Playing Games: But With A Serious Goal
BY MICHELLE SCOTT continued
“SOMETIMES THE ANSWERS ARE THERE AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO FINDING THEM. WHEN ROAD BLOCKS ARE PUT IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU HAVE A CHOICE—YOU CAN STOP BECAUSE THEY’RE BLOCKING YOUR PATH OR YOU CAN FIND A WAY AROUND THEM.”
rules say it must be shown as a Standard Poodle. Would you put up a 15.5 inch dog as a Standard Poodle? You would have to examine it on the ground like all of the other Standards. What are your thoughts? I was talking to my daughter about a post I saw on a judge’s list—they were discussing the correct front movement for an Italian Greyhound and men- tioned that the I.G. club in England had settled on the following description: “a lady extending her hand to be kissed.” I love that! Visually, for me, that’s perfect! My daughter thought for a minute then said she was starting to think of a Poodle’s movement as a bal- lerina running. I think that is a beautiful description! Elegant, athletic, strong yet light on their feet...
Does it work for you? Can you come up with a similar type of comparative description for your breed? And lastly, ADVICE TO NEWBIES. When I was a kid and wanted to learn how to show groom my Irish Setter, especially blending his neck, I talked to breeders at shows and was told every- thing, from the hair just grows that way to it’s shaved off. Well, I knew it didn’t naturally grow like that on my dog so I shaved him—I don’t recommend it, it was a terrible look and took more than a season to grow back in. I was seldom given good advice but I per- severed. When I wanted to learn how to put up a Poodle topknot, I waited until the expert I had chosen to ask wasn’t busy and should have had time
to explain but instead I was dismis- sively told to “use elastics.” Undaunted, I worked on it until I figured out what works for me. There were many failures but when you finally get it....it’s such a sweet feeling! Sometimes the answers are there and sometimes you have to put a lot of effort into finding them. When road blocks are put in front of you, you have a choice—you can stop because they’re blocking your path or you can find a way around them. Road blocks are never personal. Stay curious, ignore the stuff in your way, find your own path and be grateful to all that do take the time to help you. Happy New Year to all! May 2019 be all you want it to be.
126 • S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2019
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