as your handling cues and timing over jumps. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Contacts & Weaves 12-1pm
Outdoors: Competition & Pre Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: July 3, 2012.
This class is for dogs that need to work on their obstacle skills, specifically weave poles, see-saw, a-frame and dogwalk. This class will focus on individual obstacle work as well as skill and sequencing drills to improve performance. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Contacts & Weaves 6-7pm
Outdoors: Competition & Pre Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
This class is for dogs that need to work on their obstacle skills, specifically weave poles, see-saw, a-frame and dogwalk. This class will focus on individual obstacle work as well as skill and sequencing drills to improve performance. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Beginner Agility 7-8pm

Outdoors/Indoors: All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
If you are looking to get your dog started in agility, this class is for you! This class introduces you and your dog to all the agility obstacles. Everything you need to know to get started in agility is covered in this class. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Tricks Class 8:15-9:15pm
Indoors. All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 12, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted. Is your dog bored? Not enough time to exercise him as much as he would like? Well try exercising your dogs mind! Dogs love to learn and they love to play so we combined these two things together and developed a fun and playful class full of really great dog tricks! These tricks are easy to learn and fun to perform. Impress your friends and family with your dog’s new talents. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Wednesday
Distance Handling 10-11am
Outdoors: Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: May 30, 2012.
This class focuses on teaching dogs and handlers to work away from each other. Whether it be for a Gamblers or FAST course qualifier or just simply because your dog is faster than you and you can’t keep up :) This class will help you teach your dog to efficiently perform obstacles away from you as well as teach you the handling cues needed to send your dog to an obstacle at a distance. Instructor: Chris Ott


What Cross Where?!? 11-12pm
Outdoors: Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: May 30, 2012
This class focuses on perfecting side changes, developing repeatable and recognizable cues, improving handling and timing, and increasing understanding of what cross to use and where to use it. Instructor: Chris Ott


Contacts & Weaves Skills 12-1pm
Outdoors: Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: May 30, 2012
This class is for dogs that need to work on their obstacle skills, specifically weave poles, see-saw, a-frame and dogwalk. This class will focus on individual obstacle work as well as skill and sequencing drills to improve performance. Instructor: Chris Ott


Start Lines & Lead-out Handling Options 10-11am

Outdoors: All Levels. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 20, 2012
This class focuses on developing a more solid start line performance as well as work on developing solid lead out handling maneuvers. Whether you run with your dog from the start or prefer to have your dog stay while you lead out a few obstacles this class is designed to help you perfect your preferred handling style and help you have a smoother opening to your agility courses. Instructor: Chris Ott


Proofing & Problem Solving 11-12pm
Outdoors: Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 20, 2012
This class is designed to bridge the gap between training and showing. If your dog has problems in competition that you cannot get him to replicate in practice this class is for you. Instructor: Chris Ott


Jumping & Turning 12-1pm
Outdoors: All Levels. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 20, 2012
This class focuses on jumping form and efficient turning. Jump grids and jumping skill drills will help you work and focus on your dog’s jump form as well as your handling cues and timing over jumps. Instructor: Chris Ott


Excellent/Masters Jumpers Class 6:30-8pm
Outdoors: Competition Level. 6 week session $125
Start Date: May 30, 2012
This class focuses on excellent/masters level jumpers course challenges as well as tournament and international course challenges. Students will work on executing turns at speed, detailed course analysis, perfecting timing and side changes as well as building consistency and teamwork. Additional focus on the use of distance, and balancing turn cues (excel/decel verbal and hand signals, etc). Instructor: Chris Ott


Thursday
Beginner Agility 6-7pm
Outdoors/Indoors: All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 14, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
If you are looking to get your dog started in agility, this class is for you! This class introduces you and your dog to all the agility obstacles. Everything you need to know to get started in agility is covered in this class. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Intermediate Agility 7-8pm
Outdoors: All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 14, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.

This class is for dogs that have gone through a Beginners Class and are familiar with all the equipment. This class focuses on getting your dog up to full height equipment and perfecting obstacle skills while advancing handling and sequencing skills. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Fit Fido 8:15-9:15pm
Indoors. All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 14, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
Is your dog a bit out of shape? Not much exercise this winter? Well this is a class that will bring back your dogs great shape and help him be more fit to live a longer life. Using equipment specifically designed for dogs by FitPaws (www.balldynamics.com) we will help condition your dog as well as assist in recovery from injuries and/or surgery. Fit Fido is an excellent way to burn off a bit of energy for all dogs. The exercises are fun and the dogs love it. Come on out and try a class for 3 weeks, you and your dog will LOVE it! . Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Friday
Tricks Class 10-11am
Outdoors. All Ages. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 15, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
Is your dog bored? Not enough time to exercise him as much as he would like? Well try exercising your dogs mind! Dogs love to learn and they love to play so we combined these two things together and developed a fun and playful class full of really great dog tricks! These tricks are easy to learn and fun to perform. Impress your friends and family with your dog’s new talents. Dogs and puppies of any age may join this class but puppies must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations before the first class. Instructor: Frankie Joiris


Weekend Warm-Up! 10-11am
Outdoors: Competition Level. 3 week session $50
Start Date: June 1, 2012. This class repeats every 3 weeks unless otherwise noted.
No time to train your dog this week and you have a show coming up on the weekend?! No worries, this class is here to help you out. Run full courses and work on your problems areas, maybe practice that start line or proof those contacts. This class is for all levels with nested novice/open/excellent level courses. Instructor is there to give you course critique and problem area suggestions but this class is more of a run through class to get you warmed up for the upcoming competition.
Instructor: Chris Ott