Veterans - A Tear Jerker

[Bisart Dobes]

Veterans

This beautiful post was on the UK list (with permission to cross-post) -

WELL worth a read and something to think about.

You'd have to be made of stone if this doesn't bring a tear ....

"I see that the *Smiths* have entered their dog in the Veterans Class.

Apparently there is no one in this Club who knows that it is customary to

Offer a round of applause for those that are entered. Six months ago, at

This same show, I entered my Veteran Dog in this same class.

Not one person applauded. Not one person came up and said anything. Not one

Person came over to give him a kind word or a pat. Not one person made him

Feel he belonged again.

He was no threat to anyone. He wasn't going to beat anyone, take any points,

Or win anything. He was just an old dog who thought he was special again -

Back in the ring for the first time in many years. Maybe he even recalled

His "Glory Days". He would have loved to have met anyone there. He would

Have welcomed you like an old friend. You didn't have to say anything nice

About him if you didn't want to. But just in case you can't think of

Anything to say about a Veteran Dog, here are some suggestions: "It was nice

To see him out there". Or go up to him and tell him he's a "Good Boy". Or

Tell his owner that you are glad that they brought him. Those aren't exactly

Compliments, but they will please his owner and make him glad that they

Brought him. I don't think that's asking too much. One day, all too soon,

All your beautiful young dogs will be old dogs too. Maybe one day you'll

Enter them in a Veterans Class. And I hope that you do. Or, like many of us,

You remember that old friend, now gone, and wish you still had the chance.

They deserve it. It may be their final time in the sun - their last time out

In front of people. Their last time to ever be in the ring. My old dog is a

Fool. He thought he was wonderful that day. He thought he belonged. Instead,

He was ignored. I have thought about this for 6 months now, and wasn't going

To say anything. But on his behalf, and that of any other Veteran, I hope

That something like this never occurs again. As a Club of (Breed) Fanciers,

You should feel ashamed. Even if you dislike the dog or his owner, at least

Show Good Sportsmanship and do the Right Thing. Show others that you have

Respect for your breed. Make that Veteran Dog feel wanted and special again.

Let him know that you are glad to see him. It will make his day. You may

Never get the chance again. Thank you."

As Lynda began reading it, the hush that fell over the room was incredible.

Bless her heart, my friend Lynda broke into tears as she struggled through

Reading this. EVERYONE in the room lowered their heads, and many of them

Began to cry also, including the President (who is a man). I tried my best

To hold my head up and refrain from tears, again. The President strode over

To where I was sitting and in a broken voice said "Terry...... .I am SO

Sorry. He is such a wonderful dog. There is no excuse for what happened to

You. And to him." As I started to say that I "wasn't going to say anything"

Again, the room nearly burst with everyone trying to talk at once. The

Discussion that followed was both eye-opening and of valuable purpose. Many

Came up to me in tears, with hugs and apologies. I am a very private and shy

Person, not given to sharing my deepest feelings easily. This had been an

Incredibly difficult thing for me to do, but in honor of my Veteran and all

The others out there, I felt it must be done. Was it worth it?

When *Mr. Smith* took his lovely 12 1/2 year old dog (neutered due to

Testicular cancer) into the ring, our entire membership remained - and

Applauded and "whooped and hollered" him with every move. The Judge moved to

The center of the ring on his final go round and applauded, as did her ring

Stewards. Others nearby, watching other breeds, came over and remarked on

How wonderful it was to see a Veteran being treated like that. Many

(including me) asked to take his picture. Everyone complimented him and his

Owners. If only my old dog had enjoyed such a day... Was it worth it? You

Tell me... Sorry for the length of this, but so many in other breeds who

Heard about what happened have already asked me for a copy of my written

Paper that I thought perhaps it was something that needed to be shared.

Amazing how quickly word spreads amongst us dog people. It's often said "You

Can't teach an old dog new tricks". But I know one old dog who taught

something of great value."

Complete permission to post. Terry Russo.

[poodlefan]

I've seen this before.

Puts me in mind of an old Injun saying:

Anthropomorphism is like after shave - best used sparingly.

Can anyone reconcile these two excerpts??

Not one person came up and said anything. Not one

Person came over to give him a kind word or a pat. Not one person made him

Feel he belonged again.

AND

My old dog is a Fool. He thought he was wonderful that day. He thought he belonged.

If you need other people to make your old dog feel special, you ain't trying hard enough IMO. We should treasure the oldies every day, not just on a show day.

Clearly I am made of stone.

Edited July 20, 2010 by poodlefan

[RallyValley]

I love seeing the vetrans at the Gun Dog Club show! I think I remember clapping and giving a lab a cuddle.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I've seen this before.

