Do you remember your first win? This can be as simple as points or as major or as important as a national specialty placement.
I do. I remember my firsts on all my dogs. Mind you I haven’t been doing this long, so I don’t have many to remember yet!
My very first points. I didn’t start showing dogs until I was in my late 20’s. I was showing, what most would claim, as a less that quality show dog. We were at a fairly local show and Mr. Smith was judging. Honey went winner’s bitch for her first points. I was so proud. I still remember what I wore and how I felt. It truly was an awesome feeling.
Honey never did finish, and several years later I came into my first “show” dog. I still remember her first points, her first major (and a cross over to boot), when she finished her Championship and when she finished her Grand. The one piece I really remember is her getting an AOM at the regional speciality at Nationals. It was a 7 ½ hour drive home and I do believe that I floated the whole way home! (With the ribbon riding shotgun all the way!)
For most of us, if you show regularly, the ribbons come and go. We tuck them away and think that someday we will do “something” with them. The thing that kills me is when I see ribbons wadded up and stuffed in tack boxes from many shows ago. I just don’t think some people cherish those darn bookmarks!
This year I finished my first bred-by. While his wins are still fresh in my memory, I decided to immortalize them in our dog room. His Championship picture and certificate are framed with his bred-by medallion hanging from the frame. It is refreshing to see them hanging with Savvy’s AOM ribbon, and Remmers group placement every time I enter the room.
I also remember the people that were a part of these special times in my life. Hummm…bet you can guess where one of next week’s blogs will be about!
So as I sit here a bit down about showing dogs and the frustration that comes with the sport, I’m trying to focus on these memories. The great feelings that come with the amazing wins (or even the ones that are quite so “important”) are what will help me overcome where I’m at today and be a better showman and sportsman for tomorrow!
I do. I remember my firsts on all my dogs. Mind you I haven’t been doing this long, so I don’t have many to remember yet!
My very first points. I didn’t start showing dogs until I was in my late 20’s. I was showing, what most would claim, as a less that quality show dog. We were at a fairly local show and Mr. Smith was judging. Honey went winner’s bitch for her first points. I was so proud. I still remember what I wore and how I felt. It truly was an awesome feeling.
Honey never did finish, and several years later I came into my first “show” dog. I still remember her first points, her first major (and a cross over to boot), when she finished her Championship and when she finished her Grand. The one piece I really remember is her getting an AOM at the regional speciality at Nationals. It was a 7 ½ hour drive home and I do believe that I floated the whole way home! (With the ribbon riding shotgun all the way!)
For most of us, if you show regularly, the ribbons come and go. We tuck them away and think that someday we will do “something” with them. The thing that kills me is when I see ribbons wadded up and stuffed in tack boxes from many shows ago. I just don’t think some people cherish those darn bookmarks!
This year I finished my first bred-by. While his wins are still fresh in my memory, I decided to immortalize them in our dog room. His Championship picture and certificate are framed with his bred-by medallion hanging from the frame. It is refreshing to see them hanging with Savvy’s AOM ribbon, and Remmers group placement every time I enter the room.
I also remember the people that were a part of these special times in my life. Hummm…bet you can guess where one of next week’s blogs will be about!
So as I sit here a bit down about showing dogs and the frustration that comes with the sport, I’m trying to focus on these memories. The great feelings that come with the amazing wins (or even the ones that are quite so “important”) are what will help me overcome where I’m at today and be a better showman and sportsman for tomorrow!
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