Standing ringside in Belton, Texas, on the second day of the weekend, her words shocked me. I had no idea how to respond to her friendly, open face with bright, inquisitive eyes. Surely we were kindred spirits, agreeing on her assessment of the dog show experience. Why had she singled me out to offer […]
Read More We Never Lose. We Either Win Or We Learn.I never saw Honour as an old dog. Staring out at the world from behind milky, clouded eyes. Walking slowly and unsteadily on her always tender feet, would not suit her at any age. Even after she turned ten this year she remained young in my mind’s eye. Ten was just a number, a way to mark time […]
Read More Like A Pine ForestIt’s been four weeks since you finally beat your cross-town rival. You check the mail for a week for that large, cardboard mailer holding the only tangible evidence of the great event. This will be a photo you’ll scan and post on Facebook probably at least twice a month for the foreseeable future. You finally […]
Read More You Ought To Be In Pictures … But Not This OneAnd so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, January 20, […]
Read More What You Can DoAKC Cluster shows began in the 1970s partially as a response to the gas crisis and partially in response to demands from the fancy. Shows had begun as one day affairs and people generally didn’t travel too far from home. As dog showing grew in popularity, kennel clubs realized there was growing support for two shows, […]
Read More Flustered With ClustersEtherial and serene they came. The Borzoi. The early morning sun barely finding them. By the time they reached the field in the walnut grove, on the far side of the ring, they were perfectly backlit. Their white and red coats translucent. In the ring my black and red dog waited his turn to meet the judge. Around us, […]
Read More One Good DayIn the waning weekends of the 2012 show season we anxiously counted down the days. Looking to salvage something from an abortive season fraught with disappointment and the lingering feelings that we no longer recognized our sport, we jumped at the chance to make one more show trip. Enough clothing, food, bedding and hope for eight dogs outbound and eleven […]
Read More One Third A Champion
