Welcome To My View

What The Heck?  You Have To Be A Freaking Millionaire In This Sport?

That is what I’m beginning to believe.  I just made my entries for a fairly local show and it cost $318.00.  That entered one special for 4 days, and 2 class dogs for 2 days.  Then we will have gas and lodging and food for the weekend.  It is a long weekend, so there was an extra day of entries, but even so.  We will be traveling to the USA for a show this weekend, so our expense is even higher for that 3 days.   We absolutely love showing dogs.  There is nothing we would rather be doing.  But this year, we have spent on average of $500.00 per weekend and we have shown almost every weekend.  $20,000 is approximately what we have spent on showing our dogs this year so far, not counting advertising and other miscellaneous expenses.  I am sure that there are others that spend more than us.   

All we have to do to discourage young and enthusiastic people or families with children that are looking for a family activity or older folks that are looking for something new and fun to do in their retirement, give them an idea of what they will spend in this sport.  Ok, young people most likely won’t trade off vacations with friends and their gym memberships to get into Dog Fancy.  Families will probably pass because the cost is too high without sacrificing school uniforms, college fund and kids birthday gifts.  Are older folks willing to cash in their RRSPs and sell the family heirlooms to have enough disposable income to pay for the dog fancy?  All that said tongue in cheek, but you know there is some truth in what I’m saying.

I know someone that won the lottery and decided to use some of her winnings to campaign her dog with a professional handler for one year.  That is the only way she could ever afford to do that.  I know Alliances have been made between owner/handlers to help show each other’s dogs, so they won’t have the expense

of a professional handler.  I feel sorry for professional handlers, too.  There can’t be that many doctors, lawyers and oil or cattle barons left in this world that can afford to pay $50,000 a year to have their dogs professionally housed and shown.  Obviously, participating in any sport is a choice.  But if enough of us can’t afford it any more, then we take the choice away from the rest.  It will get to be where you won’t have enough people participating.   You won’t need to rent a venue, you can just hold the much smaller and intimate dog shows in someone’s backyard.

How then do we get the cost down so it will be attractive across the spectrum? I have no idea!!!  I wish I did know how to make our sport more affordable.  I would be sitting up high on the throne as the All Mighty Dog Fancy Poobah!  But don’t we have enough brains among our sport to gather a forum to figure it out?  Let’s lock them in a room for a long weekend and not allow them to see their beloved dogs until they come

up with a solution.  There needs to be fact sheets, lists of shows, financial statements, charts, graphs and a mindset that this is a solvable problem.  Approach it like a business.  Offer advice to the Kennel Clubs on how to provide a show that brings more exhibitors, lowering their cost but improving the Club’s bottom line.  Where are the great minds in our sport?????

I bet USAS and Peta are rolling on the floor holding their bellies from laughing till it hurts.  They aren't our worst enemy.  WE ARE!  We don’t care enough to find solutions to solve our problems.  We just like to point fingers!

She Said What?   No He’ Didn’t!   We voted Her Out!  Don’t Trust Anything They Say! Watch Her In The Ring, She Plays Dirty!

Admit it.  You have either heard these comments or said these comments and probably said or heard worse than these examples. 

Shame on all of us.

We keep our sport smoldering at its core with these mean spirited comments.  It’s like a smoldering fire that just sits between the floor joists doing unseen damage.  It’s dangerous, it can be deadly.  

Most of us learned how to get along with others when we were three years old.  We learned “Do Unto Others What We Want Others To Do Unto Us” and “If You Can’t Say Nice, Don’t Say Anything At All”.  Then why as Adults we can’t get along? 

I find myself moving farther away from negative people ringside.  I don’t want to leave the ring feeling like my stomach is in a knot.  Feeling tense and in knots isn't fun.  How do the comments I hear over and over about others improve anything?  If you are overheard by me, then you have probably been heard by many others.  Really, do you want to be that kind of person?

