Author Topic: Dogs (Read 4804 times)

Incredulous · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2012, 11:02:09 PM »

For a moment, the cougar in the above picture reminded me of Dr. Krah
after the CatholicInfo trads dissected his Remnant interview.

However, the cougar in the photo looks elegant, even when cornered.

I can't say that Dr. Max ever looked elegant.

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2012, 10:52:08 AM »

Quote from: Matthew

I have too many small kids to take care of animals right now :)

But I will say this --

If you want a large dog (defined as one whose back comes up to your knees or higher) but you

A) don't have acreage
and
B) aren't willing to do some serious "dog walks" every single day

then for the love of God's creation, DENY YOUR EMOTIONAL and/or SELF-CENTERED DESIRE for such a dog, for the dog's sake!

To such people, I would say: Too bad about what you want. You can't always have what you want. You have to think about someone other than yourself.

It's sad to see large dogs cooped up like chickens in a suburban or city backyard -- dogs that need AT LEAST 1 or 2 acres to run around in.

If God meant for large dogs to be treated like chickens, He would have designed them to lay eggs.

I guess it's all part of the "who says you can't have it all" society we live in.

I think this is a very interesting comment, Matthew, and one I agree with whole-heartedly.

When my husband and I were newly married, we rented a house on a farm. We had a Chow Chow named Yeti. She was a great dog, but needed lots of room to run. It was a mistake though. We had to move and couldn't find a place to rent where we could have her. They are fiercely loyal dogs and we worried that she might grieve when we finally found a home for her. Eventually my father convinced his mechanic he needed a guard dog and she did well there.

It was a hard and painful lesson for us to learn. But I am glad we learned it.

We didn't get our dog until 2 years ago. Now, it seems that life would be empty without him. He's a good dog, though, even if he's a bit slow. Works for us.

Irish Catholic200 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:31:31 AM »

I have a 7 year old Jack Russel Terror

she is a very good guard dog

Roland Deschain · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:33:43 AM »

cats > dogs

Cats don't keep you up all night barking. Cats don't bark at you because you have the nerve to walk down the street. If a cat poops in your yard it buries it. Cats don't eat your shoes, books, furniture etc.

I'll never understand why anyone would subject themselves to a canine.

Sorry Alex :wink:

Matthew · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:49:37 AM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

I think this is a very interesting comment, Matthew, and one I agree with whole-heartedly.

When my husband and I were newly married, we rented a house on a farm. We had a Chow Chow named Yeti. She was a great dog, but needed lots of room to run. It was a mistake though. We had to move and couldn't find a place to rent where we could have her. They are fiercely loyal dogs and we worried that she might grieve when we finally found a home for her. Eventually my father convinced his mechanic he needed a guard dog and she did well there.

It was a hard and painful lesson for us to learn. But I am glad we learned it.

We didn't get our dog until 2 years ago. Now, it seems that life would be empty without him. He's a good dog, though, even if he's a bit slow. Works for us.

Another, related point --

We should think of the dogs, not just ourselves.

For example, when I was little my family got a Samoyed -- basically an eskimo dog. White and fluffy, he looked like a teddy bear. Samoyeds actually look like they're smiling.

But we lived in northern Illinois -- true, pretty cold compared to Texas, but northern Illinois gets up in the 90's in the summertime. The poor dog was miserable, digging in the ground, etc. trying to find relief.

Long story short: We were only thinking of ourselves when it came to choosing a dog.

Getting a chow-chow, Samoyed, or Alaskan Malamute would be irresponsible for a Texan.

Matthew · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:51:08 AM »

Here is what one of our dogs looked like -- a Samoyed puppy:

Incredulous · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2012, 12:51:45 PM »

Why, the canine beast looks very intelligent!

On the other hand, look at this cat.

I rest my case that dogs are superior in intellect.

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2012, 01:15:41 PM »

Quote from: Roland Deschain

cats > dogs

Cats don't keep you up all night barking. Cats don't bark at you because you have the nerve to walk down the street. If a cat poops in your yard it buries it. Cats don't eat your shoes, books, furniture etc.

I'll never understand why anyone would subject themselves to a canine.

