I am a dog person. I have had at least a dozen dogs during my 78 years. I have had mixed breeds, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, St. Bernards, Rottweilers, West Highland Terriers, Golden Retrievers and Black Lab and presently two Yellow Labrador Retrievers.
One of my dogs even wore sunglasses.
No pets.
Beagles are idiots. I would never want one.
We have had Great Danes and a Beagle as well as 3 cats. I find the "either/or" dog/cat dichotomy as strange. I think the biggest problem is not the pets but rather the humans who, despite bragging about being the most intelligent of all creatures (this is very debatable ;D ), refuse to accept the innate behaviors of different animals.
The most telling sign of this is a person saying, "my dog thinks he's a human." You rarely hear this from a person who has a cat because the way they interact with humans is so different. They act like cats. The old joke "Dogs have owners. Cats have staff" has a lot of truth in it. And dogs act like dogs, often training their humans very well. ;D If your dog drags you along and is front of you when walking on a leash, the dog is clearly the leader-not you. In Prague, we saw dogs walked off leash and completely under control (and they seemed very happy as well). Against all advice, our first dog was a Great Dane. I knew that it was very, very important to have him be well trained, especially on a leash.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on March 28, 2025, 12:48:05 PMBeagles are idiots. I would never want one.
That
does it! I'm putting you on ignore.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 28, 2025, 12:51:47 PMThat does it! I'm putting you on ignore.
Sorry, my sister-in-law has two and they are the dumbest creatures on planet earth.
I love all animals but don't enjoy living with them. My wife loves cats.
We have two cats.
Dog person, Charley, the bestest doggo.
I like enjoying other peoples' dogs but don't want to take care of one myself. My wife had a cat before I met her, so the cat and I co-exist fine. My wife is constantly commenting about how the cat needs a friend. She'd be choosing between a second cat and a husband at that point. Guessing when the cat passes away (she's older already) my wife will get a new cat.
Quote from: reinko on March 28, 2025, 01:59:09 PMDog person, Charley, the bestest doggo.
We rescued an abandoned pup about 6 months old right before the Xavier game in Milwaukee. We missed the 1st 5 minutes of the game and gave the pup the temporary name of Shaka. She was probably a beagle/dachshund cross with big, beautiful ears. She shook with fear and was very emaciated but quickly became attached to us. We kept her for 9 days as a favor to Animal Control over the Christmas holidays as they were very short-staffed. It was SO hard to "surrender" her, but we are too old to have another dog. It was really tempting.
Had I known that she was going to be taken up to a DC area shelter, I would have contacted you immediately so you could adopt her, and Charley would have a canine friend. I have seen so many sweet pups in my life, but never one sweeter than this girl.
We never had pets. Too much work when the kids were younger, and now we travel too much.
However, Chick jr. has a Golden Retriever and I am completely in love with that dog.
Still don't regret getting one for our home. It's like a grandkid. I get to play with it, but I don't have to actually take care of it.
You can always spot an a-hole. Anyone that's never owned a pet is almost certainly an a-hole
I'm only a part-time cat herder.
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Was raised in a house with a Dad with very severe allergies so was always a no pet guy. We lived that way until Covid and my wife went nuts (pre-jab) and brought home a bassett hound. My wife's older brother had one in college and would bring it home in the summers. What my wife blocked from her childhood is all the shedding. So now we have this beautiful dog that's not allowed in key rooms (like our TV room) bc she doesn't want his hair all over the couches or his nails on the rug. My dumb brain is like half the reason you get a dog is so it lays there when you watch TV.
The dog is fine. Very chill. It likes to sleep in, which is nice. On those rare mornings where we both need to be out the door by 8am, getting the dog situated is harder than our 3 teenagers.
If it didn't shed and didn't need help when we'd go out of town I'd like it more. I'm not in love it. It's fine, but dogs are like running. I ran three marathons and still never got that "runner's high". I'm fine with the dog but's not life changing emotionally like kids are.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on March 28, 2025, 02:38:08 PMI'm only a part-time cat herder.
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Goat rodeo works, too.
Quote from: The Lens on March 28, 2025, 02:46:27 PMWas raised in a house with Dad with very severe allergies so was always a no pet guy. We lived that way until Covid and my wife went nuts (pre-jab) and brought home a bassett hound. My wife's older brother had one in college and would bring it home in the summers. What my wife blocked from her childhood is all the shedding. So now we have this beautiful dog that's not allowed in key rooms (like our TV room) bc she doesn't want his hair all over the couches or his nails on the rug. My dumb brain is like half the reason you get a dog is so it lays there when you watch TV.
