Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL ANYONE'S JOY!
I was shocked to read comments on a blog I read, which was then posted to facebook. I think this needs to be remembered by those who made the unsportsman like comments.
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL MY JOY
by Connie Cleveland
On the occasion of my tenth anniversary, my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate. I asked that we take a very dear friend, my adopted grandmother and one of the greatest of all the great southern ladies, out to dinner with us.
At dinner, my husband, Brian, presented me with a diamond ring. It was gorgeous and I was speechless, but even as I thanked him, I worried about the expense and extravagance of such a gift. As if he knew that the next line belonged to my grandmother, my husband excused himself from the table. He was barely out of sight when she reached across the table and grabbed me by the shoulder, "I know what you're thinking, I know you think he couldn't afford it and it's too extravagant. I don't care if he had to put a second mortgage on the house to buy it, don't you steal his joy! It's beautiful. Accept it as the token of his love that it is and say nothing about how he shouldn't have bought it for you." Then she repeated, "Don't you dare steal his joy!"
That was the end of the conversation. She sat back in her seat, smiled at my returning husband, and we had a lovely dinner. I took her advice and put my reservations out of my mind. The ring has never come off my finger, but most importantly, I learned a wonderfully important lesson, never to steal another man's joy.
Are you a joy stealer?
"You know if my dog hadn't gone down on the sit, I would have won the class", said, unfeelingly, to the winner.
"I sure didn't think your dog worked that high a score."
"I can't believe you placed, I thought Jane Oneup and her dog would beat you."
"I thought I had that class won! My dog had a great performance," said to the winner.
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL MY JOY
by Connie Cleveland
On the occasion of my tenth anniversary, my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate. I asked that we take a very dear friend, my adopted grandmother and one of the greatest of all the great southern ladies, out to dinner with us.
At dinner, my husband, Brian, presented me with a diamond ring. It was gorgeous and I was speechless, but even as I thanked him, I worried about the expense and extravagance of such a gift. As if he knew that the next line belonged to my grandmother, my husband excused himself from the table. He was barely out of sight when she reached across the table and grabbed me by the shoulder, "I know what you're thinking, I know you think he couldn't afford it and it's too extravagant. I don't care if he had to put a second mortgage on the house to buy it, don't you steal his joy! It's beautiful. Accept it as the token of his love that it is and say nothing about how he shouldn't have bought it for you." Then she repeated, "Don't you dare steal his joy!"
That was the end of the conversation. She sat back in her seat, smiled at my returning husband, and we had a lovely dinner. I took her advice and put my reservations out of my mind. The ring has never come off my finger, but most importantly, I learned a wonderfully important lesson, never to steal another man's joy.
Are you a joy stealer?
"You know if my dog hadn't gone down on the sit, I would have won the class", said, unfeelingly, to the winner.
"I sure didn't think your dog worked that high a score."
"I can't believe you placed, I thought Jane Oneup and her dog would beat you."
"I thought I had that class won! My dog had a great performance," said to the winner.
"Isn't that judge an idiot? I can't believe the dogs he put up!" said to the winner.
"Boy, aren't you glad Mrs Winallthetime wasn't here today or you might not have won."
"You passed that Master test because the water blind was so easy."
"That was the stupidest set of water marks I've ever seen. No trial should end that easily," said to the winner.
Do you discourage or encourage fellow competitors? Do you tell them their goals are too lofty and their dreams too big? Are you trying to be helpful or trying to keep them from accomplishing something that you never had the ability or perseverance to do yourself? It is equally as harmful to steal joy by destroying the dream.
"No Basset Hounds get UD's," said to the owner of the Bassett in Utility class.
"I've never seen a Rottweiler that could do fronts and finishes", said to the owner of the Rottweiler practicing fronts and finishes.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a UD and a Master Hunter? Do you know how few people have ever done it?" said to the first time dog owner setting out to do both.
