I would consider myself one of the special ones previously mentioned. I started as competitor and stayed there for many a year. Then after some tuff losses, mainly my dough, I decided to start baking my own pies! after years of doing such, I find myself doing the balancing thing bcuz now use what I've baked in my oven. The risk and reward do not often balance out. You may risk everything (time, money etc) waiting in most cases, a year or 2 ( or longer for u keepers of the late starters.. Lol!)just to see if it worked out. It's great when your work pays off and not so great when it doesnt. I've grown to the point where if it works I merely smile and if it doesnt I smile all the same, then its back to the drawing board. I'm still just as fond and definately more caring for my homies and homettes (dogs) as I've ever been but i have gained a far greater understanding as to how this thing works. At the end of the day like good needs bad and vice versa, breeders and competitors are eternally bound at the hip....Although.............. u may run across the rare Hybrid .............
YIS Da District

PS Jack that Kipling piece was right the hell on my man! Keep em comin'!