This month marks the 13^th birthday of my first “show” litter. As you may have seen, we pulled together an ad for the siblings still with us and I am pleased to say 6 of 8 made it to be teenagers with all of them living into the double digits. Pulling this ad together made me think about my friendships I’ve made over the years because of my dogs and how much those friendships have enriched my life.

This litter was my first with my first show dog (and first champion) Champagne. I made a couple wonderful friends as a result via the breeding in the owners of the sire, then several more friends via the puppies. More than half of those owners have obtained more pups from me since then! The ups and downs, the thrills and concerns, and the wonderful friendships more than anything have been my reward.

Champagne produced three litters and everything I have now comes down from her. Looking back over the last 17 years in this sport, I ponder all that has changed. My first mentor, who was a part-time pro handler when I met her, then went fulltime into handling, has now stopped showing dogs altogether. But the things she taught me and the guidance she gave me have been invaluable and so much a part of my wonderful journey in dogs. Although she is no longer showing dogs, I still value her friendship when we do chat occasionally. Without her friendship, it is probable that I would have never owned Champagne who was the start of all Shilo Goldens.

The breeder I got Champagne from has mostly dropped out of dogs as well with family and business responsibilities taking precedence. Yet she was also instrumental in my involvement in dogs. I am very thankful she took the time and had the patience to deal with an overly enthusiastic newbie in the early 90s as well!

Champagne’s sire’s owner has also been very helpful to me over the years. While I was probably more a pest in the beginning as I tried to learn as much as I could about this new hobby, in time our friendship transformed into a mutual interest in health and research. I don’t pretend to know nearly what she does on these issues, but I’ve learned a lot from her and enjoy our discussions about many health issues in our breed. And just maybe I may have helped stimulate thoughts in her line of thinking, too! But I do know that her contribution to the future of our breed has been imressive and very meaningful.

Our dogs may not be able to talk, surf the internet, read books and magazines, or do many of the things that help enrich our lives, but they do have an uncanny way of opening doors for us. I have made so many friends I cherish through the dogs. Some have been directly linked to my dogs via puppy or stud dog owners and others I have found a kindred friendship with in meeting and chatting with them at shows or over the internet. I am so thankful to these people!

While not all acquaintances I’ve made in dogs have been enjoyable, I do feel that the majority have been wonderful. As in any aspect of life, petty jealousy and unhealthy personal competition can sour some people’s actions. The sport of dog does not hold a patent on this behavior as I’m sure we’ve all seen bad behavior in all aspects of our lives. Some of the most petty behaviors I’ve seen have been over control issues, even in unlikely settings such as church! But we each have it in our control to gravitate towards those whose ethics, morals, and outlook on our involvement in dogs parallel our own. We can build the relationships that enrich our lives and minimize the destructive contacts in many ways. It is all too easy to fall into destructive patterns when you feel wronged by others. I strongly feel that we each need to strive to foster those relationships that deal with the dog issues, not the interpersonal conflicts.

May your involvement in the world of Goldens bring you much happiness and knowledge and may you have the wisdom to know which people will help you along the path best followed. May most of the discussions you have focus on the health and betterment of our breed, both present and future, and not on problems between the people in our sport. Thanks to all who have enriched my life in dogs, new friends as well as old! You are all a blessing!