A week later a dear friend told me that if I wanted to get a puppy she and her husband were willing to raise it for me until it had all of its shots. I could hardly believe my ears. I wasn't sure I would be willing to go through that myself for someone else and here was someone offering to open her home to puppy disasters and sleepless nights so that I might be able to have another chance at agility competition. And I couldn't ask for a better foster home. There would be 6 other dogs to play with and the pup would be well socialized, well traveled and well trained, of that there was no doubt.

My husband was supportive. After Brenden, I knew without a doubt that I wanted another Sheltie. I contacted Brenden's breeder to ask that I be put on her waiting list. To my surprise, although she hadn't bred any dogs in the last year or so, she currently had two litters on the ground and although she had a waiting list, I could have my pick (other than those she was keeping herself) if I got there within the next few days. It wasn't long before we were again in the middle of an 8 hour drive to Southern California to pick up another Sheltie.

A chance conversation with a friend. One more chance to compete in agility when I thought it might all be behind me. And what were the chances that a foster home would be available just when I needed it and that a litter would be on the ground just when I wanted a pup? It took me several weeks to name him, but I should have known from the beginning - that I would name him Chance - my best chance for an agility dog.

Update - 2003: At 20 months of age Chance entered his first agility trial and brought home his first title with two second place ribbons. At his second trial he earned his second title with two first place ribbons and after 12 months in competition he has earned 20 novice agility titles. As I had hoped, he was definitely my best chance for an awesome agility dog.

Update - 2004: At three years of age Chance had earned more than 50 agility titles in five different venues. If there was ever any doubt, there is none any longer - bringing this little boy home was definitely the chance of a lifetime.

Update - 2005: At four years of age Chance has earned more than 75 agility titles in five different venues including his CPE Championship. He continues to scream in delight when he sees the toys (agility obstacles), so hopefully there is more fun in our future.

Update - 2006: At five years of age Chance has earned more than 100 agility titles in five different venues including his AKC and CPE championships. He needs one more qualifying run for his USDAA championship and is two thirds of the way toward his C-ATE. Agility remains his passion and he is in great physical shape so the fun continues - hopefully for many years to come.

Update - 2007: Just days after his 6th birthday, Chance earned his third championship, making him an agility champion in USDAA, AKC and CPE. Between December 2006 and August 2007 Chance earned 3 major championships - his MACH, his ADCH and his C-ATE (he was the third dog in California to earn a C-ATE). This boy is definitely a dream come true.

I want to thank my dear friends Kathie and Jake Leggett, for taking Chance into their home and their hearts for more than 2 months when he was little more than a ball of fluff bent on destruction and determined to get them up at 5:00 AM every morning. What they did was "above and beyond" and for that I will be forever grateful.