Puts me in mind of an old Injun saying:

Anthropomorphism is like after shave - best used sparingly.

Can anyone reconcile these two excerpts??

Not one person came up and said anything. Not one

Person came over to give him a kind word or a pat. Not one person made him

Feel he belonged again.

AND

My old dog is a Fool. He thought he was wonderful that day. He thought he belonged.

If you need other people to make your old dog feel special, you ain't trying hard enough IMO. We should treasure the oldies every day, not just on a show day.

Clearly I am made of stone.

i must be made of stone too

[RallyValley]

Yeah the acrticle is a bit wishy washy BUT it would be nice if people cheered for vertrans just like they SHOULD cheer for BIS/BIG ect. Good sporttsmanship.

[poodlefan]

Yeah the acrticle is a bit wishy washy BUT it would be nice if people cheered for vertrans just like they SHOULD cheer for BIS/BIG ect. Good sporttsmanship.

I think it would be nice if Veterans was only ever a parade, not a class. If people want their veterans to be special, then they shouldn't have them competing against each other and have winners and losers.

Edited July 20, 2010 by poodlefan

[Lowenhart]

Yeah the acrticle is a bit wishy washy BUT it would be nice if people cheered for vertrans just like they SHOULD cheer for BIS/BIG ect. Good sporttsmanship. :rolleyes:

I think it would be nice if Veterans was only ever a parade, not a class. If people want their veterans to be special, then they shouldn't have them competing against each other and have winners and losers.

I think we should honour dogs who can still cut it at Veteran ages. I co-own a dog who was placing in the group at International Shows at 8 and 9 years of age. He is still competitive in the breed level and regularly wins BIS Veteran placements in his home country (Norway), and was recently Veteran World Winner at 10 years of age at the World Show in Denmark.

I think Veteran classes (parades and competitive) deserve a round of applause at least once for the dogs as they trot in. It's a mark of honour and respect to the owners and the dog's history. Sure it means nothing to the dog, but it means tonnes to the owner.

Call me sentimental, but I think it's rude NOT to clap for Veterans. I will even walk across the show grounds to find the Veteran sweepstakes classes to stand ringside and clap as the dogs go in.

[poodlefan]

Lowenhart:

I think we should honour dogs who can still cut it at Veteran ages. I co-own a dog who was placing in the group at International Shows at 8 and 9 years of age. He is still competitive in the breed level and regularly wins BIS Veteran placements in his home country (Norway), and was recently Veteran World Winner at 10 years of age at the World Show in Denmark.

Surely if dogs can still "cut it", they can be entered in Open or Ozbred?

I read the aim of the author's post as wanting to see dogs who can no longer cut it get a chance to relive their glory days. They shouldn't have to compete to do that IMO. They should be acknowledged for their contribution in a manner that sees each dog recognised, not just place getters.

[RoxyNHemi]

Lowenhart:

I think we should honour dogs who can still cut it at Veteran ages. I co-own a dog who was placing in the group at International Shows at 8 and 9 years of age. He is still competitive in the breed level and regularly wins BIS Veteran placements in his home country (Norway), and was recently Veteran World Winner at 10 years of age at the World Show in Denmark.

Surely if dogs can still "cut it", they can be entered in Open or Ozbred?

I read the aim of the author's post as wanting to see dogs who can no longer cut it get a chance to relive their glory days. They shouldn't have to compete to do that IMO. They should be acknowledged for their contribution in a manner that sees each dog recognised, not just place getters.

I can completely see both points of view,

YES it is fantastic if an older dog can still complete

YES a Veteran Parade or Veteran in Show should be applauded, as it is a special class

However if a Veteren is entered in a Veteran class that is competing for the CC - usually done at specialties, I dont think they should be applauded as they are classified as a normal competitor.

I also think its bad taste when people drag out a Veteran that isnt up to showing, and drag the poor dog around the ring just for a ribbon.

[Ceilidh]

You know what? I loved my Hooley, he was my heart my soul my world my life and he knew it because that is how I treated him and I also told him every single day....but... there was always a catch in my throat and a tear in my eye and pride in my heart whenever we were in Veterans and the judge asked for a hand for the grand old dogs of the show world. I will ALWAYS clap for the veterans!

Here's to the oldies. :rolleyes: :D :D

RIP Dool

[jerojath]

You know what? I loved my Hooley, he was my heart my soul my world my life and he knew it because that is how I treated him and I also told him every single day....but... there was always a catch in my throat and a tear in my eye and pride in my heart whenever we were in Veterans and the judge asked for a hand for the grand old dogs of the show world. I will ALWAYS clap for the veterans!

Here's to the oldies. :rolleyes: :D :D

RIP Dool

Absolutely! I choke up every time there is a parade of veterans at our specialty.

