The Big E – Echoes Of The Past

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298 – November/December, 2024

By Elaine Lessig

To see the future, it is a worthy task to reflect upon the past. Examining the past offers a road map of the present and a peek into the future. These markers braid themselves into a continuum of what has been, what is, and what could be. It is an assessment which offers a view into what works well, what does not, and what can be tweaked with a myriad of improvements. Time, contemplation, and momentum are the tools for making these adjustments. From there, the next path to follow becomes clearer.

Let me guide you, my loyal readers, into this realm of discovery. For this journey, let us use our own shared habitat, “Dogdom”, that unique place where only we reside. How we get there is often by some circuitous, unexpected route like this one. On a Tuesday night during the groups at Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden, a Labrador Retriever stands for examination on the green carpet. The lights make his coat gleam. What a handsome dog he is. His tail never stops moving. As he walks away from the judge and then back with his handler, an overwhelming feeling invades a young man’s very soul, “I want a black Lab.”

That undeniable desire leads to the purchase of a very well-bred puppy. The breeder suggests a training class sponsored by a local kennel club. After several months, the instructor tells the owner that he should consider showing his dog in conformation, explains what that means, and gives him the name of the closest breed club to contact. He checks with his breeder. “Yes,” he says. “I belong there, too. Let’s give it a try! I’ll meet up with you. We can go together.” Our new exhibitor comes home with a class win in the 6-9 month old puppy class and a taste of Dogdom he cannot resist.

Click here to read the complete article
298 – November/December, 2024

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