Do you have friendly neighbors or do you have neighbors that are giving you a glimpse of what hell looks like? When you own dogs, and especially if you own more than a few, you better pray that you live next to great neighbors that tolerate your dogs and their barking. If you don�t, all hell can break out.
I guess it really depends upon where you live. If you live in the country and you have several acres of land, most of the time you never even know who your neighbor is. Most of the time if you�re lucky, you won�t have any problems with neighbors at all. But if you live in a residential neighborhood this is when your neighbors from hell can show their ugly faces.
I�ve lived in both the country and residential neighborhoods while owing my German Shepherds. Living in the country was by far the better place to raise my dogs. Although I did have a neighbor call me one time that my dogs were barking too much when I was gone for several hours. That�s when I decided when I was going to be away for any length of time, the dogs got put away until I returned. This is the policy that I still chose to use when I�m not going to be home. None of my dogs are left outside when I�m away from home.
When we got my very first German Shepherd, we lived in an apartment for a year. She was a happy go lucky kind of dog that loved going everywhere with us. She had a marvelous disposition and loved everyone that she met. We had a neighbor that lived in the apartment above us. She�d pat our dog on the head when she would see her but made the comment, �Oh that�s one of those police dogs. I would never trust her.� No matter how friendly my dog was, this woman would always have something bad to say about �those police dogs!� She was the most annoying and obnoxious person you could have the misfortune to run into. How annoying was she? Well she would do her vacuum cleaning every night after 10 o�clock��..back and forth it would go across the floor for what seemed like hours. Then her teenage son would add to the �musical serenade� by sharing with us his latest hard rock selection of the week. If we complained to her, she�d sarcastically say, �Oh what�s the matter your dog don�t like rock and roll music?� We only lived there for a year.
We moved to a residential area and bought our first show dog. So now we had the two dogs. We had a garage that we built indoor/outdoor runs from. They had a doggie door to go in and out of the garage as they pleased. However at night, I�d lock the doggie door so they wouldn�t be barking into the wee hours of the morning. Well I had this neighbor that had two small flat coated wire haired terriers. Can I tell you that they had the yappiest of mouths on them that you ever did hear? The husband was a nice sort of a guy. He�d exchange a few pleasantries with us across the fence. We had chain link fence enclosing our whole back yard as well as the two dog runs. The wife on the other hand, was Mrs. Nosy. She asked us �Why are you doing this and why are you doing that?� We put up privacy shields in the fence to try to block her spying eyes. I remember one morning my telephone rang. I picked it up and it was my neighbor cooing in to the phone, �Barbara dear, I noticed that your bedroom shades were down and I was just checking in on you.� Wasn�t she sweet and considerate? NOT!
When we moved to Georgia, we again lived in a residential area. The two dogs that I owned then are the ones that you see pictured at the top of the blog. They both had magnificent temperaments and many times they�d be with us on the front lawn loose. The children from the neighborhood would come over and say hello to them, so people didn�t have a problem with our dogs here. HOWEVER, my neighbor on the one side of my yard had a Bassett Hound. He was a sweet natured dog, but did you ever hear them bark and howl? Oh my God, they sound awful.
Well quite frankly I used to feel very sorry for this Basset Hound. This poor dog would be left outside (not tied up though) in all kinds of weather. He�d sit on the back deck howling and begging them to let him in, but most of the time it fell on deaf ears. I wouldn�t have minded being deaf myself at those times. Once in awhile they would open the door and let him in. The worse of times was when they left the dog out past 10�oclock at night. They were abusive to this dog for letting him sit outside all day and night howling and abusive to their neighbors that had to listen to his awful annoying howling and barking.
Or how about the time that I complained to my neighbor that used to let her dog run loose all over the neighborhood and �deposit� his �stuff� on my nice freshly mowed lawn? You know what her answer to me was? �You�re an animal lover, deal with it!� We only lived there a year also before we moved to the country.
Those few instances that I shared with you about some of my neighbors are mild compared to other people�s stories about the �Neighbors from Hell.� I�ve been told or read about stories where neighbors have poisoned other people�s dogs. Most of the time by the time the owner of the dog got to him, he was already dead. I�ve heard of dogs being killed in their own kennel runs. Sometimes people will throw something over the fence to the dog so he�ll eat it. It always amazes me about some people�s degrees of nastiness.
Here are a few that I found on the internet about �Neighbors from Hell.� I tell you some had me laughing out loud although I wouldn�t be laughing if I lived by them!
It seems that one neighbor had no respect for his neighbors when they were asked to please keep their barking dogs in late at night. But nope they let their dogs bark 24 hours a day. Well these were smaller dogs and if you ever heard them, you know how very annoying their barks can be. So it seems the children of the family took matter into their own hands. They wrapped sleeping pills in a treat and threw it over the fence to the dogs. The dogs became very drowsy and were stumbling when they tried to walk. I guess their owners took notice and the yapping dogs were in bed at a reasonable time from then on in.
Another neighbor did the same thing. It seems he feels that he had good reasons for doing so. From what he says, his neighbor is certifiable! He says that she cleans the snow and ice off of her car with a hula hoe. (I never heard of that before). He says it�s one of those garden tools that are on a long wooden handle with the metal blade that goes back and forth. Apparently it�s used to dig up weeds. Well when this huge dog at another neighbor�s house hears it, all he did was bark, howl and woof incessantly. After this went on for three days, it seems this neighbor lost all control. He says in his own words that ��Over the counter sleep aids are of a great value in this type of case. After 45 minutes the dog started making sounds like some drunken cow.� He says he hasn�t heard from the dog in a year and that he found out that the dog now lives elsewhere!
Another �friendly� neighbor didn�t like people�s dogs period. It didn�t matter if they were well behaved and didn�t bark or make a lot of noise. They were just an animal hater. Well the owners made sure that the dogs were never outside alone and that they were in the house at night. Well it seems these neighbors didn�t have the same degree of good manners as their neighbor�s dogs. The husband and wife would sit on the back porch all night into the wee hours of the morning, laughing, smoking and drinking. It just so happened to be on the side of the house where their neighbor�s bedroom was. So besides listening to them carry on all night, they had to breathe in the smoke of their cigarettes as well. Talk about getting second hand smoke. Oh yeah, and to add insult to insult, they even did the �wild thing� on the picnic table for their neighbors viewing pleasure! Is this what they mean by "Love thy neighbor?"
I know someone in the breed (no don�t write me and ask me who it is) that lived on several acres of land. She told me one time that a neighbor called her complaining about her dogs barking too much. Well she and her husband worked full time out of the home. She didn�t know what to do about this because the neighbor was becoming more and more threatening on the phone with her. Well her husband made �THE CALL� to �SOMEONE who had connections.� This �SOMEONE� called the annoying neighbor and told them �You will not bother these people anymore.� My friend never heard from them again! See it pays to have someone that has �CONNECTIONS.�
So there you have it. Some neighbors are great and many become friends. They share barbecues with one another, kids birthdays and heck some even go on vacation with one another. But for every neighbor that is like this, there are those few that came up from the bowels of hell! I can�t wait to hear some of your stories about your �Neighbors from Hell!�
From the book: "COPING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE"..... Based on many years of research and observation, Dr. Robert Bramson identifies the seven personality types that victimize the people around them and offers six basic steps to coping with each one. Proves that difficult people may be unavoidable but not unmanageable. Bosses, friends, family members, they've made your life hell -- until now! Based on fourteen years of research and observation, Dr. Robert Bramson's proven-effective techniques are guaranteed to help you right the balance and take charge of your life. Learn how to: Stand up to anyone -- without fighting.
Blunt a sniper's attack. Get a clam to talk. Cut off a Sherman tank at the pass.
Manage bulldozers. Get stallers off the dime. Move a complainer into a problem-solving mode. Learn the six basic steps that allow you to cope with just about anyone. Reclaim the power the rightfully belongs to you in any relationship!
My rating: Living in the country with dogs: (4), living in residential areas with dogs: (1 - 4)
Friday, 18 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
THE MATCHMAKER
For all you single people in the breed...........
THE MATCHMAKER
By
Barbara J. Galasso
The young beautiful woman walks into the office of the famous matchmaker hoping that she will be able to help her find the man of her dreams. She�s a little nervous and embarrassed at first wondering if she is appearing desperate having to come to a matchmaker. She almost turns around to walk back out, but changes her mind knowing she�s been unsuccessful in finding the type of guy that she wants on her own.
