It's Just My Opinion

My cell phone rings...
I don't recognize the number but at least it is not one of dreaded "blocked" numbers...
What could it hurt....

Me: "Hello."
Caller: "Hey, how is it going! How is the family? It's been a long time."

Me: "Oh, yeah! It has been a long time. Let me see, the last time ..."
Caller: "Yeah, at the *** Field Trial last Spring. I was just calling to ask if you could judge the upcoming stake at our Fall Field Trial."

Remind me to put that in my caller address book so it comes up on my caller ID in the future.

It's not like I don't like judging. And I do feel like volunteering to judge at a field trial is a way of giving to the sport. I have learned so much judging with both sage veterens AND newcomers to the sport. Sitting in the judge's saddle is a perspective that every field trialer should experience - it looks very different from back there. It puts a whole different perspective on your own handling and scouting efforts.

So why am I cringing at the call?

First of all judging is a nearly thankless task. Yes, you get a pat on the back at the placements - "We want to thank the judges who watched the 40 braces over the last 3 days, endured the rain, freezing weather, late starts, ..." But let's face it. You placed one dog first and every other handler and scout probably doesn't like your decision.