Hi Todd, What a great email to the list and yes I see you a the shows from time to time always with a well groomed attractive dog. I think your ideas are awesome. I will talk to Helen Gleason about this. Good luck and look forward to seeing you at the next shows. Nancy Harper ----- Original Message ----- From: "Todd Cosper GSD" <jubilategsd@xxxxxxxxxx> To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 9:18 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Clubs folding & Futurity Counts I rarely post because it is often misconstrued to be something other than its original intent. But, here goes! I think a lot of you have made very valid points regarding this issue. I am a member of the parent club. I am not a member of a regional club. Not because I don't want to be, it is logistical for me. For me to get to either of the meetings of the two clubs closest to me in the state of Georgia it is an hour and a half drive without traffic. If you've driven through Atlanta at 5 pm on any weekday you know you can add an additional hour to that. Then you have the issue of taking care of my human children, finding childcare for 4-6 hours depending on traffic. My kids are 4,3,2 years old. Taking care of our canine children, etc. So by the time I get off work (5:00p.m.) feed the dogs and meet the baby sitter, then drive 2 hours the earliest I could be at a club meeting is 8pm. By now I have already missed most of the meeting anyway. The two clubs nearest me have some great people with great dogs. We enjoy supporting their events. And my wife and I both would like to be apart. But we just can't seem to work it out. I have been involved in the sport of GSD's for almost 20 years - I just turned 31. I think we have to make our sport more family friendly; financially, time wise, and in our mentor programs. I know on this last point that Nancy and others have been working to do this. That is great, keep it up! Here is my suggestion: most colleges have distant learning centers. Why not have satellite meetings? In my Master's studies, we had one class at five different places : Atlanta, New Orleans, Pensecola, Orlando, and Jacksonville. We could engage in dialog, see the professor, see our fellow students, share media presentations all via the internet. I think this would open the way for more people to be involved. I am sure there are some financial things to consider and possibly more. But all in all its an idea. In the age of technology you would think our lives would be simpler. We could get more done. And have more time for leisure activities. But as you all know the opposite is true. We only try and cram more stuff in our day - because we can now do more than ever. As for futurities/maturity counts. We are showing one dog this year - our first time ever. Why, in 20 years have I not shown a dog? One reason! MONEY! I am a minister (don't get paid that great)..guess I'm not in it for the pay. My wife chooses to stay home with our 3 kids. Prior to getting married 7 years ago I was a single college student trying to show dogs. All of these things are personal but so are our dogs. I say all this to say - I would love to show more and in more events. But with the costs of vet bills, plane flights, show entries, handler fees (no gripe from me on this - I love my handler and he earns every dime). It is difficult for new people to be involved. There are plenty of average Joe's and Joette's who would like to be involved more in showing but it is impossible. I know that everything costs more these days. I would imagine there are tons of people breeding exciting dogs that are never seen for this reason. I hope all this makes since. I love our breed! I want to make a difference in it. But I am not sure how to best do that. My only recourse has been to breed the best dogs possible and I feel we are well on our way in that area. Thanks for hearing me out! Todd Cosper Jubilate German Shepherds www.jubilategermanshepherds.com/index.htm Todd Cosper Minister of Music/Education Maysville Baptist Church Maysville, GA 30558 706-652-2228 ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================ ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================