Hiya Peeps on “Da List”...
We’ve been going to the Nationals much longer than it’s been since I 1st named
“Da List” “Da List” over 20 years ago. Our 1st National was a West Coast
National...in Phoenix. 2 days and we were honking along with others in our old
Orange VW set up to carry our Special Duster and our 2 9-12 brother and sister
puppies. What a great experience and we were juz ELATED as our puppy bitch made
2 cuts (outta 40 puppies). We kept on going and to say we’ve been to MORE
Nationals than LESS would be a serious understatement.
We began showing dogs in 1981 and even then there were always complaints about
WHERE THEY WERE. Never enuff on da West, too many in da East, not enuff in da
South, and more often than not...Why so many in da Mid West? That was an easy
answer as it was pretty much convenient for everyone. Flying with dogs was
easier then. Our 1st Flying National was to St. Louis (dat evil MW) and it cost
us $25 excess baggage each way. The Boards...and please notice that is
plural...were under constant attack from those who always felt THEIR WISHES
were being overlooked. No email then so the PO was making a killing in postage
on all the hate letters being mailed to Da Board and Da Prez. IT’S
NEVER...NEVER CHANGED! And...I’d be safe in saying it was the same set of Sh#*
Disturbers are stirring da same complaints. Different groups of SD’s as they
always come and go thru the passing of time...but the crap they were slinging
is right outta da same barrel da current crap comes from.
I’m not saying there haven’t been situations and controversies similar to the
one that’s coming from the Reno. To the contrary. You can’t have a PClub this
size without problems or dissent. We’ve driven to many...and not juz
Nationals...Futurities and Maturities, too. Circuits abound with alla da miles
we’ve put on our vehicles over da years. NO ONE ever held a gun to our heads
either. Hell...it took us more time and stress driving from San Francisco to
Albany, Ore. than it did for us to fly and drive to Perry, GA. That said...you
go to a National because of several reasons: 1. You’re addicted to the sport
and can’t hep yourself. 2. You’ve developed some common sense and think you
actually MIGHT DO WELL UNDER A PARTICULAR SET OF JUDGES...no matter where it’s
located. 3. (and here’s the reason we’ll be at Purina this year) the National
is the 1 time you get to see friends (that we’ve developed over 35+ yrs. in
dogs) you might not have seen all year AND you actually might do well under a
particular set of Judges. We will go when the National meets criteria 2 or 3 no
matter where it tis. We support the sport, the PClub, and for damn sure we
wanna win...whenever possible.
Now to the SD’s. I eliminate 2 right offa da bat. FB was dropped on his head
when he was 2 hours old and Evan is juz too damned NICE to qualify as a SD.
Then there are some that truly care about the breed, the sport, and are
genuinely concerned about...say the Reno situation. They deserve to be heard
and I listen...with alla da respect they deserve. Do the initials CM ring a
bell? They’ve given so much to our dogs and our club. The rest...but not all as
there are some relative Newbies...are chronic. They are not happy unless
there’s something gone awry....a nice big barrel of fresh smelly poop to
stir...UP. Many go back to a time when they were known as “The 17” and haven’t
met a cut they didn’t wanna turn into a gaping gash. It’s been that way for
years and the Byline next to the Subject Line...remains the same. They will
never change and I’ve long since given up trying...it’s simply not worth da
effort. Hell...many SD’s are kinda outta dogs now...ceptin’ for stirring dat
sh*#! Ya don’t see many of their names next to a WD, WB, BOB, BIF/Mat, SEL, or
New Champion. However, if they gave out ribbons for “stirring da sh*#” there’d
be a GVX right next to those names.
OK...I’ve said my piece. I give the BOD credit until they “discredit”
themselves. I certainly don’t believe there’s been sufficient evidence given to
give them a DC. Yes...I’ve seen the poop hit the fan before and been a part of
it myself. That said...if ya don’t like the results of any kerfuffle...try to
approach it from a civil manner. Life is too short (made shorter yet by
negative energy) to sling da poop agin da wall and hope it sticks. I would hope
many of you on “Da List” would try and do the same.
Paul
