Life Lessons

Posted on October 2, 2006 by Shannon Nardi 

"Beginning is easy; continuing is hard"
-Japanese proverb

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something."
-Thomas Henry Huxiey

"Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
-St. Francis of Assisi

You may have heard these or may not. One thing for certain, you will see them on Waterdog. There are at least 2 lessons per show on Waterdog. They come either at the end of the first, second, or third segments. They usually pertain to what is happening within the show and they mostly all pertain to the dogs, Yella or her guest one.

Within a 24 hour period last week, Justin and Clay (both while watching Show 1), mentioned how much they like the quotes at the end of the segments. It makes us think. It makes you smile. I really like them too and it is something that has been a constant on Waterdog and will continue to be.

It started when I received the book Lab Rules by Lee Thomas Kjos, from Lee himself and I thought it would be a nice addition to the program. Lab Rules has run its course and I have been thinking of trying to find another book of quotations. After talking with Tackett about them, he gave me an Aesop Fable that he wanted me to use for the next show. I then looked up Aesop Fables and found some; but, there are a lot of other different quotations on the Internet and I researched the different areas from where I could pull new ones.

Now all that being said, I want to bring you to a thought I had after reading a quotation by Aesop. I had tried with all my abilities to get the word out on the first airing of Waterdog on October 1. I tried to post it on most of the Waterfowl and Canine websites and forums. I had one specific WaterFowl website email me back because I had broken the rules on posting. I guess it seemed like I was soliciting. I understand and accepted. I did not agree, but accepted it.

I started thinking about this very hard and it is something I think of in the SRS game from time to time when situations come up. I think of the games of Duck and Dogs as kind of like a big circle of folks. It is not a huge circle but a good circle. Everyone there loves ducks and dogs. Some just hunt their dogs; some just trial their dogs in a hunting scenario, and some do both. Some duck hunters love the kill - wack and stack!! They live for this. Some love watching the new guy get his first trophy shot; some just would prefer to light them in the decoys some of the time; and most all of them do it to for their dogs. They love to watch ole "Duke" pick 'em up.

Some of the folks like shows like DU TV; some like Final Approach or RNT and some of us like DU Waterdog. No matter our preference, we are all in this ducks and dogs circle and it is okay that we like something.

I explained to the Webmaster that I appreciated and respected his rules and regulations on his board and that I understood whole-heartedly. I have 2 boards myself that we have to watch over. I also explained to him that I for one would like to see the circle of ducks and dogs grow. The more folks that we can involve in these sports separately or combined the absolutely better it will become.

To do this we must support each other always, all organizations, all shows good and bad and even if we do not agree or have the same taste as some of our colleagues.

"United we stand. Divided we fall."
-Aesop