courtnek

my smilies didnt post...so if that sounded harsh, it was not intended to be. let's try this again... :D :D :D :D

[quote]Actually they weren't originally guard dogs, they were herding dogs. They just excel as police and guard dogs. [/quote] I understand the distinction, but they were also responsible for protecting the herds from wolves and such, so I guess Guard Duty came along with it. :D :D

I read an article the other day, on all the Lassie's and the movies and TV shows, where the author said "this was a mistake, to portray this dog as being loving, courageous, responsible and obedient, without a disclaimer in the beginning explaining that Lassie was NOT handled by the actors at all, that he took all of his commands (yes, they were all male dogs) from his trainer off set. When the actors called him, he actually responded to the trainers hand signals off set. He was always situated where Lassie could see him, and respond to commands." Same with Hooch, same with Rin-Tin-Tin...none of them were responding to the actors, but to their trainers. Even Rufus (papillion) was responding to a trainer for the commercial. 101 Dalmations has caused more Dalmations to end up in shelters now than any other time in history.... I agree that disclaimers on dog movies (any animal movies, really...people tried to keep Bears as pets after Gentle Ben...) should be loudly and boldy shown before and after the movie, to remind people that dogs arent like this naturally. They have to be trained to do it.

this is good to hear/ Someone educated in the breed, and trying to help them. What annoys me though, is even though GSD's come in 2nd on the bite list, it's the Pit that gets most of the bad press... Gsd's are wonderful dogs, but like any dog, if untrained, unexercised, and mistreated, will become a problem. They are Guard Dogs for God's sake... Did you know the Police and Military will not "assign" a K9 dog to a person until after 3 MONTHS of extensive training? Now true, they are being trained for something outside of ordinary homelife, but doesnt that tell people something? That maybe this dog needs extra care and training, because of it's natural drives and breeding purpose? Same should be necessary for Pit's...and all large, guarding and "potentially" dangerous dogs. You cant own it unless you agree to have it trained, and prove it was done. I hate to say that, because to some extent it punishes the good and knowledgeable owners, who would train correctly. But I think it needs to be done, because there are more idiots in the world than good and knowledgeable owners....

[quote]Oh I just cannot resist, based on the title of this thread, I don't know too many HUMANS who bark enough to be annoying anyway[/quote] You dont know my ex...he would bark and growl to annoy Freebee :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

GOOD FOR CODY!! and Naomi, have a WONDERFUL hoiday... :lol: :drinking: :-? 8)

because insurance is so "sketchy" about paying, you'd be better off taking the monthly insurance payment and depositing it in savings. That way, the money is there and the insurance cant turn it down, no matter what is done, AND you earn interest on it while it's in the bank... You just have to steel yourself to make the deposit every month :D unless the dog has chronic problems that is. I need to add that.

The place I work for does a "gift gathering" every year, for the area shelters and for the humane society. This year we gatherd 439 items to be distributed to the needy, and 197 items to be given tot he humane society. They were astonished...they said they had never seen so many animal donations given all at one time. We also gave 40 pints of blood during the blood drive, enough to save 98 people in an emergency. They also did a special drive to gather gifts for the soldiers in Iraq. The world is not all bad. There are still some good people left... :wink: :)

[quote]My parents never told my sister and I that there was a santa clause or any other fictional being.[/quote] AHHH, but there WAS...NOT the Santa Claus we know today, but rather, St. Nicholas. (that's what Santa Claus means) who was a pastor (I believe, my details are sketchy) in a small town in the Norway/Sweden area. A town that had suffered from extreme cold, and hardship, due to plague-like illness. Many parents had died, leaving children in a local orphanage. When Christmas came around, St. Nicholas was saddened by the fear, the hunger, the neediness of these children. He went from house to house, and gathered up things from people that they no longer wanted or needed, old toys, blankets, food items, clothing... On Christmas day, he went to the orphanage and said a prayer for the children, asking God to deliver them from their misery. Just then, the townspeople came in with the "chosen" items, gaily wrapped in paper painted with inks made from flowers and leaves, and handed the "gifts" to the children. It was the best Christmas they had ever known, because the giving was so special, and to see the childrens faces lite up was astonishing to them. They had been sad for so long...now they knew that people cared about them. So yes, in a way, Santa Claus is real. Not quite St. Nicholas, but the spirit of gift giving reamins the same as part of the holiday.

[quote]I think this is going to be very intersting reading...as I don't believe that there are right and wrong views (in regards to religion) - just different ones. [/quote] I agree. And Kendlyn, as far as I am concerned, voice your views. I am going to go "Karma" on all of you... You know I believe in soul..anyone who disagrees is welcome. by me, to voice their views. I wont hold it against you. because I truly believe in "to each his own"..... I believe that there is a reason, including dogs. for eveything. And in my opinion,God is trying to teach us to be better people..by the use of our dogs. They love unconditionally.....why cant we?

