Why Title?

[Ravenbird]

I know it's not for everyone, and no offense at those who don't show or title their dogs, but I came across this today and thought I'd share it here:

Why title a dog?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores, a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in record and in memory for as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard.

And though the dog itself doesn't know or care that its achievements have been noted, a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

And a title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with it because it was a good dog, that you believed in it enough to give it yet another chance when it failed, and that, in the end, your faith was justified.

A title proves that your dog inspired you to that special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of pride in one small set of initials after the name.

A title earned is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, and permanently recorded.

-Sandra Mowery

 

[AnnV]

That was beautifully written.
Sort of makes me want to cry too, perhaps because of sleep deprivation, but also because the wording reminds you of what you lose when you lose one.

 

[Ravenbird]

That was beautifully written.
Sort of makes me want to cry too, perhaps because of sleep deprivation, but also because the wording reminds you of what you loose when you loose one.

Hit me the same way. smiles but made my eyes a little leaky.

 

[Rits]

Love it. The bond that comes out of titling, through success and failure and success again, is something to be cherished. It pushes you to do better and be better. To be able to show that through it all, you worked as a team. And even so, you shouldn't compare yourself to anyone but yourself and how far you have come with your best friend! I personally enjoy the journey as titles give me goals to reach for and to push myself to work daily with my dog and to better communicate with my dog. It's an amazing feeling that's hard to describe without trying. There's something out there for everyone and you might surprise yourself at how much fun you'll have.

 

[Ravenbird]

Love it. The bond that comes out of titling, through success and failure and success again, is something to be cherished. It pushes you to do better and be better. To be able to show that through it all, you worked as a team. And even so, you shouldn't compare yourself to anyone but yourself and how far you have come with your best friend! I personally enjoy the journey as titles give me goals to reach for and to push myself to work daily with my dog and to better communicate with my dog. It's an amazing feeling that's hard to describe without trying. There's something out there for everyone and you might surprise yourself at how much fun you'll have.

exactly.