[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Tragedy...response
- From: <cnnpmm2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:38:54 -0400
Great post, Donna!
Due to circumstances that I don't need to get into, I have sent a dog out with
Donna (for George Berstler), Kent Boyles, and Jim Moses. All three of these
"teams" have taken *excellent* care of my dog. While I wish I could travel to
every show in which my dog is entered, at least I don't have to worry about the
care the dog is receiving. And, my dogs do mean the world to me!
Paulette McGuirt, GSDCA Member
Wellborn-Allemande German Shepherds
Qui Me Amat, Amat et Canem Meam
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna" <onaluzlead@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ngxotic@xxxxxxx>; <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "dancosse, leslie" <lld2606@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 6:04 PM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Tragedy...response
Dear Nancy
I have been reading this thread with interest, especially since I and
business partners, have been doing this for many years...since we were
kids...and...that would give us over 60 years experience, Yikes, that's
scary in itself...
I understand people who say...I would never send my dog with a handler...the
win isn't important enough, etc etc etc...because they are ABLE to travel,
as a dog campaigned seriously needs to do and/or have the luxury and money
to just go on the road at any time, but most people don't have that luxury
and it ends up more cost effective to have the dog with the handler and go
to all of the shows/training/conditioning/exposure necessary to do it right;
and get to split the expenses between many people... that's where people
like myself come in. AND WHY I TAKE YOUR COMMENT SO PERSONAL. You know I
always think over the years I have heard it all. There are other handlers on
this list, that I am sure can agree with me...and even by me saying I have
heard it all and seen it all, this weekend, we will see or hear something
else that can top it...but, for you to be so judgmental of other people
sending their dogs with people like myself, is ignorant and insulting. I am
going to write about us...because I can not speak about the other GSD
handlers...there maybe a couple that maybe I wouldn't send a dog with, but
for the most part, we are all true GOOD dog people...that obviously you
haven't spent time with...I do invite you too though, to learn and be more
open minded...and then maybe you can appreciate the life we have chosen and
why I am angry by a statement that you made in your email.
I have a box truck, the dog accommodations come first, that's why I drive
that fuel guzzling diesel (so I can keep it running with the regular air on,
just in case). There is plenty of room and most dogs needing it or not,
travel in a 500 size crate. I can fit 15 dogs comfortably and have done so,
with witnesses...
Any client that has been our client or has hung out with us, know...that
either me or one of our "road crew" people are tending to the dogs and they
are well cared for...as with other handling teams...we have forfeited going
"out to dinner" or out with the crowd for drinks; in extreme heat or
weather, so that we could stay with the dogs, leave them all out in the
setup of Xpens and keep them watered down, if necessary. Frankly, we do have
air conditioning...and if you showed dogs long enough you would know...keep
them in the air, try showing them the next day...no one wants to come out of
the truck...and then perform and run...forget it. It's nice to cool down and
get them all comfortable, but to keep them that way...not the greatest idea
(that's my opinion). WE run fans off our generator; they have cooler
beds...etc etc. It's all about the dogs...maybe that's why we have such a
good record, I don't know...but I will tell you. Dogs get done in the AM,
crates cleaned/blankets (if used) get shaken, deodorized, fresh water gets
given...they are out in X pens...and stretch. We do it again at the show,
bath and groom them, show them, love them, play with them...etc etc...I know
we are all hanging out at our set up with clients, doing dogs...dogs dogs
dogs. My clients and other handlers and thier clients have seen it as I
have seen them. We kinda all meet back and X together; not only all day but
then again at night for last outs...call it an addiction, a sickness...who
knows...
ON the other hand...I have set up my grooming area, have had people with one
dog, maybe two, come and bring me a dog to groom...first off the stench that
comes from that dog alone makes me want to puke, then the dog is in terrible
condition, the nails are 3" long...they said they brushed/raked out the dog/
they tried cutting the nails but....Feefee didn't like it...so sorry...they
bathed the dog yesterdayyyyyyyy....yada yada yada... not realizing that one
bath don't do it when they never get bathed, it just releases the stink
along with all the hair; the dog isn't trained, has had no on the road
experience so it's so stressed never mind the anal glad scent that sprays
me, (I love that especially, so now I get to smell all day) when we lift it
on the grooming table...and then the client says....WOW, SHE HAS NEVER DONE
THAT BEFORE..............OH MY GOD, YOUR KIDDING ME, RIGHT...it hasn't done
it before cause the owner has their head up their ass and never did nothing
with the dog but cuddle it, keep it in the air conditioner, let it run out
in the backyard to potty, cause it was too hot outside, if it made it
outside...and then thinks they are great owners of show dogs... never mind
dogs alone. I have had a client that bought a dog from me, went out to eat
with everyone from the show, left the window cracked 2" and the dog died of
heat stroke...while they were eating...when it was 98" and the parking lot
was blacktop. I don't wish to bring that sore subject up again, it's just a
point I was trying to make...they did the best they thought they could...OH
well...what can you do.
Anyhow...doing what we do is exhausting, along with doing the actual
showing/doubling/grooming etc...then clients want to be entertained (which
is usually fun)...and stay...if judging is at 8am, they come at 7-7:30 to
get the dog groomed and then hang out...if we are camped there...sometimes
till midnight. The dogs end up happy to go back in the truck, chill out and
get some sleep, never mind us...
We have had clients say "Enough already, they have been out, let's get out
of here for awhile so you can recharge your battery and chill out"...those
are clients that have been around and know. They are the wonderful people
who show up with a bottle of wine, a bag of cheeseburgers/chicken
nuggets/ice cream...(you get my point) and say here this is for you...stop
working and sit and eat or drink for a minute...the people that don't call
MONDAY AM and say I know it's Monday but...<VGEG>they are the people we go
out of our way for, that throw a few bucks in my pocket and say...hey Thank
you, even when they don't win...
So you see...there are two sides to every story...never say never...and find
me and come say HI...at one of the shows...I would love to have you see and
check out what we do.
Donna Calabrese
PS, MY DISCLAIMER...I AM NOT CONDONING THE WOMAN OR THE STORY...JUST GIVING
YOU MY FEELINGS ON WHAT YOU SAID!
Donna M. Calabrese
Aramist German Shepherds aka The Girlz
From companion - working - champions - Grand Victrix's...we have it all
www.girlzofaramist.com and to now travel at 2 star prices at 4 star
accomodations, the best airfare guaranteed
www.aramistTravel.worldventures.biz
-----Original Message-----
From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Nancy Godwin
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 3:44 PM
To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Dog Show
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Tragedy
I cannot understand anyone letting their dog go anywhere
with a handler, especially if the handler is taking a number
of dogs. If I or my husband couldn't go with the dog, the
dog didn't go. My dogs meant more to me than any win. Also
I think the handlers should sleep in the vans with the dogs.
Also I don't believe this gals story, even the vet says
something does not sound right. Their was no excuse
for this. Nancy Godwin
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