When FC AFC OTCH Law Abiding Ezra had both his field championships and 65 OTCH points including all the necessary first places, someone had the guts to come up to me, his owner, trainer and handler and say, "No dog will ever be a field champion and an obedience champion." My jaw drops when I think about it. Isn't it unfortunate that I remember this attempt at stealing my joy much more than I remember all the cards and letters and congratulations I received when those last 35 points were earned?
If you are willing to destroy someone's dream, perhaps you don't realize that it is the JOY of pursuing the dream that keeps the dreamer motivated, not just reaching the accomplishment.
My husband and I travel and compete together. I remember an event, early in our relationship when I watched his Doberman fail articles. "Darn it, " I said, as he came out of the ring," she didn't even try to find the right one!" "Oh", he replied, "but, weren't her heeling and signals wonderful?"
Unknowingly, I had almost stolen his joy. He was celebrating the improvement on the exercise that had been giving him trouble, and I was focused on the failure. Since that experience, Brian and I have learned that the best response to a questionable performance, "What did you think?" That way, if the handler is excited about some aspect of the performance, you can share that excitement. If the handler is disappointed in another aspect, you can share the disappointment. You are safely removed from being a joy stealer.
I hope you have a lot of dreams and goals for your dogs in (the coming year). Undoubtedly there will be moments of disappointment as you venture through the landmines of injury, failures and other setbacks. Remember that the joy of the journey is worth the difficulties along the way and don't let anyone steal that joy. Guard it well and at the end of the road you can own it and revel in it with all the other memories of the trip.
*Permission to cross post* a great read for all dog competitors.
I hope you have a lot of dreams and goals for your dogs in (the coming year). Undoubtedly there will be moments of disappointment as you venture through the landmines of injury, failures and other setbacks. Remember that the joy of the journey is worth the difficulties along the way and don't let anyone steal that joy. Guard it well and at the end of the road you can own it and revel in it with all the other memories of the trip.
*Permission to cross post* a great read for all dog competitors.
Friday, May 28, 2010
A sad and shocking loss to the Cardigan world.
Marieann Gladstone, the judge of this year's National Specialty, died yesterday. I am in shock.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Rabies scare
The dogs alerted me this morning to a sick looking raccoon
approaching their fence. Unfortunately my husband was out
of town and I had to wait for the sheriff to arrive.
During that time the poor creature slunk into the woods
and could not be sent to his/her maker. The sheriff did
confirm that in the next town they already had 6 confirmed
cases of rabies and my vet confirmed cases in their county,
just south of ours.
I always double fence my unvaccinated puppies. When we
have wee ones they are in an expen inside my fenced yard
and what happened this morning was proof I am doing the
right thing. This is the very reason I vaccinate my puppies
for rabies as soon as New York State law allows - 13 weeks.
Waiting until 6 months could have been a death sentence if
I had a puppy here. At least you can treat a vaccine
reaction if that is what you fear. I have not had one yet.
Wishing everyone to have a safe spring & summer!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The cart before the horse...
Our litter plans include an all black litter for this summer.
Both the dam of this litter and the paternal grand dam have "Lace" as part of their registered names. I am looking for other "lace" names or theme ideas. Any suggestions?
Both the dam of this litter and the paternal grand dam have "Lace" as part of their registered names. I am looking for other "lace" names or theme ideas. Any suggestions?
Monday, May 17, 2010
National Week in pictures
April 25, 2010As you all know, we started our National week by having Luther temperament tested right before we left for Gettysburg.
April 26, 2010Luther completed his Rally Novice title in 3 straight trials! I am very happy to have finished his title at the National.
April 27, 2010Luther was runner up Black Dog in Megan. The Megan is a Champions-Only match judged by three judges. The black dog class was the second largest Megan class.
April 29, 2010
Luther was awarded 2nd in Herding Titled Dog.
Me and my dog. Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Luther is official!
Thank you to Garrett for showing that AKC has tallied in the rally results from the National.
