So Many Ideas –
So Little Time
As we grow older some of us get concerned about having the
time to accomplish all our goals.
Some, of course, just look for a rocking chair and let the world go by,
but not this dinosaur. Setting
goals has always been part of my make up whether at work, breeding and showing
dogs, or way back to school days.
I won’t lie and say all my goals were attained, but having them shaped
my life. Many of my goals have
been things that involved sharing with others, hence the blogs. Since I’m not the only one with good
ideas, I enjoy giving credit where credit is due.
The current issue of Dogs In Review has an article on page
forty two entitled “Camelot is Crumbling.” It deals with the current status of dog shows with declining
entries and the desperate attempt to entice people to show by having something
for everyone. It makes one think
of sports like children’s T-Ball where you supposedly don’t keep score so
everyone wins. What incentive that
gives you to improve is beyond me.
It was competing with people like Trudy Mangels, Pat Starkweather, and
Bobbee Roos that drove me to breed better dogs and show, groom, and be a
realistic judge of quality without kennel blindness.
You must start off the learning experience at a reasonable
level which used to be match shows.
The same is true of developing as a judge, but match shows seem to be
going the way of the Dodo Bird. As
you hone your skills whether as a breeder or judge you can move up the food
chain, but if we reward even insignificant efforts what’s the point? Van Dyck used to say Reserve was the
best of the losers. Perhaps
reserve Best in Show, Award of Merit, and Selects are too.
In the Oct. 25, 2014 issue of blood horse on page nine is an
article called “What’s Going on Here?”
It’s a weekly article which in this issue discussed rules of life as
outlined by champion golfer and horse breeder, Gary Player, of South
Africa. He gave his ten rules and
while all are relevant, a couple really speak to me loudly. Number six is “work.” Explanation is “the fox fears not the
man who boasts at night in the bar, but the man who rises early in the
morning.” Number nine is similar
and quotes Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden
flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the
night.”
I got good grades at school, but probably didn’t work as
hard as I should have. Junior and
Senior Class President were honors probably due to personality more than hard
work. When I started into the
world of dog breeding and exhibiting and later in my career with
Owens-Illinois, Inc. a light bulb went off. I wanted badly to succeed in both areas and drove myself
relentlessly to be the best I could be.
As goals were attained the bar was constantly raised and it worked. I’ve always felt that we all have
different talents that are born in us.
Just having the talents, however, is not enough. If you really wish to excel at something,
you must work hard to polish and refine that God given talent. Some have an eye for a dog and can
visualize what the Standard means quite clearly. Others can be involved in dogs for twenty five years and not
have a clue. We must be honest in
evaluating our talents and use what we’ve been given wisely. I always wanted to play the piano, but
can’t play a note. Perhaps a knack
with animals (not just dogs) was my special talent and the world had enough
piano players.
Finally my thanks to Larry Willeford for his kind words and
giving me credit as a mentor. He
continues to breed good dogs, but more important has been a friend for years
and is a great ring steward. The
picture he used on line of me and Ch. Jadene’s Breezalong has fooled some
people into thinking I’m still a slender, dark haired heartthrob. Boy are they in for a shock!
Finally, just a word of praise for the folks at Houston
Collie Rescue. The job they did
with over one hundred rescued Collies many of whom had terrible skin issues was
outstanding. The before and after
pictures bring tears of happiness to the eyes. Please don’t think they don’t need any more financial
help. The work they did and
continue to do, costs lots of money and is helping the breed we love. Keep up the support so they can
continue their good work.
Think about it!
