[mr_chin]

What are some of the characteristics you find in these people?

I'm not talking about people who have had bad experience, allergic, or scared of them. I'm talking about people who just aren't dog people.

I find that these people...

- doesn't like giving attention
- not very outgoing in terms of expressing feelings
- not very opinionated
- dislike children misbehaving (acting all wild and running around)
- dislike doing favors for people

[Inaii]

My mom doesn't like dogs and the only accurate one is the misbehaving children. And NO ONE in their right mind likes misbehaving children. Try again.

[rsx]

Most people that 'dislike' dogs are actually afraid of them because of some incident or other context.

[bcrdukes]

I find that these people...

Typically very stubborn, intolerant, and close minded to the point where I think they have some kind of deeply rooted issue, be it self-esteem or a bad childhood. They enjoy pity parties and drawing attention to themselves, be it good or bad. These people deserve a swift kick in the cooter. Dog haters are, by far, some of the worst people I have ever encountered, and I don't mean those who are allergic to them.

My mom doesn't like dogs and the only accurate one is the misbehaving children. And NO ONE in their right mind likes misbehaving children. Try again.

What exactly is this supposed to mean? Dogs, like children, can be taught and disciplined. If your dog or child misbehaves, it's up to the owner or parent to straighten them out.

[6793026]

lack of education. It's no different that we don't like people's pet lizzards. some people are taught to be scared of them, it does get weird if you never grew up with dogs. My aunt was jumped by a dog when she was young, hence she has resentment, and it took a long time.
some kids just aren't aware what dogs are and just afraid.... jut proper education, proper management from their owners will help to get people to love their dogs.

[bloodline129]

A lot of people are scared of my snuggles :( he's my ball python and heeees soooo cute n snugly... :)
Guess its a matter of how they grew up with... I was raised in Croatia and most dogs there are strayed dogs...
Posted via RS Mobile

[El Bastardo]

I find that these people...

- doesn't like giving attention
- not very outgoing in terms of expressing feelings
- not very opinionated
- dislike children misbehaving (acting all wild and running around)
- dislike doing favors for people



Thank god you're not judgmental. That might destroy your credibility.

[Sky_High]

I don't like dogs.

http://e62813.medialib.glogster.com/thumbnails/288e41b339a8475d7a72ddb4bc2628032ed44b1f42ff26dfb8 b959e0fa66de43/problem--source.jpg

[yray]

dogs don't like me :derp:

[mr_chin]

I'm not talking about people with bad experience. I'm talking about people who don't pay attention to them, don't like their mess, don't find them adorable and lovable.

I'm not trying to judge people, just trying analyze what these people have in common. So the Ne time I meet someone who don't like dogs, I would have an idea about them.
Posted via RS Mobile

[Retrac]

How about the next time you meet someone, you talk to them and from there you can form your own opinions about them. Rather than judging them on their disdain for dogs.

[Inaii]

What exactly is this supposed to mean? Dogs, like children, can be taught and disciplined. If your dog or child misbehaves, it's up to the owner or parent to straighten them out.

You can't exactly control how other people raise their dogs/children. I'm not even sure what you're confused about, I said my mom doesn't like children who misbehave (as in wild and running around in public) and that it was the only accurate thing on that list. Everything else was completely inaccurate. How was that hard to understand? :suspicious:

[Matlock]

I don't like getting humped by dogs. Some people may enjoy it, but it's just not my cup of tea.

[knight604]

Mr butt hurt is butt hurt by people who dont like dogs, butt hurt

[mr_chin]

How about the next time you meet someone, you talk to them and from there you can form your own opinions about them. Rather than judging them on their disdain for dogs.

Well yeah, but yore not gonna ask them "hey do you not like giving people attention?", like straight up questions that will make things awkward. By knowing if they love dogs, you can get an idea of the person, and then apply what you know in different circumstances to find out if it's true.

