Table Talk August 21, 2019
August 21, 2019
Many of you have heard me talk about my effort to focus on the positive things in life and spend my energy helping to find the positive in things that may happen where it is not necessarily obvious. The fact is, my friends, in order to “stay the course” on this journey, there are times where finding something good may take more effort than expected. Another modification that I have made in my behavior is to try to think of how my actions may negatively impact someone else. In the “heat of the moment” we may not think about how our comments appear to or actually affect someone else, but if we take a pause before acting, it may help. Again, those that know me well know that taking a pause is a challenge for me. It is worth taking the opportunity to get the facts, understand the facts, be certain that you have heard both sides, and contemplate how your actions could potentially affect others before acting.
In the sport of purebred dogs, I have found my journey for positivity to be challenging but productive. I have had to self-correct and learn from some mistakes. I will continue to try to lead as many as I can down the path of positivity, and hope that together we can continue to make the sport a better place for all.
Like exhibitors, judges are human. They have passion and opinions. Like exhibitors, judges need to remember that their actions and comments can either negatively or positively affect an individual’s opinion of them, and the sport of purebred dogs in general. I have often reminded people that if things do not go the way one would have otherwise liked them to, to try to deal with that disappointment either positively, or to save the negativity for the privacy of your own rig or set-up. Likewise, judges should also operate with caution when making comments ringside.
There is a way to communicate one’s opinion of an exhibit without being hurtful. Case in point, an exhibitor was very excited about their first show dog and showing it at their first national specialty. This exhibitor showed her dog, did not place but was very happy to be in the ring with her dog, and pleased with both her handling and her dog’s performance. She went the next day to watch and learn. As she was sitting ringside, she heard the judge from the day prior saying hurtful things about her dog. This judge was not just pointing out positive and negative traits about the dog, but using hurtful adjectives. The new exhibitor is contemplating not returning to the ring.
There are two sides to this scenario: In order to be happy and successful in the sport of purebred dogs, one needs to have a thick skin and not take things personally or be over-sensitive. That can be difficult if you are new to the sport and still learning all of the “ins and outs”. If you can interpret the negative comments as constructive, and as a learning experience, and not a personal attack, that is a win! On the other side, when evaluating and making comments about a dog in public, try to think about how those comments would be received by a new participant in our sport. One can evaluate a dog’s traits by discussing how the dog fits the standard, or does not meet the standard without making more negative comments.
We can all do better at maintaining a more positive environment in our sport at events, on social media, etc.
The Greeley, Colorado circuit was cut a bit short on Monday. The committee cancelled the show on Monday when a power pole was hit which took out all of the power in the Greeley area. Due to the record-breaking 100-degree heat, the Greeley Kennel Club decided to call the show for the safety of all the judges, exhibitors and their dogs. Great job, my friends! The safety of our dogs and participants should always come first!
If you are planning on attending the Somerset Hills Kennel Club shows September 7th, please plan on attending the Take The Lead Gala Saturday night after Best in Show. It is being held at the Ryland Inn. Tickets are $100 per person and are tax deductible! For tickets, please go to www.takethelead.org. There is also more information on our website at www.caninechronicle.com.
Rick and Stacie Shriver and Dana Olivio and Chris Bucci are making their way north of the border to attend the Canadian Bloodhound National. Have fun my friends, and good luck to you!
Anita and Eric O’Berg celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at the beautiful Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Happy Anniversary, my friends, and enjoy your special celebration. Going to the Grand Hotel is still on my bucket list!
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Antonio Vidmar, Janice Hayes, Sam Mammano, Dana Cline, Mai Hirai, David Johnson and Bobby Fisher.
Remember my friends: Only people who are not happy with themselves are mean to others. Be kind, volunteer for a local club, and thank those volunteers that work so hard to put on the shows you attend week after week.
Be safe in your travels, and if I don’t see you at Santa Barbara, I hope to see you down the road soon! Until next time…
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