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| Dog People
Posted: 3/31/2007 11:40:42 PM | I have noticed that even all dog people are not dog people, though we seem to be rather members of a unique cult, or from another planet than non-dog people.
Since becoming a member of this cult, I have noticed that I have changed, and can almost instantly recognize fellow members.
The leaders of our cult carry plastic bags, and scoop up after their pets during the walk and elimination rituals. We greet each other and ask the age and the breed of other peoples canines, or we smile and wave as we pass each other, much like boaters.
We can also easily spot non-members of our cult, by the leers directed at us when we are with our pets.
For example, today I was at the store, and dawg was in the car, with the windows rolled halfway up. Granted, he is huge and is a dog disguised as a horse, but he was in the car and the windows were halfway up. A woman literally parked three car spaces over and walked the long way to the store door, as she gave our car a seriously dirty look. I felt badly for her and for us.
I read, I believe it was on a forum here, that a Golden Retriever bit into the face of a three year-old, and they are known to be one of the most docile breeds. My Rottweiler is classified by many as a vicious dog, and that is much of the reason I wound up adopting him, because he was of such a sweet temperament, and very likely to be snatched up from the kennels to be turned into a monster. The AKC categorizes him as a Working Dog. I categorize him as a spolied brat, but also a very sweet dog.
Fellow cult members smile when they see him, and ask if he is freindly. Then they come and pet him and all three of us smile.
He is misunderstood because of his size, even from fellow cult members. I encountered a man from the neighborhood twice in three days. Our first meeting was not very pleasant, because my dog was anxious to say hello to his dog, and his dog wasn't really minding, but his Master was not at all into it. I met the man and his dog a couple of days later, and pet his lovely ten month old boy, Peyton (another sure sign of a dog cult member). I advised him that if he sees me in the neighborhood with my big, goofy dog and he gallops over to say hello that he is really friendly so not to be alarmed.
We them recognized each other. This man sort of cursed me out on our previous meeting. Then we got to blabbing about non-poopscoopers, and getting our dogs to listen, and some of the frustrations, and ended on a positive note. I apologized, and we concluded with a warm interaction.
I suppose there is a difference between owning a junk yard dog such as the one that latched onto my ankle and bit me, when I was trying to determine whether it had food and water and did not know it had a ten foot chain. I am still glad that I was the one that got bit, as I was standing in the street, and I would rather it be me instead of a defenseless lilttle kid.
On that note, there are some really bad dog owners, but I do not consider them members of the Dog Cult. Our members truly love and adore our pets, we clean up after them, and they really are family members. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 5:54:05 AM | Pets are like kids, they are generally a reflection of their parents/companions.
I rescued a REALLY mean, asocial American Eskimo about 8 years ago from an adoption agency. He had been visciously abused for 4 years. It was tough at first but I set some basic rules and socialized socialized him. He didn't know how to walk on a leash, he didn't know how to play, he only had negative attributes about him. He came along GREATLY in our first year together, learned how to play from other dogs, was very joyful and great company. And yes I met lots of people. I had to go to Florida for house & dog sitting (3 female dogs) for 6 weeks and I was asked not to bring him. Didn't like it BUT it was a job AND Simba (that was his name when I adopted him) really liked some friends who had their own house and neat back yard which he loved BUT only if you were out with him. J & L wanted him and he liked them so GREAT! Of course he didn't eat for 3 days and they were worried and I explained it all.
So here I come back really looking forward to seeing him and when he got out of their car, sure he came to me, sorta strangely AND HE BIT ME!!!! Shocked! I guess he figured I had abandoned him!. Anyhow took awhile but we got back to our old status and grew closer and closer and now in the daytime he is a pest, always wants attention, is a cuddler, smuggler but turns into Mr. Nasty in the evening so I either ignore him or tease the crap out of him. He is not quite like a regular dog BUT he has come a long way and has a joy de vive that just makes me grin from ear to ear. He's never learned to play fetch with a ball. He uses the ball like he is playing soccer with all four feet and its funnier than all get out.
Because of his age and his early background, I watch him like a hawk and he responds well to my commands When there are no kids and other animals around I let him run which he loves to do. I remember when he saw his first horse. It was so funny, he just couldn't figure it out, while he was stretching out with his front feet, his back feet were planted firmly! He is getting very old before his time, has gi problems and is pretty quiet around home BUT then when he is out and about he can become as frisky as a pup and has his favorite dog friends. He loves to box and wrestle and run run run with a big silly smile on his face.