This is just a matter of discussion, I'm not asking for a lecture or to lecture others.
Posted via RS Mobile

[bcrdukes]

You can't exactly control how other people raise their dogs/children. I'm not even sure what you're confused about, I said my mom doesn't like children who misbehave (as in wild and running around in public) and that it was the only accurate thing on that list. Everything else was completely inaccurate. How was that hard to understand? :suspicious:

You said NO ONE likes misbehaving children. That in itself is an extremely bold, general and unsubstantiated statement whereas you came across as imposing, especially what you said was actually how your mother feels.

And you had the audacity to tell OP to try again? Please. :rolleyes:

[Inaii]

So you're saying there are people that enjoy having to listen and be annoyed by misbehaving children? If you have a problem with me, take it up with me in pm.

[Soundy]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaMsVoJu02Q/To8TdswgBOI/AAAAAAAAA3E/QFssB4ojnew/s1600/WTF-dog.jpg

[mr_chin]

So you're saying there are people that enjoy having to listen and be annoyed by misbehaving children? If you have a problem with me, take it up with me in pm.

Not trying to take sides here. But there actually are people who don't mind loud wild children (babysitters, etc.)

Maybe I should of put "intolerant with loud wild children".
Posted via RS Mobile

[knight604]

I don't mind annoying people on RS but still going to see it everyday.

[mr_chin]

I don't mind annoying people on RS but still going to see it everyday.

Because you're one of them, so I guess it's okay.

If there was a follow feature on RS, you'd be my first one. It's like every thread I'm involve in, you're there getting on my ass.
Posted via RS Mobile

[knight604]

Because I don't get butt hurt..

[Inaii]

Not trying to take sides here. But there actually are people who don't mind loud wild children (babysitters, etc.)

Maybe I should of put "intolerant with loud wild children".
Posted via RS Mobile

I love dogs and I am "intolerant of loud wild children". There's a difference between normal kids running and playing and the ones who go batshit crazy and their parents just stand there acting like nothing is happening. So please explain which ones you are referring to, if you weren't referring to the batshit crazy little fucks then I apologize.

However, having been a babysitter before, I can honestly say I preferred the ones who played nicely as opposed to the ones who ran around the house screaming their heads off.

[mr_chin]

Because I don't get butt hurt..

Huh...?

I love dogs and I am "intolerant of loud wild children". There's a difference between normal kids running and playing and the ones who go batshit crazy and their parents just stand there acting like nothing is happening. So please explain which ones you are referring to, if you weren't referring to the batshit crazy little fucks then I apologize.

However, having been a babysitter before, I can honestly say I preferred the ones who played nicely as opposed to the ones who ran around the house screaming their heads off.

I guess I'm talking about if you're willing to deal with misbehaving children, if you're willing to take the time to calm them down, discipline them, etc. etc. Just like how you would with a dog. Some people would just rather avoid this and not enjoy the nature of having children around or playing with children. But for me, I don't mind misbehaving children, I would take the time to teach them manners and how to be nice, not to play too wild, etc. just like how I would take the time to teach a dog tricks and potty train. And so far, it seems like the people I know that don't like giving dogs attention or commit time to take care of one, they generally just don't give much attention to people around them, like ask them how they've been, how's their day, etc. They're very self-centered people.

I'm trying to tie the similarity with people who don't like dogs to people who can't put up with children.

No judging or criticizing here, just trying to see if non-dog people are the people I assume them to be.

It's like seeing if a person is into car mods and such. You can quickly tell what type of person he will be. Same goes with video games, music, etc.

[Inaii]

I guess I'm talking about if you're willing to deal with misbehaving children, if you're willing to take the time to calm them down, discipline them, etc. etc. Just like how you would with a dog. Some people would just rather avoid this and not enjoy the nature of having children around or playing with children. But for me, I don't mind misbehaving children, I would take the time to teach them manners and how to be nice, not to play too wild, etc. just like how I would take the time to teach a dog tricks and potty train. And so far, it seems like the people I know that don't like giving dogs attention or commit time to take care of one, they generally just don't give much attention to people around them, like ask them how they've been, how's their day, etc. They're very self-centered people.

