There was a time when I was editing my national breed club’s newsletter, serving on two committees, chairing a third, and ghost writing a letter writing campaign against breed specific legislation. One day I looked up from my computer and realized that all my dogs’ nails required trimming, the adults needed baths, and the youngster’s immature coat was getting the upper hand.
I was spending a lot of time doing things on behalf of dogs I didn’t know – and had been neglecting my own.
The irony. As fanciers, we admire balance in our dogs, but how many of us fail to find it in our own lives?
And this is as far as I got. You haven’t missed a paragraph, I’m being literal. The opening lines above were as far as I got on an article I was writing before I had to put it aside to work on a project with a more immediate deadline – and even that excuse drips with irony. The project doesn’t involve my own dogs, it’s about other dogs. I wouldn’t relinquish this project for anything because it’s interesting and important, and given today’s “anti-breeder and-purebred dog ownership” climate, I want to be among people who thumb their nose at this mindset. I can’t very well enjoy my own dogs if I’m outlawed from having them, afterall, and at today’s brisk rate of legislation, it could happen. But at some point when this project is behind me, I want to get a handle on how to balance the responsibility I have to my own dogs with a duty to speak out against those who threaten my right to own them.
One week from today, I leave for New York and Westminster – the Super Bowl of our sport. It’s a working trip, in as much as being surrounded by gorgeous dogs and like-minded people is work. And maybe I’ll remember to ask some folks there how they balance everything they do – or do they even try? Perhaps they learned better the lesson I taught my daughter but failed to apply to parts of my own life. Feminism promised greater options to women of my generation, and to be respected for the options we chose. The reality, however, meant that if we chose to work outside the home, we usually came home to work some more.
As a result, I always told my daughter what I learned the hard way: You can do it all, just not at the same time.
When I come home from New York, I’m going to research what balance would look like in my own life.
Right after I bathe the dogs.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Wanna come bathe mine too? ::ducking and running::
Oh sure, Charlee. I’ll do your spit polish and in return, you do my 150 lbs. of wet cords. Deal!
If you want something done, give the job to a busy person? I’ve heard that said for a long time. I’m nearly ambidextrous but even so, I’ve had my hands full way too many times. Admittedly I’m a very slow learner so it took years for me to figure out that: 2yes = 3no, letter for letter. That’s about all I can handle so each time I say “yes,” I start bracing myself to say “no” to something else . . . The hard part is sticking to my own rule because then the next thing I’m asked to do is always really interesting, really fun, really important . . . but if it’s worth doing, someone else really will step up to the plate. It’s so humbling to know I can be replaced so easily (sigh). Have a great time in NY! I’ll be home bathing dogs.
Um, do you have time for a few corded ones?
I’ve heard that same saying. What I don’t to happen is that I’m so busy, days melt into years, and voila, I’m dead. I’m not a fan of change, and death is rather a biggie.
See you at Westminster perhaps? My first, only & last show dog will be there! A dream since I was 12.
I’ll be there!
I just love reading your blog! I have Staffordshire Bull Terriers. I handle Rescue for our breed nationally, write for our magazine, the Gazette, and of course, the job, the dogs, showing, all of it, same juggler here. You are spot on! We do have to do it all especially because of the hobby we have chosen and love so much. Not to mention the dogs, who’s very existence in our homes permeates our entire livelihoods. The dogs we wake every morning up thinking about and end each day with getting into bed to love for the night. Its what we do and we love them moreso. Check out mine when you have a moment: http://www.mymarla.wordpress.com
I started writing it based on planning this one litter. I have not kept it up due to being caught with this superflu and being in a weird time-warp of constant obstacles happening in my life (car accident,plumbing, work, et al!), though the next blogs are written…The time! Where does it go? This has had to suffer. I will get back on it when I am feeling better…. I essentially wanted to introduce myself and thank you for your great blog!
High praise, Kristina, and much appreciated! Welcome to “Urgency Syndrome Sufferers Anonymous,” where we’re not that anonymous. I once read an article about “Urgency Syndrome,” a legit malady, evidently, usually suffered by busy people (women, mostly) who can’t sit down for more than a minute before feeling like there’s something else they’re supposed to be doing. I recognized myself right away, and it sound like you might have it, too. So, can’t talk, gotta go.
Grin. I look forward to reading your blog -and when you figure out when the time goes, besides on my face, let me know, too?
Or maybe it’s just ADD!
ADD……now that’s a thought. Huh? D’ya say something?
Susi,
Finding the balance can be heartbreaking. I had to give up chairing the CWCCA National Specialty because I just could do it all. It was something I had dreamed of doing and was so proud to have been asked but knew that to have a successful show it needed someone other than me to do it right. I had a lot of stones thrown when I made the choice but it was the right thing to do.
Hope to see you around on Monday at WKC, my 1st trip, it is a surgical strike trip, there and back in just 3 days but I’m excited to be going to my 1st one.