Luther is now officially:
Luther is now officially:
CH Visions I Have A Dream RN PT - DN14250002
| | Conformation - Awards Processed Through 27-APR-2010 | |||||||||||
| |
|
| | Herding Test - Awards Processed Through 08-MAY-2010 | |||||||
| |
|
| | Rally - Awards Processed Through 26-APR-2010 | |||||||
| |
|
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Olivia HS!
Olivia, Visions Dream A Little Dream with a gazillion titles, now has a new title to add on to the long list! Barb Miller finished her HS yesterday with a 95 and HIT (all breed)!!
Olivia gained her first two legs at the National, with placements & a High Scoring Cardigan in the all breed trial!
I am so proud of this team!!
Olivia gained her first two legs at the National, with placements & a High Scoring Cardigan in the all breed trial!
I am so proud of this team!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Don't you dare steal my joy...
Connie Cleveland is a well known Obedience Trainer, but this could apply to other venues beyond Obedience Dog Competitions...in any venue in life...
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL MY JOY
by Connie Cleveland
On the occasion of my tenth anniversary, my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate. I asked that we take a very dear friend, my adopted grandmother and one of the greatest of all the great southern ladies, out to dinner with us.
At dinner, my husband, Brian, presented me with a diamond ring. It was gorgeous and I was speechless, but even as I thanked him, I worried about the expense and extravagance of such a gift. As if he knew that the next line belonged to my grandmother, my husband excused himself from the table. He was barely out of sight when she reached across the table and grabbed me by the shoulder, "I know what you're thinking, I know you think he couldn't afford it and it's too extravagant. I don't care if he had to put a second mortgage on the house to buy it, don't you steal his joy! It's beautiful. Accept it as the token of his love that it is and say nothing about how he shouldn't have bought it for you." Then she repeated, "Don't you dare steal his joy!"
That was the end of the conversation. She sat back in her seat, smiled at my returning husband, and we had a lovely dinner. I took her advice and put my reservations out of my mind. The ring has never come off my finger, but most importantly, I learned a wonderfully important lesson, never to steal another man's joy.
Are you a joy stealer?
"You know if my dog hadn't gone down on the sit, I would have won the class", said, unfeelingly, to the winner.
"I sure didn't think your dog worked that high a score."
"I can't believe you placed, I thought Jane Oneup and her dog would beat you."
"I thought I had that class won! My dog had a great performance," said to the winner.
DON'T YOU DARE STEAL MY JOY
by Connie Cleveland
On the occasion of my tenth anniversary, my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate. I asked that we take a very dear friend, my adopted grandmother and one of the greatest of all the great southern ladies, out to dinner with us.
At dinner, my husband, Brian, presented me with a diamond ring. It was gorgeous and I was speechless, but even as I thanked him, I worried about the expense and extravagance of such a gift. As if he knew that the next line belonged to my grandmother, my husband excused himself from the table. He was barely out of sight when she reached across the table and grabbed me by the shoulder, "I know what you're thinking, I know you think he couldn't afford it and it's too extravagant. I don't care if he had to put a second mortgage on the house to buy it, don't you steal his joy! It's beautiful. Accept it as the token of his love that it is and say nothing about how he shouldn't have bought it for you." Then she repeated, "Don't you dare steal his joy!"
That was the end of the conversation. She sat back in her seat, smiled at my returning husband, and we had a lovely dinner. I took her advice and put my reservations out of my mind. The ring has never come off my finger, but most importantly, I learned a wonderfully important lesson, never to steal another man's joy.
Are you a joy stealer?
"You know if my dog hadn't gone down on the sit, I would have won the class", said, unfeelingly, to the winner.
"I sure didn't think your dog worked that high a score."
"I can't believe you placed, I thought Jane Oneup and her dog would beat you."
"I thought I had that class won! My dog had a great performance," said to the winner.
"Isn't that judge an idiot? I can't believe the dogs he put up!" said to the winner.
"Boy, aren't you glad Mrs Winallthetime wasn't here today or you might not have won."
"You passed that Master test because the water blind was so easy."
"That was the stupidest set of water marks I've ever seen. No trial should end that easily," said to the winner.