There was a lady that was typically disliked by everyone.  People had a nasty name for her.  I admit, she scared me a bit.  Lyle and I were hosting a cookout at a show, and I made the decision that I was going to invite her.  Several of my friends thought I had taken leave of my senses.  I approached her and told her how happy I would be if she came to the cookout.  She looked extremely surprised, but she said she would try to make it.  Sure enough, she showed up.  She was very pleasant.  She joined into the conversations with ease.  She was happy and engaging.  It turned out she had a sense of humor and was completely different than I thought.  I am so glad I invited her.  Now, we can speak to each other without tension at ringside.  It’s hard to call someone names when you get to know them in a different light. 

I didn’t tell the story to make Lyle and me look like angels.  Holy Crap, you know we are not.  We are human and sometimes slip and say things that should have been filtered.  Lyle and I have an agreement that we help remind each other to not say hurtful and negative things.

Again, this sport needs a huge positive attitude infusion.  We aren’t helping ourselves by causing friction, forgetting that we are all different and we may not always agree.  Ganging up on others can feel like bullying.  Backbiting says more about those doing it than the ones it’s happening to.  Always grumbling about other people, judges, venues, weather, club politics and other exhibitor’s dogs, etc. only serves to keep putting more nails in our sports coffin.

If you are talking about Lyle and me, good Lord, stop it.  Oh unless you are saying nice things, Carry On!  We aren’t perfect and we may say or do something mindless. 

Dang, I feel like I’m preaching.  Can I have an AMEN?  Now, if you will turn to page 419 in your hymnals, we will all stand and sing, “You Don’t Walk Alone”.

Where are you on this chart?  Do you recognize anyone you know? 

Lyle Jenkins – Husband Extraordinaire, Dog Enthusiast, Amateur Dog Handler and Damn Nice Man

A person sent me a nice deed this week, and when I was reading the email, I realized she was talking about

my husband.  I wrote her back that I couldn't print something about us doing a nice deed, but then I realized that l should tell you wonderful people about my man.

I married this wonderful man 15 years ago this coming January.  It is probably the best thing that has happened to me, only tied with adopting my son, Tom.

Lyle is from Nova Scotia and is a real family man and thinks that families should do things together.

I come from a huge dog family, but Lyle did not.  When we got married, he had to take me and my dog.  In the 15 years, he has tolerated us getting more and more into dogs.  He stepped in and learned how to handle our Standard Wirehaired Dachshunds in the ring.  He has proved to be a wonderful student and willing to take advice.  He has earned a lot of respect for his ability to learn and to laugh at himself when he has made mistakes.  Lyle believes that we should have fun and when we have fun the dogs enjoy it more and present better.

Lyle believes in respect for all people.  He wants those around him to have fun, too.  Lyle does so many nice things for others for no other reason than it makes him happy to help others.

The particular nice deed Lyle did that was the subject of the email I received was he knew of a person staying in a unheated converted van with her small dogs when the temperature turned off very cold at night.  Someone told Lyle about her situation and he went straight away to Wal-Mart and bought her a small ceramic heater.  She offered to pay him for the heater and her gave her a hug and told her not to worry about it.

This is just one example of the nice things he does for others at the shows.  I am a very lucky woman to have such a dreamboat hubby!  

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                     XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

The Dog Fancy Gives Back

Several dog show people gathered at Oakville Senior Citizens Residence last Thursday evening. This residence consist of two high rise buildings and has lovely facilities for the seniors.  We all gathered in the dining room that was adjacent to a lovely sitting area.  I was amazed at how many of the residents turned out to see our little "Meet and Greet the Dogs".  They had taped off a circle for our make believe show ring.  They had a small table in the middle of the circle for the small dogs to be displayed on.  The residents sat in a circle around us.

