Success and Happiness In the World of Dogs  

Everyone wants to be someone in this world. From our earliest years, we are taught about the people who have made lasting marks in history. We are taught about the inventors that brought us conveniences  such as the telephone and electricity. We are taught about the presidents who made lasting changes to our society. We are taught about the people who “discovered” America and the people that made the USA their own country. So it seems only natural that many of us want to be known for having success in our lives, even though most of us realize our notoriety will not make the history books.

Dogs are an avenue some of us choose and attempt to become “somebody”. The world of AKC offers many avenues to pursue. Some people are happy to own and show their own dog to their championship.  Some will select performance competitions.  Others may attempt to breed dogs that will complete their championship and/or excel in performance venues.  Some may work to become judges. Others may want to achieve success in activities in a dog club, perhaps serving on the board or helping to organize and run activities such as dog shows.  There is much to pursue in the world of dogs.

Any of these activities require dedication, learning and study. Many times activity in one event leads one into another activity they find more appealing. In my own case, my son’s involvement in 4-H brought us to dog shows and then the purchase of a Golden Retriever bred for the show ring. Luck shone down on me and although my first show dog was certainly not the top pick initially, she blossomed into an easily finished champion and later a special for this novice owner handler. She made it easy to get addicted to the world of showing in conformation.

My initial interest in showing then progressed to wanting to breed my own champion. Breeding is an area that requires a significant amount of research. I soon learned about many of the pitfalls, how to research, and the areas that are less black and white. The journey was not without set backs, but I am pleased with where I’ve been and where I’m going. I don’t think breeding is an easy avenue but the learning, researching, and networking as well as trying to mold those pups into the best they can be is a source of pride and I have met some absolutely wonderful people through my dogs.

My journey in dogs continues to change. Many of the other avenues mentioned are also ones I am pursuing. I can’t know exactly what the future holds but I know that the journey for the most part has been pleasant.

I think the real problems center around those who make personal success too important. When you can’t enjoy the journey for any number of reasons, then it is time to step back and reassess why you are even involved. When you want success to happen faster, when you become so consumed with jealousy of others’ successes you can’t congratulate them, when you try to cut corners to make things happen faster, or when you use lies and manipulations to try to advance your agenda (or even worse to injure those you feel envious of), then you really have issues you need to address. At this point, the world of dogs is not a healthy avenue to pursue and one needs to step back and reassess what your real objectives are.

I do hope everyone in dogs enjoys the activities they pursue, and the people that they meet in these pursuits. Unfortunately, not all of these adventures will follow a happy path. It is at that point one needs to reassess their involvements and attempt to rectify the problems. Whether it is a matter of associations with negativity or just changing the avenues being pursued in dogs, when the joy is no longer a part of the activity and you find frustrations interfering with your happiness, it is time to look at the reasons and attempt to correct what has gone wrong.

The bottom line is this is a sport. If you find that parts of it have become a burden and a source of frustration and anger, try to correct that. All too many times, the source is really not the activity but the other people being associated with. Ending ties sometimes is the best way to continue to enjoy this sport. Believe me, it can really turn things around and bring the joy back!

If your unhappiness is because you aren’t where you’d hoped to be, try to realize that success is not on a time frame. Look at what you’ve done, where things did and didn’t work out, and try to make a long term plan to correct the areas that haven’t worked as you’d hoped. Don’t blame others for your failures and don’t resent others for their successes. Few of us become “rich and famous” from dogs. And I imagine those that do gain fame from the sport did not have that as a goal. The journey is a long one but should be an enjoyable one. When the bad outweighs the good, step back and figure out where your path went the wrong way so you can get back on the right path. Your life will be richer for it.

Best of luck in all your pursuits and I hope the pride and happiness far outweighs the setbacks. Surround yourself with positive people, be positive with others and avoid those who bring out the worst, and when the failures and sad times come (as they do for us all), you will have good and supportive friends to help you through those times and get you back on the road of enjoyment.