BRAVO Carolyn Martello & David Fritsche!!! May I name a few things that the human race has dumbed down to make it more acceptable to the masses: The four passenger 1958 T- Bird - the end of that car line. The educational system that aims at the least capable to see that they are not left behind, which ignores the best and brightest who will lead us into the future, if they were given the opportunity. The programs that gives things to those who do not have and requires nothing from them. A host of products, soaps, lotions, and mechanical devices that were labeled "new and improved" which acknowledged that they were less that stellar in the first place. It is easy to try to appeal to the masses and to be helpful and inclusive. But it is difficult to find and develop a dog that is one in 50,000 produced each year, and find them standing in the winners circle, being crowned a champion. But that is what attracted most of us to the sport. It is rare, it is difficult and if we change that we lose! Dave ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Maybe we should all occasionally read the 'Mission Statement' of this Club periodically. <G> IMO..Basically, and simply put...the purpose of this 'Club' is to promote, define, and encourage the true type, usefulness and working capabilities and STANDARD of this Breed. We are, as a group, or a Club, to protect the interest for the BETTERMENT of the German Shepherd Dog. We pay 'membership' dues to belong to such a noble cause and group for a noble and near perfect Breed of dog. When we begin to change the Standard, Level the Playing Field, or Lower the bar to encourage the lesser qualities or faults of our Breed JUST BECAUSE THEY EXIST ...just for more numbers in members or entries just for the sake of more income, we and the Breed will lose. No matter what we are "called"..... When the main purpose of this Club becomes merely a method and a plan just to draw in more 'numbers' or 'customers' or 'members' of the CLUB or 'entries' to the National because we need more money....we have become the Government!! <G> Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.marhaven.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2012. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================