Ring side comments

[fbkeays]

This weekend was an USRC show that I had Duncan entered in. Duncan is 10 years, 7 months and 2 days old. He has cancer. He is in pretty darn good shape. Not a lot of muscle mass, but he is not FAT. His coat is wavy and doesn't lay down as much as it did before he was neutered. Yep, his coat went to %#$Q@# when he was neutered at age 3.
He still has his top and bottom lines, he still has his head shape, he still has all of his teeth and they don't need a cleaning. He can still stack better then most show dogs of any age. He has very good structure. Unlike a whole lot of dogs out there, he actually has the correct proportions for a rottweiler. He still can gait around the ring. Back when he was intact and a youth he earned SG ratings (that was before judges gave V ratings in the 12-18 class). The bottom line is that he has every every right to be in that ring this weekend.
My husband was ring side on the far side among a group of people that we don't know. He told me that there were many unkind comments about Duncan. Lots of animal noises like cow and sheep.
I almost wish that my husband didn't say anything. Three months ago I would have sworn that Duncan wasn't going to make it to this show. He has had a rough 3 months, but is now doing fabulous. He was very pleased to be out and showing. I was happy being out in that ring and showing him.
I can only assume that these people are on their first dog and never had an old show dog. I realize that these people don't know his history and that is fine. History has no place in a conformation show. But making animal noises and unkind comments have no place outside the ring when a veteran is being shown.

[Mavides]

That's TERRIBLE Francis! I haven't seen many veterans at the USRC shows...but one of my favorite things at the specialties (AKC that is) is hearing all of the cheering as the veterans go around the ring. I think that ANY one of our Rotten kids that makes it to the double digits deserves to be out there strutting their stuff! I'm glad I wasn't there...I don't think I could have kept my mouth shut if I would have heard those people! :<

[AngelBunny]

Chalk up their rude comments to those of the clueless and ill informed.

Anyone who's been involved with this breed for any length of time knows what they're looking at when they see veterans in the ring.

[debbiej]

you know what? you were proud and happy, Duncan was proud and happy, those people are not only not happy they are stupid and small. Bravo for Duncan and God bless the old champ!!

[Da05128]

Like the above posters I love the round of applause that the veterans get when they go around the ring - sometimes it even chokes you up a little...

People say stupid things at dog shows. Period. It doesn't seem to matter what the situation - you can always count on an ignorant observer.

You must have been so proud of Duncan, still showing his heart out at 10+years! Wish I could have been there to see it.

[targonrotts]

people can be so rude.
i am happy duncan made it to the ring and enjoyed himself!
ringside critics are bad...but during a veterans class?! shame on them.

[JemarsSerena]

Last year I almost stopped showing because of some nasty comments made to me when I came out of the ring. Then I realized, I'm having fun and I am working with my dog. That is all that matters in the end.

[fbkeays]

I am hurt by what my husband told me. Fortunately he waited until after we left. I am very happy to show Duncan at every opportunity. This coming weekend is our local specialties. He is entered in sweeps and regular-non-regular veterans. He will have competition at the specialties. I am looking forward to showing him. I know he will have a good time.

[Troodie's Mom]

My Rocky was called a cow and laughed at our first night of obedience class, and that kind of bothered me, so I sort of know how you feel. The boorish behavior of those rude people at your ringside displayed a complete lack of manners and of decency. Aren't there rules about that sort of thing? Those people should have been shown the door.
Your dog sounds absolutely beautiful, give him a hug for me and tell him so.

[StephanieandToby]

Making fun of any senior is despicable.
God Bless Duncan!

[frontierrots]

SHAME on those people! If you are on a USRC email group I would say something!

To even live long enough to show in veterans is a gift, to be healthy enough to have fun doing it is wonderful. I cry when the veteran classes come out

Those people deserve public shame

"I" am very happy that Duncan is doing well enough to even have a happy life, let alone go to a show!

PATS to Duncan!!

[Liz]

Comments like that have no place at a show during any class, but least of all during veterans. It's also unsportsmanlike behavior and if Brady (or anyone else) hears it at another USRC show it should be reported to the show chair.

Liz

[flyballmom]

OMG Francis I'm SOOO glad I didn't hear any of that!! Duncan is an awesome dog, and in addition to what you already said about him, he has the most awesome temperament. Too bad Brady didn't identify himself as one of the dogs owners, a bit of humiliation would have been good for those people! Then again, maybe they were beyond that. I was so happy to get to see him show...hopefully we'll run into one another this coming weekend. I'll be there on Friday just to hang out and hopefully meet up with Mike Jackman, and then Blitz is entered in agility over the weekend.

Edited to say: The judge was complimentary to him, that's what counts anyway!

[moz205]

Rude and ignorant people are everywhere. I also would not have been able to contain myself. I have never been to a show but probably would have been thrown out of that one for stirring up the pot with these people. Be proud of yourself and dog, you've both earned it and those morons can't take that from you or Duncan.

[LynnS]

I am sorry Francis...

Shows seem to bring out the worst in some people. Fortunately Duncan had no idea

See you and Duncan this weekend! I will keep an eye out for Beth and Blitz as well!