Wendy Davis, Jane and Caroline Holicka, Mary and Maria Mateljan, Brook Sillaby, Rhonda Smith Giannini, Rebecca Stanley

and Heather Brennan were the presenters of their dogs.  We all have Heather Brennan for organizing this event with Susan Bird, the Activities Coordinator at the Residence.  

Each of us took a turn going into the "show ring" and telling the seniors about our dogs.  We explained about their origins, what they should look like and if they had a trick, we made sure to show it. There were Havenese, German Shorthair Pointer, Golden Retreiver, Chinese Crested, Bermese Mountain Dog, Cocker Spaniel, Standard Wirehaired Dachshund and a Chihuahua. 

The Chihuahua is our boy.  He is fabulous in every way, even his blind left eye.  He has a permanent stink eye expression.  When we were introducing him, Lyle stood up with us to show the people that he also does the stink eye.  Oscar was a huge hit like he always is everywhere we go.  Even at the shows, Oscar has a special bed that is on top of the crates in our set up.  With the beautiful dachshunds at our set up, people will go straight for Oscar.  He loves everyone and can't get enough attention.  I have even seen

big, strapping teen-aged boys turn to mush when I hand them over to them to hold.

When we went there that night, we didn't expect for Oscar to be

offered a job.  As it turns out, the Residents initials spelled out the acronym OSCR which they pronounce, Oscar.  Susan Bird, approached me about Oscar being the Resident Mascot.  Oscar was very  flattered and accepted the role and he has already made plans to update his wardrobe.  He wants to visit at least once per month and just be a part of the Senior's day.  His only holdup is that I must get a criminal background check, first.  I will be taking care of that this week.

I hope that each of you will find a way to give back to your community with your dogs.  Ask around.  There are nursing homes, schools, hospitals, senior rec centres, just to mention a few.  Lyle and I left that night feeling very blessed to have such sweet dogs and so honored to have spent the evening with other wonderful dog people.  We finished our evening talking and laughing about the event and how much we loved it.

Sur

Here are the results of our last Dog Fancy Survey.  Thanks so much for taking the time to complete the survey.  I will be sending the results to the CKC, so they will know what's on our minds.

 DOG FANCY SURVEY # 2

1)  How many times per month do you show your dog? (This would be individual shows, not weekends.

Once -  12.09%

Twice - 13.19%

Three - 21.98%

Four -   14.29%

Five -     3.30%

Six -       8.79%

Other -  26.37%

The 25.84% that answered “Other” stated that their answers were based on if they had a dog at the time ready to show or if there were specialties to attend.

2)  Are you a?

                                                               Breeder -  5.49%

                                                               Breeder/Owner Handler - 59.34%

                                                               Owner Handler - 16.48%

                                                               Professional Handler - 3.30%

                                                               Junior Handler - 0%

                                                               Breeder/Owner hires Professional Hander - 15.38%

3)  How much do you spend for a show weekend on average? Consider travel expense, hotel/motel, RV lot rent, entry fees, food and handler fees.

                                                               $100 -   5.56%

                                                               $200 - 14.44%

                                                               $300 - 17.78%

                                                               $400 -  23.33%

                                                               $500 -  11.11%

                                                               $600 -  10.00%

                                                               More than $600 - 17.78%

4)  How many average kilometers do you travel to a show?

                                                               Less than 100 km - 6.74%

                                                               101 - 200 km - 42.70%

                                                                201 - 300 km - 25.84%

                                                                More than 300 km - 24.72%

5)  Are you a dog related business or hobby breeder?     

                                                                Business - 7.06%

                                                                Hobby -    92.94%

6)  How do you advertise puppies for sale? 

                                                                 Newspaper - 1.41% 

                                                                 Kijiji - 12.68%

                                                                 Craig's List - 0.00%

                                                                 Facebook - 21.13%

                                                                 Webpage - 53.52%

                                                                 Dog Shows - 11.27%

                                                                 Word of Mouth -  87.32%

7)  Would you like to see a discount for multiple dog entries in dog events?