[quote]I wasn't trying to stifle anyone voicing their opinion[/quote] and I never thought you were..I'm just VERY opinionated... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In one sense I agree Malamum, but in another we have always aired our views here (I mention God all the time, and I know there are non-believers here. That doesnt upset me, or apparently them either) so I gotta agree with "to each his own". personally, I feel that dogs do have souls. and I'm going to mention God again (LOL). To me (and it;s just me, no one has to agree) a soul is the dividing line between just living, and caring...caring enough to give of oneself, caring enough to make sacrifices to help others, caring enough to believe that all life is precious....what better personifies that, then a dog? God gave us dogs, I firmly believe that, to teach us what real caring is all about. Humility, sacrifice, giving of oneself....unfortunately, alot of us havent learned the lesson yet... Just my take... :D

More people actually had mutts and mixes in the old days. Only the wealthy could afford purebred dogs, and they had servants to take care of them. also landed property where they could run. I think a big part of the problem is that some people want the "prestige" of a purebred, without wanting the work involved. Working dogs need to work, herders need to herd, retrievers, to retrieve. The purebreds were bred for a reason that is rarely ever nowadays carried out. Instead, people buy purebreds for looks, or for protection, or because the dog is unusual and gets a lot of attention for the owners. Well, we dont have servants, we dont have landed property, we dont have a job for these dogs to do, and yet we still have the dogs....responsible owners recognize that their dog may need special care, training, a job, agility, something to keep it occupied and mentally stimulated. Two of the best examples of this are the Border Collie and the GSD. People bought GSD's (badly bred because of greed) in the 70's and it became the problem child of the dog world. Why? they wanted "protection"...ANY dog will protect you, they were buying guarding breed dogs and not training them....or training them entirely wrong... The best story I ever saw as far as protection was the little pekignese that latched onto a burgler's leg and wouldnt let go. He kicked it, threw it away from him, repeatedly, and it kept coming back for more. He was protecting his pregnant mistress and was not going to back down. She was able to call the police, and eventually the guy gave up (he couldnt defeat this tiny dog) and ran for it, and the police got him. She had a kennel of guard dogs outside, because she was on landed property and they were for alert warning outside...but the little pekignese came to her aid in the pinch...

Hello Toni, welcome to Dogo. I am courtnek, but my name is actually Katy. You can call me whatever... :lol: :lol: :lol: I have a Lab Mix, an American Foxhound, a 16 year old son and an evil. ill-tempered cat named PushyCat who lives up to his name. And my son just brought home a pet mouse.....this should be interesting.... welcome aboard... :D

My Golden peed on our Christmas Tree the first year we had him... :oops: :lol: :oops: :lol:

HEE HEE!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I would say tell the child that the poor dog got hit by a car, and died. That the driver did not mean to hurt him, that it was just an accident and sometimes accidents happen. Tell him how sorry you are that the dog is no longer with them, and how much they loved him. Tell him how much the doggy loved him, and make sure to say how sorry they are that if happened. Then get him another dog. That last sentence is the most important. You dont want a 6 year old dwelling on death for long. He's just too young to understand...

my question exactly. If Rottweilers and Labs are also part of the 60%, why arent they being required to be muzzled? Labs are America's "sweetheart" dog, along with Goldens. Yes, the majority of them are good natured, and yes, usually very tolerant of people and children in general. However, because dog owners are not always dog-saavy, they seem to assume that having a Lab or Golden means it will train itself. I cant begin to tell you how many Labs I have had to "demote" from dominance issues because their owners let them become Alpha... and that's when they bite, same as with any dog. Rottweilers are guard dogs, and require special training and handling to avoid the Alpha issues, same as GSD's...I think this is a form of "racial profiling"...the APBT's have to be muzzled, but the others do not? Personally, ANY dog that shows aggression towards people without cause should be muzzled...including the two Chihauhau's next door....

oh that made me cry...can I repost it? please? :)

[quote]oh dear.. that one did make me cry [/quote] me too... thanks RNP - I cant tell you how much I needed that after the horrifying day I've had... :angel:

I believe United had considered this policy at one time but got shot down from the AKC and a lot of hate mail about it.

GSD for me - which is fairly accurate of me German Shepherd The German Shepherd is a workaholic. Intent on business, this loyal breed is always on patrol. Suspicious of strangers, she defends her territory with a fierce reproach. When it comes to affection, she is tender and loving toward her pack and feels a deep responsibility for their well-being. Mental and physical exercise both appeal equally to the German Shepherd, and her intelligence is further enhanced by her dedicated nature. When it comes to dependability, the German Shepherd has the market cornered But ive taken this test before (different quizzes) and have been both a Golden Retriever and a Lab... :lol: :lol:

I also hope she wasnt stolen and found a good home. *hugs* to you Lucky, I know it's hard... :cry:

what goes around.....comes around..... :evilbat: :evilbat:

I emailed that same message. I posted it here in case she comes here before getting the email