He has filled a void in my life in that I can pour loving and caring into him, help him become a better and a happier soul AND of course I get unconditional love from him. Would like a two legged animal but until such time as I find the correct one, something is benefiting from having me in their life My previous dog was a ShihTzu who I got from a breeder when he was 8 weeks old and we were together for 12 years. He went everywhere with me and he was my heart and soul. When he died suddenly, part of me died as well. I can not imagine that the death of a child could be anymore painful. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 8:05:36 AM | You gave Simba a second chance at life! You are a wonderful woman.
When he bit you, that is all it would have take for many to drop him off at the pound.
You are clearly a member of the Cult! | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 8:30:15 AM | I think "pet people" cats, dogs,...etc. are just wonderful folks in general. I mean, who else will pick up poop unconditionally, and think it's cute when they find a hairball in the shape of Abe Lincoln on the rug? 
I've shared the last 18 years with a dog and 2 cats and can't imagine life without them. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 8:37:02 AM | Nicki B,
I did not mean to discount the Cat People! BTW, useless info, there is a movie by that title that is not great but I have still seen it three times. LOL
I could never date a person that professed hatred or even dislike for the critters.
So, you are a member of the Cult, too, huh?  | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 9:23:20 AM | TY. He was having his say and I realized that he probably thought I didn't really care for him and gave him away (he had been adopted out twice before me), I know all about rejection and about having so much love and caring in one and nobody, nor anything to pour it into. Every time I see Simba enjoying himself so outrageously joyful and everytime he plops down on me for a snuggle I am rewarded and I'm really dam proud that I gave an animal another shot at life.
I doubt that I will ever buy from a breeder again. I suspectSimba was a puppy farm dog and American Eskimo's from GREAT breeders are not for the faint of heart. Very very protective, and attached to one unit (1 person or 1 small family).
My dog did attack someone who had attacked me. Go figure, he had to be quarantined because he sank his teeth into someone's calf muscle and would not let go until I realized what happened and told him I was okay, that stopped the 2nd punch from landing. I don't get it, broke my glasses, hematoma on my eye and police said I sicced him on her (that's what she told them)! Yeh like I have that kind of control on a dog who has a few very firm commands!!!!!! I was so scared that he was going to get aids!!!!!! So due to a heroin addict with a court ordered (to be put down) pit bull, my dog has 1 strike against him legally. Someone else tried to say he bit them but just another junkie (fortunately witnesses). 3 and he's out.
Like try to tell a child or a dog, that they can't play with someone or they can't walk where they usually do and have to tell people not to approach you. It is quite terrible but I gotta tell you we all wonder if our dog (pet companion dog) would protect us and I know, I mean I really know. For about 6 months he always moved to between me and any other person. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 9:58:03 AM | gtdaizee,
That is the one thing that is really scary about being a dog owner, the litigious nature of society.
The children next door to me are delinquents and monsters and future career criminals that get no guidance from their parents. I give my dog constant supervision.
One woman that I did a police report because of an abusive husband or ex-BF (I cannot recall specifically, but I will never forget that night, because while she was getting his parents address a radio broadcast came over for an officer down, that died within three minutes from the bullet blast of a career felon that did not want to go back to jail. After he murdered AJ, who left behind a young wife and an infant son, he went inside, hid his gun, gave himself up and went to jail anyway.
Well, she had two adorable puggles. I asked her, "Aren't they expensive?"
She told me that if you monitor the pet stores, it is actually cheaper to give them to you than for them to pay to have them euthanized, which is what they do when they are no longer puppies. I cannot confirm her statement, but it makes a lot of sense.
Furthermore, breeders consider their dogs to be "livestock" an the only interest they have in keeping them healthy is as an investment, from what I read in a single article in the newspaper.
A lot of people do not understand that my dog is my best buddy.
When I take a bushel of beef-basted bones to the shelter and distribute them to the critters, that is a good feeling.
I did not say this in my initial post, and I am preaching to the choir, but PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 10:25:32 AM | Always have a dog and always have a cat... sometimes more than one of either, ~smile~.
Just the type of person I am, giving a home to animals if I can.
I've cried and it did hurt so very much when one dies.
But no, it's not the same as loosing a child and that shouldn't have been said even though I think it said "almost" like loosing a child, I can't remember.
I've lost several children, I do know the difference.
