Reflections

As of today, I'm eighteen. An adult. A "grown up".

And it's made me quite reflective.

I don't think it's ever easy, being someone "young" in the dog world. I think it's even harder when you're first starting out and know absolutely bugger all and don't come from a real doggy background and don't have parents who get into the whole show/sport/breeding/training/exhibiting/whatever.

When I first started at VIP four and a bit years ago, I knew nothing. I had Jack with his variety of often frustrating quirks and my fourteen year old ignorant self to cope with and it was an interesting learning experience. Needless to say, I was a bit hooked and by the end of that year I had Charlie.

Since taking that first commando class with Jack, I can't even begin to list all of the amazing people I've met and become friends with, all of things I've learnt, all of the mistakes I've made and all of the right things I've done.

I've been so, so lucky. I found an awesome environment for someone like me to start out with dogs in, with equally awesome people who welcomed me with open arms, and taught me so much, and supported me through every step- they're ultimately the ones who set me on the path I'm on now with my dogs and training, and a path I hope to never hop off. Without them I wouldn't have had any of the opportunities or any of the experiences I've had over the past few years.

Without these people, and without the outlet through my dogs and agility- an outlet that has only been made a reality by their support and guidance- I have no doubt I would be in a seriously messed up place right now.

I can't even begin to thank them for everything they've done; I consider myself a pretty wordy person, and I still struggle to convey how much they and everything they've done means to me.

I owe each and every single one of them so, so much, and I love them dearly for helping me grow up: they're my friends, my teachers, my surrogate parents, my cheer squad, my reality checkers… Their the most amazing family I could be lucky enough to be welcomed into.

The world- and especially the dog world- needs more people like them: the ones who'll take a bumbling young kid with no direction under their wing and help them realise their potential.

So anyone young in the dog world: I hope you find at least one person as wonderful as the ones I did; someone who will guide you, push you, make you see sense, encourage you, help you see how amazing you are and that what you're doing isn't a "pointless waste of time".

And anyone older in the dog world: I hope you find the joy- and the frustration- that mentoring a young person needing some guidance brings. And I hope you don't simply disregard them, or belittle them, or make them feel like they don't belong simply because "they're young".

Because believe me, those young people really, really appreciate the guidance and the support.

And who knows, maybe, someday, that young person could end up helping to teach you one or two things in return.