Sorry Alex :wink:

Evidently you never met our cat. He does all those things. He meows all night at whatever he sees outside. Of course he doesn't bark if you walk by, but he will come out of nowhere and smack you as you go by. And he doesn't even bury his poop in the litter box. The things he doesn't chew up or claw to shreds, he sheds all over. (Except, of course, the various scratching posts purchased for his disdain) Dogs at least have the sense to act like they feel guilty.

cassini · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2012, 02:43:48 PM »

Quote from: Jacob III

Do you have dogs? Other pets?

I have two sweetheart miniature dachshunds (ages 3 and 1) and they are a great part of my life. Anyone else find such joy in a dog's companionship? Any good stories?

Yes Jacob, I have two, but both sad, but part of the human/dog relationship.
I once had to put a dog down, its back legs no longer functioning. He looked into my eyes as they injected him. He passed away without a whimper. That was 20 years ago. I still cry when I think about it. I am in tears writing this.

My youngest two children used to earn pocketmoney walking the dog of a neighbour who had arthritis. Ten years ago they grew up and stopped walking Scobby. Poor Scooby, a black and white mongrel, had no daily walk then. I said this is not right so I volunteered to walk Scooby every day myself as a favour to his widowed owner. I rarely missed a day since, down by the riverside park, 3000+ adventures.
Lately Scooby began to limp. He must be 14 years old now, 80 human age. Two weeks ago I called. Usually Scooby is waiting. This time he stayed on top of the stairs, he did not want to go for his walk. Next day he did, limping along. He stopped half way, didn't want to go any further.
I got a phone call next day, vet said Scooby is not to be walked again until he can, if ever again. The end of an era. I am lost. I continue to walk the walk but miss Scooby. I picture him at home, bored to death, maybe in pain as I pass his house every day. It is like someone close to me died, the price one pays for loving a dog.

Incredulous · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:02:42 PM »

Dachshund... after eating a cat.

s2srea · « **Reply #25 on:** December 11, 2012, 06:07:05 PM »

You know what the only good cat is right....? A flat one!

Sigismund · « **Reply #26 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:12:37 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

I have too many small kids to take care of animals right now :)

But I will say this --

If you want a large dog (defined as one whose back comes up to your knees or higher) but you

A) don't have acreage
and
B) aren't willing to do some serious "dog walks" every single day

then for the love of God's creation, DENY YOUR EMOTIONAL and/or SELF-CENTERED DESIRE for such a dog, for the dog's sake!

To such people, I would say: Too bad about what you want. You can't always have what you want. You have to think about someone other than yourself.

It's sad to see large dogs cooped up like chickens in a suburban or city backyard -- dogs that need AT LEAST 1 or 2 acres to run around in.

If God meant for large dogs to be treated like chickens, He would have designed them to lay eggs.

I guess it's all part of the "who says you can't have it all" society we live in.

Excellent advice. I have some land the dogs can run in,and hope to acquire more from neighbors who wish to sell. I very much look forward to serious dog walks every day. If for some reason I can't do it, which is rare, I arrange for someone else to do it. The German shepherd can't really do long walks any more, and in fact doesn't really move a lot now, but the pyrenees loves it.

Sigismund · « **Reply #27 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:14:22 PM »

Quote from: Roland Deschain

cats > dogs

Cats don't keep you up all night barking. Cats don't bark at you because you have the nerve to walk down the street. If a cat poops in your yard it buries it. Cats don't eat your shoes, books, furniture etc.

I'll never understand why anyone would subject themselves to a canine.

Sorry Alex :wink:

Dogs don't keep you up all night backing if they are properly raised. The neighbor's ill mannered dogs can be a problem, though.

sedetrad · « **Reply #28 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:44:44 PM »

Quote

If God meant for large dogs to be treated like chickens, He would have designed them to lay eggs.

The above is advice that I wish all dog owners would follow. My brother and his wife are avid runners and run 5-6 miles daily. They run with their dogs. One dog is an Australian cattle dog and the other is a mutt. Both dogs stay in top shape and stay "happy" because of their morning exercise and the yard that they live in. It makes me "angry" to see large dogs chained like prisoners to trees.

Anthony Benedict · « **Reply #29 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:09:46 PM »

Quote from: s2srea

You know what the only good cat is right....? A flat one!

I'm shocked! Such blatant "species-ism"!

No more tofu for you at snack time! And no more TeleTubbie reruns at nap time!