~Robin (member of this 'cult'!) | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 10:30:26 AM | Ah here it is: "I can not imagine that the death of a child could be anymore painful."
Friend, don't say something like that. One year of having a child and loosing him is 10,000 times more painful than 10 years of a loving dog and loosing him. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 11:56:33 AM | I cannot fathom losing a child, but I know losing my dog will rip my heart out.
I have noticed two unique things about this thread:
*All of the respondents have been women
*No barbs were thrown while expressing our opinions.
Whiler it is not necessary to adopt one, I really must doubt a person that hates dogs or cats as pets insofar as my personal relationships. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 6:26:22 PM | Dogs are a lot of work and take a lot more time than I have to give.
They are distructive, noisy, messy and in constant need for attention to get outside a number of times.
Not against dogs, just do not want one of my own and find visiting people with dogs that are untrained to be a bit hard to visit for very long.
Never have that with a cat, bird, hamster or rabbit. | |
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jimi77
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Joined: 7/13/2004
Msg: 12 | |
| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 7:05:21 PM | Doggies are the BESTUS! I love Em, I always have to pinch there cute little noses and slap them on there little bums.
They offer unconditional love.. Something you don’t see much in this world.. If there bad there sorry and didn’t mean to do it or had to do it because the cat made them do it..
Their well worth any trouble they cause..
I can’t imagine life with out them. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 7:17:08 PM | jr5202,
I am an advocate of obedience training. It makes the dogs and the owners so much happier with each other. Dogs as a rule are social animals, and strive to please their owners. Training is more for the owner than the dog
My dog is not destructive, though during his puppy days he chewed a few things he shouldn't have.. He is noisy when he is supposed to be. A burglar alarm system only lets you know you have been invaded, whereas a dog prevents the invasion, and with what he eats, he costs just as much.
He does shed a lot even though he is a short-haired dog. He is a lot of time and work, and I did not anticipate how expensive he would be. He is not really messy, though when he likes to take things out of the trash.
As I said before, I am learning as I go. My Rottweiler is a house dog rather than an outside dog, and I am thinking that fact alone makes him not quite typical. He is a gentle giant, and today was his second birthday. He is a Mamma's Boy.
Everyone that knows him loves him and knows not to be afraid of him, and eventually he will become a therapy dog to help people through their illnesses. People that do not know him, well, he is huge and has big teeth and a big bark. For the record, he has never attacked anybody, but he did chase a drug dealer out of our yard once.
We rather fell in love at first sight, and I got my toes wet volunteering at a no kill shelter. Still, this sweet, little puppy grew into a horse. I still see the little guy that no one else can see anymore..
On that note, I applaud you for recognizing you do not have the time nor the inclination to be a dog owner. It is so unfair to the critters to take them in when they are cute and cuddly and then decide that they are too much responsibilty and dump them off somewhere, or even worse, just put them out hoping that someone else will take them in. It isn't like they can just go out and get a job. The job of a pet is to love its owner.
But then again, when people seem to regard marriage as no more of a commitment than leasing a car, how can you expect them to regard adopting a pet as a lifetime arrangement. Then again, look at all of the people that do not take care of their children and/or are in arrears in child support and so on, and if they devalue those things, how much more must they devalue the lives of pets. This is not even going into breeders and people who engage in dog fighting, which would be a tangent thread. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 7:23:45 PM | jimi77,
Welcome!!!
You have the honor of being the first man to respond to this thread.
I personally think my dog is a Cutie Pie, but I don't know if you would think his nose is little, cute, or pinchable. LOL
I really need to put up a picture of him, as much as I blab about him. | |
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jimi77
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Joined: 7/13/2004
Msg: 15 | |
| Dog People
Posted: 4/1/2007 7:36:31 PM | Thank you.. all dogs have cute, pinchable noses. No nose is to big or to small they all must be pinched!
I don't know its something i've done since childhood and still do today..call me stange.. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 9:11:48 AM | yes, jimi, you're strange.
My golden just had his surgery last week. No babies for him. Totally agreed on the amount of hair they shed. But we got a doggie door (patio door insert) so he'll be a bit less work now. He LOVES it! Now to get the cat to use it.
Boomer is a total sucka$$. He is in obedience classes now and learning quickly. He loves to cuddle and have his belly rubbed. Life just wouldn't be the same - the house was so quiet when he was overnight at the vets!