                                                                 YES - 92.13%

                                                                  NO -     7.87%

8)  Do you think dog events could be more spectator friendly?

                                                                  YES - 94.51%

                                                                  NO -     5.49%

9)  Would you like to have more benched shows?

                                                                 YES -  45.56%

                                                                 NO -    54.44%

10)  Would you be interested in sponsoring a junior handler if you got discounted entry fees for yourself and the junior?

                                                                 YES - 61.36%

                                                                 NO -   38.64%

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                     XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

Making Sense of the Dollars in Dog Fancy

Who really benefits from money that is spent in the Dog Fancy?  I suspect it isn't the average dog fancier.  After all, how much money is spent every weekend at dog events?  The way I figure it, Lyle and I are doing our part in helping the economy just like all the other dog fanciers.  Let's list all the folks that share in the Dog Fancy Economy:

• Dog Food Companies - Dog Fanciers usually are very picky about what food they provide to their dogs.  We typically spend for premium food.  Lyle and I spend $62.00 per bag and it last us about a month.  
• Veterinarians - Of course we have to have a great relationship with our vets in case of emergencies, puppy birthing, inoculations, etc. 
• Dog Supply Stores - Bedding, Crates, Grooming supplies, tools, toys...it adds up quickly.
• CKC - Registrations and other documents
• Car Dealers - We need at the very least to have a car big enough to carry a single crate all the way up to a short truck that can carry twenty crates and all the necessary supplies. Also, many have vans, motor homes and RV's.  
• Service Stations - Gasoline and/or Diesel fuel for all the vehicles we need.
• Mechanics Shop - To keep our vehicles in top running condition.  Our vehicles must be reliable to run us up and down the roads to all the shows.
• Department Stores, Second Hand Stores and Consignment Shops where we buy the show clothes required to show our dogs.
• Shoe stores - for those sensible shoes that allow us to run around the rings no matter indoors or outdoors.  Don't forget the rubber boots needed for all the rainy show weekends.
• Insurance Companies - To cover our vehicles and our dogs health.
• Club Dues and donations to raffles - So we can  make sure we can have breed specialties and other events.
• Dog Show Entry Companies - Almost of of us use an online Entry Service, now.  For the convenience, we pay a percentage of the entry fee or a set amount per entry.
• Restaurants - Food for the weekend.  If you are like Lyle and me, we try to make it off snacks and one real meal a day.  But the Chip Wagons always get our money for fries.
• Grocery Store - If you have an RV you probably buy groceries for the weekend.
• Hotels/Motels - Typically it is from one to two nights stay. If you are lucky, you will get a decent continental breakfast for free.
• Professional Handler - We have all had to hire a Pro from time-to-time to help us, but others always have their dogs on a handler.
• Wal-mart or Canadian Tire - To purchase the EZ ups, tarps, sunshades, lawn chairs, portable grills, picnic supplies, etc. 
• Revenue Canada - Taxes on all the above

Are you like me and afraid to tally up how much you are spending?   When you see how many businesses benefit from our participation in the dog fancy, you would think that we could do more to bring revenue to our shows to be more profitable.  I for one would like to see more advertising our dog shows at the local level.  Fall is coming and that will bring all the Community Fairs.  Everyone loves a fair.  We look forward to the midway and games, the rides, the exhibits, lawnmower races and demolition derbies.  Why can't we get people excited about coming out to the dog show?  There are so many advertising opportunities, flyers at the vets' offices, schools, newspapers, radio and tv.  Offer a free ticket to a family of four.  Who remembers the adage, "You have to spend money to make money"?  Perhaps we should offer variety at the dog shows, include dock diving, Rally O, Meet the Breeds, Guided Tours, Judges that are wearing mics that can explain what they are asking the exhibitors to do and why.  Judges that aren't afraid of verbalizing to the crowd why they make their decision.  We need seating!!!!!!!  It's bad enough that I have to drag my chair back and forth from my set up to ringside, should paying attendees also have to lug chairs along with them?  Let's educate the public on why they should only consider buying a purebred dog from a CKC breeder.  Why not show John Q Public all the fun activities they can do with their purebred.  I'm going to stick my neck out here, and suggest that no show can be held without having scheduled events for the public education, there must be guided tours and there must be a representative from each breed prepared to meet the public to discuss their breed. Instead of shutting everything down at 5:00 pm, there should be public entertainment such as Dog Dancing Expos and other shows.  There could be the main competition during the day and public entertainment at night, when the exhibitors have more time to meet the public and talk about their sport and breed.

