I ditto all that, Penny. One point you missed, though, is that other breed clubs are much more supportive of the people who end up in the top 20 and/or 25. Our PC ignores that "all-breed" stuff! I was even criticized and chastised, by a PC Committee Chairperson, for using Harley's honorably awarded AKC JAM/AOE in my brags and ads. After all that Harley has accomplished, after the awesome ambassador he has been for our breed, when he turns 7 years of age, he is not eligible for the GSDCA Parade of Greats at our National Specialty. But, any, and all, dogs/bitches who, on only one occasion, went Select at a National Specialty, will be eligible for the Parade of Greats. They don't even need to have functional hip sockets!!! Believe me, in the 35 years that I have been a member of the GSDCA, I have never felt so dis-enfranchised. The AKC has honored Harley with 3 separate invitations to Eukanuba. Westminster Kennel Club has honored Harley with an invitation to their show. IMHO, those are "Parade of Great" accomplishments!! But, what do I know??? I just pay my dues every year. If I ever put this kind of time, effort, work, hopes, and money into another show dog, I seriously doubt it will be with a member of my most beloved breed. In the mean time, in spite of the GSDCA, we are having the time of our lives!!! Paula Home of BIS, BISS, Multi-Group Winning, GSDCA Dual Title Award Recipient, AKC JAM/AOE, International & American Champion, Grand Champion Asgard Harley Davidson v Plamark, HT, PT, CGC, TC, HIC, OFA CHIC #64047 (Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, & Thyroid), DNA tested clear of the long-coat factor, 2010 & Lifetime #1 GSD in California, 2010, 2011, & Lifetime #1 GSD in Michigan, 2010 #1 Male GSD in the Country, 2010 #3 & Lifetime #4 GSD in the Country, 1st male German Shepherd Dog Grand Champion, (AKC Stats), 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Invitee. ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Penny & Bill <ketchy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: Last shows Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 20:55:03 -0400 I agree with the economy being PART of the reason that entries are down, clubs are folding and people are turning away from showing GSDs. But it is MORE than that. Entries are still "up there" in Labs, Goldens and MANY other breeds. Entries are increasing in performance events. Why us? The AKC is trying to help show people by continuing to lower the point scale. Why us? Could part of it be that our dogs are DYING young from bloat, torsion, toxic gut? Are people tired of shepherds NOT passing OFA and other health tests? Our CH Brando passed away at 6 from mesenteric torsion. After speaking extensively to Barb Williams about Brando AND ch pointed Jeddie (who bloated and died at her handler's at 5), we went to the pedigrees, where we found the "carriers" of these sicknesses. I believe that many people don't care about these carriers--they want the next big win. Finish them fast, before they croak. With me, ego drives me to show the good dogs--but it is much more than that. My dogs are house dogs and pets first, not commodity--and I don't want "my kids" dying young. I try to be careful, but of course (she laughs) there are no guarantees to longevity in life. I thank God every day for Forest-- who will soon be 12. Elvis will be 6 in a few days. Izzy is 3. Cole will be 2 in December. The puppies are babies. Please God . . . When Jeddie passed, I thought I would too. When Brando passed, Billy thought he would too. I didn't breed or show for 3 years. I almost quit. But now I'm trying one last time--to love, to show, to breed. It is SCARY. Do you think there are people like me who have quit? Why did they? Related health problems, as mentioned above? The politics in the show ring? The nastiness and jealousies of some exhibitors and breeders? Any and all! So sure, PART of our problem IS the economy. But WE are our own worst enemy. Penny in NC Farm Dog Forest ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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. 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