Rufus on the A-frame.
Last summer I started taking agility classes with my flatcoated retriever, Rufus. We both have been enjoying this immensely. I don’t aspire to become an agility champion; it’s only important to me that we’re both having fun and working together.
We have now reached the stage where we know how to take almost all the obstacles, save for the weave poles, and we’re starting to practice some turns. Well, I already knew I was spatially challenged, but this course just confirms it. To be able to turn the right way I have to actively think about it, which leaves me no room to process my position among the obstacles. Today, for example, I managed to make a good turn, but ended up right in front of the high jump Rufus had to take effectively blocking it.
Usually I’ll just tell myself that this is just something I’m not very good at and that I’m proud of myself of trying to overcome this “obstacle” (pun intended). Maybe, if I practice often enough, I’ll develop some spatial awareness. But honestly, it can be very frustrating dealing with my shortcomings every Saturday.
Friday I was discussing the differences in male and female brains with my class, and we all agreed that guys are more spatially aware most of the times (not always, mind you). I told them about being spatially challenged and that when I’m shopping in the city centre, I manage to leave the shop the same way I came instead of continuing on my originally taken path. One of my students said, somewhat surprised, “My mom does the exact same thing!”
The boys in my class tried to do two things at a time, like swinging one arm backwards while swinging the other forwards, or tapping on their heads while rubbing the other hand in a circular motion on their chests. Hilarity ensued; adolescent boys have arms that are way too long for their bodies…