The dog is fine. Very chill. It likes to sleep in, which is nice. On those rare mornings where we both need to be out the door by 8am, getting the dog situated is harder than our 3 teenagers.
If it didn't shed and didn't need help when we'd go out of town I'd like it more. I'm not in love it. It's fine, but dogs are like running. I ran three marathons and still never got that "runner's high". I'm fine with teh dog but's not life changing emotionally like kids are.
Ah, a masochist, I see.
The ultimate compliment a cat owner has about his or her pet is, "Oh, Tabby is great. She's just like a dog!"
We really like dogs, especially bigger dogs with real barks (rather than yips). We've had four during our marriage - Samoyed, chocolate Lab, yellow Lab mix, black Lab mix.
We got our black Lab mix from a shelter shortly after moving to Charlotte and she died last year at about 14 years old, so she had a great run.
We probably won't get another dog because we want to be free for travel and other activities. But our daughter's family lives nearby and we get to spend a lot of time with her pitbull mix, one of the most loving dogs I've ever known. So kinda best of both words.
We both grew up with dogs. My dad also was very allergic, so we always had dogs that didn't shed -- generally a poodle mix of some sort (long before that was all the rage and they charged extra for it). Because of that experience, I have a real aversion to pet hair even though I'm not allergic. So, my wife and I have had three dogs - a lhasa apso, a wheaton terrier, and a shih tzu (all non-shedders). They were all good dogs. I think the wheaton was the best -- they're wicked smart and fun.
But, believe me when I tell you that I am sooooo ready to move on from my dog-owning years. Our current dog is 16. I won't say I want him to die...that's not quite what I'm feeling...but it wouldn't be the worst thing ever. He's blind, deaf, and really can't walk much any more. So, he's pretty much just a stuffed animal that we move from couch to couch, but also have to feed him and take him outside several times every day. Despite his infirmities, he honestly seems fairly content.
My daughter got a dog last year and it's great. I'm definitely ready to enjoy my kids' pets rather than dealing with my own. I hope one of them gets a wheaton.
Dog.
My gf has been fostering a series of about a dozen dogs over the years we've been together, and I have found the pitbulls to be by far the coolest and sweetest dogs. Right now she's got a 60-pound boxer mix, who's also a real sweetheart and a really smart, gentle, easygoing dog with a great, mellow temperament. And she sleeps a lot, never getting up early, and not a barker.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on March 28, 2025, 04:49:07 PMMy gf has been fostering a series of about a dozen dogs over the years we've been together, and I have found the pitbulls to be by far the coolest and sweetest dogs. Right now she's got a 60-pound boxer mix, who's also a real sweetheart and a really smart, gentle, easygoing dog with a great, mellow temperament. And she sleeps a lot, never getting up early, and not a barker.
I helped with dog walking at the local SPCA and, being in a predominantly rural area, a lot of pit bulls are in the shelter. While they can be "trained" to be aggressive, I found as you did that they are so often very sweet-natured and loving. I was surprised, and I no longer regard them as a breed to be avoided. MU82 posted above about his daughter's pit-bull mix, and the neighbor's pit bull joins me on my walks.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on March 28, 2025, 04:49:07 PMMy gf has been fostering a series of about a dozen dogs over the years we've been together, and I have found the pitbulls to be by far the coolest and sweetest dogs. Right now she's got a 60-pound boxer mix, who's also a real sweetheart and a really smart, gentle, easygoing dog with a great, mellow temperament. And she sleeps a lot, never getting up early, and not a barker.
As I mentioned, my daughter has a pitbull. This is her second one. Both were/are incredibly sweet, great with their kids, just awesome dogs.
I'll be honest - when she said years ago that she was getting a pit, I wasn't thrilled because of the negative stuff I'd heard. But I've been totally won over because of her two pitties. You couldn't find more gentle, tolerant, loving dogs. I've since learned that they are by far the norm for the breed. It's a few a-hole owners who train their pitbulls to be super-aggressive.
Quote from: MU82 on March 28, 2025, 04:58:34 PMAs I mentioned, my daughter has a pitbull. This is her second one. Both were/are incredibly sweet, great with their kids, just awesome dogs.
I'll be honest - when she said years ago that she was getting a pit, I wasn't thrilled because of the negative stuff I'd heard. But I've been totally won over because of her two pitties. You couldn't find more gentle, tolerant, loving dogs. I've since learned that they are by far the norm for the breed. It's a few a-hole owners who train their pitbulls to be super-aggressive.