I think we should all start thinking like business people.  We are the entertainment.  We are good at what we do in the dog fancy. We need to get the general public excited about coming out to see us entertain!

Time for your feedback, again.  

Please complete the attached Dog Fancy Survey #2!

Your answers are completely anonymous.  I share the results with you in an upcoming blog and I also forward the survey results to the CKC.

Click here to take the Survey :  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GLNWWY5

I know you enjoyed the "Nice Deeds" reported in last week's blog. Please remember to watch for acts of kindness at your events and email them to me.

www.canuckdogs.com is the busiest website dedicated to Canadian Dog Fancy. 

 Did you know that Canuck Dogs is 100% volunteers? 

Did you know that you can advertise on Canuck Dogs and reach thousands of viewers each day? 

Did you know that most advertisements on Canuck Dogs is less than $40 per month. 

Did you know you have your dog's own stats page with picture of your dog on Canuck Dogs.

Did you know that www.canuckdogs.com is a one-stop location for all you want to know in the dog fancy.  Upcoming dog events, unequaled quick show results, all manner of stats and judging schedules.  

 You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                     XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

Nice Deeds Reported

I'm fairly new to the dog world, purchasing my first purebred 4 years ago. We attended a beginner obedience class that opened my eyes to the opportunity to have fun with my dog by training for specific goals. I now own 3 Newfoundlands, my original 4 year old, a beautiful big rescue and an almost 2 year old. I would like to recognize the following people who consistently offer their help and expertise not only to me, but to anyone looking to improve and learn with their dogs. They show people how to strive for excellence while ensuring the time spent is enjoyable for both the owner and the dogs.

Tubby Miller - has been training  his Newfies in Obedience, Draft Work, Water Rescue Work, and Agility for better than thirty years.  

  

Kerri Miller - Is actively involved in Obedience/Rally O

Pauline Baldwin - is a heavily involved in obedience and draft test.  She is a licensed draft test judge.

Maureen O'Neil - shows her Shetland sheepdog, WillowGlyn Levi Blue Jean, in Obedience with great success

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities they have opened up for us  

Candace Bakay

Jim Gillanders, Uppercut Boxers

On Saturday at the St. Catharines KC show, our power box breaker blew, which was strange since it is 30 amps and this is more common with the 15 amps, leaving us and other RV owners with Pugs without any power.  We thought it was going to be a quick fix and went to reset the breaker, however to our surprise, there was a padlock on the breaker box.

Margaret from the St. Catharines Kennel Club was notified, she took action immediately and called the person responsible at the Niagara Fairgrounds to either come himself, or send someone with a key to open the padlock and breaker box.  To Margaret's dismay, she was told that this person was not available for the weekend, but they were trying to find someone else to come out to fix the problem.  

Hours passed, and still no help arrived, however in the meantime, we were using our generator.  By mid-afternoon, with our generator running for hours in the hot weather it overheated (although at the time, we did not know this was the problem).  With 9 dogs in a hot motor home we were concerned. Since we are not very experienced with motor home camping and have little knowledge of most mechanical or electrical problems, Laurel assumed it was perhaps a breaker in the RV that was blown. 