I'm trying to tie the similarity with people who don't like dogs to people who can't put up with children.

No judging or criticizing here, just trying to see if non-dog people are the people I assume them to be.

It's like seeing if a person is into car mods and such. You can quickly tell what type of person he will be. Same goes with video games, music, etc.

Okay that's different then. The way you worded your post made it sound completely different. My apologies for misunderstanding. It came off as very critical and judgey (for lack of a better word lol).

I don't think if they like dogs or not is relevant to their personalities imo, unless they harm them.

[Nlkko]

i've ran into a few. They are all phaggots. Of course, its a small sample size :troll:
Posted via RS Mobile

[Selanne_200]

I think you can't really generalize about anyone who doesn't like dog, but what I DO notice when I walk my dog is that, depending on the culture, children are taught to either adore dogs or stay away from them. I rage sometimes when I'm just walking my dog on the sidewalk all normal and I see an old chinese grandma walking with her grandkids and when we get close, she pulls the kids close to her as if my dog was going to attack them for no reason. And no i don't have a pittbull, rotty or doberman, just a small lab.(55lbs)

[freakshow]

i like dogs, but i wouldn't want to own one.. do i get to be included in your generalization?

[Gilgamesh]

I like dogs too, but when I'm on the street, I would avoid the medium-sized/large dogs because I have cynephobia. I have been called a druggie once too because a dog owner thought I was avoiding her dog because I had drugs in my backpack.

[Hondaracer]

before we got our Golden Lab we had a Husky that had a mean streak in him, twice i mistakenly surprised him he bit my hand pretty good, we probably should have put him down from the bites but he ended up dieing at the age of 7 from a twisted stomach

once you've been bit by a dog it's hard to feel scared of any other dogs

[mr_chin]

i like dogs, but i wouldn't want to own one.. do i get to be included in your generalization?

I would like to know why.

before we got our Golden Lab we had a Husky that had a mean streak in him, twice i mistakenly surprised him he bit my hand pretty good, we probably should have put him down from the bites but he ended up dieing at the age of 7 from a twisted stomach

once you've been bit by a dog it's hard to feel scared of any other dogs

I had 3 dogs when I was a kid, but had to give them away when we flew here. Since then, I've never own a dog, but I love dogs like I love my computer, maybe more.

My experience with dogs to date (and has never failed), is that they have 3 modes (i call it that). The friendly mode, the barking mode, and the ready to attack mode. For each mode, I have a way of gaining the dog's trust, but it takes a lot of patience. In the end, it's always worth it.

But my friend had a pitbull, and was abused when it was a puppy. When it was around 2 - 3 years old, it was almost impossible to gain its trust anymore. He even brought it to professionals to get it train and they all said the dog's mental health is permanently damaged.

[El Bastardo]

Dogs, like children, would restrict my autonomy and suck my free time and money away. They both need constant attention, smell terrible, and don't react well to house guests.

Dogs and children also can't be left alone without care which means that I'd have to plan my life around this "thing".

Its not that I can't handle responsibility. Its not that I shouldn't be allowed to have something depend on me. Its just I don't -want- to because, fuck you, its my life not yours.

The only thing better about dogs than kids is that you can't just give your kid away. With a dog you can pawn him off to your pot smoking friend who needs someone to talk to when hes high off his ass and wants to babble about new and exciting flavors for potato chips.

[bcrdukes]

^
You have no soul. Fuck you.

[El Bastardo]

Fuck you and your moralism. Fuck dogs. Fuck babies. Most of all, fuck you.

[bcrdukes]

Dog haters are just selfish pricks. And clearly it shows in this thread.

Hope you all get hit by a truck.

[El Bastardo]

Hope you all get hit by a truck.

I hope we read about what happens to you in the shootings thread.

[jakers]

I hate you all.

