Metro Vancouver Cocker Spaniel Meet-up Group

I recently accepted the position of leader/organizer of a local Cocker Spaniel Meet-up Group in Vancouver, BC.

http://www.meetup.com/cockerspaniel-107/

Sue, the originator of the group, stepped down due to more than a full plate of activities requiring her attention, not the least of which is caring for her father-in-law who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. He lives with them.

Until 2 years ago I had never even heard of Meet-up Groups. I can’t remember how I found out about them; technology changes unbelievably quickly these days. Some things I don’t even have time to participate in before something else takes its place.

Case in point, Facebook. I was never really interested in it in the first place (I think I’m too old and cranky for it), but now Twitter has shown up. And to tell you the truth, I’m not interested in it either. Oh, and don’t forget about Texting. Don’t get me started. I’m just proud of myself that I figured out how to input names and numbers into my cellphone address book (pat on the back).

An email recently was sent to all members of the Vancouver Cocker Spaniel Meet-up Group that it would shut down in two weeks if a new organizer didn’t step up to the plate. I gave it some thought for about a week. My decision is based on my devotion to my dog, Shelby.

She was really the inspiration for me taking up the internet search for a group of dog owners. Our last dear Spaniel (also coincidentally named Shelby) passed away almost 2 years ago, and we found out about our current Shelby shortly thereafter. She was 1-1/2 years old and needed a new home. We drove to Vancouver, WA to get her.

Long story short, I wanted to socialize her with other dogs and figured a group of same breed dogs would be fun. And it has been!

When I learned that the Cocker Spaniel Meet-up Group might end, I just couldn’t let that happen. So now I’m the Organizer.

We just had our first Meet-up under my direction, and I’m happy to report it was a success. Eight Spaniels brought their people to Angus Park (aka Fraser River Park) in Vancouver, BC. They all got along famously and the weather was sunny. A bit cold, but a big improvement from the month of November when it seemed the rain would never end. Last Saturday would have been a wash-out.

Like they say, timing is everything.