I stopped writing about dogs.
It’s not because I have stopped loving them. I do.
I always will.
But I also have come to the conclusion that my level of expertise just isn’t doing them justice.
There is much we don’t know and cannot know.
To the extent that I have been wrong, I have failed.
I never got into team sports because it was always a constant chest-thumping one-upmanship that I found repulsive.
Spending time alone in the woods with dogs was the opposite of that sort of existence.
Little did I know that that world of dogs was gripped by the same sort competition. I just happened to be around dogs in a part of the world where no one cared about these things.
And the truth is I have been outdone by those with more resources. I’ve been outdone by those who were able to be tougher and nastier.
I’m not a nasty person.
All I’ve ever sought was more time to be alone in the woods with dogs, and if whatever I wrote here helped me to that end, then I’d write about it
It would help me recreate what I had once known and what I had yearned for.
I may write about dogs here again.
But it is going to be a while.
I think I’m fresh out of expertise.
But it may be confidence in myself.
Who knows?
It doesn’t really matter.
It all ends up in a kind of writer’s block anyway.
Nah, don’t beat yourself up about it. NO-ONE can know EVERYTHING about the thing that they are so passionate about. I believe i am a fairly decent dog trainer (but that’s only my opinion, I’m sure lot’s of people would trash my methods – but for me it works), but only a narcissistic person would say that they know everything about dogs and dog training. You seem to be knocking yourself about by the fact that you don’t know enough about dogs, that’s rubbish. I love learning new facts about dogs which your blog provides for me – saves me from doing all the research :) Just remember one thing, remove those toxic, nasty dog people from your life, you don’t have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small. You do know so much about dog facts and history of breeds and the information you give is fantastic, but there is always more to learn and the fact that you know that, means in my book you are far more learned than you think.
Whatever you post is interesting. I enjoy the wildlife photos etc. Thank you!
You must know that how much I enjoyed your article about retriever! Ok, you may not know everything, but you also must understand that how much joy you gave us with your interesting article. Your fault is fine! We will dig even further. but you have shown how interesting the history of retriever world is! I think that is quite enough for me.
How about you write about dogs and your home because you love them and you love writing. It seems to me that some dog ‘experts’ and breeders don’t actually like dogs they like the celebrity of being a successful breeder.
I like your posts – all of them
I agree with Margaret from Oz. and certainly you have no lack of expertise in the researching of historical information about dogs! I have very much enjoyed and appreciated those insights, especially about retrievers.
And there is always more to learn. No one ever really “knows it all”, believe me! That’s one of the things that has kept me in dogs for so many years.
As to the organized dog world, yes, there are people who are in it for ego, prestige, etc. But there are far more who “do stuff” with their dogs just because they love working with their canine partner (who sleeps on the sofa, and also goes on walks in the woods with them) and seeing the dog’s talents develop. Witness the growing popularity of non-competitive events such as Rally, Tracking, Hunting tests, obedience, and others, where a dog that does the work can be rewarded with a title, whether or not it “wins” over someone else.
The shitbirds can indeed wear you down buddy. But it’s your site, your opinions, your research and insights. Those who try to dump on you can be banished w/ a push of a button. This is your home on the Web and you don’t have to accept shit from anybody in your own home. So write about what you love, when you feel like dong so. Your fans will be here to read and enjoy it–guaranteed.
On one level I agree with you because I stand in awe every day I work with my dogs. I do compete in agility with my dogs because it is the goal to attain one mind that gives us both such joy. I find that I am surrounded by people who have been there and know how much work goes into fine tuning to make dog and handler one. Those are the people who applaud even the most basic victory – the others don’t belong in that world as they will never understand it.
You have so much to share and unbeknownst to you it enhances the relationship so many have with their dogs, their breeds, their breeding programs.
The trolls will always be out there – like the dark slime in the back alley – but we cant let that make decisions – it is those who celebrate and affirm
Now I am off to celebrate Icey’s 13th birthday today – she will get some Lamb Liver and be encouraged to roll down the hill in the grass, her very favorite thing.
I just want to thank you for providing a site where I could find a well-researched, scientific explanation for why my rescue is a golden retriever/border collie mix. I adopted her in her middle years, she is solid black save for the white on her chest and her left foot, with the other characteristics identical to those in your photos. So many people ask what breed she is and your posts have allowed me to teach them a little bit about coloring genetics, and have given me the confidence to work with her in a way befitting her heritage. Thanks!
Nice thing is, the dogs don’t give a shit about the goings on in “the dog world”. So you keep on rambling in the woods with your best girl, & with whatever best girl/boy comes after her, & so on & so forth.
Also, I love that you put snow on the blog again this year. Almost makes up for the fact that I, in MID DECEMBER, washed a dog outside with cold hose water & actually broke into a sweat while doing it. Stupid South Carolina climate + climate change.
I like your wildlife blogposts, especially the cat ones. All your posts are very interesting.
Do you think that you may want to do some more posts about the cat family in general and its many species, including the wildcat, in the future? I’d like to see more info and posts mentioning the taxonomic subjectivity of the domestic cat in relation to the near eastern wildcat (Why the domestic cat is called Felis silvestris catus when it is nearly identical to the near eastern wildcat?).
Good luck in the future.
I actually found this site researching the Neapolitan Mastiff. I found your posts informative…and…maybe a little angry toward breeders of the dog, their buyers, and their owners.
I’m glad, however, that you decided to single out that breed as opposed to the numerous others that are detrimentally bred for their looks at dog shows. It gained me a good perspective from the opposite side of the coin.
Also, I have a Golden Retriever and your posts have helped with him immensely as well. Thanks for all your posts and I hope to see you back here sometime.
Fine, be fresh out of expertise. Humility is a fine trait, share that too. From such a place may have come your ability to ask questions, and your abilility to turn things on their head.
Hmmm. Saddening. I value your ability to ask questions. You pose some curly ones and can really turn things on their head. Love our work on the St Johns.