The matchmaker beckons her to come in and take a seat so they can have a talk. She asks the young woman just what type of guy is she looking for. She reassures her that she will do her best to help her find him.
The young woman opens her pocketbook and pulls out a list that she has made of all the qualities that she is looking for. She tells the matchmaker that she is adamant about what she expects. She�s not willing to compromise in her requirements. These things she considers �must haves� in the guy of her dreams.
�Okay then�, the matchmaker says to her, �Tell me what it is that you are looking for.�
The young woman proceeds to read her the list of her requirements. �He must be tall, dark and handsome, race and religion aren�t important. He must be very rich and it would be nice if he had some kind of aristocratic background. Loyalty is high on my list of requirements, a one woman kind of guy, someone who is brave and willing to defend me, a good listener, and someone who is non-judgmental. He must be smart, and love me unconditionally. He must be someone who can put up with my mood swings, letting me come and go as I please. He should love to cuddle, and he must accept my two young children and not want anymore. He must be noble, someone I can be proud to be seen with and oh yes, he must have a good personality and make me laugh, and most importantly, he must worship me and put me before anyone else in his life.� she adds.
�Wow, �the matchmaker says. That�s some long list of expectations you have there. That�s a tall order to fill to find all those qualities in one guy. Are you sure that you�re not willing to be a little more flexible? This would give you a better chance of meeting that special someone,� she tries to explain to her. The young woman remains firm in her requirements and tells her there is no room for compromise. The matchmaker tells her she will see what she can do and she�ll be in touch but not to expect many matches that can meet all of her extraordinary requirements.
A week goes by and the young woman doesn�t hear anything from the matchmaker. So she calls the office to inquire about this. The matchmaker tells her she�s still working on it. This goes on for weeks and the young woman grows more and more frustrated and inpatient. The matchmaker asks her again, �Are you sure that you�re not willing to compromise on a few of your requirements? I have a few matches that have many of the requirements that you are looking for, but not all of them.� Once again, the young woman remains strong in her convictions. This is what she wants, and she�s not willing to change a thing.
Weeks go by. The matchmaker is becoming agitated with her client because no matter who she tries to match her with, they are never good enough for her. Again she suggests for her to be a little more flexible in her requirements because she�s never going to get everything in one guy. But no, the client remains strong in her requirements and is not willing to budge.
Three months go by and the telephone rings at the young client�s home. It�s the matchmaker. She tells the excited young woman to come to her office. She thinks she�s found her the perfect match. When she comes into the office, she sits in the chair in front of the matchmaker. She tells the young woman, �It took me some time to find you this special guy, but I�ve finally narrowed it down to one very special guy that meets all of your requirements. �That�s great, that�s great, the young woman says. Do tell me all about him,� she eagerly pleads.
�Well the matchmaker says, you said you wanted tall, dark and handsome. He is considered very handsome. You said race didn�t matter. He�s black. You said he must be very rich coming from an aristocratic background. I can tell you that he comes from Europe and has generations of his family still living there. He and his family are worth a lot of money. �Oh, what do they do?� asks the excited client. The matchmaker tells her they�re in the import business and have been for generations. You wanted someone who is loyal. This fellow is a one-woman type of guy. He�s fiercely loyal! You wanted someone who was brave and willing to defend you. This guy will defend you with his life. A good listener is another one of your requirements and someone who is non-judgmental. Well this guy will never judge you and will always think you�re right even when you may be wrong and he�ll always listen without judging you. He is very smart. In fact, in his social circle many believe him to come from the most intelligent of families. Unconditional love is what you want? Well you got it with this guy. He�ll be only yours for as long as you want him. If you�re moody, grumpy, and acting like a �princess,� he won�t mind. He�ll accept you for who you are. You want someone to cuddle with? Then you�ve come to the right place. This guy will give you all the love and affection your heart craves. He�ll love your children and play with them like they belong to him and not expect to have anymore kids than what you already have. You wanted someone who was noble and someone you could be proud to be seen with. Well when people see the two of you walking down the street, people will step aside and let the two of you pass out of respect for the reputation this guy commands. Doors will open for you when you�re seen with this guy! You wanted a good personality and someone you can laugh with. This guy can be so funny and from what I�m told, some of his antics will make you have tears running down your face. You want someone to worship and adore you and put you first in his life? Well, young woman that is what he lives for!�
The woman says this all sounds too good to be true. She says to her, �There must be some negatives about this guy. Do you know about any of his personality faults?� �Well, the matchmaker says, from what I�m told about him, he can be jealous and temperamental if he feels your affections for someone other than him is being shared. But other than that, I think you�ve got yourself an all-around good kind of a guy. Pretty near perfect if you ask me. After having met this guy, I know now why he is so popular. Everyone who meets him, likes him."
�Oh my God,� the young woman almost shouts out in her excitement. I can�t believe you found this guy for me, the one of my dreams!� �Yes I can�t believe it either," the matchmaker echoes what she says. It took me many long hours and weeks to try to figure out who would be just right for you. I�m good at my matchmaking skills and I have to be honest with you, I just didn�t know if I would be able to come up with all the qualities you were looking for in one guy. I didn�t know that he even existed. Anyway, enough of this small talk, she says. Are you ready to meet your perfect match?� �He�s here? the young woman asks in disbelief. Oh my goodness, how do I look? I didn�t know I�d meet him today.� �You look fine,� she tells the young woman. Remember you wanted someone non-judgmental, so I know he�s going to like you just the way you are.� �Okay then, the young woman says. Bring him in. I guess I�m as ready as I�m ever going to be."
The matchmaker opens the door and says to her assistant, �You can bring Mike in now." The young woman rearranges her dress, checks her lipstick, and shifts position in her chair nervously waiting for Mike to come through the door. The matchmaker turns to the young woman and says, �Let me introduce you to your perfect match according to your requirements. Say hello to Mike.� She opens the door a little wider and in walks a large, handsome black German Shepherd Dog who rushes over to the young woman and plants a wet, sloppy kiss on her cheek. The young woman faints.
Moral of the story: Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it. Don�t you just love a happy ending?
THE MATCHMAKER
By
Barbara J. Galasso
The young beautiful woman walks into the office of the famous matchmaker hoping that she will be able to help her find the man of her dreams. She�s a little nervous and embarrassed at first wondering if she is appearing desperate having to come to a matchmaker. She almost turns around to walk back out, but changes her mind knowing she�s been unsuccessful in finding the type of guy that she wants on her own.
The matchmaker beckons her to come in and take a seat so they can have a talk. She asks the young woman just what type of guy is she looking for. She reassures her that she will do her best to help her find him.
The young woman opens her pocketbook and pulls out a list that she has made of all the qualities that she is looking for. She tells the matchmaker that she is adamant about what she expects. She�s not willing to compromise in her requirements. These things she considers �must haves� in the guy of her dreams.
�Okay then�, the matchmaker says to her, �Tell me what it is that you are looking for.�
The young woman proceeds to read her the list of her requirements. �He must be tall, dark and handsome, race and religion aren�t important. He must be very rich and it would be nice if he had some kind of aristocratic background. Loyalty is high on my list of requirements, a one woman kind of guy, someone who is brave and willing to defend me, a good listener, and someone who is non-judgmental. He must be smart, and love me unconditionally. He must be someone who can put up with my mood swings, letting me come and go as I please. He should love to cuddle, and he must accept my two young children and not want anymore. He must be noble, someone I can be proud to be seen with and oh yes, he must have a good personality and make me laugh, and most importantly, he must worship me and put me before anyone else in his life.� she adds.
�Wow, �the matchmaker says. That�s some long list of expectations you have there. That�s a tall order to fill to find all those qualities in one guy. Are you sure that you�re not willing to be a little more flexible? This would give you a better chance of meeting that special someone,� she tries to explain to her. The young woman remains firm in her requirements and tells her there is no room for compromise. The matchmaker tells her she will see what she can do and she�ll be in touch but not to expect many matches that can meet all of her extraordinary requirements.
A week goes by and the young woman doesn�t hear anything from the matchmaker. So she calls the office to inquire about this. The matchmaker tells her she�s still working on it. This goes on for weeks and the young woman grows more and more frustrated and inpatient. The matchmaker asks her again, �Are you sure that you�re not willing to compromise on a few of your requirements? I have a few matches that have many of the requirements that you are looking for, but not all of them.� Once again, the young woman remains strong in her convictions. This is what she wants, and she�s not willing to change a thing.
