“Everybody loves dogs. they’re the pizza of the animal kingdom.” - Stephen Colbert
Our friends Cyndy and Uschi of Gentle Wit, are hosting the 15th round of the Assistance Dog Blog Carnival.
The topic for this round is “freedom”. If you take a look at Cyndy’s call for submissions you will find some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
I hope you will come join us. You don’t need to be a service dog user or have a service dog currently, as long as your entry has something to do with service dogs, you’re in.
I just finished reading the book Dog Eat Dog: A Very Human Book About Dogs and Dog Shows by Jane Stern.
here’s a link to to reviews about the book on Goodreads.
As everyone knows, Huib shows canyon about three or five times a year. We didn’t start his show career until he was two and a half years old, which is probably a bit on the older side to make a debut, but canyon loves to strut his stuff around the ring and it’s been a really good experience for us.
I found this book to be one of the best books I’ve seen written about dogs and dog showing. Jane focuses on Bull Mastiffs, so the reader learns tons about the breed and about the politics that exists within the showing of them. I also really liked the way in which jane presented the interactions between show exhibitors and explained the ways in which some shows can already be decided before the dogs ever take the ring.
I had to laugh at the commentary Jane shared from ringside because it reminded me of times I’d heard similar comments from people watching or even made similar comments myself.
Dog showing and breeding are definitely not things you want to go into to make money or with the mindset that your dogs are unbeatable. Both are something people should do because they enjoy it because it’s definitely not a money maker and there are going to be ups and downs, with the downs often being long ones.
If you’re interested in learning about the dog show scene, I totally recommend this book. the facts are sometimes out of date, but the showing parts are almost spot on.
A year ago you had to leave us.
We know you didn’t want to go, but the Leukaemia was too hard to continue fighting.
I wonder where you are today.
I wonder what you’re doing.
I wonder if Phoenix found you and walked along side you as you entered your new home.
I wonder if we’ll get to see you once we leave this place…
Or is it a place where humans are not permitted entrance…
I wonder if you and Phoenix have found Harley and Thor…
It really doesn’t feel like a year since you left.
But, then it also doesn’t feel right that you’re gone.
Aspen, we miss you SO much!!!
Aspen at 8 years of age
Until we meet again, rest peacefully our Golden Princess.
