All of us know what it feels like to savor success. On the same token we have also felt that which is deemed as failure. I do not believe in failure...or at least not in the manner the word is used by most. In fact success usually stops the learning process when never challenged by that which we call failure. It promotes laziness in the handler and forms vanity. A vanity which finds it difficult to face the lessons of importance. Those lessons that come in what some call failure. In some cases the challenge is lowered to avoid failure, this however is putting true success out of reach. To me this portal some call failure arises both questions and the quest. These often-difficult times build stamina and stability in dog and handler. They provide readiness without hesitation. In fact real failure is when we listen to the lesser voice. The doubt placed by those who do not understand the road to true success. Failure comes in the seeing and touching of the quest being denied. When ones peers hinder progress by planting doubt. Success is achieved by slowly climbing each rung of failures ladder. A ladder of which with each step we advance upward. Looking down we see clearly where we have been...where we are.... and the long well earned climb ahead. Remember...amateurs make mistakes...professionals make decisions. Good handlers stand by those decisions and never make the mistake of calling them failures.
©Mike McConnery-Baden K-9, July 25, 2003

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