Weeks go by. The matchmaker is becoming agitated with her client because no matter who she tries to match her with, they are never good enough for her. Again she suggests for her to be a little more flexible in her requirements because she�s never going to get everything in one guy. But no, the client remains strong in her requirements and is not willing to budge.
Three months go by and the telephone rings at the young client�s home. It�s the matchmaker. She tells the excited young woman to come to her office. She thinks she�s found her the perfect match. When she comes into the office, she sits in the chair in front of the matchmaker. She tells the young woman, �It took me some time to find you this special guy, but I�ve finally narrowed it down to one very special guy that meets all of your requirements. �That�s great, that�s great, the young woman says. Do tell me all about him,� she eagerly pleads.
�Well the matchmaker says, you said you wanted tall, dark and handsome. He is considered very handsome. You said race didn�t matter. He�s black. You said he must be very rich coming from an aristocratic background. I can tell you that he comes from Europe and has generations of his family still living there. He and his family are worth a lot of money. �Oh, what do they do?� asks the excited client. The matchmaker tells her they�re in the import business and have been for generations. You wanted someone who is loyal. This fellow is a one-woman type of guy. He�s fiercely loyal! You wanted someone who was brave and willing to defend you. This guy will defend you with his life. A good listener is another one of your requirements and someone who is non-judgmental. Well this guy will never judge you and will always think you�re right even when you may be wrong and he�ll always listen without judging you. He is very smart. In fact, in his social circle many believe him to come from the most intelligent of families. Unconditional love is what you want? Well you got it with this guy. He�ll be only yours for as long as you want him. If you�re moody, grumpy, and acting like a �princess,� he won�t mind. He�ll accept you for who you are. You want someone to cuddle with? Then you�ve come to the right place. This guy will give you all the love and affection your heart craves. He�ll love your children and play with them like they belong to him and not expect to have anymore kids than what you already have. You wanted someone who was noble and someone you could be proud to be seen with. Well when people see the two of you walking down the street, people will step aside and let the two of you pass out of respect for the reputation this guy commands. Doors will open for you when you�re seen with this guy! You wanted a good personality and someone you can laugh with. This guy can be so funny and from what I�m told, some of his antics will make you have tears running down your face. You want someone to worship and adore you and put you first in his life? Well, young woman that is what he lives for!�
The woman says this all sounds too good to be true. She says to her, �There must be some negatives about this guy. Do you know about any of his personality faults?� �Well, the matchmaker says, from what I�m told about him, he can be jealous and temperamental if he feels your affections for someone other than him is being shared. But other than that, I think you�ve got yourself an all-around good kind of a guy. Pretty near perfect if you ask me. After having met this guy, I know now why he is so popular. Everyone who meets him, likes him."
�Oh my God,� the young woman almost shouts out in her excitement. I can�t believe you found this guy for me, the one of my dreams!� �Yes I can�t believe it either," the matchmaker echoes what she says. It took me many long hours and weeks to try to figure out who would be just right for you. I�m good at my matchmaking skills and I have to be honest with you, I just didn�t know if I would be able to come up with all the qualities you were looking for in one guy. I didn�t know that he even existed. Anyway, enough of this small talk, she says. Are you ready to meet your perfect match?� �He�s here? the young woman asks in disbelief. Oh my goodness, how do I look? I didn�t know I�d meet him today.� �You look fine,� she tells the young woman. Remember you wanted someone non-judgmental, so I know he�s going to like you just the way you are.� �Okay then, the young woman says. Bring him in. I guess I�m as ready as I�m ever going to be."
The matchmaker opens the door and says to her assistant, �You can bring Mike in now." The young woman rearranges her dress, checks her lipstick, and shifts position in her chair nervously waiting for Mike to come through the door. The matchmaker turns to the young woman and says, �Let me introduce you to your perfect match according to your requirements. Say hello to Mike.� She opens the door a little wider and in walks a large, handsome black German Shepherd Dog who rushes over to the young woman and plants a wet, sloppy kiss on her cheek. The young woman faints.
Moral of the story: Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it. Don�t you just love a happy ending?
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
I'M IN WITH THE "IN - CROWD"
Only �Baby Boomers� or children of �Baby Boomers� will remember that song (the title of this article). It was a fun, up beat type of song. You know the kind that makes you want to tap your feet to the rhythm of the music. Here are a couple of lyrics from that song.
�I'm in with the in crowd, I go where the in crowd goes
I'm in with the in crowd and I know what the in crowd knows�
So I remembered that song because of the subject that I chose to write about today. How important is it to you that you are in with the �In Crowd� when it comes to the dog show world? Do you rub elbows with the �Big Shots� of the breed or do you travel on your own path being remembered for your own contributions to the breed? Or are you one of those �name droppers� because you have nothing important to say yourself so you have to quote other people. You know the type that I�m talking about��.�Well Ellen said this and Ellen said that��.�Everything in my kennel is from Ellen�s dogs����..�Ellen wouldn�t be seen dead with something from those bloodlines���..�Ellen is judging this week-end and she said I could go with her.� They have nothing to contribute to the breed so they talk about the big shot like he�s some sort of God or something. I suppose these types of people are not any different than some people are in their everyday life. There are leaders and there are followers in this world. I suppose we need both types of people. After all, where would the leaders of this world be without their adoring followers?!
What about when it comes to choosing a stud dog? Are you are �title� breeder? Will you only breed to the Selects or the Grand Victor because of their prestigious title? Do you think this makes your puppies more desirable? The week before he was crowned Grand Victor, were you thinking of breeding to him then? If he didn�t win the Grand Victor title, would you still have bred to him?
The �In Crowd� of people you�ll see at all the dog shows. You�ll recognize them. They�re the ones that as soon as they step on the show grounds, are encircled with their �adoring fans� hanging on every word they say. Some will pull out a chair for them hoping they�ll sit next to them at ring side. In their mind, it�s good to be seen with the �In Crowd.� It�s like if they�re associated with the big shot, maybe people will think that they�re more important than they actually are. �Hey Jane, come on over here and sit with us. We saved a seat for you.� �Oh no, I just couldn�t. So and so is here today. Maybe another time, but today I�m sitting with the In-Crowd.�
Oh it�s fun to be with the �In Crowd.� You get to pack up their car when leaving the show grounds. You get invited to go out to lunch with them after the show. And you even get to pick up the tab for the big shots lunch. While eating a cheeseburger together the big shot might suggest who to breed your bitch to. You really had hoped to breed her to the champion that has everything your girl needs. Nope, the big shot tells you that that is a silly breeding. If you�re ever going to get anywhere in this breed, she tells you to do what she suggests. Sensing an �attitude� coming on, you decide to take her advice. You do the breeding not because you wanted to but because the big shot told you to. I wonder if you can be actually considered the breeder of this litter when you didn�t even chose the stud dog for your own bitch. The puppies are born and you didn�t get the improvement in your puppies that you wanted, but you made the big shot happy. Now isn�t it nice having someone do your thinking for you? Ah�..life is good when you�re in with the �In Crowd!�
I remember one time an �In-Crowd� worshiper told me that she was very interested in buying a puppy from a well bred litter that wasn�t bred by the �In � Crowd� breeder who she normally bought her puppies from. Well you would have thought that the world was coming to an end the way the �In � Crowd� breeder read her the riot act. �Why would you want to buy a puppy from anyone else other than me when I have the best in the country?� she shouted at her. Did she buy the puppy from the well bred litter? No she didn�t. She couldn�t afford to suffer the wrath of the �In � Crowd� breeder if she ever wanted to show her face in �this town again!�
Another bonus of hanging out with the �In Crowd� is that most of the time you�ll get the better seats at a show especially the size of the National. You won�t find the �In Crowd sitting in the bleachers! No sir, the �In � Crowd� is never at a loss for a seat. His devoted followers always make sure that a seat is available right next to them.
When its time to pick a judge for a show and especially the National Specialty show, you won�t find just any old judge on the slate of judges. It�s usually the same judges year after year that get asked to do these prestigious shows. These are usually the �In � Crowd� judges that get chosen.
Notice when you go to your specialty clubs meeting how the �In � Crowd� normally sits together at one table and the little shot sits over on the other side of the room. After all what could the little guy add to the discussion at the �In � Crowds� table?