The dog will always reflect how they were treated/trained by the owner regardless of breed or mix. My police officer neighbor has a K9, a Belgian Malinois, and I always ask if I can approach as his K9 is not a search and rescue or drug sniffer but trained to neutralize a suspect. One command from him and the dog will know you are a friendly.
Those that attack Beagles need to do some serious soul searching.
My theory on pets: dogs yes, cats maybe and that's it.
Why would anyone want a pet snake, bird, rodent..?
Quote from: MuggsyB on March 28, 2025, 05:37:31 PMThose that attack Beagles need to do something serious soul searching.
I love dogs. My parents had a small Labrador breeding business when I was young and we had multiple adult labs and numerous litters of puppies. Loved them.
I've had a German shorthaired pointer named Paco, a Harrier mix named Maggie and a lab mix named Eloise in my adult life. They were all wonderful dogs in their own ways. Paco was a complete loveable spaz, Maggie was a stubborn hound who was the sweetest thing when our kids were little, and Eloise loved us but was a psycho to any male that came within 10 feet of my wife. They have all gone to doggie heaven and we are going to wait until our kids are out on their own before we get another one because we want to travel more extensively with the kids before they go off to college. One downside of dog ownership is the cost to board them while traveling (we've never had family living nearby who could take them while we were away).
All that said, the SIL's beagles are the worst dogs I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. One of them just ate an entire bar of soap while she was at work and she came home to a house full of doggie diarrhea and vomit. They're stupid. Neither of them ever have accidents at her place (other than those caused by ingesting something) but they piss and crap all over our house when they come over. They have been banned from our home and I hope I never see them again.
Maybe they are not representative of the breed. They still suck.
I have only owned cats.
I like dogs just fine, but they are too much work.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on March 28, 2025, 07:44:38 PMI love dogs. My parents had a small Labrador breeding business when I was young and we had multiple adult labs and numerous litters of puppies. Loved them.
I've had a German shorthaired pointer named Paco, a Harrier mix named Maggie and a lab mix named Eloise in my adult life. They were all wonderful dogs in their own ways. Paco was a complete loveable spaz, Maggie was a stubborn hound who was the sweetest thing when our kids were little, and Eloise loved us but was a psycho to any male that came within 10 feet of my wife. They have all gone to doggie heaven and we are going to wait until our kids are out on their own before we get another one because we want to travel more extensively with the kids before they go off to college. One downside of dog ownership is the cost to board them while traveling (we've never had family living nearby who could take them while we were away).
All that said, the SIL's beagles are the worst dogs I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. One of them just ate an entire bar of soap while she was at work and she came home to a house full of doggie diarrhea and vomit. They're stupid. Neither of them ever have accidents at her place (other than those caused by ingesting something) but they piss and crap all over our house when they come over. They have been banned from our home and I hope I never see them again.
Maybe they are not representative of the breed. They still suck.
This is beyond ridiculous. I have a Beagle/Basenji mlx and my Aunt has had Beagles her entire adult life. Wonderful dogs, and sadly have been the most common breed for torturous human lab experiments. They are calm, loving, and perfect dogs for individuals or families. Your comments are extremely disturbing and have 0.0 veracity to them. You have to train them. Clearly the ones you know have a horrible owner.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 28, 2025, 02:35:23 PMYou can always spot an a-hole. Anyone that's never owned a pet is almost certainly an a-hole
1000% correct.
Quote from: MuggsyB on March 28, 2025, 08:30:55 PMThis is beyond ridiculous. I have a Beagle/Basenji mlx and my Aunt has had Beagles her entire adult life. Wonderful dogs, and sadly have been the most common breed for torturous human lab experiments. They are calm, loving, and perfect dogs for individuals or families. Your comments are extremely disturbing and have 0.0 veracity to them. You have to train them. Clearly the ones you know have a horrible owner.
Jesus dude. Calm down.
Our Beagle, Lollipop, was a high maintenance pup. My mom worked swing shifts and the week she worked days were the worst because the pup felt abandoned when Dad and Mom left for work, and I went off to school. It wasn't ideal but we had to keep her in the basement. She was just over 6 months old and one day she chewed all the rubber mats on the basement steps. The first 18 months were tough as she would sneak out. The boys in the neighborhood liked to play ball in the field not far from my home and she would retrieve the baseball mitts and bring them home. We kept them in a bin on our open side porch so if they were missing a glove they knew where to look. One day a police officer was at our front door with a Basset Hound and wondered if Lollipop got out again and we said she is right here where she belongs. She turned out to be a sweet dog after those terrible puppy years.