Now that that's over with. Gun-toting dog haters are pricks.

[bcrdukes]

I hope we read about what happens to you in the shootings thread.

As if you aren't already known to police.

[jakers]

It would pretty fucking hilarious if EB got taken down by a police dog. I'd assume you would hate dogs even more after that, cause dog-bite victims are mentally scarred forever apparently.

[bcrdukes]

News Flash: VLS Moderator and criminal at large El Bastardo gets bitten by police dogs.

Revscene: OMG, he was such a nice person.

:rolleyes:

[jakers]

This goes to prove the RS userbase:

1. Hates dogs
2. Is incapable of rationalizing

[westopher]

I don't care if people don't like dogs, but the people that walk down the street and make snide remarks about my dog being "dangerous and aggressive" because he is pulling slightly on his 4 foot leash because he wants to sniff something, I would like to break their fucking jaw. Yeah, my dog sucks at walking, I get it. He's a 1 year old puppy, who was adopted after being starved and tied to a post in someones backyard, who still has never barked at anyone, bit anyone, shown his teeth to anyone or any other dog since I've had him. I'd say he's pretty fucking safe and mellow. And no, I'm not worried about him snapping and attacking me because he's a pitbull either. People have actually made that sort of stupid remark way more than I could have expected. Yet the people that like dogs are the exact opposite. Its, "Oh my god, he's so friendly, so excited to see everything."

[mr_chin]

Dogs, like children, would restrict my autonomy and suck my free time and money away. They both need constant attention, smell terrible, and don't react well to house guests.

Dogs and children also can't be left alone without care which means that I'd have to plan my life around this "thing".

Its not that I can't handle responsibility. Its not that I shouldn't be allowed to have something depend on me. Its just I don't -want- to because, fuck you, its my life not yours.

The only thing better about dogs than kids is that you can't just give your kid away. With a dog you can pawn him off to your pot smoking friend who needs someone to talk to when hes high off his ass and wants to babble about new and exciting flavors for potato chips.

This is very good information, thank you. Will add to my analysis. :D

[El Bastardo]

http://i.imgur.com/h9vRF.gif

They would eat your children if they had the chance

[Teh Doucher]

I don't care if people don't like dogs, but the people that walk down the street and make snide remarks about my dog being "dangerous and aggressive" because he is pulling slightly on his 4 foot leash because he wants to sniff something, I would like to break their fucking jaw. Yeah, my dog sucks at walking, I get it. He's a 1 year old puppy, who was adopted after being starved and tied to a post in someones backyard, who still has never barked at anyone, bit anyone, shown his teeth to anyone or any other dog since I've had him. I'd say he's pretty fucking safe and mellow. And no, I'm not worried about him snapping and attacking me because he's a pitbull either. People have actually made that sort of stupid remark way more than I could have expected. Yet the people that like dogs are the exact opposite. Its, "Oh my god, he's so friendly, so excited to see everything."

totally agree with this. one day i was out walking my 6month old american pitbull terrier and we walked by some old lady, i shortened his leash and had him walking beside me as we approached her(i dont do this for the dog, hes fucking awesome with people, i do it because most people are ignorant jerkoffs), shes looking down at the dog and for whatever reason he had his tongue out and licked his lips. she all of a sudden mudders out " oh he looks like hes gonna eat me, keep it away!". i was standing there in complete disbelief, gave the lady the most retarded stare and waked away lol. my dog might be a pitbull and has a lot energy, but he honestly loves every person he meets. small dogs are a different issue though lol.

oh and as i was typing this laying in my bed, he comes barging into my room jumps on my bed and attacks me with kisses :blush:

pic of the little brat for fun.. his names Knight.
http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/Karm_Bhatti/C2F85EF1-0F15-4F71-A17A-4222102C7B2D-3980-000009492C047822_zps36419038.jpg

[westopher]

Heres my dangerous monster. He's also got some german shepard in him, although it doesn't show as much as the apbt
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/550952_10151132653206845_257534531_n.jpg