Is it good to be in with the �In � Crowd?� Some people think so. They feel if the �In � Crowd� gets noticed so will they. They fail to realize that those that truly make up the �In � Crowd� are those that have usually done something in the breed. So if they only hang on their coat tails, that�s where most people will consider them to be��wiping up the rear at the end of the line. They never get the respect that they were hoping for by hanging out with the big shot. You may think that you know what the �In � Crowd� knows by laughing at his jokes that you never really get anyway, by nodding your head up and down when he�s telling you something, by �yesing him to death� and by doing everything he tells you do�..living in the shadow of the �In � Crowd,� but never really being a part of the �In � Crowd.�
Some would rather be in the shadow of the �In � Crowd� than walking their own path. These are the type of people who never really command respect because they�ve devoted all their energies to rubbing elbows with the �In-Crowd� that they�ve never developed their own potential. It�s easier adoring someone else even though the �In-Crowd� never looks at you with the same adoration and respect you give them. You give up YOU to be part of THEM! You see the �In-Crowd� knows what you�ll never know and that is how to get people like you to put him Wayyyyyyyyy up there while you remain Wayyyyyyyyyy down there. As the song goes, �We get respect from the people we meet. Other guys imitate us, but the original is still the greatest.�
So you laugh when he laughs. You talk about what he wants to talk about. You breed to whomever he tells you to breed to. You buy only his dogs. Only his opinion counts. You drop all your other friends just to be in with the �In � Crowd.� But you never really are. What do you care anyway if he gets all the respect and you don�t get any? Just consider it your contribution to man-kind. Look at it this way; you helped make someone else feel more important than he really is. Yup, life is certainly good when you�re in with the �In � Crowd!�
My rating: Being part of the In - Crowd (depending if you're part of it or in the shadow of it: (1 - 4)
From the book: "BOUNDARIES IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS: HOW TO BE SEPARATE AND CONNECTED"....Boundaries in Human Relationships tells you how to use your ultimate resource, boundaries, in your personal and professional life. While the word is used frequently, very few of us know the inner mechanics of boundaries. This book delves deeply into not only the meaning but the practical skills and tools necessary to use boundaries to your advantage using real life examples and exercises. You will learn to understand exactly what boundaries are, recognize when you need them, and how to create and maintain them using three simple skills: A clearly defined structure of boundaries Specific practical steps for creating and managing boundaries An in-depth exploration of the significant areas of relationships and self-esteem through the lens of boundaries These three skills will give you choice and control over your emotions, behavior and thinking. The most important distinction you can ever make in your life is between who you are as an individual and your connection with others. Can you truly love another and be the whole, complete and unique person you are? How do you know the difference between your fear and your partners', between your past anger and your here-and-now anger? The answer is boundaries, and this is a practical guide to unlocking these mysteries.
�I'm in with the in crowd, I go where the in crowd goes
I'm in with the in crowd and I know what the in crowd knows�
So I remembered that song because of the subject that I chose to write about today. How important is it to you that you are in with the �In Crowd� when it comes to the dog show world? Do you rub elbows with the �Big Shots� of the breed or do you travel on your own path being remembered for your own contributions to the breed? Or are you one of those �name droppers� because you have nothing important to say yourself so you have to quote other people. You know the type that I�m talking about��.�Well Ellen said this and Ellen said that��.�Everything in my kennel is from Ellen�s dogs����..�Ellen wouldn�t be seen dead with something from those bloodlines���..�Ellen is judging this week-end and she said I could go with her.� They have nothing to contribute to the breed so they talk about the big shot like he�s some sort of God or something. I suppose these types of people are not any different than some people are in their everyday life. There are leaders and there are followers in this world. I suppose we need both types of people. After all, where would the leaders of this world be without their adoring followers?!
What about when it comes to choosing a stud dog? Are you are �title� breeder? Will you only breed to the Selects or the Grand Victor because of their prestigious title? Do you think this makes your puppies more desirable? The week before he was crowned Grand Victor, were you thinking of breeding to him then? If he didn�t win the Grand Victor title, would you still have bred to him?
The �In Crowd� of people you�ll see at all the dog shows. You�ll recognize them. They�re the ones that as soon as they step on the show grounds, are encircled with their �adoring fans� hanging on every word they say. Some will pull out a chair for them hoping they�ll sit next to them at ring side. In their mind, it�s good to be seen with the �In Crowd.� It�s like if they�re associated with the big shot, maybe people will think that they�re more important than they actually are. �Hey Jane, come on over here and sit with us. We saved a seat for you.� �Oh no, I just couldn�t. So and so is here today. Maybe another time, but today I�m sitting with the In-Crowd.�
Oh it�s fun to be with the �In Crowd.� You get to pack up their car when leaving the show grounds. You get invited to go out to lunch with them after the show. And you even get to pick up the tab for the big shots lunch. While eating a cheeseburger together the big shot might suggest who to breed your bitch to. You really had hoped to breed her to the champion that has everything your girl needs. Nope, the big shot tells you that that is a silly breeding. If you�re ever going to get anywhere in this breed, she tells you to do what she suggests. Sensing an �attitude� coming on, you decide to take her advice. You do the breeding not because you wanted to but because the big shot told you to. I wonder if you can be actually considered the breeder of this litter when you didn�t even chose the stud dog for your own bitch. The puppies are born and you didn�t get the improvement in your puppies that you wanted, but you made the big shot happy. Now isn�t it nice having someone do your thinking for you? Ah�..life is good when you�re in with the �In Crowd!�
I remember one time an �In-Crowd� worshiper told me that she was very interested in buying a puppy from a well bred litter that wasn�t bred by the �In � Crowd� breeder who she normally bought her puppies from. Well you would have thought that the world was coming to an end the way the �In � Crowd� breeder read her the riot act. �Why would you want to buy a puppy from anyone else other than me when I have the best in the country?� she shouted at her. Did she buy the puppy from the well bred litter? No she didn�t. She couldn�t afford to suffer the wrath of the �In � Crowd� breeder if she ever wanted to show her face in �this town again!�
Another bonus of hanging out with the �In Crowd� is that most of the time you�ll get the better seats at a show especially the size of the National. You won�t find the �In Crowd sitting in the bleachers! No sir, the �In � Crowd� is never at a loss for a seat. His devoted followers always make sure that a seat is available right next to them.
When its time to pick a judge for a show and especially the National Specialty show, you won�t find just any old judge on the slate of judges. It�s usually the same judges year after year that get asked to do these prestigious shows. These are usually the �In � Crowd� judges that get chosen.
Notice when you go to your specialty clubs meeting how the �In � Crowd� normally sits together at one table and the little shot sits over on the other side of the room. After all what could the little guy add to the discussion at the �In � Crowds� table?
Is it good to be in with the �In � Crowd?� Some people think so. They feel if the �In � Crowd� gets noticed so will they. They fail to realize that those that truly make up the �In � Crowd� are those that have usually done something in the breed. So if they only hang on their coat tails, that�s where most people will consider them to be��wiping up the rear at the end of the line. They never get the respect that they were hoping for by hanging out with the big shot. You may think that you know what the �In � Crowd� knows by laughing at his jokes that you never really get anyway, by nodding your head up and down when he�s telling you something, by �yesing him to death� and by doing everything he tells you do�..living in the shadow of the �In � Crowd,� but never really being a part of the �In � Crowd.�
Some would rather be in the shadow of the �In � Crowd� than walking their own path. These are the type of people who never really command respect because they�ve devoted all their energies to rubbing elbows with the �In-Crowd� that they�ve never developed their own potential. It�s easier adoring someone else even though the �In-Crowd� never looks at you with the same adoration and respect you give them. You give up YOU to be part of THEM! You see the �In-Crowd� knows what you�ll never know and that is how to get people like you to put him Wayyyyyyyyy up there while you remain Wayyyyyyyyyy down there. As the song goes, �We get respect from the people we meet. Other guys imitate us, but the original is still the greatest.�
So you laugh when he laughs. You talk about what he wants to talk about. You breed to whomever he tells you to breed to. You buy only his dogs. Only his opinion counts. You drop all your other friends just to be in with the �In � Crowd.� But you never really are. What do you care anyway if he gets all the respect and you don�t get any? Just consider it your contribution to man-kind. Look at it this way; you helped make someone else feel more important than he really is. Yup, life is certainly good when you�re in with the �In � Crowd!�
My rating: Being part of the In - Crowd (depending if you're part of it or in the shadow of it: (1 - 4)
From the book: "BOUNDARIES IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS: HOW TO BE SEPARATE AND CONNECTED"....Boundaries in Human Relationships tells you how to use your ultimate resource, boundaries, in your personal and professional life. While the word is used frequently, very few of us know the inner mechanics of boundaries. This book delves deeply into not only the meaning but the practical skills and tools necessary to use boundaries to your advantage using real life examples and exercises. You will learn to understand exactly what boundaries are, recognize when you need them, and how to create and maintain them using three simple skills: A clearly defined structure of boundaries Specific practical steps for creating and managing boundaries An in-depth exploration of the significant areas of relationships and self-esteem through the lens of boundaries These three skills will give you choice and control over your emotions, behavior and thinking. The most important distinction you can ever make in your life is between who you are as an individual and your connection with others. Can you truly love another and be the whole, complete and unique person you are? How do you know the difference between your fear and your partners', between your past anger and your here-and-now anger? The answer is boundaries, and this is a practical guide to unlocking these mysteries.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
ON THE SPOT - WITMER'S GERMAN SHEPHERDS
I think when one thinks of the Witmer German Shepherd Dogs they immediately think of beautiful breed type. I know I do. It seems that Suzie Witmer has strived for a certain �look� in her animals. I know when I see one of her dogs, I say to myself, �Wow what a pretty dog that is!� Her dogs are very easy on the eyes. They also have been consistently good moving animals having won many Futurities and Select titles to their credit. (See the above dog: Ch. Witmer's Hale of Vanderwerth OFA).
