Our Life, A dogged one ...

April 29,2002

I was at a dog show today and of course, I hadn't had enough sleep and so my mind started to wander aimlessly.  People peering through the vari-kennels to see what kind of a dog it was, trying to catch anybody's eyes so that they could ask questions.  There are those of course, who would do so and entertain one question after another. After about 10 minutes, in the back of their minds, they start hoping somebody would come along or the ring stewards would start announcing for their dogs' entry numbers, perfect excuses to get out of the conversation with the curious dog-illiterates.  Those with more intensive grooming preparations and out-to-win clique can not be bothered.  There are those who would rather talk to peers in their own circle and just keep brushing elbows in the "IN" crowd.  Like a hawk preying, in an instant, calls attention loudly by either yelling  so that everybody else take notice and gallantly waves and then walks over to wherever "it" is at.  The ones with goods, services and "products" to sell are most likely more accommodating and congenial in their manners.  They hop from one pack to another, says hello's, how are you's and hands you over something or gives you bits of information from here and there.  As my eyes in a blank stare see all these, a stream of thoughts strike me ...  it's the same faces over and over again from time immemorial.  A few have gone, there are some new faces and some very old ones.  It's a survival of the fittest kind-of-thing.

The Judge inside Ring I sold me my first purebred Toy Poodle some thirty-something years ago.  Little boys and girls then, are now with tugging their own little boys and girls and getting them indoctrinated to the world of Purebred Sport.  Even the dog trainers and handlers' teenage sons are now in the ring giving the same services to the same dog owners needing these services.  And through the passage of time do we realize that life, even if it is an alternative lifestyle at that, follows the same cycle called living.  Living with dogs is no different from any other lifestyle we chose for ourselves.  Just variations or should we call them merely deviations from the norm.

While "normal" people would get together for a Sunday barbecue in their backyard during summertime or maybe spend a day in the beach with cold beer and still, pork barbecue sticks ...  Dog people on the other hand would spend week-ends on end at dog shows.  Comparable to the "normal" people's annual family reunions, Dog people spend more energy, effort and probably more money to go on Annual National Specialties or let's say, attend the Garden festivities or Kruft's.  And while "normal" people talk about their family life:  the kids, the in-laws, the parents and grand parents ...  the work, promotion, the new or old house or the new car ...  Dog people talk about their new litter, the puppies, the dogs, caring for the older ones ... grooming on a day to day basis or before a show, the awards and the big wins and yes, the kennels or how to improve and when Dog people do their grocery shopping, they are most likely to pick up more doggie treats, specialized shampoos and other grooming essentials.  Just as in any other lifestyle, we all go through the motions in different intensities, deviations and innovations.

Talk to a Dog Person about your kids and most likely, in a matter of so many minutes, eyes start to wander about.  Talk about business and you'll probably get the same reaction unless their business involves something to do with dogs.  Mores so talk about your problems, he might just start looking around for reasons to stand up and leave.  Talk about dogs and you'll most likely strike-up not just a conversation but a friendship as well.  Now do the same things to "normal" people.  Unless you have the knack for captivating an audience, talk to them about dogs and just as easily, their attention wanders somewhere else.

Within groups are subgroups, always.  And so you have plain and simple Dog Lovers along the lines of animal lovers and or more nature oriented.  They are just plain dog lovers.  They take care of them, bring stray animals home, feed and house them.  Most likely, they do not spay or neuter their animals and so they end up giving away litters to next-door-neighbors, friends and relatives or whoever wants a pet.  The most beloved may be well very spoiled, brought to the veterinarian for the pet's health benefits.  And when they come across the other types of Dog People do they realize that there's a door opening of a lot of possibilities.  The endless possibilities of variants and deviants:  The Backyard Breeder, The Puppy Miller,  The Dog Show Enthusiast, The Responsible Breeder, The Hobby Breeder, The Ethical Beeder, The Irresponsible Dog Owner But Dog Lover, The Dog Expert, The Dog Entrepreneur, The Dog Trainer, The Dog Handler, The Dog Groomer and the list goes on.  And so does the cycle of life filled with dogs.  And when one gets bitten by the bug, it sometimes, stings and the itch just goes and on and all you're left to do is scratch ... scratch hard and sometimes, it just never goes away.  Sometiems, the itch comes and goes ... and so in and out but you still see the same old faces, some new ones to stay!  Welcome to our world!

The Good Life @The Cobkennels