[mr_chin]

totally agree with this. one day i was out walking my 6month old american pitbull terrier and we walked by some old lady, i shortened his leash and had him walking beside me as we approached her(i dont do this for the dog, hes fucking awesome with people, i do it because most people are ignorant jerkoffs), shes looking down at the dog and for whatever reason he had his tongue out and licked his lips. she all of a sudden mudders out " oh he looks like hes gonna eat me, keep it away!". i was standing there in complete disbelief, gave the lady the most retarded stare and waked away lol. my dog might be a pitbull and has a lot energy, but he honestly loves every person he meets. small dogs are a different issue though lol.

oh and as i was typing this laying in my bed, he comes barging into my room jumps on my bed and attacks me with kisses :blush:

pic of the little brat for fun.. his names Knight.
http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/Karm_Bhatti/C2F85EF1-0F15-4F71-A17A-4222102C7B2D-3980-000009492C047822_zps36419038.jpg

I think the main reason is not because they're afraid of dogs, but because they are afraid of the dog being afraid which can lead to aggression of the dog.

It's natural instincts to be aware that the dog will bite. Usually when I approach strangers with a dog on the streets, I would ask the owner first if it bites.

[westopher]

I think you are over complicating things. People who are afraid of dogs aren't afraid of the dog being afraid. They don't usually put together that dogs bite for defense. A big reason they probably don't like them is they think they are the aggressor naturally
Posted via RS Mobile

[mr_chin]

I think you are over complicating things. People who are afraid of dogs aren't afraid of the dog being afraid. They don't usually put together that dogs bite for defense. A big reason they probably don't like them is they think they are the aggressor naturally
Posted via RS Mobile

Fixed my post with a bold line.

I admit I do think to a deeper degree than anyone else. It's like living in an area of survival. You see another survivor not of your race and language, you will instantly think of defense first before you think of cooperating. Your natural reaction will be to stay away from him because by approaching them, you will be afraid that it might threaten them to attack you.

If I saw your dog, I wouldn't run to the other side of the street. It's considered a medium to big size dog so it would be appropriate to ask you first before petting it for my safety and for your concern. Sniffing is a sign of the dog trying to acknowledge you and licking is usually a sign of the dog trying to befriend you. So if he barks, then I know to stay away haha.

[ZenZa]

My dog is friendly most of the time, but seems to like barking at people who look at him with fear in their eyes. I guess that doesn't help their phobias...

But then again, he's an overweight 10lb toy poodle that looks like a teddy bear...

I think it's an even smaller sample size where people are afraid of toy sized dogs, and yes, from the ones I've seen, "they are all phaggots".

[melloman]

^^ I find tiny dogs to bite people more often..

I've been bit more by tiny chihuahua's and pom's then I have by border collies/labs/german sheperds/etc.

[Nlkko]

Because the owners of tiny dogs generally have problems discipline them due to sizes. Giving a lab an ass-whooping is generally more straight forward than doing it to a toy-sized dog.

It's not the dog. And being bitten or not hugely depends on the way you approach a "stranger" dog.

[freakshow]

I would like to know why.
EB pretty much sums it up for me.. minus the last paragraph, which I removed...

Essentially, I just have no interest in raising a dog. Quite simply, it would be a hassle emotionally, financially, and personally. Kinda of like if I told you to have/adopt a kid right now (assuming you dont have kids).

And to counter EB, at least kids can take care of you when you're old!

Dogs, like children, would restrict my autonomy and suck my free time and money away. They both need constant attention, smell terrible, and don't react well to house guests.

Dogs and children also can't be left alone without care which means that I'd have to plan my life around this "thing".

Its not that I can't handle responsibility. Its not that I shouldn't be allowed to have something depend on me. Its just I don't -want- to because, fuck you, its my life not yours.

[Nlkko]

Only dog owner understands:

A dog always takes care of you, from the day you met til the day he die.

