[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: MENTORS
- From: Fran Henry <fhenry1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ketchy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 15:29:38 -0700
My dad always got his GSDs from the want-ads, and although intelligence- and
temperament-wise they were beyond reproach, they were disasters
conformation-wise. Newly married, we got our first "shepherd" from the paper —
she was a sweet, sweet dog, weighed about 40 lbs, and the only thing about her
that was shepherd-like was her head.
Later, after she was gone, (1971)I started calling local breeders, went to see
their puppies and adults, and no one had what I was visualizing in my mind. But
I talked to one breeder who said he thought he knew what I wanted and pointed
me to Lois Massman of Quadrill German Shepherds in Castle Rock, CO. I went to
see her dogs, and she had a bitch that had that lovely suspension someone
mentioned earlier today and was the type of GSD I was carrying around in my
head. She had helped one of her puppy buyers breed her bitch, and the litter
was on the ground. She also became my mentor and then became my best friend
too. She recommended books, and I read them all. I joined the PC and pored over
Reviews. I went to dog shows. I joined the RMGSDC, the local club, That puppy
had some conformation wins, but my love was obedience and tracking. He had a
TD, when that was the only title available in tracking, and a CDX. He was on
the Colorado Rescue Dogs SAR team. We searched the Big Thompson Canyon after
the devastating flood. His temperament was flawless — the kids clambered all
over him and he came to my defense -- twice -- and probably saved my life.
Later, when performance events became physically challenging for me, I got
interested in the conformation ring. My Luke had 11 points and both majors
before he developed liver problems and needed to be retired. He and my bitch
Cinder, from a litter Lois bred from frozen sperm of a dog dead 20 years, were
therapy dogs. And yes, she and I are still close friends. Meeting her certainly
changed and enriched my life. She was show secretary for the first Denver
National, and I think that was in 1971. Imagine taking time to mentor a newby!
Fran Henry
Home of Konigin's My Abilene, TC, CGC
On Dec 7, 2011, at 1:51 PM, Penny & Bill wrote:
>
>
> How about the rest of you? Did you have mentors? Or did you go it
> alone?
>
> Penny in NC
> The Farm Dog
>
>
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