I asked Suzie if she would consent doing an interview with me about her breeding program and I�m happy she consented to share her ideas with us.
1. WHEN DID YOUR LOVE AFFAIR BEGIN WITH THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?
I always had a love for animals. Horses came first and then dogs, and mostly German shepherd dogs. My aunt raised a couple litters of German Shepherd puppies when I was a kid. There was one in particular (male) that I became very attached to while my aunt lived with us. She took him with her when she moved out, and broke my heart... I saved my allowance, $5 a week, and bought a purebred unregistered German Shepherd puppy for $75.00.
2. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR KENNEL NAME?
My kennel name is Witmer, which is of course my last name. A German name!
3. DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT IN THE BREED?
Nancy Towns, Bob Vanwinkle, the Dancosse family, and Rose Quigley. Nancy had a great eye for motion/side gait. She sat with me for hours looking at puppies and teaching me correct movement. . Bob taught me how to groom and condition.
4. WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED TO BE THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN THE BREED SINCE YOU STARTED?
The folding of specialty clubs, and lack of exhibitors�
My dogs are known for a dominant breed type, correct shoulders, and that they�re good moving dogs. (See the above dog: Am Select Excellent Can Select Ch Witmer's Jamiroquai OFA H & E ROM).
6. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF THE STRENGTHS OF THE BREED TODAY?
Intelligence, trainability, and their loyalty.
7. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE BREED TODAY?
Too many short upper arms and moving from the elbows. Also running too fast and too many steps to cover ground.
8. WHEN BREEDING WHERE HAS SOME OF YOUR BEST STOCK COME FROM? LINE BREEDING, IN BREEDING, OUT CROSS?
Line breeding, and inbreeding.
9. A VERY WELL KNOWN BREEDER ONCE TOLD ME TO BREED TYPE TO TYPE. HE SAID FORGET ABOUT PEDIGREES. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT STATEMENT?
I think type to type can work. However I do feel pedigrees are very important. Looking at a pedigree gives you a lot of knowledge including health issues and their pheno and geno type. I'm a pedigree person!
10. AT WHAT AGE DO YOU PICK YOUR TOP SHOW PUPPIES AND WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR?
5 wks 7 wks, 12 wks. If I like them, then I grow them out. Teenage stage (8 months to 14 months)is not a good time for my dogs. I look for forehand, type, presence/showmanship, and character.
11. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE PARENT CLUB (THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS CLUB OF AMERICA) DO THAT THEY�RE NOT DOING NOW?
I would like the parent club to be more open to the membership. Too many hush secrets have hurt us badly..
12. YOU HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE HAVING PRODUCED SOME OF THE TOP WINNING FUTURITY/MATURITY WINNERS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FUTURITIES? HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY?
I feel futurities are important. I enjoy seeing what breeders are producing. Futurities enable us to make educated decisions in our breeding program. Unfortunately entries are very low.
13. WHAT FOOD DO YOU FEED YOUR DOGS?
I feed Costco's, Kirkland chicken & Rice. It does a very nice job, and is a good quality food at an affordable price. I feed it with meat. I also feed a few raw.
14. DO YOU USE SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOUR DOGS?
I use Dr Kruger�s supplement show coat formula.
I do have favorites, and all my favorites are my heart dogs... Wilmer�s Angel, my Hawkeye dtr, her 2 inbred Hawkeye sons Witmer's Expresso, and Witmer's Executive, both passed with 12 pts all majors. My Andretti son, CH Ramhaus Eros of Nordlicht, Sel Ex CH, Can Sel CH Witmer's Jamiroquai "Jerry", CH Witmer's Angelina, and of course my current heart dog, Sel Exc CH Karizma's Nicaragua "Neeko"... One of the sweetest/kindest dogs I have owned. He has his 10 qualifiers, and it will be anytime now he receives his Rom.. (See the above dog: Select Excellent Ch Karizma's Nicaragua OFA).
16. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENT IN THE BREED?
Watching Jantar's China Lake of Witmer go Grand Victrix in Canada...enjoying it with my best friends!! We also had a great party that night! A lot of good laughs.
17. ARE ANY OF YOUR DOGS INVOLVED IN RESCUE WORK, POLICE WORK, THERAPY WORK, OBEDIENCE TITLED, ETC?
Not dogs I personally own, but dogs by or out of my dogs are in all venues. Many therapy, search, and Rescue, herding, and obedience. My passion has always been in the ring. I have never had the desire for anything else.
18. WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR PEOPLE JUST STARTING OUT IN THIS BREED THAT WANT TO SHOW THEIR DOGS?
Join a breed club, and hopefully find a good mentor.
19. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT OWNING A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?
Their companionship and loyalty.. They are so smart they amaze me. They are always
a step ahead of me, especially now!
20. IS THERE STILL SOMETHING IN THE BREED THAT YOU WANT TO DO AND YOU HAVEN�T ACCOMPLISHED IT YET?
I am content with the accomplishments to date. However adding more would be just fine with me....
21. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR IN THIS BREED?
Beautiful breed type, fronts, dogs that can side gait and are always competitive.
My rating: Witmer's producing consistently beautiful moving animals: (4)
Monday, 14 June 2010
TRAINING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Writing on this blog five days a week is work. Make no mistake about that. Coming up with fresh and new ideas is always a challenge, especially for someone like me. I�m very self critical about my writings. It always amazes me about the articles that get the most responses. Sometimes the ones that I�ve spent the most time on are not necessarily the ones that most people respond to. Sometimes the ones that I�m not the fondest of are the ones that people respond to and like the best. Go figure!
One of my favorite things about writing on my blog is the people that I get to �meet� that respond to some of my articles. There are worlds of fascinating people out there that share their love of the German Shepherd Dog and what makes it even more fascinating is the way they live and share their lives with their dogs. Not everyone that reads this blog is a show person, an obedience person or a dog trainer. But one thing that they are is a lover of the German Shepherd. Writing this blog brings many different German Shepherd people together and makes us realize that it�s not just about you and me. It�s about them and those as well!
One such person that I�m delighted to have made an acquaintance with is one of my newer readers. He�s responded to some of my articles that I�ve written and I was drawn to look him up on his own blog that he writes. I was taken with this mans lifestyle that he and his lovely wife have chosen to live with their three dogs that they adopted from rescue��two German Shepherds and a Border/Collie mix. These German Shepherd lovers have chosen to live their lives with their dogs in God�s country�.in the wilderness. His pictures on his blog tells the story of how they live in their beautiful cabin and of their �neighbors� that happen to trespass on their property from time to time��..black bears, mountain lions and wolfs to name just a few. Do check out Bruce and Carol McElmurray's blog and look at their pictures of their cabin and their lifestyle. Bruce is a down to earth kind of writer��.hmmmmm similar to his lifestyle. You can check it out here: www.brucecarolcabin.blogspot.com/. Oh yeah and Bruce just wrote to tell me that one of his articles was just published in �Mother Earth News� in the Aug/Sept issue that comes out on 7/20. I can�t wait to read it. I hope everyone gets a change to read it as well.
