Dumped – A Learning Experience

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152 – May, 2025

By Will Alexander

I remember this day like it was yesterday, but in reality, it was thirty-nine years ago. I was showing my parents Irish setter; I was twenty-one and having some success. Let’s just say, I felt unbeatable. But world-renowned judge Mr. Fred Fraser felt otherwise. That day, we were very beatable. Being the cocky upstart, I didn’t hide my disappointment very well. This is no excuse, but I had been audience to poor behavior and I think somewhere inside my adolescent head, I felt that was correct behavior for the injustice I had just endured.

After leaving the ring, I marched back to my set-up, the entire time spewing language I thought was appropriate–about the dog that beat me, about the judge, probably about anything that I felt was adding to my despair. Next to my set-up was Garrett Lambert’s spot. I always tried to be near Garrett when I could. He was such a talent, and such a great source of education. He always tried to use common sense when making decisions pertaining to showing dogs. Well, on this day, Garrett had a lesson in mind. Waiting out my tantrum, Garrett called me over. He was sitting at a grooming table blowing through his standard poodle’s topknot. “Okay, William,” he always called me William, “what happened?” I started my explanation with “Fred Fraser dumped me!!” He let me go on, about how bad the other dog was, how he, Mr. Fraser, was probably friends with the other handler, etc., etc. Garrett kept working on his dog, he didn’t even look up. “Horrible being dumped; maybe you should just take a break and go for a walk.” I took his advice, made sure the dogs were okay, and went for a walk. The groups were about to start, so I headed there to watch. Garrett was up there awaiting the Working group, and none other than Fred Fraser, sitting at ringside, was waiting his turn to judge.

I did my best to ignore him, but I could see Garrett heading for Mr. Fraser. In my head I was sure he was going to argue my case. I could see them calmly talking, and I just knew my friend was letting him have it. Garrett then waved me over. I wasn’t sure whether to go at first, but he was insistent.

When I arrived, Garrett turned to Mr. Fraser and said, “Young William says you dumped him today, is that true?”

Click here to read the complete article
152 – May, 2025

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