[Romance]

Paul and I are trying to help out 2 boys from our neighborhood. They would
like to learn to show dogs. These boys come over to my place every day after
school (they have been here every day for the last several months) They help
with all kinds of things from poop patrol to training. They seem to be
having a lot of fun (even with poop...boys are weird lol) anyways I have
been showing them how to stack and train the pups to pull out etc. Starting
January, I would really like to be able to get them into Jr. handling. The
problem is the Jr.s are all very spiffied up. These boys are from very low
income families., and I don't have the extra cash to buy them spiffy
clothes. If anyone has hand me downs for 2 10 yr old boys could you send
them to me? I don't know their sizes but I'm handy with the sewing machine
and can do alterations. I can pay postage or let you know the shows I'll be
at and you can bring them there?
I don't know if these boys will be great Jr.s but I do know that it will
keep them off the street and new blood in the sport will keep the sport
alive.
kerri

 

[BucksMom]

That is a wonderful thing you are doing with these boys. Im so excited for all of you. You have made my day, this has brought a big smile to my face.

If I had somthing to send I would but all my kids are grown and gone. All the spiffy stuff my son had has been gone a while now.
If you have some sizes when I go to the GW store I would gladly look around for some clothes for them. Jr handler boys do they wear suits or just dress up slacks and nice shirt?

 

[Tina & Dave]

Romance.. you an get very nice things for very cheap prices at Value Village... many items are new or very close to it.

Tina

 

[Romance]

thank you. I'll take a look next time i'm in newmarket at the value village and sherri i'll see about getting sizes this afternoon.
the funny thing about these boys is i wasn't looking for kids to introduce to the sport...they just kind of fell into my lap.
They will need dress pants and a dress shirt with either a nice sweater or a jacket and tie.

 

[Romance]

these are the boys at 645am this morning. they both showed up bright eyed and bushy tailed. they came early not because i asked them, but because they wanted to. pictures aren't great but i hadn't had my coffee yet at that point.

 

[shilohsmom]

Beautiful pics!

 

[Romance]

well it turns out I'll only need 1 suit. the little blond boy (Robbie) his parents freaked out when i asked his sizes so i could get him a suit. they said and i quote " We don't accept charity!" I tried explaining it wasn't charity...but it didn't work. gawwd I hate it when pride gets in the way of a child having a bit of fun.
on the bright side Ricky's parents were very happy and his mom will get his measurements for me this week. The only thing they asked was when he is in the ring and practicing that i take lots of pictures for them.

 

[Lynnemd]

I have sent you a private PM but cannot resist publicly stating good for you for giving these boys a wonderful, positive outlet for all that energy. I think as a little kid I would have lived at your house too - we were in an apartment and I sooo longed for a dog.

Do you think the measurements for one would be similar to the measurements for the other boy? If so, why don't you post them and maybe we can all rustle up something for him.

 

[Romance]

thank you Lynn, but I don't feel that it's me that deserves the credit...the boys are at my house every morning before the sun comes up help with chores. then i feed them porridge and send them off to school. They are back at my house at 4pm help with more chores and working the dogs. These boys work hard and THEY deserve the credit.
I figured out a way around Robbie's suite issues with his parents. He is going to work with Steel on his CD and Grace on her CDX. He won't need spiffy clothes for the obedience ring. I figure this way he can still "show" dogs just in a different venue and his parents wont get bent out of shape thinking they are accepting charity.
We got Ricky a suit, I talked to our local minister and he has said he will outfit him.
I'm so happy for these boys. When I told them this morning their whole faces lit up like beacons in the dim light of the morning.

QUOTE OF THE DAY (from Ricky) " I would have worn a girly dress if it meant i could show a dog. But i'm very happy you could find me a suit."

The boys are left alone from 6am to 9pm every day. I can only imagine the loneliness, and the mischief they could get into.
This morning we had 2 more boys show up. I don't know if they will also become regulars, they weren't impressed with picking up piles of poop and cleaning out litter boxes. they ate the porridge but kept asking me if i was sure i didn't have pop tarts. oh well only time will tell.

 

[1211meeka]

Oh Romance, GOD BLESS YOU! You must have a tremendous amount of patience to deal with those boys. I am glad that they found you. They'll learn much more than taking care of and showing dogs.

 

[Lynnemd]

I still say if you weren't good people - with of course great dogs - these boys would not be there. Kudos to all concerned.

So thrilled that something worked out for both of the boys and what a darling quote "Girly dresses". Just too cute. Now the new twosome - well, that may be more about a good breakfast - will be interested to see what happens.

 

[SunCzarina]

This sounds like a win win for you and the boys!

But what is wrong with that mother not willing to 'accept charity'? BS it's not charity it's kindness.

I have friends with older kids give me stuff all the time and I give away stuff all the time to the next youngest kids we know. It's just common sense that if you get used stuff, you can have MORE STUFF! (especially sporting goods that the kid will outgrow next year!)

 

[BucksMom]

Im jealous, you are very lucky to have these two handsome young men wanting to help and learn. They both are so happy and eager it shows on their little faces.
Thanks for posting these great pictures. I cant wait to see pics of them when they start doing their thing with the fur kids.
I have a nephew who is 10, My sister may have something he could wear, they want for nothing and she is very sharing....If not I have a sister in law that can find the best free deals around. Also I have the GW Boutique I can fall back on. Let me know.

 

[Romance]

I will keep you all updated but I think for the next up date I'm going to post it in the chat place. that way it will be more on topic for the thread.

 

[Shandril2]

Originally Posted By: LynnemdI.... cannot resist publicly stating good for you for giving these boys a wonderful, positive outlet for all that energy.

 

[Skye'sMom]

Romance, I think it's great these boys are getting some attention and time with your dogs. It can't be easy and who knows where this might go?

As far as the parent who said 'no thank you' to the clothes, she did, of course have every right to do that. She may be in a tough spot and her pride and dignity were offended. Turning down clothes is not like turning down a warm meal if the kid was hungry.

I do wonder if either or both parents signed a release to have their children's pictures posted on a huge public forum. Besides privacy issues, there are safety concerns.

I have to say that if my kids had helped in the neighbors stable or kennel when they were young, and I found their picture on the web, I would not be happy.

Not trying to cause problems, just asking as a concerned parent.

 

[Betty]

I thought the exact same thing, both about posting pics and describing the family's as low income.

I wondered how the parents would of felt if they had seen the thread or if the kids would of been teased if their classmates had found out.

I think your heart is in the right place on this one, but I think I would of tried to help a little less publically....

 

[Lynnemd]

I do see the point of the folks above (perhaps photos from more of a distance next time?) but think the magnitude of what you have done to help these kids outweighs any inadvertent faux pas' in your thread. As someone who has worked with delinquent boys for many years, I would kill to have more people like you willing to show some ongoing caring to two kids left alone from 6am to 9pm. I would have a lot fewer kids to deal with at age 16 - which would suit me just fine.

 

[9scorpions]

do you have the sizes yet?

 

[Romance]

I'm posting Pictures of one of the boy's first show yesterday, He placed 4th in his age group for jr. handling
I'll post the pictures under the heading "Hand me Downs"