I asked Bruce if he would write an article as a guest writer for my blog. I am thrilled that he did just that and I share it here with you now. Okay Bruce, take over�..
TRAINING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
We live in the mountains of S. Colorado at 9,750', in a rather remote area with our two German Shepherd dogs and our Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix. Bozwell is our 95# male GSD, Sarah our 65# female GSD and Gypsy our 60# mix. All are rescues. Our property is heavily wooded and has two springs on it which attract various forms of wildlife. We see and encounter bear, mountain lion, coyote, wolves, lynx, bobcat, deer, elk, and a host of other animals on a fairly regular basis.
When we lived in Central Pennsylvania within the city we had totally different circumstances to deal with. When we walked (our now deceased) dog Ben (GSD) in the city we had to watch for different dangers like traffic, weird strangers, children on bicycles and so forth. We had sidewalks but sometimes we had to cross busy streets and a mini mall parking lot where there was a Pizza Hut that delivered. We trained Ben to look both ways at intersections which he always did. Being run down by a Pizza Hut delivery vehicle can ruin your day so we trained for specific risks peculiar to our area. When we would come to an intersection or corner like the mini mall it was best to peek around the corned of the building to see if a pizza delivery vehicle was screaming down the alley. Ben would stop, sit, look both ways, (as would we - except the sit part) and if safe we would proceed. As to weird strangers, I was out walking Ben one night and this spectral image came floating down the other side of the street semi illuminated by the street light. It turned out to be someone wearing a pill box hat and silky flowing robes dressed in traditional African style. We were on the dark side of the street and Ben went on alert and gave a low guttural primitive growl that sounded like it came from the pits of hell. The person stopped instantly and made a 'U' turn and wasted no time getting out of Dodge. That growl was so compelling my hair stood up. I heard it twice in Ben's 13 years.
Now we live where there are few people, (we have one seasonal neighbor 300 yards away - our next neighbor is one mile) and more animals than anything. Our dogs have been and are continually trained to cope with animals that would endanger them. Instead of Pizza Hut deliveries and city risks we are now concerned with predators. Since we rely on our dogs instincts of smell, hearing and sight as well as our own limited instincts, we certainly don't want to train any of the natural instinct out of them. When a bear and her two cubs come up out of a ditch on our dirt road we don't want our dogs to mis-behave and create a crisis. That happened last year right in our driveway and Bozwell our male GSD conducted himself perfectly. He sat down next to me and watched the bear with her cubs 20' away, and when the mama bear realized we were no threat we all maintained our places for several minutes and then went our separate ways. The key ingredient is the human staying calm and in control. Those situations do not occur often but when they do if the human jumps around flailing their arms yelling "Oh my God, a bear" you will have an excited dog and ultimate catastrophe. Both GSD's are trained to take their cue from either myself or Carol. Last year for example Carol was walking Gypsy down the road in front of the house and 8' away on the down hill side of the road was a bear munching grass. Bozwell and I were on the deck and he did not bark but went on full alert. I waved to get Carol�s attention and when she looked up told her calmly not to panic but she was standing 8' from a bear. She looked over and there was the bear not paying any attention to her or Gypsy, simply grazing along the road. She promptly made her way up to the house without causing any incident. She did put new meaning to the word promptly however. Had I yelled or Bozwell started barking the bear would have instantly been on alert and it could have turned into a nasty situation. Instead the bear just watched her walk away in the opposite direction.
Our dogs have been trained to expect the unexpected. Bears are curious and only one out of a hundred is aggressive. Even then they will leave you an escape route. Wild animals have instincts that we probably used to have but have evolved away from over the years. They know immediately if we pose them any danger and if you stay calm you will be all right 99.9% of the time. Even mountain lions will avoid you especially if you have two or three dogs with you. Wild animals are a whole lot smarter than people give them credit for. We have examples and stories to prove that but will write more on that later should anyone be interested.
Maybe the most important element is that you need to have excellent rapport between you and your dogs. You are the pack leader and you want them to look to you first for who is in control of the situation. They also need to be flawless on walking on leash right beside you. If they are out in front of you that is an open invitation to disaster. Training is an ongoing process with us because no two situations are ever alike. The only time our dogs are off leash is in our fenced in back yard. We have a 6' steel fence which is an area for them to be relatively safe but still we are always with them, even in the back yard. A mountain lion can leap up to 15' and a deer can vault a 6' fence without any trouble. They also need to respond well to the command 'come'. Ours do and even when there are deer on the other side of the fence, given the 'come' command they will immediately come. That proved itself last year when a bear head suddenly appeared over a small hill just past the back yard. Bozwell did not see the bear but when given �come� he came instantly.
How dangerous are these wild animals you may ask. Not dangerous at all as long as the human respects them and their territory and most of all remains calm. It also helps if you understand their ways and traits and know the potential danger sighs. Coyote's will lure a dog away into an ambush where it stands no chance. A swat from a bear will break bones and kill a person or dog. Wolves have much more powerful jaws than a domestic dog. Mountain lions will avoid humans but will track and stalk a dog by itself.
How close have I come to wild animals? I have been 8' and 30' respectively from mountain lions. Up close it is easy to see they are killing machines. When they curl that lip back, snarl and hiss at you with those yellow teeth it can be hard to stay calm but if you want to walk away you have to be calm and in control. You also have to look big and face them. Cower or run and you are dinner. Another time we were about 50 yards away walking behind a lion that was also walking down our road. I have been within 4-5" of a bear; nose to nose, with a flimsy pane of storm door glass between us. Had our GSD standing right next to me barked it could have been an ugly scene. Both the bear and I were surprised to see each other that way and up close. Always the key is to stay calm. Deer account for the injury and death of more dogs than most other wild animals. Those hooves can be deadly. It is foolish and very unwise to not have your dogs on leash where we live. Those who do allow their dogs to run loose invite disaster. We love our dogs far too much to put them at any risk.
So depending on where you live you should train your dogs to your environment. In our case basic commands are important but many times you need to improvise. Our dogs look to us for leadership and we need to meet that need. We are constantly on guard and aware of our surroundings. Different situations require different tactics. I can not express in words how much we love our dogs and we want them to have long and healthy and safe lives with us. By staying vigilant that will be the case.
Coghlans Bear Bell W/Silencer: Attaches to clothing or pack with a velcro strap. In the bag, the magnet eliminates any noise. Out, movement will cause a steady ringing to warn animals of your presence.
My rating: Living among animals and the wilderness: (4), Having guest writers: (4)
One of my favorite things about writing on my blog is the people that I get to �meet� that respond to some of my articles. There are worlds of fascinating people out there that share their love of the German Shepherd Dog and what makes it even more fascinating is the way they live and share their lives with their dogs. Not everyone that reads this blog is a show person, an obedience person or a dog trainer. But one thing that they are is a lover of the German Shepherd. Writing this blog brings many different German Shepherd people together and makes us realize that it�s not just about you and me. It�s about them and those as well!
One such person that I�m delighted to have made an acquaintance with is one of my newer readers. He�s responded to some of my articles that I�ve written and I was drawn to look him up on his own blog that he writes. I was taken with this mans lifestyle that he and his lovely wife have chosen to live with their three dogs that they adopted from rescue��two German Shepherds and a Border/Collie mix. These German Shepherd lovers have chosen to live their lives with their dogs in God�s country�.in the wilderness. His pictures on his blog tells the story of how they live in their beautiful cabin and of their �neighbors� that happen to trespass on their property from time to time��..black bears, mountain lions and wolfs to name just a few. Do check out Bruce and Carol McElmurray's blog and look at their pictures of their cabin and their lifestyle. Bruce is a down to earth kind of writer��.hmmmmm similar to his lifestyle. You can check it out here: www.brucecarolcabin.blogspot.com/. Oh yeah and Bruce just wrote to tell me that one of his articles was just published in �Mother Earth News� in the Aug/Sept issue that comes out on 7/20. I can�t wait to read it. I hope everyone gets a change to read it as well.
I asked Bruce if he would write an article as a guest writer for my blog. I am thrilled that he did just that and I share it here with you now. Okay Bruce, take over�..
TRAINING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
We live in the mountains of S. Colorado at 9,750', in a rather remote area with our two German Shepherd dogs and our Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix. Bozwell is our 95# male GSD, Sarah our 65# female GSD and Gypsy our 60# mix. All are rescues. Our property is heavily wooded and has two springs on it which attract various forms of wildlife. We see and encounter bear, mountain lion, coyote, wolves, lynx, bobcat, deer, elk, and a host of other animals on a fairly regular basis.
