There comes a point, where a person has just had enough. They sit, they listen, and listen, and listen, knowing that they won't be able to give their input for awhile. And they learn, and learn, and learn, and do their best to "know their stuff" when it comes to the breed they have an interest in. My question is. when does it stop? I don't mean the learning, but the "Just listening"? I can admit (and so can any other objective, free thinking, fair minded person woh knows themselves), that I've said things that can be offensive. People tell me I come off as a knowitall. Maybe I do. Doesn't mean I AM. That's my personality...it's not going to change. I've been this way for 20 years. People learn to read around my "Knowitallism", and my cynicism, and my sarcasm. They either learn, or they stay away from me. I've been on this list for well over a year now, I've taken my lumps, I've read and replied with questions, getting answers or not. I've been told that I'm "not important" enough to be heard....at least until I joined the GSDCA. So I did. But, you know, if more people would start treating newbies like real people instead of babies taking their first steps, the fancy would probably be growing instead of shrinking. I was in Shepherds for 4 or 5 years before joining this list, I've been in performance for the last 3. You think I don't know that it's not a "hard road?" You're wrong, I do. I bought a dog who I very much loved and adored, and he came to a tragic end due to somebody else's idiocy. I had a lot of plans for him and I. My heart still hurts everytime I think about him. But my other dog needs me just as much. He'll never be a champion because he's "Too German" and his ear is busted, but he's a GREAT working dog. You speak of the hard road to the championship. What of the hard road to the CDX, the OTCH, the MACH? The RAE, the Obedience Victor? What of those? Do you think their raod is any less difficult than the one to put points on your dog and finish their championship? I DO have things to offer the breed, and I've been privately e-mailed time and again, more to be told "shut up and listen" than to be given encouragement. I want another show dog....I'd like to buy another GSD in the future and show it, but right now, I just don't have the time and funds to travel everywhere hunting for majors. So, I'm saving up for my CWC, hoping he will turn out for show. I'll remain in my handling classes, trying to better myself, I'll continue reading, and listening, and learning. But, there comes a time when "Shut up and listen" should be over, and somebody, no matter how new, gets to be heard, whether you agree with them or not. To those of you who give me encouragement, though we may not always agree, thank you. To those of you who don't like me for my opinions and views, fine. But the fancy needs more people, not less. - Jackie ________________________________________________________________________ Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================