We Are the World. |
Show and trial chairs throughout the United States as well as the rest of the world are being faced with extremely tough decisions regarding the resumption of events in a safe and workable environment for all members of the fancy. Different states as well as facilities have new restrictions and rules that have an impact on when and how clubs will be able to return to the venue sensibly and practically.
For some of these clubs, the rules and restrictions will create more cancellations of events until that time that a vaccine or some other medical breakthrough will get us back to normal. However, for those clubs that are trying to continue to put on events, there is no question that major changes are in the works.
Anyone with a computer and a Facebook or other type of social networking account has already seen the multiple reactions in the fancy in regards to proposed changes for upcoming shows and trials. The suggested or mandated changes are already creating divisiveness within the ranks. In some venues, there will be NO INDOOR GROOMING, or Limited grooming with absolutely no use of hairdryers, powders, chalk, or anything that might easily be spread around the facility. Practicing social distancing in the grooming areas as well as around the rings will be interesting to observe. Judges and exhibitors wearing masks and practicing other safety measures will also add time to an already long day for many. Ring stewards as well as judges will encounter masses of people during a show and while we hope many will practice safe and healthy practices it is also foolish to believe that everyone will follow the rules.
There are already people posting that those with RV's and private generators will have an unfair advantage because they will be able to groom and blow dry etc. at their respective vehicles. Some have been around for many years and remember when electricity and other perks of today's show sites were not available and the sport did well and enjoyed great growth. In those days of yore, shows were one day events with exhibitors moving from show to show every day with no drop off in entries. Many sites were outdoors and at fairgrounds or other venues with tenting, porta-potties, no hookups, and often just a field to park in.
Over time we have experienced many changes in our sport and we are now facing another change that is being forced upon us by an outside influence we have no control over. Our task is how we attack the changes and learn to work together to make it work for the greater good and not just a privileged few.
While sitting home on the weekends I have watched more TV than normal. I happened to watch the season finale of the American Idol competition. During the finale, Lionel Ritchie and a group of current performers sang "We are the world" for the first time in over 35 years. The song was written by the late Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. It is a song that resonates with people trying to make our world a better place. The words tell a practical story;
WE ARE THE WORLD- MICHAEL JACKSON/LIONEL RITCHIE
There comes a time when we heed a certain call-
When the world must come together as one-
There are people dying-
And it’s time to lend a hand to life-
The greatest gift of all-
We can’t go on pretending day by day-
That someone somehow will soon make a change-
We are all a part Gods great big family-
And the truth, you know-
Love is all we need-
(Chorus)
We are the world, we are the children-
We are the ones who make a brighter day-
So lets start giving-
There’s a choice we’re making-
We’re saving our own lives-
It’s true we’ll make a better day-
Just you and me-
Send them your heart-
So they’ll know that someone cares-
And their lives will be stronger and free-
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread-
So we all must lend a helping hand-
(Chorus)
When you’re down and out-
There seems no hope at all-
But if you just believe there’s no way we can fall-
Let us realize that a change can only come-
When we stand together as one-
As we move toward the future are you willing to sacrifice and stand together as one? Will you be a happy and productive part of a successful solution? We need to bond and to learn to love and respect each other in a time that will test many. Our future as a sport depends upon every person doing their part. We are the Dog Show World and we can make it happen.
For some of these clubs, the rules and restrictions will create more cancellations of events until that time that a vaccine or some other medical breakthrough will get us back to normal. However, for those clubs that are trying to continue to put on events, there is no question that major changes are in the works.
Anyone with a computer and a Facebook or other type of social networking account has already seen the multiple reactions in the fancy in regards to proposed changes for upcoming shows and trials. The suggested or mandated changes are already creating divisiveness within the ranks. In some venues, there will be NO INDOOR GROOMING, or Limited grooming with absolutely no use of hairdryers, powders, chalk, or anything that might easily be spread around the facility. Practicing social distancing in the grooming areas as well as around the rings will be interesting to observe. Judges and exhibitors wearing masks and practicing other safety measures will also add time to an already long day for many. Ring stewards as well as judges will encounter masses of people during a show and while we hope many will practice safe and healthy practices it is also foolish to believe that everyone will follow the rules.
There are already people posting that those with RV's and private generators will have an unfair advantage because they will be able to groom and blow dry etc. at their respective vehicles. Some have been around for many years and remember when electricity and other perks of today's show sites were not available and the sport did well and enjoyed great growth. In those days of yore, shows were one day events with exhibitors moving from show to show every day with no drop off in entries. Many sites were outdoors and at fairgrounds or other venues with tenting, porta-potties, no hookups, and often just a field to park in.
Over time we have experienced many changes in our sport and we are now facing another change that is being forced upon us by an outside influence we have no control over. Our task is how we attack the changes and learn to work together to make it work for the greater good and not just a privileged few.
While sitting home on the weekends I have watched more TV than normal. I happened to watch the season finale of the American Idol competition. During the finale, Lionel Ritchie and a group of current performers sang "We are the world" for the first time in over 35 years. The song was written by the late Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. It is a song that resonates with people trying to make our world a better place. The words tell a practical story;
WE ARE THE WORLD- MICHAEL JACKSON/LIONEL RITCHIE
There comes a time when we heed a certain call-
When the world must come together as one-
There are people dying-
And it’s time to lend a hand to life-
The greatest gift of all-
We can’t go on pretending day by day-
That someone somehow will soon make a change-
We are all a part Gods great big family-
And the truth, you know-
Love is all we need-
(Chorus)
We are the world, we are the children-
We are the ones who make a brighter day-
So lets start giving-
There’s a choice we’re making-
We’re saving our own lives-
It’s true we’ll make a better day-
Just you and me-
Send them your heart-
So they’ll know that someone cares-
And their lives will be stronger and free-
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread-
So we all must lend a helping hand-
(Chorus)
When you’re down and out-
There seems no hope at all-
But if you just believe there’s no way we can fall-
Let us realize that a change can only come-
When we stand together as one-
As we move toward the future are you willing to sacrifice and stand together as one? Will you be a happy and productive part of a successful solution? We need to bond and to learn to love and respect each other in a time that will test many. Our future as a sport depends upon every person doing their part. We are the Dog Show World and we can make it happen.