[El Bastardo]

EB pretty much sums it up for me.. minus the last paragraph, which I removed...

...

And to counter EB, at least kids can take care of you when you're old!



Yeah. There needed to be a little hyperbole in this thread, but you are giving your life over to something else when you buy a dog. There was a thread where someone was trying to give away their dog because they were moving and couldn't take their dog with them, and SkinnyPupp asked "Well, do you have to move?"

At first I thought it was absurd, for someone to have to re-arrange life decisions like that for an animal. But then I realized that to some people a dog represents more than just a novelty. A dog, to some, is an equal. It was eye opening.

And as for children. I think you can infer from context that I was taking an extreme position there.

[bcrdukes]

At first I thought it was absurd, for someone to have to re-arrange life decisions like that for an animal. But then I realized that to some people a dog represents more than just a novelty. A dog, to some, is an equal. It was eye opening.

Yeah. Okay. Until your kid grows up and says to you, "FUCK YOU MOM! FUCK YOU DAD!" and do everything they can to make your life miserable (not that it already is) and become the lowest common denominator has to offer (think People of Walmart) while you sit there thinking "WTF have I created?"


Hurrah.

[ZenZa]

^^ I find tiny dogs to bite people more often..

I've been bit more by tiny chihuahua's and pom's then I have by border collies/labs/german sheperds/etc.

Just curious on why you get bit by dogs, do you work with them? I do agree tiny dogs may resort to biting more easily, but most are more bark than bite, and they won't bite unless they're cornered or something.


Something funny happened today, me and my family came out of the elevator carrying our two dogs, and we see a couple with a child. The father tells the mother, who was carrying the child, to move aside and she moved as close to the wall as possible, while turning her whole freaking body to face the wall. And to top it off, after we walked past the husband says, "we'll take the next lift."

I laughed...but seriously? This goes beyond not liking dogs. I'd understand if they were carrying a newborn and wanted to be extra careful, but the kid was 4 or 5 years old. This is just uneducated and ignorant?

[melloman]

^^ Nikko said it best.

Most of these smaller dogs (pom/chihuahua/toy-sized dogs) just seem like they are king over their owners. I approach all dogs the same, just seems like smaller dogs are less friendly to me..

BTW.. To answer your question, I don't work with dogs, but I approach any dog that lets me come up and pet him.
(Do the normal hold hand out under his nose. Let him sniff. Then once he gives me permission I pet. Small dogs can seem like they give you permission, just to try and take your finger off when you go to pet them.)

[freakshow]

My wife loves dogs in general, and her own family dog immensely (she lived with him for the last 13 years until she married me)..

however, even she admitted that she wouldn't want another dog because it'll be too painful when he passes away and she wouldn't want to go through it again

he has some cysts, really bad vision, and many other health issues.. but he's the best dog ever!
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pictures/Bobby/bobby.jpg

[mr_chin]

My wife loves dogs in general, and her own family dog immensely (she lived with him for the last 13 years until she married me)..

however, even she admitted that she wouldn't want another dog because it'll be too painful when he passes away and she wouldn't want to go through it again

he has some cysts, really bad vision, and many other health issues.. but he's the best dog ever!
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pictures/Bobby/bobby.jpg

I still remember I had to give away my dog when I was 6. It still haunts me to this day. :tears:

[Nlkko]

I still remember I had to give away my dog when I was 6. It still haunts me to this day. :tears:

Same.... I had to give mine up when I was a kid because I was stupid, knew nothing about training a dog. I played a prank on him and he nipped me.

Dad didn't let me keep him. Oh how when the human fuck up, the dog gotta go.... I cried for a week but he wouldn't change his mind. At least mine was given to a guy who rescue and train dogs. I got to visit him once a month. This was in Saigon btw. Unwanted dogs usually go straight to the butcher.

