It was in 1954 that Heidi walked into my life. She was
an angel sent to love me and to be my constant
companion and friend. She still lives with me, rather
in me, some 56 years later. She did not remain for many
years, but she cut a path into my heart that so many
who followed took on their journey into my heart and
into my memories. They are all there, each one,
distinct and wonderful. They did not all show, not did
all perform, and some did not stay long. But they are
all there. I can bring up their memories as easily as
anything and they always bring a smile, a grand story
and still, a little glimmer of pain for their loss.
Yes, I've been around the breed for a while and I still
love the shows, the rings, the people and even most of
the politics that keeps the breed moving - through my
life and through the lives of others. The breed is in
good hands. It will not go away. The popularity of the
show world has changed and there are fewer people and
dogs involved. But that is not the fault of those in
the breed but of our changing times and our shifting
culture. My grandkids would rather jump off a cliff
with a wing strapped to their back then go to a dog
show. Extreme sports are not for me.
Our history is long and it is grand and it is honorable
for the most part. And I have to admit that I bristle
when someone does not stand for our national anthem, or
dishonors our flag. The same for our dogs. They are not
perfect and neither am I, but it is an honorable
history and we have done well by our dogs. I've earned
the right to defend the traditions that have built the
breed and I walk proudly with those others who have
paid their dues in blood, sweat and tears to do the
same.
We've made some mistakes over time, but we have
corrected for them and continued on. No, we have not
ruined the breed and we are not driving it to
extinction. We are just a group of regular people doing
our best to shape perfection as best we can and by
golly, I think we have done a great job of it.
Dave
From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Carolyn Martello
Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2017 5:18 PM
To: paravelgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: "Asking for opinions/ideas"
THANK YOU Sheri!! Well said......
I do not believe we on the List or any of us as 'older
breeders' love the Breed any less than a passionate
young person
that is excited and new to the Breed. We are
experienced......and we know over the years what works
for us and our dogs
and what we are doing at a show or training or breeding
/ whelping, or paperwork....and the love we have for
this Breed.
I think ALL reasonable suggestions are useful...but I
don't believe we MUST CHANGE for this awesome Breed to
continue.
We who truly love the GSD will not be responsible for
its demise no matter how old or young we are. Most of
us have put in
a whole other lifetime into this Breed...the
shows...breeding....training...working at shows...from
set up to clean up...meetings
and caring for and loving the GSD. Every single
little result of every single litter matters to
us...from the decision to breed
all the way to placing them in what we think to be
perfect homes. Others involved in the Breed matter to
us.
Our decisions and the venues may not appeal to every
newcomer...but often they do not always appeal to us
either..
( think St. Louis )...<G>.....but BECAUSE of our love
for the Breed...we drive for miles...worry and stay up
hours...spend more
than every single one of us should and know several
Vets and many other Breeders on a personal level.
Most of us have looked
at and participated in and worked at Obedience,
Herding, Rally...now Barn Hunts...and opt to give
ourselves over to Conformation.
We do what we can do.
I love a comment on one of Evan Ginsburg's posts.....
"Listen to others...be yourself....everyone else is
taken".
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
www.marhaven.com <http://www.marhaven.com>
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