lessons learned from pets

GoldenMotor.com

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
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Moosylvania
After work I took the Momma’s baby out back for a run. She is an Aussie shepherd. All auburn, (even her eyes) Red chest and heart of gold. Truly the Momma’s baby and follows her around like, well a dog. Wile out back with her, I realized how much I could learn from her. After an 18 hr day on 2 hrs of sleep, when I walk in the door, bath the people I love with wet kisses and make sure they know I need them more then my next breath. Be ready, willing and able to give up all so that they are OK. Sit when asked and play when invited. When nap time comes, have a paw on every body in the bed and reassure all not only that I am there for them, also that they are there with me.

But above all else, only pee in designated areas, or the neighbors point and laugh and Momma gets that look.
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
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Moosylvania
Re: lessons learned

Old dog figured out a new trick. After dinner, I usually give her 2 "beggin strips" or 2 dog biscuits. With the pretend bacon things she just eats them down. With the biscuits, she takes one, doesn't chew, just stands there with it in her mouth, looking at me with a "How about the second one there Poppy?" LOL, I dunno if she is negotiating or trying to convince me she has no recollection of that event and would of course be in need of payment of a another.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
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Littleton, Colorado
Re: lessons learned

My foot warmer, my greeter, my big fuzzy friend. He's the 3rd Golden that has given his all to make make my life complete. Where would be we be without the love and devotion of these incredible animals who give us so much...and ask for so little.
Meet Baxter aka, 'Dad's Big Guy'
Tom
 

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eDJ

Member
Jul 8, 2008
530
1
18
Wayne National Forest
Re: lessons learned

My family's ol' weiner dog passed away a few years ago and I still miss her. Just can't
bring myself yet to get another dog. These Daschunds are the National Dog of Germany
but there are paintings on the walls in the Pyramids of dogs which look like Daschunds
which leaves one to wonder about their real origin. My old German friend Manfred explained
to me that in Gremany they have a saying, "no family owns a Daschund - the Daschund owns
the family". Yes they are strong willed and stuborn but then Daschund means Badger Hound
and anything that would go up against a Badger had better have some resolve.

But in the last year I've had this little white ferrell kitten that's moved in on me. I've never really
owned a cat before and it's been a learning experience. Amazing creatures they are it seems
and this one has put my patients to the test all winter. I can get her the finest cat food, with
gravy, (cats seem to like gravy) and if I feed her in the morning she will eat. Any other time
of the day she'll lick the gravy off the food and take off leaving the rest for the Rat Terrier across
the way. I'd noticed late at night when neighbors put their garbage out for the truck to pick up
that this cat would be diving on the goodies with her butt and tail up in the air with nothing else
of her visable. I've wondered why she would eat garbage and then get snooty about fancy cat
food ?

Well the other day the little minx wouldn't eat like I wanted her to so I brought her paper plate in
and placed it in the kitchen garbage can, figuring if she showed up hungry again I'd sit it back
out there on the deck and the heck with opening another can for her. Well, she jumped on it
and all but ate the paper plate it was on. Couldn't believe it ! There is something consistant
about this too. Just sit it in the garbage can for an hour and she'll eat like she's starved.

So as that beggin strips product was mentioned, I had this thought for an advertising slogan
for cat food. "Cats don't know it's not garbage" !

Now in earlier times an Englishman named Rudyard Kipling wrote these "just so" stories.
One of which was titled "The Cat that Walked by Himself" where he tried to explain the Cat
to those who don't know cats. So if you're a person like myself that never knew about Cat's
before you can read this and see how it rings with you.

Just So Stories, Rudyard Kipling

^ ^
> . <
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
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Moosylvania
Re: lessons learned

"Cats don't know it's not garbage" ! LOLOLOL. Be a great T-shirt too! If a cat could converse in words or understand our reaction, he or she would look at us with a puzzled look and ask, "wut?"
 

deacon

minor bike philosopher
Jan 15, 2008
8,114
9
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north carolina
Re: lessons learned

It seems people who ride motor bikes understand what is really important in life.

My Daddy would have loved you guys, and there is no bigger compliment.
 
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hiker472

Member
Nov 6, 2008
653
3
18
Ontonagon County,Upper Michigan
Re: lessons learned

Sorry to hear about your loss EDJ. It's a tough thing to lose something that gets so close to you. They say the best thing to do is replace it and I for one know this works, however I'm in the same boat you are.

