Would like to ask a favor of everyone going to union city...

[goosebruce]

When you see the grand committee guys, and the local committee guys, thank them. Take a second, introduce yourself, and tell them thank them for working so hard, so we can play. The grand hunt committee takes a lot of cheap shots, and a lot of whining, but when you simply sit down and think about what they do for us, its mind boggling. Twice a year, they are giving up 8 to 10 days of their time, for us to play. Not to mention all the work ahead of time. Often they make trips to visit the sites months or even years ahead of time. A lot of you know how much work it takes to put on a 2 day hunt test, with your own club members, in your own backyard. Now imagine putting on a 5 day hunt test, with 3 days of set up, half way across the country, with people you barely know, and oh yeah, dealing with 475 dogs. If it wasn't for clubs like Tennessee River , stepping up to host one, and land owners like Kelly Powers, allowing for their property to be trampled on by 500 dogs and people, there wouldnt be grands. Those people who wipe your dogs twat in the dark, thank them. Those people who are marshalling, and maybe get a little sinppy when you ask them a question, thank them... they've been asked that question 200x already, and got up as early as you, and they are working, so we can play. Those local guys work from before dawn to dark, and most of what they hear is going to be people griping about something that isnt perfect... nary a word about the 95% of stuff that is. Thank them. Its an emotional week for everyone, its 5am to 10 pm a lot of times, its an endurance test. Its also the best week you can spend. Thank the folks that make it happen. Most of them will be SHOCKED when you do it... so be ready for that. travis

[T-Bone]

rogerthat..will do!!!

[Damn_It_Boy]

10-4............will do!

[fishduck]

Travis that is a timely post and something that most of us never think about. I will make it a point to say a lot of thank you's on Saturday.
Mark Land

[goosebruce]

Mark make it a point to say em on wednesday too bro!

btw, I agree with what ya said over yonder. I knew what you meant, glad you clarified it for the peanut gallery so they could understand too. Some folks just aint never gonna be happy, so why bother with them? travis

[OleMsVa]

Some folks just aint never gonna be happy, so why bother with them? travis

Amen Travis...great post. I will make sure to say thank you no matter how things turn out.

[goosebruce]

BTW, when you come into union city, theres a bill board welcoming the international grand hunt to their town. Places like Union City, and Grenada, Texarkana, and the 4 parrishes we stayed in during the sw la grand, bowie texas, these kind of places KNOW what our dollars mean, and I much prefer to be someplace like that than a big city that can't stop traffic for a caravan. When you go into stores that have welcome signs out front, and people ask you if you are there for the Grand, tell them yes, and thanks for opening your city to us. Every single one of us are an ambassador of the dog games when an entire city knows where there, and are welcoming them. Our dollars make us welcome, but our behavior makes us welcome back.

Sometimes though, you just find a crazy booty dog poop lady in the hotel. Ya still gotta be nice, ha! travis

[fishduck]

Travis if I am around Wednesday I will be kissing folks on the cheek and thanking everyone I see.
Mark Land

[Doc & Nash]

Sometimes though, you just find a crazy booty dog poop lady in the hotel. Ya still gotta be nice, ha! travis

I really hope we left that crazee woman in OOOOhio

[trooper]

Great post!!

Ed & Glenda

[Belinda D]

When you said endurance test.....that's not just for the dogs, its the owners, handlers and traveling companions just there to watch. Waiting on those call backs at 10:00 pm on Saturday night is ruff. You just want to scream..why aren't they ready? Just be patient...they'll show up. Great Post.