good for you Paul. When Sam'shealth wasgood we never missed. We were there i good weather and bad weather.We were there with dogs who won (one GV) and some who came second select and some who never even got looked at. But every year we waited all year for the National. When we walked into whatever building it was like walking into a shrine. these were not perfect places-far fromit- BUT we were at THE NATIONAL.. I just dont understand all this b---thing. No National has ever been perfect and no one will ever be.I understand about flying dogs- but of course i our day that didnt happen.You drove. Also,in yor favor, I remember that I would get so fired up about an issue that I could not wait until I got to the annual meeting to speak out. I also remember one year I was so into it that when I was called to speak I stood up and forgot my issue. This list ,as I understand it, is for the good of the breed and not the downing of the administration or the club in general. Try going to the National this year without an agenda. Enjoy your dogs, old friends and Im sure new friends. Positive attitude makes for fun. Marion Lawrence ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. 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://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================