I'm on my fourth dogs, currently a German Shepherd and a mix, although my wife thinks he's a Black Mouth Cur. We rescued him when he was about 2. German Shepherds are great dogs- very smart, very trainable, very attached to family. She does bark a lot and very protective. Barking gets old sometimes.
Before these two a 100 plus lb yellow lab. Absolutely adore the labs. And a shepherd mix who was a 100 plus. Sweet and gentle as could be, scared of her own shadow though.
Just love dogs. Especially the big ones. They are high maintenance though and have to devote time to them. Cats are fine. Very allergic, could never own one.
We had a beagle once. Got her as a rescue when she was two so didn't have to deal with the puppy stuff. She was sweet and loyal as hell, but not terribly smart.
Our beagle Sasha was a kleptomaniac. She would take off with any tool I left unguarded and would go over to the neighboring property to steal things. Once she brought home a size 12 work boot and another time a large pair of a guy's red BVDs. We hoped he wasn't in them when she took them. If workmen were on our property, we warned them to not leave their van door open. There were other items that she brought home that we had no idea where she stole them from.
Intelligence in dogs is often measured strictly by human standards-doing what we want them to do, so breeds that resist training or are disobedient are judged to be dumb. Hounds like Beagles are excellent at scents/tracking.
I saw a video on TV about a Beagle in an airport-Belgium I think-where a Beagle was given the scent of a cellphone left behind on a plane. The woman who lost the phone was in another part of the airport somewhere, so the Beagle was perched upon a golf cart like vehicle, looking like a canine princess, and driven to the other terminal. She hopped off and made her way through the crowded terminal and found the woman in about 2 minutes.
Quote from: MuggsyB on March 28, 2025, 08:30:55 PMYour comments are extremely disturbing and have 0.0 veracity to them. You have to train them. Clearly the ones you know have a horrible owner.
So...his SIL's dog didn't eat the soap? The dogs didn't piss and crap at his house? You know this how?
At least he had the grace to acknowledge that his SIL's dogs may not be representative of the breed. You, on the other hand, insulted his family member. You really do need help, Muggsy.
Quote from: MU1in77 on March 28, 2025, 07:21:59 PMMy theory on pets: dogs yes, cats maybe and that's it.
Why would anyone want a pet snake, bird, rodent..?
My mom raised and sold parakeets. They were very popular during the '50s. We had a parakeet named Scrapper. We would let him fly free in the house but only when my mom was home. They like to admire their own reflection, so we had a mirror in his cage. The Formica counter tops in our kitchen had a reflective metal edge and he would spend some time admiring himself at the end of the counter. Our Cocker being the bird dog that she was on a number of occasions leaped up to get him, but he was always way to fast. It was like watching the Road Runner and Coyote in real time.
My Father-in-law was allergic to cats and dogs, so my wife's younger brother had an iguana as a pet. We had one of those Hamster tunnel runs for my son. His main responsibility was to make sure our Rottweiler, Betsy, wouldn't get him.
Definitely a dog person. While I was in grad school, I rescued my last dog, Lincoln...originally called Raven but I'm a Browns fan, so that had to change. He was a lab mixed with some kind of shepherd. He was a fantastic dog and moved with me from West Lafayette to Connecticut and then back to the midwest, in SE Wisconsin. He was the best companion to take on hikes and I'm convinced my friends liked him more than they liked me. He also was a huge Marquette fan, since his command to eat was "Go Marquette." I had to put him down March 26 2021; he stopped eating and was no longer able to move around, and haven't been able to bring myself to get another dog.
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Lotsa gerbil lovers here on Scoop aina
Quote from: MU1in77 on March 28, 2025, 07:21:59 PMMy theory on pets: dogs yes, cats maybe and that's it.
Why would anyone want a pet snake, bird, rodent..?
I had a leopard gecko from age 19 into my early 30s. I got him when I was home from college for a semester and needed something interesting and I had read a bunch about them randomly online. Ended up being a sneaky joy in my life. He lived with my parents for a few years when I went back to school but then came my last 2 years living in houses. Watching him battle and conquer big crickets and grasshoppers that found their way into our house/screened in porch became a nightly ritual with my roommates and I.
He was fantastic in my apartment days in Chicago and would sit in my sweatshirt pouch with his head poking out or on my shoulder for hours while I watched TV or played video games. Multiple people, including my wife, thought it was odd initially but quickly found him fascinating and funny. Obviously reptiles are emotionless and I wasn't under any impression that he was attached to me, but there was a trust and calm that was sweet. I was legitimately crushed when he passed away a few years ago. Long outlived most predicted lifespans, but he sort of became this constant through various phases and moves of my life. I would 1000% recommend them for kid's first pet. Calm, low maintenance, don't smell, durable, can be cared for minimally when you travel. My son will definitely have one when he gets a bit older if he wants.
