Cowboys and Flyball

"Where have all the cowboys gone" is the song's phrase stuck in my head that prompted me to begin this post. 

The picture I had in my mind was of the hero (like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood) riding up the trail on the fastest horse in town just in time to save the entire ranch from an all consuming fire.  But when I found out the actual meaning of 'cowboy', I changed my mind.  Cowboys according to Merriam-Webster are reckless, aggressive in nature, unregulated and lawless; or, in a side-definition they are rodeo performers.   

Ummmm, well maybe I can use the cowboy theme anyway.  Looking at the definition, there are cowboys in flyball.  If you think about it and you are honest with yourself, I bet you're nodding your head and saying either silently or out loud...yep, yes-sir, yes-siree, I know of a few. 

Are there also heroes who ride up and save the day?  I'd answer yes but most folks wouldn't recognize or notice them.  They are not in your face like cowboys who's behavior is marked by sarcasm, aggressive or passive-aggressiveness, anger, often purposefully antagonistic and disdainful.

Most times, heroes are working silently and with little fan fair.  They are simply busy getting on with flyball.  They routinely overcome the burning fires put in their path.  They continue to forge ahead, bringing clarity or new ideas to the surface for the betterment of the ranch.  Sometimes they get swatted down or fall off their horse, but they get back in the saddle for another ride.  They have a plan and a goal of helping to keep flyballers together, on common ground and out of the fire.     

This blog post is in recognition and tribute to all the silent and behind the scenes flyball heroes and leaders who are out there overcoming all the obstacles put in front of them by the cowboys:

To those who let the past go, those who try not to make the same mistakes twice, those who try to keep an existing club together without damaging fellow teammates, those who help new clubs form but who do not push their teammates out to do it, those who are organizing new clubs without help from the cowboys, those organizing and running Open or Pickup teams for free agents without a home, those who are keeping valued friendships as a priority as well as making new and lasting ones and those who host tourneys for their 'friends' and not for personal or political gains.

Where have all the heroes and leaders gone?  Look around you, they are there!  Stick together and the impossible can and will happen.  Success beckons - grab 'hold of the reins!

Sincerely,
I Like Flyball!

PS - If you're wondering why I decided to start posting again.  A lot has happened in the world of flyball and I'm attempting to fill in the gaps until I-Flyball Blog's comeback.  Go I-Flyball!