Titles

I started off this morning thinking about the many articles I wanted to write and then I came across an essay written by Sandy Mawery. I think it was written for obedience titles but I could not find the original source. Some of you may have seen and read this before but I thought it was worth repeating here.

I have been in pursuit of titles for my dogs ever since I started in Flyball. To be honest, even though it was my dog’s accomplishments, it was also about me and my ego. After reading Sandy’s message, these accomplishments have touched me in a very different way. Some of my dogs are getting older now and one is semi-retired from the sport, and I will always cherish my dog’s titles and look at them in remembrance of the good times I’ve shared with a friend.

Enjoy and remember!

Larry

What is a Title, Really?

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 the record and in the memory, for about as long as anything in the world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn’t know or care that his 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, adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that pleased you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

A title says that you loved your dog. That you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed and 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 praise in one small set of initials after the name.

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

Written by, Sandy Mowery

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