I'm a dog person, but had cats growing up that were tons of fun. If you lavish them with an attention as a kitten and don't sort of give in to "its a cat" expectation, they can be super fun and engaging. All 3 we had NEED/NEEDED to be around the family, if not next to, then in close proximity.
I've wanted an Aussie Cattle Dog for quite awhile, its one of the first things we'll do when we eventually get a house. If I were to get another after, probably a Rhodesian.
And its not been mentioned yet, and you could argue its high maintenance art/hobby as opposed to a pet, but Ive long been obsessed with and heavily involved with aquariums. I'm 39 and since I first got a mini aquarium when I was 4, I think there have been 5-6 years total that I haven't had an aquarium of some sort, and that was solely due to strict landlords for a year in college and my second apartment in Chicago. Fresh water, salt water, 5 gallons up to 100 gallon tanks, Ive had it all. Its a fantastic and soothing hobby and has taught me so much.
My brother had standard poodles (great dogs) which we watched whenever the left town. We always told our boys that if they took care of the dogs, walk feed clean up, we would get a dog. This never happened so we basically went down the food chain - cat then hamster then fish. Our next pet would have been Sea Monkeys
Quote from: jutaw22mu on March 29, 2025, 08:03:58 PMDefinitely a dog person. While I was in grad school, I rescued my last dog, Lincoln...originally called Raven but I'm a Browns fan, so that had to change. He was a lab mixed with some kind of shepherd. He was a fantastic dog and moved with me from West Lafayette to Connecticut and then back to the midwest, in SE Wisconsin. He was the best companion to take on hikes and I'm convinced my friends liked him more than they liked me. He also was a huge Marquette fan, since his command to eat was "Go Marquette." I had to put him down March 26 2021; he stopped eating and was no longer able to move around, and haven't been able to bring myself to get another dog.
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I had to put down our Westie after 12 years, suffered from kidney failure. We put down our Golden, Jack, this past summer. His hind legs no longer supported him and he could not control his bowels. He was 16. It is an awful feeling you have when it comes to that even when you know it is the right thing to do. When our Black Lab wasn't doing so well, I kept putting it off and he died in our family room. I actually felt worse for letting him suffer. I would encourage you get another dog. The years of happiness should outweigh that one awful day we know will come. It is the price we pay for loving them and them loving us back. Our family can never replace Jack, but our two yellow labs Tucker and Ollie have made missing Jack a lot easier.
Quote from: Jay Bee on March 29, 2025, 08:26:10 PMLotsa gerbil lovers here on Scoop aina
Most of the dentists have been banned
Have a black lab/some sort of ratty terrier mix. (Was listed as a black lab/golden retriever mix but that was false advertising for sure.) Our second dog. Paid for boarding her when on vacation at 1 year old and they offered 10 days of training for an additional $500. I went for it and did the follow through when we returned. The money and time I spent on the follow up was well worth it. She's 11 years old now and I can walk her off leash outside and she will come when called (unless some uber distraction like a cat).
A useful piece of advice I got from the trainer was counter-intuitive but worked wonders. The dog got loose in the alley behind our house once and started running down the alley to the left. The advice was to NOT run after the dog but run in the other direction. I took off down the alley to the right. Dog saw me going in the other direction, slammed on the brakes, and came running after me. Never again would she be a runner.
Four of us were set to go this past BET. The day before we were leaving, our dog sitter had a family medical emergency and had to cancel. Too late to find another so one of us had to stay back. One of the burdens of dog ownership. Like MU82, this will probably be our last dog so we can get more travel in.
So, where's the Spaniel with a Short Tail? False advertising!
Thanks for promoting training. Not only the humans but also the dog will be much happier. Dogs like structure and clear rules, contrary to what too many humans believe.
I could walk our dogs off leash and they were happy, relaxed critters.
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on March 30, 2025, 12:07:14 PMHave a black lab/some sort of ratty terrier mix. (Was listed as a black lab/golden retriever mix but that was false advertising for sure.) Our second dog. Paid for boarding her when on vacation at 1 year old and they offered 10 days of training for an additional $500. I went for it and did the follow through when we returned. The money and time I spent on the follow up was well worth it. She's 11 years old now and I can walk her off leash outside and she will come when called (unless some uber distraction like a cat).