Camping next to us was the gentleman from Uppercut Boxers,  Jim Gillanders.  Laurel asked him if he could figure out why our generator had stopped working.  As it so happens, Jim is an electrician by trade – how lucky for us! 

Jim checked a few things and determined that the generator itself had overheated.  He advised to let it cool and leave the cover open to allow the air to circulate better.  In the meantime, someone from the St. Catharines Kennel Club had located the key for the padlock on the breaker box and opened it – the switches were flipped but still… nothing, no power.  Again, Jim was asked to look and see if the problem could be fixed easily. He did with a smile on his face, happy to help.  Jim diagnosed the problem and explained that since the box and wires were old, the connection did not occur easily and the switches needed to be flipped and really pushed down hard for the connection to occur – he did this and voila!  Power!

We have no idea who came with the key… but thank you to this person as well.  The padlock was left unlocked for the remainder of the weekend in the event that the breaker would blow again. 

Thank you so very much Jim for your help – there are still gentlemen left and he camped right next to us this weekend! J

Also, thank you to the St. Catherines Kennel Club for the marvelous weekend.

Gratefully,

Helene Belanger and Laurel Brown

Mentors, Friends and Cheerleaders

The nice deeds reported this week got me to thinking about the people that mentor newbies, the friends that are always available to lend a hand and those folks that appreciate your dogs and cheer for you ringside.  

Lyle and I have been so fortunate to have Debby Krieg as our mentor and friend.  I bought our first girl from her without even talking to Lyle about it.  Since then we have added another Daybreak girl, Cara, above serving as our cheerleader for this blog.  We also have two boys that are sired by Daybreak Wires.  

Debby Krieg, Daybreak Wires

Debby has been my teacher, my friend and like a sister.  She had the patience to teach me to hand strip my dogs over the phone.  I would not be doing this without her, nor would I want to.  I hope we have a lot more years of breedings,  pedigree talks and dog shows to share together.

I am not the only person lucky to have a mentor.  Many of the great breeders, owner/handlers and pro handlers were fortunate enough to have a person in their early dog life to mentor them.  Another great example of a Breeder/Owner/Handler mentoring a new person is Kay Reil

Kay Reil, left having a laugh with Michelle Atkinson-Fielding

mentoring Michelle Atkinson-Fielding. Michelle bought a puppy from Kay and it has turned into a wonderful teacher/student plus friendship.  Michelle is quick to talk about how much Kay has done to help her and how much she appreciates her.  

To get the opportunity to work with a great mentor, it's very important to be receptive, open to instruction and constructive criticism and to be thankful for their time. There are multitudes of great mentors out there.  If you are in need of help, regardless of how many years you have been in the sport, take the time to approach them and ask for help.  That is one of the best ways I know of to make a new friend and build a mentor relationship.

Friends are so valuable in this sport.  Of course, the old saying, everyone's your friend until you start beating them comes to mind.  But, I know that isn't always true.  I have many friends within the Hound Group.  We all want to win a group placement every time we go out, but we don't let being competitive override the importance of our friendships.  I clap and cheer for them, they clap and cheer for me.  We will take their dogs in when needed and they will take ours in. We gather together at the show site to visit and laugh.  We give each other tips and encouragement.  They are the friends that will tell you what you did that could have been a bit better and will bring you beer, wine and sometimes something a bit stronger when needed.  To me, being a good friend and having good friends is more important than who I beat that day in the ring.  Of course, if one of us has a really big day, these are the people that are waiting ringside to give hugs, slaps on the back and dance with you back to your setup.

Cheerleaders are those folks that you don't necessarily know well, but they like your dog and they would like to see your dog do well.  I love the cheerleaders.  They make the show more fun.  I would like to encourage clapping, woot, woot, wooting and whistling for your favorite dog.  To me there is nothing worse than stone silence at a dog show.  I have seen dogs perk up at the sound of applause, even when it was for another dog two rings over.  But, let's remember a good rule, if you clap for one dog, clap for them all.  You can add a bit more enthusiasm for your favorite, of course.

