The Rip Van Wrinkler, XXIV, Issue 3, August 2020 |
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LOVE THIS! Dennis Sprung sent this along - written by Daphna Straus, one of the AKC VPs. The cancellation of swaths of AKC events has left many of us wistful and impatient for their return. With no shows to enter and plenty of absence to make the heart grow fonder, I found myself pondering what I got out of them in the first place. Here are 10 THINGS I LEARNED FROM AKC SPORTS. 1. I learned how to drive. Where I’m from (NYC), a car is a luxury, but it’s a necessity to get to dog events. Whether I was mastering the hills of San Francisco to get to the SFDTC, cruising along Route 80 to Top Dog Obedience School, learning the back roads to PCOTC or staving off white line fever on the way to a Specialty, AKC events made me into something of a road warrior. We really get our miles in for our dogs. 2. I learned how to be on time. When it comes to AKC events, if you’re on time, you’re late. I learned how to build time into my departure plans to be sure I had ample time to warm up my dog and be ring ready without extra stress. 3. I learned persistence. We lose more than we win in dogs. We have more NQs than Qs and placements. From every NQ in Obedience I gained a lesson for improvement. As they say, “there will always be another dog show” – always an opportunity to do better next time. 4. I learned patience. Success in our events comes with a side of waiting around. Waiting for Best of Breed or Groups. Waiting for sits and downs. You’ve gotta be in it to win it, so stick around. 5. I learned how to be creative and resourceful. Since I never had a yard for a practice ring, I set up jumps in Central Park. The long alley behind my building served well for down-and-backs. Flocks of pigeons stood in for Indian Runner Ducks. 6. I learned the downside of procrastinating. Sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, entries will always close two weeks ahead. Waiting too long to enter adds the extra expense of online entry fees (now inevitable for those of us always out of stamps) and the risk of being shut out altogether. This is a rule that never changes, and yet, I still wait till nearly the last minute almost every time. 7. I learned how to get organized. Have a full tank before setting out for a show, lest you miss your ring time or confuse your dog with the smell of fuel on his scent articles. Wash and dry those articles the night before a trial. Pick out your outfits and get your show gear packed up the night before, too. A frantic, last minute search for that lucky show lead could cancel out its good vibes. Load driving directions up ahead in case you lose your signal along the way. AKC events helped me pull myself together! 8. I learned the importance of setting goals and about the joy that comes with achieving them. While so much in life remains out of our control, our dog events give us wonderful opportunities to pursue challenging and fulfilling objectives while having fun along the way: a home-bred champion, an OTCH, a MACH, or any number of titles that reward instinct and breeding for purpose. 9. I learned the value of volunteering. Being a ring steward, match secretary, parking attendant or any other seemingly thankless job is truly important. Without helpers to perform these tasks, the show can’t go on. It is satisfying to play a role in something bigger than yourself. 10. I learned that we humans can get along with everyone and anyone – no matter our differences – because we are all working toward similar goals with our dogs. Our sports build camaraderie between rich and poor, young and old, men and women, gay and straight, rural and urban. We build deep and lasting connections with others by training and showing our dogs. The dog show community sets a tremendous example to others by building strength through the diversity we celebrate in our clubs, events and friendships. Till we meet again, ringside! -Daphna Straus About the May Wrinkler! Natalie Culver Hannah and Nicholas and I enjoyed poking through the Wrinkler this evening. Nicholas was so exited to see himself with Jasper & Ivy in the Wrinkler. And Hannah liked that you included her art and especially she liked the videos of her and Ivy’s trick dog novice activities & she also really likes your drawing of Chris Klein wedding dress agility, as do I. Fabulous Wrinkler newsletter yet again! Lisa Marshall Excellent as usual! Plus 2 Bradys! Lisa Stewart Great issue for these times. Chris Maxka OFA results: people need to name their pups before testing. Half the results are Puppy 1, Puppy 2...and totally negates the concept of open testing data. Brenda Phillips So many people are testing! #sunnyside Uschi Grewe Enjoyed reading it a lot, as always Susan, great job done Anne MacMillan Excellent as always! Peggy Pick Thank you. It is a wonderful newsletter, as always. The dog photos delight me, and list of accomplishments impresses me. What talented dogs and people Wrinklers are. There are tempting recipes, stories, fun things to buy. I love the Wrinkler. Paul Mount I read the entire Wrinkler as soon as I saw it, which was about 3am, lying down in bed, with Zuri’s hip next to my hip, as usual. Katie Campbell Soooo fun, Susan! Thank you so much for sharing! This is a really terrific issue with SOOO much to enjoy! Thank you! Malley Heinlein Thank you, Susan! I miss you and your dogs!
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