My last dog, a blue healer, died last August and I have still yet to "replace" him. In fact this is the first time I've been without a dog in almost 24 years! My first dog was a malamute/Newfoundland (160 lbs) and since then, my dogs got steadily smaller and already when I think of my next dog, I'm thinking fox terrier (at least he can ride on my MB)!

Cats on the other hand...forget it! My wife has 4 of those things and wants more! But she's nuts anyway (I can say that...she's sleeping...LOL)

Dogs come when you call them and cats take a message and get back to you!


drn2
 

eDJ

Member
Jul 8, 2008
530
1
18
Wayne National Forest
Re: lessons learned

Thanks guys for the empathy. I do miss her yet but I'm kinda doing a time share with my
neighbors dogs. One has three goldens, one has the "rocket dog" rat terrier who can cover
200 feet in a couple bats of your eyes.

So, I'm buying Ol ' Roy's munchy bone mini's and cutting them into four pieces and everyday's
trick or treat for the dogs. They make their visits and make sure the Kat gets her exercise.
Kinda like being a Grandparent I guess, you can bounce them on your lap and enjoy them
and hand them back when they're wet. :D
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: lessons learned

2 Funny. I nic named Shelly "roof" and tought her to bark any time you ask "wuts your name?" (that way if she ever gets lost, can tell folks her name) Dumb dog now barks any time some one uses the word "name" and looks at me and waits for a treat.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
175
63
Littleton, Colorado
Re: lessons learned

Whenever I cook out on the grill, which is at least twice week even in winter, I always take doggie cookies with me and lay them on the side, near the meat to warm. While I'm cooking I feed my two dogs treats. They know very well when I'm getting ready to cook out and are eager to get out for their treats. My neighbor had a black lab, Maggie, rest her soul, who discovered the 'cookin' cookies' thing that was going on next door and I always had an extra treat for her. When she smelled my charcoal starting to smoke she would run through the house barking until they let her out and she would run to wait patiently by the fence for her share. My neighbor and I had a good laugh about that last weekend, remembering how Maggie would let them know when I was cooking out. Ya gotta love dogs.
Tom
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: lessons learned

Had a crash last Friday. All good now and am OK. The most amazing thing is The Dawg has been following me around and licking my wounds. Threw clothing and or bandages. Follows me to the cellar when I go for a smoke (Shelly hates the cellar and would not go unless Carol was with me and hates cig smoke more) and curls up next to me when ever I sit. This is not normal for her, she is "Momma's Girl" and I am below on the totem pole.

Just amazed how sweet, caring and selfless this dog can be. Lessons learned

So I am getting her a kitten. I am thinking she needs some thing to "Mom"
Poor thing is a work dog with no work.

YouTube - Dog & kitten playing

YouTube - Adorable Dog and Kitten playing
 

fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
7,459
4,930
113
British Columbia Canada
Re: lessons learned

Had to put my last dog down in 1982. Like taking one of my kids in. It was that or watch her die of cancer slowly and after 15 years together I couldn't do it.
Skipper was a Border Collie-Lab X and as my Dad said so smart it was as if someone pulled a dogs skin over a human.
My kids memory of her is get close to the road and get herded back to safety like a sheep. Skippers idea of safety that is.

I agree eDJ that the best thing is to enjoy everyone elses dog. I live with my brother and family and they have a Newfoundland- Border-Collie cross. A 120 pounds of love. and looks like a bigger edition of Skip. She likes to pack as much petting time in as the day allows or until my arm wears out.

Have cats now myself and up until the three that I have now they were volunteer cats. They showed up at the door and volunteered to live with me.

Some left kittens and moved on and some stay till the end. One kitten born in the house got the name Zoffo from my son. Zoff turned out to be a 29 pound, 3 foot long {nose to tail tip} Maine Coon cat my buddy nick named Pork Chop. He was fron TN and the first time he saw Zoff he said 'that ain't no cat. That there's a walkin pork chop".

Can understand the kitten eating out of the garbage because that was where it's food had come from till it got lucky. My daughter had a kitten that ate out of a dish until it discovered the big bag of cat food. We knew it was time to buy more when Bixby's tail disappeared from sight.

We are so lucky that our pets love us like they do. They give so much and ask so little.

Steve.
 
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