With Deepest Sympathy

The dog show world said goodbye to a wonderful person this past weekend.   Nelly Bennett, wife to Al Bennett and mother to Carly was a person that always greeted folks with a smile. She wanted people to have fun at the dog shows.

I regret that I did not get the opportunity to know her well.  When I did have the chance to be around her at the dog shows, she was very warm, friendly and fun.  The last time I saw her was at Dorchester Dog Show.  There was karaoke night.  Our RV was parked close to the pavilion  where the karaoke was being held.  Nelly kept asking Lyle and me to come sing.  Finally after two bottles of wine, we walked over. I can't carry a tune with both hands and a bucket, but Nelly talked me into getting up to sing and she agreed that she would sing with me.  Dumb me, I didn't know Nelly was a jokester!  She turned off her mic and left me to sing all by myself.  

I want to personally extend Lyle and my deepest sympathy to Alan and Carly and to all the hundreds and hundreds of people that knew and loved Nelly.  

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.   Send your "Nice Deeds" to me at djenkins@shaw.ca 

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                     XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

Ethics vs Morals

These words are so closely related that they are often interchanged.  What is the difference in these words? 

Ethics are rules of behavior determined by a governing body such as your profession or organization or club.  Lawyers, policemen and doctors all have to follow an ethical code of conduct determined by their profession, regardless of their own feelings or preferences. Ethics is a social system or the framework for acceptable behavior. 

Morals are our own personal beliefs of what is right and wrong behavior.  We typically are taught morals from our family.  Morals are family values.  If you are raised in a family that believes that discrimination against others is wrong, then you will likely never believe that discrimination is morally right.  However, if you were brought up in a family where there was discrimination, as you are exposed to various social opportunities in your life, you may change your moral beliefs about discrimination and decide it is wrong.   Personal beliefs, morals, can change over our lifetime due to our living experiences.

Ethics versus Morals is when you are in a situation that one challenges the other.  For instance, if you are a lawyer that believes that murder is wrong and should be punished, but you also have taken the oath that every person has the right to fair and competent legal defense.  How do you make your Morals work with Ethics?   Or you believe there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana, but your employer says if you are caught smoking marijuana on the job you will be fired? 

  The CKC has a Members Code of Ethics and a Breeders Code of Ethics.  When was the last time you read them?  Here are the web links so you can review them if you like.

http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=82

http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=81

Also there is a CKC Handbook.  I look at it regularly for rules for different situations.  It is a very handy tool. 

           http://www.ckc.ca/en/Portals/0/pdf/Rule-Books/310-01-05%20Conformation.pdf

Ethics in the Dog Fancy

Nowadays, there seems to be growing discontent among exhibitors, about the lack of ethics in the Dog Fancy.  Morals and the CKC Code of Ethics combined with the rules and regulations published by the CKC give each of us guidelines to follow in our sport.  We all should know the rules of conduct and the rules and regulations of our sport.  We all understand to breach any of these rules can result in disqualification, fines and even suspension.

In spite of all the rules and Regulations the CKC publishes, it is absolutely certain that the sport would run far less smoothly and be a great deal less fun without them. Like all rules, however watertight they appear to be, there are always people who will go out of their way to exploit the small “chinks and cracks” to their own advantage.  It’s the way people exploit the rules and breaks the unwritten ethics of the dog fancy that cause people to become angry and jaded.

There are always a few people in any sport that are unethical and will do whatever it takes to win.  There are exhibitors that email the judges pictures and stats on their dogs before the shows.  Some exhibitors want a lot of face-time with judges outside the ring in hopes of ingratiating themselves to the judge.  Some pile up on top of the ring steward table to be sure to be noticed with their fine dog.  Some exhibitors give gifts after the show as appreciation.  Some exhibitors take judges to dinner before, during and after the show.  I have seen exhibitors fling winning ribbons into the trash bin on their way out of the ring.  Some exhibitors stomp off so mad that their footsteps echo in your ears and their poor dog is being dragged behind them.  There are no written rules against any of this, but there are personal morals and sporting ethics that should come into play.