A useful piece of advice I got from the trainer was counter-intuitive but worked wonders. The dog got loose in the alley behind our house once and started running down the alley to the left. The advice was to NOT run after the dog but run in the other direction. I took off down the alley to the right. Dog saw me going in the other direction, slammed on the brakes, and came running after me. Never again would she be a runner.
Four of us were set to go this past BET. The day before we were leaving, our dog sitter had a family medical emergency and had to cancel. Too late to find another so one of us had to stay back. One of the burdens of dog ownership. Like MU82, this will probably be our last dog so we can get more travel in.
I had never heard that tip on going the other direction if a dog bolts. Will definitely try it if there's a next time.
My wife and I have already talked about possibly fostering if we feel like having a dog around again sometime. We have a few friends who do this and like it.
Quote from: MU82 on March 30, 2025, 04:53:22 PMI had never heard that tip on going the other direction if a dog bolts. Will definitely try it if there's a next time.
My wife and I have already talked about possibly fostering if we feel like having a dog around again sometime. We have a few friends who do this and like it.
Running the opposite direction works. Google if you want to learn reasons why.
Suggestion: Consider offering to take care of service dogs in training (at facilities) on weekends. They "work" during the week and love having new places to go and having fun with their "weekend" humans.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 30, 2025, 05:19:58 PMRunning the opposite direction works. Google if you want to learn reasons why.
Suggestion: Consider offering to take care of service dogs in training (at facilities) on weekends. They "work" during the week and love having new places to go and having fun with their "weekend" humans.
I like that idea. Thanks.
Quote from: MU82 on March 30, 2025, 04:53:22 PMI had never heard that tip on going the other direction if a dog bolts. Will definitely try it if there's a next time.
My wife and I have already talked about possibly fostering if we feel like having a dog around again sometime. We have a few friends who do this and like it.
We had a beagle when I was a kid and it used to get loose frequently. After many instances spending hours chasing the dog on foot and in the car, we found that getting its attention and running toward the house, usually meant we could get it back almost as soon as it escaped. The dog thinks it's a game once you start running, so if you run in the direction of where you want it to go (and not at it), it will chase you. You just need to make sure you are fast enough to get to the house before the dog does.
My husband and I were no pet people for years and then our kids finally wore us down :) . We have had a dog for 6.5 years now and I do enjoy it - only downside is it can make traveling harder and can make spur of the moment trips we used to do where we'd be gone all day harder.
I have a cat, the third one since my wife and I have been married (one at a time over 20 years). I would like to have a dog (My parents had labradors from the time I was in HS and that's the kind of dog I would want) but I don't think the schedules my wife and I have would be fair to one - FT working at our offices, we don't get home until 5 or later and we live in a condo with no yard. I'm not going to lock a dog in a cage throughout the day.
Quote from: reinko on March 28, 2025, 01:59:09 PMDog person, Charley, the bestest doggo.
Charley is a handsome beast
Dog person. We have a mutt that is part pit, part chow, and part wiener dog named Popeye. My wife and I rescued him when we're engaged. He's a pain in the rear but we love him. Only downside is the cost. Adding a few hundred for dogsitting on top of the cost of a vacation is a pain. But worth it
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on April 01, 2025, 08:47:10 AMDog person. We have a mutt that is part pit, part chow, and part wiener dog named Popeye. My wife and I rescued him when we're engaged. He's a pain in the rear but we love him. Only downside is the cost. Adding a few hundred for dogsitting on top of the cost of a vacation is a pain. But worth it
Hah! My choice of a Great Dane was just that-
my choice. In addition to the food expense, after a while I knew what to expect when paying for the prescriptions at the vet. Translated into 2025 dollars, I was once behind a woman in line who had a $28 bill for her little dog. My bill for my 160lb. pooch? $280. "Worth it" is spot on though.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on April 01, 2025, 09:17:23 AMHah! My choice of a Great Dane was just that-my choice. In addition to the food expense, after a while I knew what to expect when paying for the prescriptions at the vet. Translated into 2025 dollars, I was once behind a woman in line who had a $28 bill for her little dog. My bill for my 160lb. pooch? $280. "Worth it" is spot on though.
Our next-door neighbor had TWO Great Danes. Really nice dogs. They were friendly to humans and they loved playing with our Lab mix - even though she literally ran circles around them. But my wife and I talked about how freakin' expensive they must have been to keep!
Quote from: MU82 on April 01, 2025, 10:34:11 AMOur next-door neighbor had TWO Great Danes. Really nice dogs. They were friendly to humans and they loved playing with our Lab mix - even though she literally ran circles around them. But my wife and I talked about how freakin' expensive they must have been to keep!
One of my co-workers had a Great Dane. It was toilet trained and had photos to prove it.