My cousin's rottie is just as much of a lamb as yours, princess. There's a rottie pup in the obedience class and my SO comments weekly on how cute it is. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 9:35:28 AM | Oh yes, obedience training makes for a very good union between dog and owner!
My dog is a Service Dog, she and I have been through lots of training together. BUT she's also an Australian Shepherd and has a very independent mind. I don't have any "need" for a service dog and because of her independent thinking (at times) she wouldn't "do" for someone who has a need, so the trainers called me to see if I would take her. It's been great having such a good friend! One that I can take with me ANYwhere and no one can legally say "no", (except for an ICU ward in a hospital).
My cat is loved too ~smile~ | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 10:09:57 AM | Years and years ago I was pulling a graveyard shift at this gas station when this german shepherd appeared on a night that was about twenty to forty below gusting wind chills. He was very friendly to the customers. So after half an hour and between business I approach the dog and bring him in to make sure he isn't going to get frostbite. I made some calls and a cop came but would not take the dog in his squad car for fear the dog would mess it up. But the first look at this dog and he said "Heal" because he apparently thought it looked like it could be a police dog. The dog did not heal.
So because of that I ended up taking him home. That first night I spread out newspaper all over every square inch of my bedroom floor and shut the door and went to sleep. When others came home the dog let out one solitary bark, then jumped on my bed with its two front paws on one side of me and the back paws on the other side all while attentively watching the door for intruders. It had naturally decided to guard me already!
Remember I had only known it for hours. Funny how fast they latch on. He sure proved he was smart and loyal in a hurry!
So for the next week I brought him back to work and talked my head off trying to find out if anyone knew of someone who owned a dog like this in the area. No one did so that is how I ended up getting him. Turned out to be the best dog I ever had!
He was already trained to sit and lay on command. Already house trained, and had immaculate white teeth. Someone definitely cared for this one. I think he may has been a security guard dog for the local 3m plant or one of the nearby businesses and maybe a little bit abused -- he was always afraid when I brought out the broom or mop, but as our trust grew that disappeared. He initially would back himself into a corner when he saw anything with a long handle on it which made me think he was maybe abused or scared a couple of times and when he saw a chance to escape he did so with no intention of ever coming back to them.
Fantastic animal. After awhile I trained him to hand signals and I could read him and his reactions so well that his senses became like an extension of my own. It took me a while to realize this because when I moved to the country with him he would always get rambunkious at about 4am every single morning. He would go to the window near my bed, push the curtain aside with his nose, and look out into the darkness. Eventuall y he would growl low and slow, something was out there.
So finally I had to put this to rest so I got up one morning about 3:30am and put on my boots and took him for a hike. Turns out there is a farmer on the other side of the forest, a good half mile away, who lets his cows out at that time every morning and moves them from one pasteur to another!
To think I could not even hear the cows when being outside, but that dog could hear them from that distance through two panes of glass and all the trees in between! After that I trusted his instincts & senses absolutely and completely. For a long while there he was truly my best friend. Incredible animal. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 10:46:59 AM | Random Entry,
What a delightful story! Thank you for sharing!One time, two rambunctious young dogs got loose, and I threw them in my police car. With some effort and a lot of luck, I was able to reunite them with their owners, who had had them since the day of their birth. I recommeded some area dog parks as an outlet for them.
I got chewed out by another officer, because there was so much dog hair on the seat from these two that it looked like a camel hair throw. LOL
We stopped by the shelter today. Laura (works there) said if she did not know Riley, even with his big smile, if he came galloping towards her, she would be terrified. AND she is a total dog person. Instead, she got some birthday kisses from the birthday boy.
It is a pleasure to meet a fellow member of our Cult! | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 3:00:59 PM |
He has filled a void in my life
absolutely...except mines a she...she was left behind at my home nearly 4 years ago and we walk for hours every day...it had been nearly 20 years since my last dawgs because i was on the road all the time...but things happen for reasons and right in a very unsettling mid-life change time period, she's been the perfect tonic to help get me back on track...
she's also an excellent excuse to get out of a lousy date...and i see lots of folks using this one...have to go home and walk the dog...
after 2 years of walking together, she now goes without a lead as it's much much. better exercise for her, and when we cross a very busy street to start our walk, the girls at the drugstore all marvel at how smart she is...i let them know she's much much smarter than me and she has me very well trained...she has more friends than me...but i'm still hoping the chick magnet thing shines my way
my bags are in my pocket as i always think people look so daft with plastic bags swaying away while they walk...
nocturnal, my brother in law always had at least 3 rotties on the go...they are super smart dogs too
i always hope i die before my dawgie because our walks have been so good giving me the time and the frsh air to go sort out my thoughts and wonder where the heck the last 30 years have gone...in the summer months she helps with the blueberry picking in the bush as we go for hours and i pick and she's quality control | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 3:27:53 PM | I've had my two girls for nine years, and they are my loyal companions.
