Dog Breeding 101

I came upon a conversation on Facebook, where my friends were discussing an article called Confessions of a Breeder/Owner/Handler. It was an amusing and well written piece, and it told of the trials and tribulations that dog show people live with: Months studying pedigrees to find the right partner; thousands of dollars in vet bills and service charges to arrange for frozen semen; more vet bills for the 3 am C-section when the anxiously awaited litter arrives, or tries to; weeks of cleaning puppy papers and sorting out the one you will keep; more weeks spent training;  muddy paw prints on everything you own; 3 am wake up calls to be ready for the ring in time; muddy show grounds to traverse with your freshly groomed little wonder; months of preparation to trot around in a circle for 2 minutes and be handed a scrap of satin worth about 25 cents... It is no wonder our friends think we are lunatics. And the inevitable question was raised: Why do we do this; why do we spend the majority of our time and money engaged in this sport, for so little reward? The author has an answer; she says this is an art form, she is sculpting in flesh, and it is her passion to create beauty in the world. I have another answer: If it was easy, it wouldn't be worth our time.


We are special people, we dog breeders. We have the drive, the passion, to create, but not something lifeless like a painting or sculpture. We create not just beauty, but living LOVE. The animals we bring into the world are not just breathtakingly beautiful, but if we do it *just* right, they are somebody's Best Friend Ever. They create the kind of memories that can make you smile or bring a tear to your eye years after they are gone. Ours is not a static canvas, ours is a living tapestry that stretches back into the distant past and continues to weave itself into the future. We are tasked with keeping the warp and the woof from tangling, with keeping the threads long and strong, and with blending the various colors and textures in a pleasing and harmonious way. And if we manage to add a bit of our own 'flair' to the weave, why it gives that much more pleasure to the viewers. And along the way, we bring JOY to so many people. All the sleepless nights, all the many frustrations and trials, all the tears as you let little pieces of your life go on to new homes, they all have a purpose. I have kept every time worn letter from every puppy buyer who has written to share their joys and their frustrations, and asked if I am still breeding, can they get another pet 'just like ol' Buster' because he was the 'best dog ever.'


THAT is why we do this. It is passion, it is art, and it is our way of creating something lasting and meaningful with our lives. Don't let anyone tell you anything less.