Quote from: jutaw22mu on March 30, 2025, 07:49:40 PMWe had a beagle when I was a kid and it used to get loose frequently. After many instances spending hours chasing the dog on foot and in the car, we found that getting its attention and running toward the house, usually meant we could get it back almost as soon as it escaped. The dog thinks it's a game once you start running, so if you run in the direction of where you want it to go (and not at it), it will chase you. You just need to make sure you are fast enough to get to the house before the dog does.
When I was a very little kid, we had a beagle. One time it got out, and I managed to catch him by holding out the Tootsie Pop I happened to be eating and letting him follow it until we were both back inside the fence. I recalled this memory recently and calculated how old I was at the time, and if I do say so myself, that was pretty effin' smart for a 4-year-old.
Quote from: warriorchick on April 01, 2025, 11:40:02 AMWhen I was a very little kid, we had a beagle. One time it got out, and I managed to catch him by holding out the Tootsie Pop I happened to be eating and letting him follow it until we were both back inside the fence. I recalled this memory recently and calculated how old I was at the time, and if I do say so myself, that was pretty effin' smart for a 4-year-old.
A Tootsie Pop? Our two Goldens were the consummate water dogs. We could not keep them out of our pool during the summer. Labradors are also water loving dogs, but the two we have now we can't coax into the pool with a NY Strip steak and these guys love to eat. Go figure.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on April 01, 2025, 02:14:21 PMA Tootsie Pop? Our two Goldens were the consummate water dogs. We could not keep them out of our pool during the summer. Labradors are also water loving dogs, but the two we have now we can't coax into the pool with a NY Strip steak and these guys love to eat. Go figure.
Our yellow Lab mix hated the water. When we'd take him for a walk, if the grass was wet he'd stand with his feet on the sidewalk and lean his butt over the grass to do his business. It was pretty comical to see. (And yes, we always cleaned it up.) And we'd be like, "You're supposed to love the water, dammit!"
Dog, by a long shot.
Had a cocker spaniel that we adopted when our children were pre-teens. One of the harder things I ever had to do was to say goodbye to the dog after 15 years. He was a character. A pain in the ass but a lovable pain in the ass.
My wife and I are now like Chick and Glow. We're retired and travel too much to be fair to a dog. And, my daughter has a wonderful chocolate lab granddog.
Final thought: Why did God make cats?
A: Dog food.
I have a Newfoundland now and have had Newfies and Bernese in the past. I go by the anything under 40 pounds still a member of the cat Genus
@dgies9156 Damn, I couldn't think of a less funny joke if I tried.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on April 02, 2025, 01:32:24 PM@dgies9156 Damn, I couldn't think of a less funny joke if I tried.
Thanks Brother Hards. I'm sure if you work at it, you could do it!
As for a more interesting dog story, when I was a child, we had a mutt that rather looked like a cocker spaniel. Several months after we adopted her, it was Memorial Day. We lived in Nashville at the time, just past the northwest boundary of the National Cemetery. The dog was in heat and our instructions were never to let the dog outside.
Well, my brother didn't listen and our dog got out. Nashville's leash laws at the time were non-existent and, in short order, 15+ neighborhood dogs were looking for afternoon delight. All five of us along with 15 dogs headed for the cemetery and the Memorial Day ceremony headed by Tennessee's General in Charge of the National Guard. As he spoke of the troops who gave their lives, 15 very loud dogs, our dog and my brothers, sisters and I rolled through that part off the cemetery.
If looks could have killed, Brother Hards would not be moaning about my jokes.
The worst part was my Dad knew the general, so he called him the next morning to apologize. The general just laughed and said, "oh hell,we fought the war so more people could have moments like that. It made my day!"
I was one of seven kids and we always had a dog (two German Shepherds, consecutively) and several cats. Occasionally fish, gerbils, rabbits.
I am horribly allergic to animals of all kinds ("you're just one of seven kids, we can't deny everyone else just because of you"). I remember when I first got to MU being amazed at how much better I could breathe. At any rate, because of allergies never ended up with pets as an adult and feel sorry for my kid as a result, but from my childhood experience I'd take a dog over any other pet by a mile.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on April 02, 2025, 01:32:24 PM@dgies9156 Damn, I couldn't think of a less funny joke if I tried.
Back when he was funny, Steve Martin had a couple of hilarious bits about his cat - one about bathing it; the other about, well, use your imagination.
Quote from: dgies9156 on April 02, 2025, 01:52:12 PMThanks Brother Hards. I'm sure if you work at it, you could do it!
