This was no doubt my best National, even with Ms Amidon giving my dog the Novice class win in Perry at the 97 National, a memory I will never forget, but this National was even better..you already know how I feel about the Martello's bitch and Bill and Art...and Army ( believe it or not I own two Army kids..why do you think I was in Wisconsin 11 days ago...lol.....Hopefully Bill will do well with them as well)...but this National was even more special and humbling for me, and to think at the last minute I almost did not come ( I just hate leaving my kids)...this National was special because several folks came up to me and told me that they wanted to meet me.....they told me that they actually read the nonsense that I send to this list...I had so many wonderful conversations with new friends that it's a wonder I saw any of the show...some Cubans were trying to teach me how to say "orange" in Spanish...I am attracted to this sport because of the beauty of the dog....I stay because of the interaction with the people...we have a new board and a new president...a new beginning...we need to turn the page on the past and build on the future...with luck the law suits will also go away...let me leave you with this..."a fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions"...Proverbs 18:2....lets not be so quick to criticize and blame...lets not be so quick to proclaim that "Our" way is the best way...we are all in this together, the competition gets out of control at times, and in the heat of the moment we sometimes forget about the big picture...and I am no different, there are folks in this sport I need to mend fences with as well.....our days are numbered...God willing we will speak again on this list during Christmas break..oh yeah...no matter what, make sure you laugh tomorrow ...I know I will.....Ed Hill...A.K.A. Flower Boy ( damn that Paul Root..lol) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================