Passing the Torch

For two weeks last month, much of the world turned its attention to Paris and the 2024 Olympics. There may have been a few glitches, but for the most part the athletes showed the best that is possible when our differences are turned into positive diversity, and hate is left far behind.

A Google search provides this information: The Olympic Movement is built on three core values: excellence, respect and friendship. These values are intended to encourage people to be their best, show respect for others and the environment, and celebrate the unique spirit of the games. The Olympics also promote teamwork, care for humanity, and the right for everyone to participate without discrimination. 

To my mind, the Olympics represent many things, including showing what is best — and hopefully, possible — in humanity. From the magnificent opening, which included a fantastic, heartwarming performance by Celine Dion, to the ultra-competitive games, and then ending with a much less impressive closing, for a few hours each day our minds were relieved of the hate, terror and war that mark our day-to-day living.

There are lessons and values in the Olympics that certainly can be applied to our community. The positive value of honest competition is truly an upgrade over winning by (verbally) putting down our competitors, and blaming others if we don’t win. During the Olympics, even the TV commercials consistently talked about the importance of community. At its best, ours is a very special community.

Do you remember the Olympics of 2020? The great Simone Biles pulled out of competition due to concerns about her mental health. Her ultra-victorious return in 2024 is a true story of personal heroics. Two years ago, Céline Dion announced she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disease that causes involuntary spasms and muscle rigidity and can affect life expectancy. I wonder how many people around the world were wiping away tears as she triumphantly — and beautifully — sang “L'hymne à l'amour,” which translates as a hymn to love. Shouldn’t this be the theme song to describe what is the best in humanity?

Both these ladies showed the courage and capacity we have for overcoming obstacles. On a much lesser plane — but important to us — there is a lesson about coming back from what is perceived as a defeat. It is a very rare dog that has an owner or handler who seldom faces a loss. But not winning that desired ribbon today does not mean that all is lost and we can never come back. As a matter of fact, the Phoenix rising from the ashes is an allegory that best describes the human spirit — as did Simone and Celine. 

Martha Brook, who started in the health-care industry, gave us eight inspiring life lessons that we could have learned from the 2024 Olympics:

Showing emotion is a strength. It is absolutely OK — and distinctly human — to feel good or bad about winning or losing. It is how we handle these emotions that defines us. It is not how you respond to your successes — it is how you respond to your failures that defines you.

You are never too young or too old to chase your dreams. You need only look into the ring to see this in action. We have exhibitors ranging from the pee wees to those of us who are definitely on the other side of the mountain. I have had discussions with many (older) judges and exhibitors who are convinced that being active in our community helps to keep us, if not younger, at least in better health. In addition to the physical activity, I believe it helps keep our mind alert — or at least somewhat alert. 

Sometimes taking a break means you can come back stronger. I don’t necessarily think that a long break is necessary, but from time to time, taking a couple of weeks off can refresh you — and absolutely gives your dog a chance to be a dog again. Week after week of stress — both physical and mental — can be debilitating. Take a break, and you will be happier when you return. 

Trust your instinct and keep it simple. On a drive to the airport with a few judges the other day, I mentioned a specific grooming that I find distasteful — and absolutely incorrect — for a certain breed. Someone said grooming like this was necessary to keep up with the other exhibitors (usually professionals). Absolutely not! If a judge knows what he or she is doing, a properly trimmed and groomed dog will be appreciated even if it is very different from the others in the ring. As a matter of fact, we all know that sometimes it is the dog that looks different that is correct. You should know what is correct for your breed. Stick to it!

If you work hard enough you can get there in the end. I think it matters what THERE is for you. For some, the ultimate goal is a Best in Show. This is fine if you truly have a quality dog that is groomed and presented properly. For some, though, the competition is fun, and any win is success. I had occasion to award a group placement to a dog, and the owner was in tears as she told me, “I have never even won a Best of Breed before, and this is unbelievable. Thank you for making my dream come true.” There is a place for everyone in our community.

True winners cheer each other on. This is pretty self-explanatory, but it needs to be repeated because there are too many who think they need to put others down to lift themselves up. Not true! Jealousy is an unfortunate human trait, but it is one we need to overcome. Watch the agility competitors sometime — I think they are genuinely happy for each other. As a matter of fact, if my dog qualifies, it doesn’t diminish or stop your dog from also being successful. I guess it is our definition of success that comes into play.

Never underestimate the power of positive words. A simple “congratulations” or “well done” can lift someone’s spirits. There are also times that a dog does not win Best of Breed or Winners when I am judging, but I see the potential in the dog. I often take a second to say that to the exhibitor. I have had exhibitors come back to me months or years later and tell me that those words kept them going. It doesn’t cost a thing to be kind to someone. 

We all have the power to change our story. The “story” that is changed doesn’t only have to be winning or losing. More often it is how we react to the results that is “our story.” Think about how your actions and words set an example for your children. Is this how you would want them to act? Enough said!

As you watched every sport in the Olympics, you would see the athlete visualizing the desired action. You can do this, too. Imagine how you want to show your dog, and practice until you achieve that image. When I was competing, it was inevitable that I would fall asleep the night before a show imagining my actions with my dog. Even my dreams were of how I would move and show my dog.                                         

So, some of the images of the Olympics will stay in my mind. Athletes picking each other up or embracing after a competition. The courage of the great Muhammad Ali — shaking as his body was being destroyed by Parkinson’s disease — lighting the Olympic flame as his fans all around the world wiped the tears from their eyes. Simone Bile and Celine Dion’s great returns. The quiet “nerdy Clark Kent” — Stephen Nedoroscik — finally getting his chance to compete on the pommel horse — and looking more like Superman as he went through his paces. I prefer to consider these images rather than those of the hate-filled political ads or those of the wars around the world. 

A good friend of mine — and a true “dog person” — wrote, “We should be passionate, it’s why we do this. I personally gain so much more in this sport supporting a deserving dog. I feel better about our sport, and I’m a happier exhibitor, when I’m truly happy for another good dog winning.” 

That seems to be a common theme at the Olympics that the dog-show world doesn’t embrace. But we should – shouldn’t we? 

What do you think?