Congrats to your son!!! As an adult, I was terrified my first couple times in the ring too!!! And hugs and kisses to Leslie. I will never forget how Leslie, Donna and Olivia showed my kids the right way to double at the GL Futurities last year. They are first rate people!!!! Denise W. The Good Ole Boys~Chopper and Chase http://www.showgermanshepherds.info for show and performance (join my site ring-follow the link) ________________________________ From: "gretchanya@xxxxxxx" <gretchanya@xxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2009 12:32:18 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Brag from CT! Today under Mr. Dan Smith, at the AVGSDC, Niko Tsaros (my 9 year old son) went Best Junior Handler with CH GretchAnya's Geronimo! This was Niko's first time in the ring and he was visibly terrified. I need to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Leslie Dancosse for taking Niko in the ring and helping him through his class, and then with his photo. Leslie jumped in and convinced Niko to get in the ring when his feet wouldn't budge. She helped him gait the dog, showed him how to hold the leash and where to stand. But most important, her enthusiasm convinced Niko that he could do it. I am forever grateful for her patience and gentle coercion, her professionalism and her obvious enjoyment at his eventual success. On Niko's 9th birthday, the first thing he asked for was his junior handler number, so today was a day he had been looking forward to for a long time. If Leslie had not been there, I am positive that he would not have gone in the ring. He also would not have earned the rosette that he now has pinned on his bedroom wall, or the smile that was pasted to his face until he fell asleep tonight. Special thanks also to Dan for his patience and kindness, and to ringside for your overwhelming support. As those who know me will attest, I am a true cynic at heart. But today, my faith in humanity was restored. Thank you Leslie. Becky T. Dickson www.gretchanya.com www.gsdbydesign.com ===========================================================================POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================