Maybe the most important element is that you need to have excellent rapport between you and your dogs. You are the pack leader and you want them to look to you first for who is in control of the situation. They also need to be flawless on walking on leash right beside you. If they are out in front of you that is an open invitation to disaster. Training is an ongoing process with us because no two situations are ever alike. The only time our dogs are off leash is in our fenced in back yard. We have a 6' steel fence which is an area for them to be relatively safe but still we are always with them, even in the back yard. A mountain lion can leap up to 15' and a deer can vault a 6' fence without any trouble. They also need to respond well to the command 'come'. Ours do and even when there are deer on the other side of the fence, given the 'come' command they will immediately come. That proved itself last year when a bear head suddenly appeared over a small hill just past the back yard. Bozwell did not see the bear but when given �come� he came instantly.
How dangerous are these wild animals you may ask. Not dangerous at all as long as the human respects them and their territory and most of all remains calm. It also helps if you understand their ways and traits and know the potential danger sighs. Coyote's will lure a dog away into an ambush where it stands no chance. A swat from a bear will break bones and kill a person or dog. Wolves have much more powerful jaws than a domestic dog. Mountain lions will avoid humans but will track and stalk a dog by itself.
How close have I come to wild animals? I have been 8' and 30' respectively from mountain lions. Up close it is easy to see they are killing machines. When they curl that lip back, snarl and hiss at you with those yellow teeth it can be hard to stay calm but if you want to walk away you have to be calm and in control. You also have to look big and face them. Cower or run and you are dinner. Another time we were about 50 yards away walking behind a lion that was also walking down our road. I have been within 4-5" of a bear; nose to nose, with a flimsy pane of storm door glass between us. Had our GSD standing right next to me barked it could have been an ugly scene. Both the bear and I were surprised to see each other that way and up close. Always the key is to stay calm. Deer account for the injury and death of more dogs than most other wild animals. Those hooves can be deadly. It is foolish and very unwise to not have your dogs on leash where we live. Those who do allow their dogs to run loose invite disaster. We love our dogs far too much to put them at any risk.
So depending on where you live you should train your dogs to your environment. In our case basic commands are important but many times you need to improvise. Our dogs look to us for leadership and we need to meet that need. We are constantly on guard and aware of our surroundings. Different situations require different tactics. I can not express in words how much we love our dogs and we want them to have long and healthy and safe lives with us. By staying vigilant that will be the case.
Coghlans Bear Bell W/Silencer: Attaches to clothing or pack with a velcro strap. In the bag, the magnet eliminates any noise. Out, movement will cause a steady ringing to warn animals of your presence.
My rating: Living among animals and the wilderness: (4), Having guest writers: (4)
Friday, 11 June 2010
"STINKIN' THINKIN"
So the man pulls up in my driveway in a Lincoln sedan. He looks at my puppies. He asks how much? I tell him. He looks shocked. He says to me, I can buy a German Shepherd puppy at the pet store for �such and such.� Why should I pay you that much? My reply to him is, �You could be driving a broken down second hand car instead of the Lincoln that you drove here with. It�s obvious; you get what you pay for. I tell him of the bloodlines of my puppies, the health guarantee that I offer and my return policy if he�s unhappy with the puppy. Bottom line��he�s only interested in the purchase price. I tell him �Do yourself a favor, if you are looking for something for nothing, adopt a dog from a shelter.� He keeps the Lincoln. He drives away. I keep the puppy until the better person comes along. I am looking for a forever home for my puppy. He�s looking for �bargain basement prices� ��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�
So I call up the �nose up in the air�thinks he�s better than most� handler who is in charge of the Grand Victor�s stud services. He campaigns the dog as well as keeps him at his kennel for stud services. I tell him I want to breed my champion bitch to this dog. He gives me an �attitude� and is unwilling to cooperate with me about the day the bitch needs to be bred. Nope he can only do it on this one day. Take it or leave it. I leave it! I wonder if he ever told the owners of this dog that he didn�t breed the Grand Victor to this top producing champion ROM bitch��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�
I need a handler for my dog at the upcoming four day week-end shows. The judges should be great for my dog. So I call the handler and tell him I want to enter my dog at these shows. He tells me he can�t take him that week-end. He MIGHT be showing �so and so�s� dogs there. But I tell him, these judges really like my dog. They�ve already put him up in the younger classes. I think we have a great shot to win under them. I know the dogs he�s taking and the people that own them. They have lots of money, but their dogs are not as good as mine. I can�t convince him. I get another handler. We show. They lose. We win. Now handler number one isn�t talking to me because we just beat him at his own game��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�
Your friend owns a lovely young stud dog. He�s a very well bred dog. He hasn�t really proven his worth as a producer yet because he�s so young and hasn�t been bred to that much yet. You own a beautiful young bitch. She too is well bred. Your friend wants you to breed your bitch to his male. You don�t want to. Oh, both are lovely animals, but they don�t complement one another very well and you need improvement in your bitch in an area that the stud dog lacks as well. Your friend doesn�t want to hear it. You two are friends and he feels that you should breed to his dog based on that friendship. Your bitch comes into season. You breed her to another dog. Your friend calls you a traitor and isn�t talking to you anymore����stinkin thinkin!�
You get your judging license and are asked to judge a specialty show that is known to pull 4 or 5 point majors. The attendance is huge and some well known pillars of the breed belong to the club that asked you to judge. You�re excited and honored and can�t wait for the day to arrive. In walks one of your closest friends dogs that you recognize right away as she�s calling her dog to get his (and your) attention while his handler is setting him up. You really think he�s a nice dog, but you really love the dog standing behind him better. You go with your gut and pick the other dog hoping your friend understands. She doesn�t��.she�s not talking to you anymore��.�stinkin thinkin!�
You belong to many different German Shepherd e-mail lists. It�s not uncommon for people to come on those lists and brag about all their wonderful achievements and show wins. You being of the good natured spirit that you are, find yourself writing one congratulation note after another. Sometimes people thank you. Other times they ignore your social graces all together. The following week-end your dog wins his first major. You�re excited to share your joy and post your own brag. You�re lucky if you receive one �Way to go kid� from someone����.�stinkin thinkin!�
You share your opinion about a certain subject that everyone is talking about. Because you haven�t been around very long, you�re met with the mentality of �I�m right, you�re wrong� and your opinion has no merit. You�re intimidated, so you keep your mouth quiet and you don�t get a chance to say what�s on your mind for fear you�ll look like a fool���.�stinkin thinkin!�
You buy a puppy from a well bred litter. You have high hopes for this youngster�s future. You show him at some local shows. He takes a third and fourth place ribbon. You let him mature and then bring him back out again. Time hasn�t been on his side. The well bred promising puppy is a losing adult. The breeder won�t take him back or refund your money. And no he�s not going to replace him with another puppy. You�re furious, but there�s nothing you can do about it, so you take it out on the dog. He no longer gets all the attention that you once lavished on him���..�stinkin thinking!�
I�m way up here. You�re way down there. I know best. You don�t. I�ve bred all these champions. You�ve bred just one. My dogs finished in the specialty ring. Yours finished in the All Breed ring. I�ve been in the breed for over thirty years. You�ve only been in the breed for five years. Therefore, I know and you don�t know. I�m the big shot. You�re the little shot����stinkin thinking!�����.sometimes the big shot gets run over by the little shot����ahh�..and history is made!
From the book: "HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE".......This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks.
