To celebrate Ziti’s recovery from back surgery, we take a 2-week vacation and drive her to Auburn, Washington, for the 2026 CPE National Event. She is registered to run the 100-yard dash in Drag Race with Charissa releasing and Don catching, Speedway with Don as the handler, and Agility with Charissa as the handler. After a 4-day drive, Ziti competes in two days of Speedway and then three days of agility. In each day in Speedway, she runs two 100-yard dashes (winning 2nd and 3rd place finishes) and two runs of Pitstop (one 4th place), Pole Position (one 4th place), and Slingshot (winning 3rd and 4th place finishes). In agility, she qualifies in five of the nine events and is top 10 in all but one, where she is number 11. She was the only beagle competing with over 300 dogs all running at the top levels of CPE!
L: Don directs Ziti to run through five tunnels multiple times in a specific order in Pitstop. R: Don directs Ziti to run around barrels in the correct order in Pole Position, similar to barrel racing for horses.
Don successfully gets Ziti to run through the hoop and tunnels while staying behind the white line for a bonus multiplier and a 3rd place finish. L: Charissa and Ziti get an 8th place finish in Jumpers, which was held outdoors. R: Charissa and Ziti secure a 9th place finish in Snooker in one of the two indoor venues.
L: After the CPE National Event, Ziti goes to the Pacific Ocean and seems to enjoy it way more than she ever enjoyed the Atlantic Ocean. R: However, Ziti is still much happier in the woods on the Weathermax Trail in Ocean City, Washington. L: On the drive home, we stop at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Wyoming/Montana, where dogs are allowed on all trails. R: At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, dogs are not allowed on trails but can walk in the parking areas, like at the Oxbow Overlook.
