31/12/2023
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=761113669396426&id=100064933980524&mibextid=Nif5oz
NEW YEAR’S THOUGHTS
by Dr Helmut Raiser,
LAZ* German Shepherd RSV2000/RSVglobal and chairman RSVglobal
“Dear all,
what to write as a summing up for 2023? First the bad news or the good ones? I believe it's best to start with the bad news, followed by the brighter, for what is life without hope?”
“So, let's begin! Another year comes to an end, undoubtedly for many of us not one of the best in our lives. But that seems to be the case when you give positions of power to incompetent and narrow-minded persons. I experienced this back in the SV (Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde) and now we are witnessing it here in Germany.“
GOOD OPPORTUNITY
“After the Federal Constitutional Court confirmed a violation of the Basic Law by our german government, there was a good opportunity for a fundamental course correction. I had hoped for this red card, but anyway, there is renewed hope that the separation of powers is not yet dead.”
“This hope extends to our dog sport and the training methods and tools we require. Given today’s political currents, we can only hope for common sense. After all, we aim to preserve the cultural heritage of the working dog. If not us, then who? And for that, we need the stick hits in protection work, and also other intelligent training tools as supplement.”
THE TRUE FACE
“Just as the german government refuses to revise its misguided decisions and resolutions on the 2024 federal budget, for the energy transition, transportation transition, heating transition, agricultural transition etc, they will certainly not be enthusiastic over, or very bothered of, our concerns regarding the preservation of the working dog and its necessities.”
“The grand transformation is revealing its true face. The dire consequences of the policy shifts are presented with cold ruthlessness, and the burdens are callously shifted from the state to the citizens, to private households, businesses, public infrastructure, and the citizens themselves."
"While in democracy, politicians are supposed to serve the people, the situation has now reversed. The people are being exploited for the ideological and material interests of those in power. I have experienced something similar in the SV, where ultimately the dog suffered. Even though everything should benefit the dog.”
WISE WORDS
“This brings to mind Albert Einstein's quote:
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
“The monstrous claim to delight the world, save the climate, and transform our lives is juxtaposed with the simultaneous inability to provide basic state services. The state assumes tasks for which it is not meant.”
“Many words don't make a foolish decision wiser, but a thought that is correct cannot be denied in the long run. Nor can ideology nullify Mother Nature, and physics. Hopefully dog sports enthusiasts understand that relinquishing one's rights due to anticipatory obedience or opportunism, is not the answer. In a democracy, especially when rights are enshrined in the constitution, and the rulers are shown the red card for not respecting it, one must fight for those rights.”
MORE HOPE
“Now, onto the hope and positive elements. For over 50 years, I have been active in dog sports, and I quickly realized that ‘the working population’ in the SV was being abused by the authorities, leading to the loss of the original idea of breeding a good working dog. Our protests with the authorities were in vain, so I engaged in seminars at the grassroots level, unfortunately also without success. I had to understand that people did not want political stress in their leisure and hobbies or, for opportunistic reasons, preferred to follow a prescribed narrative.”
“It was only when we 2007 founded RSV2000 that we could finally work creatively and constructively for the preservation of the working dog. After successfully overcoming all obstacles for ten years, we had to live through some internal turbulence. Yet, as often happens after a melt down, there is a constructive opportunity for a rebuild afterwards.”
FIVE CONTINENTS
“During 2023 we experienced a big upturn after we merged with sport friends and colleagues who work and breed Malinois. Not only domestically but internationally, people have recognized that RSV2000/RSVglobal is implementing ground-breaking ideas in breeding, training, testing, and administration. We now have like-minded individuals in five continents who are ambitious and participate in preserving the philosophy of breeding a strong and healthy working dog.”
“Despite repeatedly offering to integrate these valuable members into the FCI, our invites have been ignored. Therefore, starting January 2024, RSVglobal will provide a platform for these members, not only in training but also in breeding. We can offer pedigrees of our own.”
CIVIL COURAGE
“I believe at this point, that from sad experiences new hope can emerge. This hope is based on the possibility that the last dog handler will eventually realize that what those in power preach is not always healthy for either the dogs or the dog handlers.”
“It is more important than ever to think for oneself and have the corresponding civil courage to advocate for our own interests. The associations to which we are affiliated prefer to retreat in the face of opposition. Thus, we must endure that the loud opponents of our dog sports cause significant damage with their emotional and irrational arguments.”
“The hope lies in the possibility that the common enemy unites opponents and that the existential threat to our dog sports mobilizes forces to fight for our interests. Adaptive behaviours and abandoning our necessities have not brought peace and have led us to the current precarious situation.”
“So, always remember dear members and friends, hope is the last thing that abandons us. I wish you all a Happy and Hopeful 2024!”
(LAZ* Leiter Ausbildung & Zucht, Leader Education & Breed)
PS! Don’t miss New Year’s Thoughts by Mathias Dögel, LAZ* Belgian Shepherd RSV2000/RSVglobal, and Albert Spreu, chairman RSV2000 Germany. They will also be published here today, 31 dec 2023.
