I know I have been incredibly lucky as a newbie, and I know there are many aspects of my "story" that are unique. I also know, I've posted this on the list before. But I ended up with a "show quality" pup 5 years ago. Mo Murkland bred a litter, that she allowed me to help her with. 8 weeks later I went back and a pup chose me, and I was told he was the "show pick". (It was love at first sight for both of us.) As well as I knew Mo at that time, I assumed she was nuts, needed glasses or had a drinking problem! I am in Texas, and maybe Texans are different, (well, duh...........) but my show experience has been a mass of people helping a newbie, open information, lots of "great dog" and totally different experience than I keep hearing about. Spunky and my first dog show was in San Antonio, and Spunky took his class of 1). I asked questions, and got answers, and people introduced themselves to me, I went up and introduced myself to others. My first National was in North Carolina. I didn't take a dog, but took eyes and ears. Talked to many people, told them I was a newbie, and got lots of help and information. (Suggestion, for the Club--might want to give first time attendees a badge of some kind--let them be very identifiable so that others can spot, welcome and help.) I learned from Mo, Lee Ealy and Grace Eaton that was in our "group". But I also learned from so many others. I also asked questions. During Spunky's show career, we didn't travel across the country, I was at every show with "Mama's Boy" and darn it, the tears are flowing again. We got so much help during his time. My first showdog went Select at his first Nationals in Colorado. I got lots of encouragement, comments and help during that too. So, my bottom line, I simply haven't seen anything in MY dogshow world, except a very occassional snob, and hundreds of helpful, friendly people. Pat Evans Blessed to have owned Biss Sel Ex Ch Konigin's Phantom of the Opera, aka SPunky ________________________________ From: James and Gail Wells <Thirty55@xxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2009 3:56:59 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Things to think about I'm new to the list but started showing German Shepherds in the early 1970's. I was fortunate enough to have met people right off the bat who were willing to take me under their wing and educate me. That education taught me what a good Shepherd was and guided me to buy the first good one and within 3 years I had bred a beautiful little bitch good enough to go Best Opposite Sex at the Canadian National. Without the help of those wonderful people I would never have gained the knowledge that allowed me to do that. Sadly due to some personal tragedies I ended up leaving the show game for about 20 years which gives me a unique perspective. When I came back I noticed a HUGE change in the attitudes of people toward novices. Either I was very lucky and thus unaware of the attitude I see by so many today or people were more helpful in the "olden days". I think we all need to remember how exciting it was when the first dog we owned or bred won something. Do any of you who have had great success remember the wonderful feeling the first time you won a ribbon even if it was only a white one? Now, I see people throwing them in the garbage cans. Thankfully I have once again been fortunate enough to reconnect with people who are passionate about this wonderful breed of ours and who respect those of us who are willing to learn or add to our knowledge. If someone would have told me that I would be using a blow dryer on a German Shepherd I would have told them they were nuts but thanks to Lorry Bellah who was willing to show an "old" dog some new tricks I have learned to use one and can fluff them up with the best of them. She still has to put the finishing touches on but hopefully one day soon I'll get that figured out so I can hand her to Lorry at ring side all ready to go. Kay and Betty have presented us all with some very challenging and valid points to welcome new people and support those who have been around for awhile. The last statement Start with ourselves.....DO I RESPECT AND ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW DOG FANCIERS? says it all. We need to support each other and encourage newbies to stay, learn and get one of those wonderful dogs or bitches who can compete with the best. Thanks for listening to someone who was around in the "good old days" when we had huge entries and came back when times had changed. Sorry I was so long winded but this topic should be important to all of us. Gail Gail J. Wells EchoWind German Shepherds Owned by "EZ" Fircrest EZ Duz It of EchoWind (AOE Select Am Can Ch Lenlor's Maximus CD x Fircrest My Jewel V Sunrise) ---- Original Message ----- From: "Kay Reamensnyder Betty Doerpinghaus" <bedkar@xxxxx<mailto:bedkar@xxxxx>> To: "GSD List" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:27 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Things to think about Maybe we all need to ask ourselves some serious questions: When was the last time I introduced myself to someone new in dogs? When did I congratulate a newcomer on their first class win? Do I always send congratulations to a list brag? Do I always send condolences to someone who has lost their furry solemate? Am I negative about experiences in other venues that I do no participate in? Do I denegrate wins and brags that occur in venues I do not participate in? Do I "participate" in any club, whether it be All Breed or Specialty? Do I volunteer my time in breed education, be it Judges Ed or Public Ed? When was the last time I donated a stud service, a puppy or whatever, to encourage participation? If I judge, am I always "fair" in my judgement? If I am a chairperson of a committee, do I try to bring in new people and new ideas? What have I personally done to make my sport and my breed inviting to newcomers? The problem isn't always someone elses fault.....AKC isn't always at fault....All Breed judges verses Specialty Judges isn't always the problem....German bred dogs verses American bred dogs should not be an issue. Start with ourselves.....DO I RESPECT AND ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW DOG FANCIERS? -Kay Reamensnyder and Betty Doerpinghaus -Home of Bedkar German Shepherds -bedkar@xxxxx<mailto:-bedkar@xxxxx> -Visit our Website: www.bedkargsd.com<http://www.bedkargsd.com/> ===========================================================================POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================