200 – Celebrate 200th Episode with a Positive Outlook | Pure Dog Talk

200th episode? Celebrate with a positive outlook
Let’s talk about the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” And making a positive outlook YOUR approach to life and to this sport.
How can this be possible???
Wasn’t it just yesterday that Mary randomly set up next to me at a dog show in Southern California and we started yakking about dogs and mentors and education and possibilities??
In fact, it’s just over two years since I first learned there WAS such a thing as a podcast. Never mind listened to one… lol
Since our debut in November 2016, Pure Dog Talk has been downloaded well over three hundred THOUSAND times! Yikes! We’ve aged out of the 12-18 class and we’re running with the big dogs, expanding our reach to more purebred dog enthusiasts every single day.
In recognition of the occasion, I thought I’d stop by for a personal one on one visit with all ya’ll.
Accentuate the PAWsitive
This post went up to rave reviews on a social media group. Many thanks to the original poster for permission to share here:
Barbara Eymard
A reflection on my first 9 months in the dog show world.
I have read lot of complaints about the cost of dog show. 2 tickets to the movies can cost more than one day entry fee for a dog and additional cost for each family member. Hanging out a a dog show with several family members much cheaper
For most part dog show parking and admission for friends and family is free. I live in an area where we do have a number of shows in day trip driving distance.
For my admission fee I get 8 hours of meeting and talking to people with a like interest, my dog evaluated, entertainment, shopping
Food is cheaper then at the movie dinner theaters. I come home win or lose happy and exhausted.
My granddaughter and husband often spend the day with me. Guess what, we talk, no TV and limited cell phones, we spend time with each other and our dogs.
Now compare the cost of a day at the dog show and the day at an amusement park which does mean travel and a hotel for me. The dog show still comes out cheaper and a happier event.
Costs of everything have gone up. my quarter allowance use to be able to buy 5 candy bars.
I use comparison shopping when spending my entertainment money. Dog shows come out as a good deal.
Thank you dog show world
Barbara NAILED it!! Would that several tens of thousands more exhibitors shared her attitude. PLEASE join us in this …. Joy and thankfulness are contagious!
12-Step Program
I wrote the following as a New Year’s resolution column several years ago. I think it is still applicable today and now is as good a time to celebrate a new year and a new you as any!!
I once read a line that has stayed with me for years. Essentially, it said, “The man who can focus his entire attention on one single problem for just 20 minutes can rule the world.”
In our hectic, over-scheduled, under-funded, hyper-stimulated world, this is, indeed, a very difficult challenge. Especially so in the dog world, where we are all juggling dogs, life, work, family and personal time in a constant battle to not drop anything.
To offer focus in this never-ending war against time, we have created the “12-Steps to a Happier You in the Dog Fancy” inventory.
One step, each month, establishes the habit. Then just keep building, brick by brick, adding one new goal each month.
January — Say “Congratulations” to the winner or “Thank You” to those who congratulate you. And MEAN it! Yes, every time. Yes, even when the winner is your most bitter enemy, actually, especially then.
February — Watch one breed, other than your own, from start to finish, at every dog show you attend.
March — Instill and enforce the “first to look at their phone during dinner pays for everyone” rule each time you go out to eat, whether at a dog show, with co-workers or family.