[ SHOWGSD-L ] These are the days
- From: ELG440@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 30 May 2012 11:13:36 -0400 (EDT)
We do need to make sure we spot a new face, (those are the people with so
few wrinkles) and take a minute to welcome them, to explain what is going
on, and to make them feel they can be a part of this.
I know everyone wants to do this. Maybe we think we are too busy, or maybe
we don't want to intrude on someone's privacy. But, when people come to see
a dog show, try to look at it through their eyes.
There are a bunch of dogs in a ring. They all look the same. There are some
young people with the dogs on a rope, who run around in the circle. They
then go towards a corner, one at a time, and come back. Then they all go
around some more, but now alone. Finally, there seems to be some sort of
arranging of the dogs, and then they go out of the ring, and in comes another
group. And, the same thing happens again. This seems to go on and on, and
the dogs all look the same
At times some people yell and whistle while they sit there. Then they
talk among themeselves, and a few people are even outside the ring, doing some
weird things, and shaking bells, or yelling at someone, but no one seems to
know why or who they are yelling at.
And, there is someone dressed up in the middle of all that, standing inside
a roped off square, watching what is going on. No one seems to know what
he/she is doing, but everyone in the ring stares at that person. That
weird person in the middle talks to those people with the dogs on a rope, and
they seem to understand whatever is being said.
Now if that isn't enough, there are people washing dogs off to the side,
spraying stuff on the dogs, combing and brushing them. There are lots of
folks sitting in folding chairs, and even some tents, that don't seem to have
any purpose. There are no clowns or other acts you would find under a tent
at a circus.
Go over to these people. Ask if they are interested in what is going on.
Suggest they might take any chair, and relax and feel free to ask
questions of anyone.
Years ago there was a record, (that was a weird thing like a DVD but
bigger, black and played both sides). I know, that sounds impossible, but
take
my word for it, you could play BOTH sides. It was by Andy Griffith,
(Oppie's father) and it was called, "What it was, was football".
If you listen to that, you will get a real feel as to what a dog show looks
like to a stranger. Maybe you can find it on the inter-net. AT the
same time you can look up record and see that I am telling the truth, no
matter how strange it sounds.
Let's all make a commitment to turn these strangers into dog show people.
That is a great revenge for our hobby. I like my friends, but I find I
enjoy strangers just as much.
I met Flower Boy at a show when he looked confused. Now he looks even more
confused, and so do I. I met the Khatibs when they came to look at a
puppy, and now Summer is a star. I admit, it is my fault.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Evan L. Ginsburg
Asgard German Shepherds
http://www.asgardgsd.com/
Where Type Movement and Temperament come together
In a message dated 5/30/12 7:47:25 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
Scharo777@xxxxxxx writes:
But how many people fall through the cracks because clubs are so small and
members are so busy at shows.
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