Reflections on the Weekend

I had a GREAT WEEKEND!!

Much more than the ribbons and awards; more important than the Grand Championship points (although those were great, too) was the time spent with friends. We talked, laughed, planned and learned together.

Time like this is important, and I think that all too often those of us that show dogs get too caught up in the Wins and the Rankings and forget about the Dogs and the People that we have met along the way!

Don't get me wrong-- the wins are nice! Winning is much more fun than losing, after all! But, winning is also addictive, and that addiction can be so destructive!

People get into dogs for many reasons, and dogs are a great source of comfort for most of us! Psychologists have stated that many women become involved in dogs because dogs offer the unconditional love they were never able to find in a relationship. Its true that our dogs love us, and accept us without question- but as much as I love my dogs they don't take the place of my family. Or my true friends!

We joke about Dog Show Addiction; the movie Best In Show portrays a couple that max's out their Credit Cards and spends the weekend in a cleaning closet-- just to attend the dog show. It was funny in the movie- but is it funny in real life? I'm sure there are plenty who are paying entry fees and letting bills slide!

What happens when the great show dog's career is over? All good things come to an end! When you have built your entire life around a dogs show career~ what do you do when that show career ends? If your life lacks natural balance, what do you have left?

As great as the Dog Show World is, it can be quite fickle; the top winners are popular today, and a forgotten figure tomorrow. The need to constantly have a dog on top of the pile can become quite an obsession if your "real life" isn't in harmony!

I love Dog Shows! I love dog show people! I enjoy almost every aspect of our sport, and some of my happiest hours are spent at shows. I look forward to the times that I can spend at shows, with my dog show friends-

But- as Roger Caras says-- Dogs are not our whole lives; they make our lives whole!

My involvement with dogs has rounded out my life- not become my entire life! Through dog showing I have met some absolutely wonderful people who I care for very deeply. Win or lose- dog show or not; my family and friends have made my life what it is today, and I am grateful for that. It is precious to me.

Thank you, Beth and Terri & Lisa, for a great weekend!

Its a Priority Thing

This should be called a Public-Self-Flogging Blog- or something of that sort.

I BLEW IT-- I mean- I REALLY Blew it this weekend, and I owe Bugsy a HUGE apology. But, being a dog- and a wonderful Cardigan, at that, he forgives me. Because he is just like that! He is perfect- he doesn't care that I pushed him and his needs to the side... wait... let me start at the beginning...

Bugsy is, first and foremost, a most AWESOME dog! He is a totally cool DUDE of a dog! He isn't always the easiest dog- because he has this wonderful BRAIN~ he actually thinks~ which has been known to get him in trouble! He hasn't always had the best life- but since he has been back home where he belongs, he has been my "Best Buddy". We have had an ongoing Training Date Night, where just the Bug Man and I went to training class, and he learned about Obedience and Rally- or Agility- but it was a PRIORITY in my life- and that special me and mom time was important to Bugsy.

This summer has been a bit rough. First of all- emotionally, I haven't been there. I lost two dogs, I lost a good friend, I can't find a job... its all been playing on my mind alot. And... Money has been really tight... And... School has been tough...And... its been so hot...And... And...

I made the decision to change Obedience Instructors, but hadn't committed to a new Instructor yet- so was sort of sitting in Limbo (which became really comfortable) No training fees to pay- one less worry- Blah Blah Blah

So along comes a three day trial, indoors and air conditioned, in which Bugsy is entered. I have no idea WHAT I thought. I haven't really worked with the poor dog in weeks! I mean- occasionally I would toss a collar on him and take him out in the yard and do some heeling- or I would toss him over some jumps or through a tunnel. But I ignored his longing gaze from the yard every evening... I ignored my training bag gathering dust on the shelf... and I ignored the fact that my performance dog was not getting any attention!

I deserved EVERYTHING I got, didn't I?? I didn't make Training A Priority!!! 1,000 lashes with a wet Noodle!!!

I KNOW better!! I know that Cardigans are too smart for this-- I know that, given the opportunity, they will devise their own way to occupy their brains, and their time! I also knew that I was in trouble the second that I attempted to step into the Rally ring on Friday!

Note: I said attempted!

Because, after over a month of leisure, Mr. Bugsy planted his feet and said "I don't have to do this- and you can't make me..." I did finally get him in the ring... only to have him bolt as soon as I told him to drop the toy on the Figure 8!

The total of the weekend??? Entered 6 classes; only 2 Q's-- Luckily, (I guess) he Q'd in both Rally Exc. B and Rally Adv B on the same day- so he did get 1 leg toward his RAE-- but he very badly NQ'd in both classes on Friday, and in Advanced on Sunday---

Oh- and Exc on Sunday-- I blew past a sign and NQ'd for him.---

So- on to the Public Self-Flogging! One Thousand Lashes- Let the punishment begin!

Its time to make training a priority- and to quit making excuses. My dog deserves a much more dedicated trainer because he is one heck of a great dog!

I'm sorry, Bugsy- I'll try to be better next time!