I think a lot of times we talk about the bad apples or the bad aspects of the game. Lots of times this game is filled with good people and good dog people who meet, find out an answer, and move on with a handshake, and maybe even a beer or two. I am guilty of this as well because it is just easier to find the bad in given situations.

With that said, the middle of the post about going into winners brought back a memory that figures into this topic.

We left from down south and went in up north. It was a five per side deal. Two of our side cancelled the night before and the third had a family medical matter minutes before we left. My buddy and I struck out on our own. When we got there it was a five per your side but 30 on ours gathering. They come out of the car with the biggest 37lb bitch I had ever seen. I make the statement I'm not giving any weight regardless of how far I drove, or how "scared" you think I am. The first time out bitch of mine was as ready as I could have possibly had her. My buddy and I were in a hostile environment as the only two white guys in the building, hell, even my dog was black. LOL. At sundown well over half the crown moved to another room and prayed with their Muslim faith. I was way nervous. The they told me their dog was a 2XW and needed a third to get to a 4XW down the road. She had 5 RIP's along the way. Nothing had stayed with her more than thirty minutes. She was the baddest bitch since Molly Bee or Queen of Hearts. The this one guy got right up in my face and said, You got any questions about what you are about to get?" I firmly answered, "I just need to know how much she weighs". The room erupted in laughter. We did the dogs. It took 61 minutes and my female was on all fours over a stretched out dog. We went into the bee hive and won. Then I was really worried and was wondering about the exit strategy. Turns out I did not need one. They were the most respectable. sportsman like dog men I had ever met. They were a solid bunch of guys that understoon they were out "keeped"/kept and out dogged on that particular night. It is one of my fondest memories in the dogs.

So as long as the weights are right I am good. Sorry for the length. Waiting for shift change. EWO




Quote Originally Posted by FrostyPaws View Post
If you, as a person, don't want to go into your own stuff, then you shouldn't put any of your stuff out there. That is how you avoid that situation.

The match record doesn't really factor into my decision. Are there times I'd like to jump on winners? Sure. Been successful at doing so and not so successful at times for varying reasons. If you garner a reputation of being hard to beat no matter what, a lot of doors are going to shut on you especially if you're not going for stacks of cheese.

I can think of a lot of quality dogs that met during my time in dogs. I can think of some that didn't. Without knowing the men who didn't meet, I couldn't really offer up any real reason.