I just realized these were completely irrelevant details. :ilied:

[Alby]

however, even she admitted that she wouldn't want another dog because it'll be too painful when he passes away and she wouldn't want to go through it again

he has some cysts, really bad vision, and many other health issues.. but he's the best dog ever!


my dog passed away last year and it is the shittiest thing ever on earth. i would not wish anyone to go through that pain. still to this day, when i pull up to my house and park and i look at my windows, i miss seeing his head resting on the window sill looking outside.:okay:

[Greenstoner]

i like dogs but hate cats...

but i wont own another dog again, i cant take the feeling of the love one that passes away

[westopher]

Its so rough, but you gotta be positive with what you did for that dog. You gave him a life as a best friend and so many dogs out there don't get that. They get beat and treated like shit and abandoned. I've made a point over the past few weeks of going to the pound once a week and taking a dog for a walk, and I wish everyone that loved dogs would just come in and get one if they can handle it. It does so much for the dog, and for the person. I met a guy today, who approached me about my dog, they both really liked each other right off the bat, and I could tell this guy had a connection with dogs the way they interacted. We ended up talking about his dog, and he informed me he had just put him down earlier in the month. Of course, I felt for him, told him I was sorry to hear, and he replied with "I miss him, but I gave him the best life I could give him, and after the life he had before me, I can never look back and be sad about it." It was a pretty amazing story. His dog belonged to a meth cook who lived in his neighbourhood, and it used to always get out and walk over to his house. The dirtbag would always come over, get his dog back, and go back to dirtbag shit. When the guy moved away from the crackhead neighbour, he waited all day after he packed up and had all his shit out for the dog to come by. When the dog came, he put him in the car and brought him with him, and had the dog for 10 years after that. He made sure he went to the cops, animal control etc, and made sure they knew exactly what was going on, and that was it. He gave the dog an amazing life. I agree the loss of a dog is heartbreaking, but there is no way it can outweigh the joy of having a dog, and giving him an amazing life.

Sorry for the tl:dr story, but I thought it was pretty moving.

[Soundy]

^I want to thank that story a thousand times.

It was heart-wrenching when we lost Minnie unexpectedly, but at the same time, I know she had a really wonderful couple of months when she was with us. We were her fourth home in three weeks, and at first we couldn't even walk her a block from the house without her panicking, probably thinking that she wouldn't be coming back home again... but it didn't take her long to settle in with our pack and be part of the family, and eventually she would walk confidently all the way to Starbucks and Pet Planet with the rest of us, not even a hint of nervousness.

When we got Taffy from the shelter, we knew that too, wouldn't be for very long as she was already 12... from what we were told, she had a pretty good life before, deeply loved by the elderly couple that had had her from a pup and had to give her up because of the wife's illness. It was probably more heartbreaking to think of how she had to leave the only home she'd ever known after all those years, and as careful as shelters are about who they adopt to, I couldn't bear to think of what situation she could potentially end up in. And since she was the perfect size, it seemed a good fit.

Now I have her and Daisy in nosework training (gotta leave for class in half an hour!) and she's a happy, confident, gorgeous little girl. I hope we still get several years with her, but if we don't, I know we did everything we could to give her a safe, comfortable, happy home for the rest of her days. And that's worth the eventual sadness that you know is inevitable.

[Soundy]

But then I realized that to some people a dog represents more than just a novelty.
Those people should never have a dog in the first place - those are the dogs that end up chained in a yard out in the cold for days at a time, or that destroy furniture because they aren't being given an outlet for their energy.

I wouldn't go so far as to say my dogs are my "equals" or my "children" (although we do call them our furbabies); people who anthropomorphise their dogs are probably responsible for more bad behaviours than those who neglect them. But people need to realize, there's a level of commitment with having a dog that goes beyond just feeding them and letting them out to poop. Dogs are like any other intelligent creature, they need something to stimulate their minds, and they need exercise to keep health and burn off excess energy. Even if it's just throwing a ball for them, it gives them something that lets them feel useful... and who doesn't want to feel useful?

[smoothie.]

this thread needs dukes back