We have been through alot together, and I hope lots more memories to come.
I got them just months apart and they grew up as sisters.
Lady, my German Shepard is the maternal one, and has always worried over me, my kids and her sister, Siberian Husky Keisha.
Both of my girls had to have surgeries in the past few years for cancerous tumors, which was very scary for me.
But we got through it, and they are healthy now.
When my Husky, Keisha had her tumor removed it was on her foreleg, we had a terrible time of it.
My two kids and I all took turns staying home from work to watch her, because she kept tearing the bandage off and ripping out her stitches.
One day Keisha had chewed her leg right open and there was a big gaping hole where they had done the surgery. The vet says some dogs do this, though I was shocked when I got home and saw what she did. He said they do not want the injury, and think they can remove it by chewing it off.
I never thought this dog would heal, we tried every collar they ever made to keep her from chewing. It took her two months to finally heal.
My German Shepard , also had to have surgery because she got nipped by another dog and it went unoticed until an infection set in. The poor thing had to have her whole side cut open to remove the infection that spread. She was so good though, unlike her sister, she just licked the wound that covered her whole side. All of that from one little punture wound that never even bled.
The two of them like to run in the yard together. My German Shepard always takes the lead, and the Siberian Husky grabs her tail and follows behind. They are so funny running through the yard with the Shepard's tail in the Husky's mouth.
They also have a game I call keep away, where Lady will take a stick and she will tease Keisha with it until Keisha chases her. Then they will run all over the yard dodging each other, ,even though neither of them realy want the stick. They play it with anything they can get their teeth on.
The two of them together are like little kids.
I love having two dogs, because when I go to work, nobody is left home alone.
Even with the extra work and expense they have always been worth it.
And they always have so much unconditional love to share with their people.
I understand Dog people, how can you not love a creature that wants to please you all the time. And do the funniest things, you cant help but laugh. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 3:32:24 PM | On the flip side, I have a neighbor who keeps his poor little dog tied up outside all the time, no matter the weather.
The poor little girl hardly gets any attention or affection.
I used to go over and play with her and freshen her water, until one day his father
stopped by and told me I was tresspassing and to stay off his son's property.
I tried to tell him I had permission to look after the dog and he threatened to call the police on me.
So now I cant even fill her water bowl.
So many times this poor little girl has gotten off her chain and gotten in the road.
Because I can no longer go on the property, my only choice is to call the dog warden.
I live on a very busy 50 MPH main road.
She does not know traffic, and has had many close calls.
This person, should not have a dog. And I do not understand why he ever got her.
Some people realy think this is how you treat a pet, I just do not understand it. | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 5:13:55 PM | I have become such a devout member of this cult that, not only do I hail other members when I see them, but I also have to stifle the urge to sniff their asses. Hey! It works for dogs! | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 5:43:10 PM | yes we can learn much socially from dogs..kodi's only been in the neighbourhood 4 years and there's her friends sammy, tucker, sadie, phoenix, missy, storm, thunder, pal and buddy plus a whole host of others that they just nod to each other ..
summerteeth...head on down to halifax if you want to hear some blues...most of them are gone now, but we used to watch room full of blues reunite, and every couple of months dutch mason and long john would hook up inauspicially in a bar...good blues down there | |
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| Dog People
Posted: 4/2/2007 6:39:12 PM | You all made me laugh out loud with your warm comments.
Regarding the dog with no water, which is what I was investigating when I got bit on the ankle, animal cruelty laws require a dog to have "clean, potable water and adequate nutrition." Affection is relative.
If the dog is deprived of basic required sustenance, the owner will be cited. Local Kennels are like doggie prisons, and are completely heartbreaking.
Not to single out men here, but you have no idea how many MEN have told me that my dog "will turn on me" so I have to be prepared to give him one good beating in order for him to respect me. I have given up this argument ("never try to teach a pig to sing, as it wastes your time and annoys the pig") but I do know that the shelters are filled with dogs that are terrified of men. Coincidence?
Hello, to all my fellow Cult members! | |
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