Hi Kathy, good to hear from you. Perhaps you have missed all the help and suggestions offered by the list. Perhaps you have missed the heartfelt condolences given upon the loss of a beloved pet or friend. Perhaps you have missed the endless information about new veterinary advances, notices of help needed, tears shed for each other. Perhaps you didn't realize that much help and advice is given freely through private posts. German shepherd people are sort of like non shepherd people, and the enjoyment of showing dogs depends a great deal on the people you choose (or choose you) to align with. As far as negative posts, this is the way it works in real life. There is always someone to disagree with you (and me). We are a passionate and dedicated (for the most part) group, and part of that dedication is manifested by sticking it out, being positive when possible, doing one's best to be a good representative of "dog people", and looking for the good and the positive. I am positive you are a good person, and we need people like you. Shalom, Syd In a message dated 9/6/2006 11:51:36 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, KHeckman@xxxxxxxxx writes: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ok list folks, I realize most of you do not know me, and probably never will. I am very new to this and will probably never make a significant impact on the breed as others have. However, I am starting to second guess my decision to want to show my dog. Not because it is a lot of work, or cost more money than I seem to spend on my children lately, but because no one seems happy doing so. Everyone seems to be against the other and the few that are friendly seem to keep to themselves. I have gotten endless criticism on my opinions or questions, with very little help or consideration. Is that the way it should be? NO! Should everyone post something negative just because they don't agree with another's opinion? NO. Now, you should post if you have a valid argument, but berating another is completely uncalled for. We all can't agree on everything, but we can agree to disagree about most things. It wasn't until recently that I decided to join the GSGCA, and I probably won't do much other than that. I will support rescue (another sore spot for me) and I won't irresponsibly breed my dogs. For me, that is a good start. Maybe others should look at what they are doing instead of what others are or are not doing for the breed. Kathy <http://www.mymailsignature.com> _____ Get your FREE personalized email signature at My Mail Signature! <http://www.mymailsignature.com/> ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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 - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================ SYD MAILBERG _WWW.KINGSWOODGERMANSHEPHERDS.HOMESTEAD.COM_ (http://www.kingswoodgermanshepherds.homestead.com/) COMMISSION PORTRAITURE ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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 - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================