Wouldn't it be nice if all exhibitors had a great sporting attitude, win or lose?  Unfortunately, bad manners are displayed at every event.  Our sport is open to all people, regardless of economic, educational, or religious affiliation.  So, needless to say, we have all types of people exhibiting dogs.  I think we can all agree that the one person we all hate to see is the one that is always mad about something.  They don’t like the judging panel.  They think that Pro Handlers are unfair competition.  They think the other dogs are poor examples of their breed.  The show organizers are idiots and failed to do a good job.  The venue is awful.  On and on and on!   Fortunately, the majority of our exhibitors are good sports and take the losses with the wins.  They are genuinely pleased to see a good dog win, even it if means their dog did not win.  There are plenty of exhibitors that will lend a hand to hold another exhibitor’s dog ringside or even step in to show the dog if needed.  There are exhibitors that have taken a novice under their wing to be sure they understand all the rules and nuances of showing.  I am pleased to say that I have been on the receiving end and the giving end of good deeds.

I hope I have made some folks feel really awful about their behavior and will try harder to be good sports and play the game with better ethics and moral fiber.

If nothing else, I hope this serves as a reminder that most of our mother’s taught us right from wrong, and as adults we need those lessons more than ever!  Please don’t leave your good manners and ethics at your setup.  Bring them to the ring to show them off!

Shakes Hands and Come Out Friends

I was reminded this last weekend while we were at the Canfield, Ohio Dog Show that we should take the time to get to know people at our shows.  Setting up next door to us at Canfield fairgrounds was another couple.  I was bathing my dogs when the lady came to me and asked if I had the beautiful wirehaired dachshund that was reserve BIS at the Kent show.  I was stunned that she recognized us and I didn't have a clue who she was.  It was my lucky day because I met two great new people, Nancy and Randy Rhodes that are breeder/handlers of mini longhair dachshunds.  We got to chatting and we had so many things in common.  They live part of the year in Canada and the other in Michigan.  The Kent show is their club show.  Now, I look forward to seeing them at the shows.

Also, there was a young lady coming to their campsite that I recognized from the Ontario shows, and I asked who she was.  Her name is Karen Norton that has Chinese Crested and also handles sometimes for Nancy and Randy.   What a treat to actually meet her and to have a little time to get to know her.  Now, I look forward to seeing her at the shows.

We are all guilty of using the excuse that we are to busy with grooming, handling and other important tasks to meet people at the shows.  BULL*HIT!!  It isn't true.  That is just a boldface lie.  Nobody is that busy.  I’m guilty of that excuse, too! 

I remember that I kept seeing this very attractive lady (she will be embarrassed when she reads I called her “very attractive”!), and I loved the way she always presented herself and dog ringside.  Finally, one day I told Lyle that I was going to buck up and introduce myself to her.  We all went into the ring for breed and we are waiting ringside for the Hound Group.  I walked to the other side of the ring and told her that I think she is beautiful, she dresses immaculately and she had the finest Basset Hound I’d ever seen.  I told her my name and made my hasty exit.  She was stunned and didn't know what to say.  But, we have been good friends ever since.  We love seeing each other at the shows and we are friends away from the ring.  I know everyone thinks that I am not afraid of anything and I am outgoing.  I have a shy side and it isn't always easy for me to meet new people. 

So, please wipe your hands off on your clothes, take a deep gulp and march up to a stranger at the next show and stick out your hand.  Remember to be interested in that person and they will be interested in you.  When the introductions are done, you both walk away with a new acquaintance and the possibility of a new friendship.

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.   Send your "Nice Deeds" to me at djenkins@shaw.ca 

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                     XXXOOO