This will be my final post for a bit. I am setting no mail after this so I can get ready for next week. I may drop in on the list next week if I have some time. About the family aspect to this sport......As Dave noted, family is not what it used to be. For us to try to bring families together is fighting the wind. Instead we need to approach this sport as one that could be for the entire family, or as in my case, where it is all too clear, the family loves the dogs, but not the shows. They have no interest in going to shows, not one of them. My husband is a cyclist and will not take a break from his training regim to go to a show unless the break is scheduled by his trainer. I show alone! But that is how the future will be. We offer great family pets that can also be show dogs. Yes, sometimes Pooky has to go to a handler for conditioning or showing for a bit here and there, but if the kids will just play frisbee more the dog will be gone less. That is what is starting to work here. When my pool is warm again, I will make the boys drag the pups in for some swimming for the great conditioning it gives with no stress. My dogs will improve their drive front and rear and all will bond a little more as the dogs are forced to do something they are not found of. I will do my training thing on the grooming table after. And that is as close to family activity as it will be. I will be lucky to get the kids to help 6 times in 12 weeks. And no, the hubby does not help, he just says he loves the dogs. sheila __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================