Joyous Hello, My Ladyship! Yes, I absolutely did misunderstand the reason for breed inclusion/exclusion in this case! I thought I was being informed of a trend in SCA culture of excluding breeds at certain events and activities (where dog activities were already being accepted) on the basis of a dog not being "period". Understandably, I found this quite unfair in light of what I felt was the true spirit of our Society and the purpose of its activities in toto. I can completely understand these decisions now within this context. If we're lucky to have ANY pups or coursing at all at a particular event due to the mundane constraints of a site or environment (or, the powers that be), then the only fair way to decide who can participate, and thus limit the numbers to an approved amount, is to have a very strict criteria. Only by being very good (albeit paying!) guests do we prove our worth and, metaphorically speaking, live to play another day! This is how, eventually, minds can be changed, or even new allies won to our cause. Samira, you put my mind at ease! It is heartening to be reassured that this is not a prejudice within SCA culture, but merely an issue of dealing with mundane realities and who's our land lord at very specific events; as well as the safety concerns presented at MONGO events, such as Pennsic or Gulf Wars, when you factor in the "idiot percentage"! I am quite saddened to hear that some who have brought dogs to some events did not use good judgment (nor, apparently, have much love and respect for their own dogs!). Things like this worry me, because I feel it is a case of one step forward, two steps back. You remember that open-ended SCAdian axiom, "You know you're in the SCA when....."? The day I knew I was a true SCAdian was when I bought a lottery ticket and thought how magnificent it would be if I won because.... I could buy ALOT of land to donate for Society activities (primarily those of a doggie nature)!!! Greyt Regard, Mevanwy and the MIB: One of which is "period", and one of which ain't, and theyz ain't givin' it up out of loyalty to one another! Themz my boyz! ( A great, black dog rises from amongst the pack, "I am Douglas..." he says. But then, another black dog stands, "I am Douglas!" he attests. )
Edie Bain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Mevanwy, I think things are getting a bit confused here between "SCA coursing" and "coursing at Gulf War". One can, in most instances, course any dog one wishes within the SCA context. Personally, I have happily run the lure for toy and standard poodles, miniature dachshunds, boxers, dalmations, mutts and corgis, all of whom have coursed admirably. I'm a great believer in "run whatcha brung". However, most of the larger events, have--quite rightly in many cases--concerns about allowing unlimited admission to dogs. Pennsic does not allow ANY pets other than registered service animals. Gulf War: The site owner would really prefer that no dogs attend. He has several dogs of his own that roam at will. One year he DID tie them up. One of his dogs jumped over the porch railing and hung itself. :( My own personal opinion is that for the money he gets from GW every year, he could build his dogs their own personal vacation resort, but it's his land and his dogs. Over many years, we have progressed from his allowing only Greyhounds, to greys AND IG's, and now Borzoi. We also have gotten permission for a GSP (worked with a falcon) and a Scottish Deerhound (by specific request of the Ansteorran royals). Perhaps someday we can invite any hound who courses, no matter which--or no--breed, but that time is not today. One can rather understand the concerns. If there were no restrictions, at an event with 3500+ people, there would undoubtably be people who would bring dogs and leave them unattended in their camps, would not clean up after them, etc. We have already had this problem at Border Raids. In this case ONE irresponsible dog owner almost got ALL of us banned from the event. Unfortunately, as Kennel Lands bod for GW this year, I have to stand by the "party line", whether or not I, personally, happen to agree with it. Samira --------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