Do you discourage or encourage fellow competitors? Do you tell them their goals are too lofty and their dreams too big? Are you trying to be helpful or trying to keep them from accomplishing something that you never had the ability or perseverance to do yourself? It is equally as harmful to steal joy by destroying the dream.
"No Basset Hounds get UD's," said to the owner of the Bassett in Utility class.
"I've never seen a Rottweiler that could do fronts and finishes", said to the owner of the Rottweiler practicing fronts and finishes.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a UD and a Master Hunter? Do you know how few people have ever done it?" said to the first time dog owner setting out to do both.
When FC AFC OTCH Law Abiding Ezra had both his field championships and 65 OTCH points including all the necessary first places, someone had the guts to come up to me, his owner, trainer and handler and say, "No dog will ever be a field champion and an obedience champion." My jaw drops when I think about it. Isn't it unfortunate that I remember this attempt at stealing my joy much more than I remember all the cards and letters and congratulations I received when those last 35 points were earned?
If you are willing to destroy someone's dream, perhaps you don't realize that it is the JOY of pursuing the dream that keeps the dreamer motivated, not just reaching the accomplishment.
My husband and I travel and compete together. I remember an event, early in our relationship when I watched his Doberman fail articles. "Darn it, " I said, as he came out of the ring," she didn't even try to find the right one!" "Oh", he replied, "but, weren't her heeling and signals wonderful?"
Unknowingly, I had almost stolen his joy. He was celebrating the improvement on the exercise that had been giving him trouble, and I was focused on the failure. Since that experience, Brian and I have learned that the best response to a questionable performance, "What did you think?" That way, if the handler is excited about some aspect of the performance, you can share that excitement. If the handler is disappointed in another aspect, you can share the disappointment. You are safely removed from being a joy stealer.
I hope you have a lot of dreams and goals for your dogs in (the coming year). Undoubtedly there will be moments of disappointment as you venture through the landmines of injury, failures and other setbacks. Remember that the joy of the journey is worth the difficulties along the way and don't let anyone steal that joy. Guard it well and at the end of the road you can own it and revel in it with all the other memories of the trip.
*Permisssion to cross post* a great read for all dog competitors.
I hope you have a lot of dreams and goals for your dogs in (the coming year). Undoubtedly there will be moments of disappointment as you venture through the landmines of injury, failures and other setbacks. Remember that the joy of the journey is worth the difficulties along the way and don't let anyone steal that joy. Guard it well and at the end of the road you can own it and revel in it with all the other memories of the trip.
*Permisssion to cross post* a great read for all dog competitors.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
We're home! And good news in the mail!
What a GREAT time we had at the National this week! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped me so much so I could be there with my bad back. I am getting better slowly. The dogs & I were tired after this long week so we skipped out on the Del-Val Specialty today and came home a day early.
I do want to thank everyone who cheered on Luther when he was in the ring! Your support of him was over whelming and humbling. And another THANK YOU to all the judges who deemed him worthy.
I also want to congratulate all the winners! What a beautiful dogs!!
We came home with a "borrowed" new addition. "Lacey" is a pretty black & white "girlfriend" for Luther that I am leasing for an all black litter here. As soon as Bonnie & I can get some new photos of her, I will make her a page on the website.
And, I came home to find Magnet's CHIC Certificate in the mail!! The printer is "dead" and awaiting replacement so I am unable to scan it at this time.
I do want to thank everyone who cheered on Luther when he was in the ring! Your support of him was over whelming and humbling. And another THANK YOU to all the judges who deemed him worthy.
I also want to congratulate all the winners! What a beautiful dogs!!
We came home with a "borrowed" new addition. "Lacey" is a pretty black & white "girlfriend" for Luther that I am leasing for an all black litter here. As soon as Bonnie & I can get some new photos of her, I will make her a page on the website.
And, I came home to find Magnet's CHIC Certificate in the mail!! The printer is "dead" and awaiting replacement so I am unable to scan it at this time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)