I have judged 4 National Specialties and been elected to judge an additional two. I am a founder of the AOE program and have worked 3 years on the AOA program that is just waiting for another name. AOA would be a huge amount of work, about 4 or 5 times that of AOE since the requirements include everything AOE is except the Select. It's an award to honor the "total dog," one with a Championship, OFA, Training Degree and Temperament Certificate. A high honor, yes indeed. After all, "Select is only one persons opinion on one day." Today I informed the club president that I no longer wish to be a part of this program or any other for that matter. Perhaps those that complain can now take it over and do all the work. I also cancelled two judging assignments. I have decided that spending my valuable "left over from work time" with those that love me and those I enjoy is much more appealing. Believe it or not, there are a "few" judges that can make decisions in a timely manor, and I am one of them. I judge each dog according to the standard, not according to their stamina. This may be good, this may be bad, but what you saw was honest judging with great results. Each handler was given instructions to show the dog on a loose lead on the long white wall. Some popular dogs have never been seen on a loose lead and fell apart. I do wish that I had not made my decisions so early in bitches and had worked the handlers and bitches more....for you! But, we have had judges that gave a top title to dogs with serious problems of motion (going away), not take the dogs out of catalog order, lose whole groups, put groups together and forget who was the first dog and who was the last....etc. My ring steward made a mistake and sent out a group of dogs already judged, she's human. All the stewards did the worlds best job. I thank them deeply. I also thank you for this wo nderful opportunity and hope you enjoy your new GV and GVX. I am so proud to be a part of their careers. Best wishes, Helen ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================