My rating: Being kind and helpful to one another: (4)
So I call up the �nose up in the air�thinks he�s better than most� handler who is in charge of the Grand Victor�s stud services. He campaigns the dog as well as keeps him at his kennel for stud services. I tell him I want to breed my champion bitch to this dog. He gives me an �attitude� and is unwilling to cooperate with me about the day the bitch needs to be bred. Nope he can only do it on this one day. Take it or leave it. I leave it! I wonder if he ever told the owners of this dog that he didn�t breed the Grand Victor to this top producing champion ROM bitch��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�
I need a handler for my dog at the upcoming four day week-end shows. The judges should be great for my dog. So I call the handler and tell him I want to enter my dog at these shows. He tells me he can�t take him that week-end. He MIGHT be showing �so and so�s� dogs there. But I tell him, these judges really like my dog. They�ve already put him up in the younger classes. I think we have a great shot to win under them. I know the dogs he�s taking and the people that own them. They have lots of money, but their dogs are not as good as mine. I can�t convince him. I get another handler. We show. They lose. We win. Now handler number one isn�t talking to me because we just beat him at his own game��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�
Your friend owns a lovely young stud dog. He�s a very well bred dog. He hasn�t really proven his worth as a producer yet because he�s so young and hasn�t been bred to that much yet. You own a beautiful young bitch. She too is well bred. Your friend wants you to breed your bitch to his male. You don�t want to. Oh, both are lovely animals, but they don�t complement one another very well and you need improvement in your bitch in an area that the stud dog lacks as well. Your friend doesn�t want to hear it. You two are friends and he feels that you should breed to his dog based on that friendship. Your bitch comes into season. You breed her to another dog. Your friend calls you a traitor and isn�t talking to you anymore����stinkin thinkin!�
You get your judging license and are asked to judge a specialty show that is known to pull 4 or 5 point majors. The attendance is huge and some well known pillars of the breed belong to the club that asked you to judge. You�re excited and honored and can�t wait for the day to arrive. In walks one of your closest friends dogs that you recognize right away as she�s calling her dog to get his (and your) attention while his handler is setting him up. You really think he�s a nice dog, but you really love the dog standing behind him better. You go with your gut and pick the other dog hoping your friend understands. She doesn�t��.she�s not talking to you anymore��.�stinkin thinkin!�
You belong to many different German Shepherd e-mail lists. It�s not uncommon for people to come on those lists and brag about all their wonderful achievements and show wins. You being of the good natured spirit that you are, find yourself writing one congratulation note after another. Sometimes people thank you. Other times they ignore your social graces all together. The following week-end your dog wins his first major. You�re excited to share your joy and post your own brag. You�re lucky if you receive one �Way to go kid� from someone����.�stinkin thinkin!�
You share your opinion about a certain subject that everyone is talking about. Because you haven�t been around very long, you�re met with the mentality of �I�m right, you�re wrong� and your opinion has no merit. You�re intimidated, so you keep your mouth quiet and you don�t get a chance to say what�s on your mind for fear you�ll look like a fool���.�stinkin thinkin!�
You buy a puppy from a well bred litter. You have high hopes for this youngster�s future. You show him at some local shows. He takes a third and fourth place ribbon. You let him mature and then bring him back out again. Time hasn�t been on his side. The well bred promising puppy is a losing adult. The breeder won�t take him back or refund your money. And no he�s not going to replace him with another puppy. You�re furious, but there�s nothing you can do about it, so you take it out on the dog. He no longer gets all the attention that you once lavished on him���..�stinkin thinking!�
I�m way up here. You�re way down there. I know best. You don�t. I�ve bred all these champions. You�ve bred just one. My dogs finished in the specialty ring. Yours finished in the All Breed ring. I�ve been in the breed for over thirty years. You�ve only been in the breed for five years. Therefore, I know and you don�t know. I�m the big shot. You�re the little shot����stinkin thinking!�����.sometimes the big shot gets run over by the little shot����ahh�..and history is made!
From the book: "HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE".......This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks.
My rating: Being kind and helpful to one another: (4)
Thursday, 10 June 2010
GOD MADE THE DOG, BUT MAN DESIGNED THEM
I mean if you think about it, your common sense will probably tell you that the German Shepherd Dog, the Doberman, the Saint Bernard, etc. weren�t born looking like they do today. According to my research there are 157 types of breeds of dogs registered with the AKC. Not one of them looks too much like they did when their breed was first registered. I wonder what the first dogs that stepped foot on this earth looked like.
I mean God didn�t design the German Shepherd Dog or any of the other breeds we see at the dog shows today. Wow, when you think about it, that�s quite amazing. Of those 157 registered breeds, not one of them was designed by God! He never designed a dog to look like the German Shepherd Dog or any of the other breeds either. He just sent us a dog. So although God made the dog, man designed them.
Take a look at some of the first pictures of our breed. They appeared to lack bone, substance and strong heads. That same dog today probably could never compete in the conformation show ring with today�s dogs. So man saw something that he liked and tried to improve upon it. I wonder what the original German Shepherd�s temperament and personality was like. Were they stronger in personality than today�s dogs? I mean if man designed the structure of the dog, he must have been influential in this dog�s temperament and personality as well.
So then God didn�t make the German Shepherd or the Doberman or the Great Dane. He just made a dog and he was called a dog by people of that time. There weren�t any different types of breeds to choose from. If you wanted a dog, you got A DOG. You didn�t get a German Shepherd or any other type. At that time, I guess one type fit all. And then man being what he is�..never satisfied with what God gives him in the first place decided he could do it better. Some wanted a dog with courage. Some wanted a dog to carry around. Some wanted a dog to go hunting with. So man set about designing a dog that would fit his needs. He kept designing and designing and designing until he designed 157 different types. And he�s still designing��that�s why we have what we call now days, the �designer� breeds. Isn�t there any one breed of dog that suits all people? Apparently not!
I always hear moaning and groaning and grumbling from breeders about �those� designer breeds. People get angry that they�re charging such high puppy prices for those �mutts!� Hey weren�t our German Shepherd mutts at one time as well? I admit that when I hear the prices that some people get for these dogs that my �feathers get ruffled� as well.
I remember one time seeing a couple have a lovely looking �mix� bred dog. I commented to them that their dog was very pretty and asked about what breeds their dog came from. They proudly shared that information with me and proceeded to tell me that they spent a couple of thousand dollars for her. �What�..a couple of thousand dollars for a mutt?� Yes, I admit this bothered me knowing that breeders of pure bred dogs were having a hard time getting a decent price for their pedigreed dogs. But some people got restless once again and felt there weren�t enough different breed types of the 157 that are registered to satisfy them. So some people got busy designing some more breeds for the future and yes, we�ll continue to see newer and newer breeds entered in the All � Breed shows as the years go by. I wonder how long it takes for a new breed to be recognized by the AKC.
Do you feel that we�ve �come a long way baby� with the German Shepherd Breed? Have we improved on what the �designers� of yesterday had in mind for our breed? Do we have better German Shepherds today than what we did years ago? Are they better structured to do the work that they were meant to do? Are they better movers? And what about the health of our breed? Do you feel that we have genetically improved on the health of our dogs? Are we seeing better hips and elbows in our breed? How about the character of the German Shepherd? Have we bred for improvement in this area as well?
I wonder of the dogs that breeders are breeding today how many of them serve in the military? How many of them do police or rescue work? Where do the Hollywood studios buy their German Shepherds from? Have any of you breeders been approached from a Hollywood studio to buy any of your puppies? Do the Seeing Eye agencies call you up and ask to look at your puppies for use in their programs? I think some of these organizations breed their own dogs. I thought that I read that somewhere one time. Does anybody famous own one of your dogs? Where do these different people go to when they are looking to buy a dog? After all we breeders are the designers of the German Shepherd Dog.
So God made and gave man the dog to be a companion to him. But some of us wanted more than a companion and set about designing them to be exactly what we wanted them to be. So what do you think, did we do a better job? Did we get it right? Has man designed a better model?
From the book: "GOD'S MESSENGERS: WHAT ANIMALS TEACH US ABOUT THE DIVINE"....."The best animal book ever, A breathe of Heavenly fresh air, Anyone feeling nostalgic about the sentimental angel books of the 1990s will appreciate this collection of animal stories, a follow-up to the Andersons' book Angel Animals. Through nearly 70 vignettes, the authors attempt to answer the classic theological questions: Is there a God? Why do bad things happen? And does God reunite us with loved ones? Some stories are moving and well told; two of the best are "Ferrets Are Made of God," in which an autistic boy gains confidence through the love of his pet, and "A Hamster's Legacy," where chaotic sixth-graders learn to care for others. Many of the sketches are tributes to animals-dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, snakes, squirrels, you name it-that rescued or comforted or inspired their humans. Others veer into silliness, though who wants to argue with someone who believes her late beloved dog is sending messages from beyond? As the authors point out, "Animals have a talent for bypassing the mind and going straight to the heart." All the stories are purpose-driven, either including a lesson or followed by personal questions for reflection: "What if the messages in dreams aren't merely workings of our subconscious minds or the result of what we ate before bedtime? Has an animal communicated with you in a dream about a matter of great importance?" Though much of this book's spirituality would appeal to anyone with romantic views of God and nature, some of its more imaginative accounts overstep the beliefs of any traditional religions."
My rating: All German Shepherds are wonderful: (4)
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