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Learning and Growing Through a Life with Dogs
My love for dogs did not begin with my first Vizsla, but years earlier working with Field Dog Stud Book registered English Setters. Even as a young girl, I was always eager to help train our young puppies by working "whoa" work on a table that was nearly taller than I stood and follow close behind when it was time to go work on birds. Then, every year when fall arrived, I followed my mom and dad through the weed fields that covered my head in search of pheasants. My start in dogs began very young in only the field aspect, but quickly grew when I saw the variety of activities I could choose from. As I said, showing in 4-H caught my attention and I began dreaming of showing in AKC dog shows like I saw on television. In 1999, this dream came true at the Harvest Cluster in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I showed my male Vizsla, Scout, all three days in breed competition and Junior Showmanship. Showing in the Novice Junior class all three days with about seven other people, I left carrying the first place ribbon each day and my three wins which already qualified me for showing in Open Showmanship. Not only that, but Scout received Winners Dog and Best of Winners giving him his first point. I never expected my first show to be this successful. From then on, I never quit showing. Every year I would show in 4-H shows and AKC shows around Michigan and my neighboring states. I began showing more of my dogs and even some others, just for the experience. In 2000, I purchased a striking solid liver German Wirehaired Pointer, Wesley, who proceeded to participate in breed competition, 4-H, hunting competitions (especially North America Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) tests), and a "doggie safety program" for elementary aged children. He became my pride and I was ecstatic when I finished his bench title completely on my own. One of my most satisfying projects with dogs has been the development of "Safety Tips from Wesley and Friends," a safety program that I designed with the help of the AKC for elementary aged children. I travel to local classrooms with Wesley and coloring books, ready to talk to children about being safe around dogs. This program has become important in my life and I continue to try to expand at every opportunity. The smile on the children's faces when Wesley walks into the room makes the work worthwhile. Wesley has been a key to my growth in the field of dogs. Being the character that he is, he taught me to handle a variety of situations while in the ring. At six months of age, I entered him in his first show and even in Junior Showmanship. While in Juniors, Wesley decided it was time to play and began jumping and biting me and have a good time in his mind. Throughout the class, I kept my cool and showed him as well as I could in that situation. I left the ring with a fourth place and a comment from the judge that "I received that placement because I stayed calm and still showed the dog even though he was being playful." This experience and the many others afterward brought me to a new level of handling and a new appreciation for perseverance. After showing for about four years, I began to travel and apprentice with a professional handler. These experiences taught me countless tricks to showing and presenting dogs in the ring. The memories and the knowledge from working with one of my role models will never be forgotten, Unfortunately, she began traveling too great of distances for me to continue traveling with her and still maintain my college schedule. This encouraged me to find myself a couple of clients and to begin handling to help pay for my college education. Currently, I attend one or two shows a month with two or three client dogs. This has allowed me to have a job that I love through college that does not interfere with my studying or classes. While doing this, I have been successful and have finished multiple dogs and pointed others. In between showing, I also still find time for field work. I have worked extensively in the NAVHDA program and plan to pursue an AKC Master Hunter title this spring. Having dogs that both perform in the field as they were originally bred to and are competitive in the show ring has become the goal of my breeding program. This fall, I bred a litter of German Wirehaired Pointers and whelped a healthy litter of 13 puppies. Of this litter, more than half of them will be either tested in NAVHDA, shown, or both. I will have the opportunity to be involved with most of these puppies' development in the field and show ring. When reflecting on my work with dogs, it is obvious that they have taught me more about life than a person could ever imagine. Dogs are intriguing creatures that in order to be successful, a trainer or handler must have patience, perseverance, and a willingness to put forth any sort of effort. I have been through times in Wesley's field training that I believed he would never pass a NAVHDA test. With work, however, he has passed the test three times. We are still working for the elusive prize I, but I know with work and patience, this reward will come. Also, they show us, as humans, how to forgive and be compassionate. No matter what the situation, man's best friend will always be at the bedside ready to listen to their owners. These key characteristics are what have made my life successful to this point. Although I plan to show and breed throughout my life, my work with dogs and animals has brought me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine at Michigan State University. Michigan State opened my eyes to a variety of opportunities that are available while in college. This summer, I am enrolling into the Behavioral Ecology of African Mammals study abroad program. I have already been accepted to spend three weeks in Kenya, Africa, observing and studying wild animals. This experience will help me understand to a greater extent an animal's mind and potentially assist in my veterinary abilities. In the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006, I will potentially be spending
numerous tours every week working in a canine genetics laboratory
with Michigan State's top canine geneticists. I am pursuing these
opportunities because my future career goal is to enter canine genetics
and work to better our breeding by tracing genetic diseases. Through
both veterinary medicine and growing up in the life of dogs, I have
seen first hand both the improvement of dogs and the deterioration
of the health in our breeding stock. As breeders, this is not done
intentionally, rather hidden and carried through our stock until a
disease unexpectedly is exhibited. I would like to work to help solve
the genetic mysteries to benefit the world of purebred dogs. |
After
working for months with my dog, the moment of truth finally arrived.
At the age of ten, I was participating in my first 4-H dog show with
all the butterflies and excitement a first time exhibitor carries.
That day, I received High Point in Obedience and Reserve in Junior
Showmanship with my first Vizsla. Needless to say, I was hooked and
couldn't wait for my next opportunity to show.
