September
With September winds
Come tropical waves brewing
Storm warnings ahead
For those wondering the salutations at the home page for each new month and then also found at each month’s blog page are Haikus.
It is a form of Japanese poetry where a story is told in 3 lines that are written in 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the 2nd line and 5 syllables in the 3rd and last line.
Nature and emotions set the tone for the subject matter.
I am
what I appear to be
The love and passion that I have for Labrador Retrievers is what fuels my drive for my total involvement with the breed. The never-ending quest for the Betterment of the Breed is the legacy that I would
like to leave behind after it is all said and done.
This Blogging Off section reflects the "tell it like it is" persona that comprises one of the many hats that I wear in my daily activities with Labrador Retrievers and the people that own them.
"Questions are the keys to understanding,
answers are the open doors that will follow,
choosing the right door to proceed through will
determine if the correct path was taken."
V. Sandy Herzon
All weekend events have been postponed.
The Puppy Training Sessions Scheduled for Saturday will be re-scheduled for Oct 7th
The AKC's RDO & CGC Training & Testing Workshop scheduled for Sunday will be rescheduled for Oct 8th
All Night Training Classes this week are also cancelled.
Tune in next week by calling in to see the status of those night training classes.
With the impending storm looming we will be taking all the precautions needed to keep family and dogs safe.
Our thoughts and prayers will remain with all those that have been going through adversities from the recent storms and disasters, plus those in the path of this new hurricane.
This will probably be the last post until the imminent threat has passed and then as soon as possible we will reconnect back with all our friends and followers.
May God bless and protect each and every one of you.
Please touch base with me afterwards to let me know that all is well at your end of the neighborhood.
V. Sandy Herzon
September 3rd
State Of The Union & Stormwatch
As we all watch the storm brewing in the tropics, it is a good time for a State Of The Union.
Several Labrador enthusiasts got together recently with their dogs…………..some of them longtime aficionados, as breeders/exhibitors……………….others shorter termed/beyond the novice level and a few relatively new startups with less than 5 years of involvement with the breed. A group consisting of business owners, contractors, land developers, lawyers, doctor, retirees and even a novelist...............a well-rounded cosmopolitan group representing the broad spectrum of American ideology, all with the love of the breed first and foremost.
All 100% dedicated to the Labrador Retriever as a breed………….all of them in it for the betterment of the breed…………………all yearning to learn all there is so that they too can contribute in payback form to the breed of dog that they profess to love.
All my kind of people!
Topics of conversation were spread out wide and far, topics concerning the breed in general and conversations about particular dogs, discussions about the great owners and the not so great owners, about the differing agenda breeders, about the pro handlers with those in it for all the wrong reasons and those that serve breeders and exhibitors well and of course the always present, what nots that present themselves in everything we do.
The direction of our own offerings for the breed, those of Chambray Labradors and the Owner’s Programs……………………..those offerings that now span 47 years’ worth……………….those contributions that cover every aspect of Labrador Retrievers, was the main topic of concern to all, of course not me as much.
Assuring each of them that when something works at the top ranges of performance as our Owner’s Program have been operating at and is exceedingly doing now…………………..that the seeds planted long ago are firmly rooted, the evident successes are the sturdy plants producing the fruit of the labor which is all there for all to witness…………….there isn’t anything that can knock that, nothing!
Whether I continue for a few more years or make it to see the 5th decade of lifelong involvement and contributions remains to be seen, however the foundation has been laid and those that have the same goals and mission for the betterment of the breed will have the choices to move forward and make their own well-notched mark on the breed.
Taking the opportunity to mentor further with this highly inspired and captive audience, we discussed the always changing variables of owner’s motives and self-serving agendas, the differing reasons that breeders breed dogs and also the ways and means of the professional handers……………………..all three of the previously named groups possessing the good, the bad and the ugly.
Dealing correctly with all of the above, determines how the narrative will progress. Succumbing to the pitfalls created by the errant and the obtuse can shorten or totally derail any quest for success. Creating an overwhelming base of positivism and benevolent environment will ensure participation by greater numbers, which is the direct antidote to acrimony and to the small-minded and to the deviants that persist in every endeavor.
I assured each and all that dealing with the 90% satisfied and well-meaning and letting go of the dead-weights numbering around 10% is the best usage of time and energy. One second spent on a positive person has 100 times more rewards than 10 minutes spent on a toxic person with their depraved mindset!
Moving forward assures growth for all involved and that’s the path that will serve the best and the most.
September 2nd
Why It Is All Worth It!
Thank you to all the well-wishers! Lets me know that with all the things that have changed for the worst lately, there is still so much goodness to be thankful for.
You can measure a person's worth and value by how they love their dogs.
Sandy,
Read your latest blog. Linda and I are also dealing with the health issues of getting old. We now spend our free time with doctor visits instead of showing our dogs. Sucks.
Just slow down a little my friend and enjoy each day. Our Labradors have become our best companions and I can never thank you enough for allowing us to become owners.
You can measure a person's true identity, worth and value by how they treat and care for their dogs.
Thank you for being true blue Labrador owners and giving those dogs the love and care that a 'member of the family' deserves!
For those concerned about the family that 'got rid' of their dog...........think about it, who does that? Who up and gets rid of their 'family members' just like that. What kind of people do that? The dog will be better served with a 'real loving' family...............in fact, there is one driving 5 hours to come and visit Poop Walker, knowing full well the 'particulars'! Now that's a family worth investing in!
Welcome September
September 1st
To allay fears of my imminent demise……………..from many of our loyal Chambray owners and from the hundreds, maybe thousands that follow along with my offerings… offerings of my extreme love for Labrador Retrievers or the always mentoring for the betterment of the breed, the staunch breed standard defense, the tongue in cheek attempts at humor, the nots so poignant aimless ramblings and at times caustic rantings…………………………fear not (so much), because my designs are to be around a bit longer.
So, if I go days or even a week or so without posting a blog, it’s because I am servicing myCPU (my central processing unit).
Dealing with several health issues…………2 cardiac conditions (A-Fib and diminished cardiac function), a prostate condition and now a newly diagnosed kidney damage issue, well you get the picture, some days getting out of bed may be a challenge……………let alone come up with any type of witty prose to post.
I was brought up to say “not”, for what is not worth saying…………………..and into my old age, write not what needs not be written! If I am going to sit in front of a keyboard and peck away my thoughts, those thoughts better serve the greater good for Labradors, if not, they don’t get typed.
So, hang in there…………..wait for it, it might come every day or even once a week, but I will get to it and I will continue to share the GOOD and do my best to stay away from the bad and the ugly.
Remember the poop walking puppy that came back………………he could be the surprise of the year!
Hey, he stills takes three or four steps while doing his dutiful duty, dropping duplicate dung dumps………………but man is he awesome working his little butt off!!! So, I have decided to make him a franchise player………………yep, hold on to him until someone wants a top show black male to SHOW…………..so there was Michael Jackson the ‘moonwalker’, there was Walker, Texas Ranger and there was Luke Skywalker……………now we have Poop Walker!