I have seen dogs paraded who I have never 'liked' before, but still clap and cheer for them as just seeing how chuffed they are doing a lap of the ring to great applause is wonderful. They really do feel extra special to not only have been brought to a show (most oldies are left behind where it's warm) but to be groomed and sprayed and have a show lead around their necks...... just like the good old days when they were the 'rising stars' of their kennel.

[Sheridan]

I wonder if those 'made of stone' realise how very petty they sound.

[biker girl]

You know what? I loved my Hooley, he was my heart my soul my world my life and he knew it because that is how I treated him and I also told him every single day....but... there was always a catch in my throat and a tear in my eye and pride in my heart whenever we were in Veterans and the judge asked for a hand for the grand old dogs of the show world. I will ALWAYS clap for the veterans!

Here's to the oldies. :rolleyes: :D :D

RIP Dool

Absolutely! I choke up every time there is a parade of veterans at our specialty.

I have seen dogs paraded who I have never 'liked' before, but still clap and cheer for them as just seeing how chuffed they are doing a lap of the ring to great applause is wonderful. They really do feel extra special to not only have been brought to a show (most oldies are left behind where it's warm) but to be groomed and sprayed and have a show lead around their necks...... just like the good old days when they were the 'rising stars' of their kennel.

I used to enter my old sheppie girl in the neuter classes down here and SHE LOVED IT!!!

Tia was an aust champ & multi titled in obedience & agility & could never figure why she got "left" behind So when the local shows started offering neuter classes, I entered her for a run.

At twelve, she would stand next to me trembling with excitment before going in the ring & off we would go....... abit slower than in her glory days However she still had the head up & her great waggy tail & thought the whole ringside should stop for her!! :D

It was lovely to have people come up & comment on how it was great to see on "oldie" still loving the ring.

One of my most memorable moments ( & I"m in tears thinking about it) was her very last show, where some of the people who have became close friends were there to cheer her around the "in show" ring that day.

Sadly she had a stroke six months later, but that memory of that day is why we love & cherish our dogs

[poodlefan]

I wonder if those 'made of stone' realise how very petty they sound.

Strange, I never thought it was "petty" to suggest that those who seek to honour the stars of yesteryear might do so without sending some from the ring without ribbon or recognition.

But there you go. :rolleyes:

[Sheridan]

I wonder if those 'made of stone' realise how very petty they sound.

Strange, I never thought it was "petty" to suggest that those who seek to honour the stars of yesteryear might do so without sending some from the ring without ribbon or recognition.

But there you go. :rolleyes:

Maybe you don't have any old dogs, I don't know. Maybe you rehome yours as soon as they've outlived their ribbon winning days, I don't know. Some people seem pretty hard hearted when it comes to older dogs. You may be one of them, you may not. But to me, it just seems petty not to think veterans are special and to give them a round of applause. There wasn't a suggestion in the OP that ribbons were what the person/people concerned were after, simply a recognition of their old dogs so yes, it was petty.

[Bilbo Baggins]

You know what? I loved my Hooley, he was my heart my soul my world my life and he knew it because that is how I treated him and I also told him every single day....but... there was always a catch in my throat and a tear in my eye and pride in my heart whenever we were in Veterans and the judge asked for a hand for the grand old dogs of the show world. I will ALWAYS clap for the veterans!

Here's to the oldies. :rolleyes: :D :D

RIP Dool

That is a lovely pic of Hooley. :D

[KOE]

:rolleyes: for the Oldies I saw an old sheppie at a breed show run around she never got a ribbon but she didnt care, but she looked like the queen of the ring. SHe moved a lot slower but still knew what to do absolutely beautiful to watch the joy on her face.

She also got a lot of applause.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I wonder if those 'made of stone' realise how very petty they sound.

i wasnt being petty about the vetrans.

i really do not understand putting human emotions onto dogs it makes no sense to me.

additionally, my dogs know they are special because i tell them.

i am made of stone when it comes to sentimentality.

[Bilbo Baggins]

The Show dogs in our house who get left behind are really miffed.

One thing I get up earlier on a Show day than I do for work, :laugh: so maybe thats how they know its showtime.

When BBJ bathes the veteran she is very excited and prances around ready for the outing.

Often we take her for junior handlers because she is so good for a beginer.

Our Speciality Show hasa veterans parade at lunch time and all veterans are given a sash. You can see the enjoyment they have going around.

[Sheridan]

I wonder if those 'made of stone' realise how very petty they sound.

i wasnt being petty about the vetrans.

i really do not understand putting human emotions onto dogs it makes no sense to me.

additionally, my dogs know they are special because i tell them.

i am made of stone when it comes to sentimentality.

Well, you just contradicted yourself right there.