No need to read past this paragraph if you're not interested in one
*pet-owner's* thoughts -- I'm not a breeder (present or future), have had a
Cavalier for only 2 years, and am finally piping up with the fortification
of a glass of wine... :)
When I joined a club, it was well before I had found my puppy (and "my"
breeder). I had had other breeds in the past (German Shepherd, Bichon
Frise) but didn't yet have a Cavalier, and I was still actively reading
everything I could find (books, as well as information on websites, many of
which belong to members of this list). Joining was another way to express
my commitment to this breed, and to feel involved with (and to support --
via dues and/or donations to the club, regional rescue and Lucky Star
Cavalier Rescue) preserving and advancing the interests of Cavaliers. I
joined the CKCSC-USA; as I've understood it, I couldn't have joined the
ACKCSC anyway because I didn't (and still don't) know 2 Regular Members of
ACKCSC well enough to have the nerve to ask them to sponsor me!
Having voting rights -- or not -- was never a deciding factor. Part of the
joy (small compared to sharing life with a Cavalier, but enjoyable
nevertheless) has been deepening my knowledge of the standard, various
health issues (common and not-so-common), and nutrition. I can *wish* that
all other "pet-only" Cavalier people would take the same "immersion"
approach, but I know all too well that not everyone does. Since I'm a
researcher, I have discovered (to my dismay) that I have as much (or more)
"technical" knowledge as some (NOT ALL!!) of the breeders I have spoken
with, but I have absolutely no doubt that a great many long-term, serious
breeders know far more (both technically and *experientially*) than I will
*ever* know -- thank goodness!!! For this reason, I have no problem with
leaving voting rights to them.
I'd be glad (mainly for the sake of the gene pool) to see dual registration
accepted by both clubs (or an eventual unity which no longer reflected two
different clubs). And from a purely personal (and idealistic) standpoint,
I just wish that *everyone* affiliated in any way with AKC could pressure
AKC to preserve and increase the respectability of "AKC" registration, since
so many petshop puppies have papers bearing the AKC imprimatur. Not
intended to inflame, just one pet-owner's dream. All educational
(non-flaming) corrections welcome...
Alida (who's probably going to regret speaking out, so will toddle off
to pour another glass -- hey, it's Friday)
and Remy (who was glad to hear Cathy Gish's reminder about who the
real master is!)
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