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Get Involved

As the Facebook editor  for PSRC, I have the privilege to do an occasional  "soap box" topic. Here is one
of my favorites  - thank you for your  tolerance, and I hope it will reach  at least one person to help make a
difference.

 I am personally  involved in many dog sports - I  am learning the retrieving world, I am a life time member and officer of an
AKC All-Breed Conformation/Obedience Club, I have trained in obedience,  Rally-O and Agility.
 I have even done some herding and  protection work with my dogs.

 What I have found with  all of  these activities is that it takes someone or many some ones to organize
and put on any of the activities that we are all participating in as  exhibitors or handlers. To learn about these
different sports, it was always suggested to find a local Club, join and develop mentors within those Clubs. 
Well, those Clubs have a tendency to put you to work! Many times in areas that  you may have no experience
in. I discovered that was probably one of the best gifts that anyone ever gave me.

I found that  while chairing a new committee, ring stewarding for conformation, setting  jumps for obedience or agility
and now my newest venture - setting Wingers and blowing  duck calls (Who would have ever  thought!)
rounded out my experience of working with my own dog. I had the  vision of myself and my dog in each activity from
a handler's perspective. It turned out to be a fairly narrow field  of vision.

 As someone supporting  each event  - calling contestants for their turn or managing equipment you get a 
 different view from each task. You can feel the excitement and tension from  the  exhibitor. You synchronize
your breathing with theirs as they enter the staging  area for each test. You LEARN who and how you want
to be - or not - as you are closely involved with each contestant - What amazing insight to be had.

 Another gift received from working  the events, it the semi-private tutoring from the judges! They will often
"think out loud" and answer your questions if tastefully asked.  Clarifications of what you think you know
and saw will help you  better set yourself for each test - of any activity. You will discover that the majority of
judges are fellow dog sport enthusiasts that have been in  your shoes a bit longer and have more experience.
They are not judging for the big bucks - because there aren't any! They are judging  for the love of the dogs and the
sports

 The best part of all of this - is becoming a member of the community. You can travel to places you have 
never imagined, you will have a community that will there for you  when in need, and you will always find
a friend with a common interest.

Find your local Club -  whether it is Field, Conformation, Agility, Obedience. Look at supporting the
events as a worker - even just one a year as training opportunity for yourself  and  help carry on tradition
of our dog sports.

 

Written by Diane Burlingame as Facebook Coordinator for PugetSound RetrieverClub
July 30, 2013 Permission granted to re-post with acknowledgement given to author and FB  site
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