Every now and then, when I have a few minutes to myself, I think of how fortunate I have been with my life. I have a list of such things that would go on and on, but the topic of the moment is what an honor it is to be an obedience instructor! And sometimes, I forget that not only is it an honor, but it can be very humbling in its own right. Oh, I have those days, I mean who doesn't, like the one student who doesn't seem to listen to anything that you are saying (and you think why are they here/) Or the dog that just has you completely puzzled no matter what approach you take with them. And the cold winter nights when you really rather laze around the fire, but it's your night to teach!! (like I have a long commute!!) and so you pack up all your stuff and head off. And sometimes I even think, What sort of a difference am I making here, does it really matter?

And then our of the blue, comes an answer, so surprising that I am first shocked then totally humbled. The student who, with the greatest joy on their face, tells you that their dog came when called - at the beach!! Or the other who says with great pride, that "grandmother" came to visit and the puppy never jumped on her! I can almost cry when i watch a group of our young dogs, all lined up in a sit or down stay, closely watching their owners, almost holding their breath waiting for their owners return! To me, that is a most amazing sight.