As for a more interesting dog story, when I was a child, we had a mutt that rather looked like a cocker spaniel. Several months after we adopted her, it was Memorial Day. We lived in Nashville at the time, just past the northwest boundary of the National Cemetery. The dog was in heat and our instructions were never to let the dog outside.
Well, my brother didn't listen and our dog got out. Nashville's leash laws at the time were non-existent and, in short order, 15+ neighborhood dogs were looking for afternoon delight. All five of us along with 15 dogs headed for the cemetery and the Memorial Day ceremony headed by Tennessee's General in Charge of the National Guard. As he spoke of the troops who gave their lives, 15 very loud dogs, our dog and my brothers, sisters and I rolled through that part off the cemetery.
If looks could have killed, Brother Hards would not be moaning about my jokes.
The worst part was my Dad knew the general, so he called him the next morning to apologize. The general just laughed and said, "oh hell,we fought the war so more people could have moments like that. It made my day!"
Doubt it, suggesting that someone's pet be food for another's is lacking in the humor department.
It'd be like me making a joke about your cocker spaniel being a good way to slow down a runaway semi. Crass, and unfunny.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on March 28, 2025, 12:48:05 PMBeagles are idiots. I would never want one.
I had a beagle/lab/pit mix. Smartest dog I've had by far.
Dgies' dog in in heat story reminded me of my Great Dane Tristan. Not all males know how to handle a hot girl right away, and he blew his big chance on his first opportunity. A woman was walking her dog off leash in a park as was I, and from a distance she shouted "Is your dog a male? Mine is a female in heat." Her dog ran to sexually ignorant Tristan and was very excited. I leashed Tristan and the woman leashed her dog while Tristan seemed to be thinking "What? What? I don't understand. What do you want?"
As we walked away, the woman spoke to her dog. "I know, I know. You really wanted him. He's tall, strong, and handsome."
Speaking of beagles, obviously these are isolated personal experiences, but still interesting. Every pure beagle I know has been noisy, somewhat annoying, and dense. However...
I lived near a beagle mix that was a fantastic charming little dog and my dad had a mutt that was majority beagle that was an amazing dog right up until his faculties gave way in his late teens.
Further, I knew two mini/pocket beagles when I lived in Chicago, including the dog of a longer term GF of mine. Normally I abhor designer mini dogs and they normally have a host of issues, but both of these dogs were incredible. Obedient, loving, quirky, and super smart. It was beyond strange. The GF beagle was basically a beagle that was Jack Russell sized. Quiet as can be, knew 10-15 commands, and save from some mild separation anxiety which was easily cured with a special toy, just a joy to be around.
Speaking of dogs, my parents just put down their 15-year old lab yesterday. It's definitely the end of an era and the last family dog. My dad was having a hard time with it when I spoke to him yesterday. I remember he made a comment to me about a year ago that he was worried he was going to lose the dog and then my mom (to a memory care facility when he can no longer care for her). Maybe this is why he was so upset.
Hopefully the latter doesn't happen any time soon.
Quote from: jutaw22mu on April 03, 2025, 01:14:30 PMSpeaking of dogs, my parents just put down their 15-year old lab yesterday. It's definitely the end of an era and the last family dog. My dad was having a hard time with it when I spoke to him yesterday. I remember he made a comment to me about a year ago that he was worried he was going to lose the dog and then my mom (to a memory care facility when he can no longer care for her). Maybe this is why he was so upset.
Hopefully the latter doesn't happen any time soon.
Do all you can to get your father and mother in home health care if they can afford it.
Quote from: BM1090 on April 02, 2025, 05:36:53 PMI had a beagle/lab/pit mix. Smartest dog I've had by far.
I have a beagle/lab mix and he's smarter than the purebred labs and golden retrievers I've owned.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 03, 2025, 01:24:43 PMI have a beagle/lab mix and he's smarter than the purebred labs and golden retrievers I've owned.
Every dog i'v had is smarter than the last one
OR
Maybe I'm just getting dumber
As a Haitian from Springfield, Ohio, I'm a big fan of dogs, cats and geese.
Quote from: PBRme on April 02, 2025, 01:31:44 PMI have a Newfoundland now and have had Newfies and Bernese in the past. I go by the anything under 40 pounds still a member of the cat Genus
My wife and I have the rule that if we ever get a dog, it has to be bigger than a cat (Our current cat is 17 pounds so the standard has been set at a higher bar now).
Her sister has a 5-pound Italian Greyhound. That's not a dog; it's a giant rat that shakes like it's had one too many double espressos. My wife's niece was over and playing with our last cat and said "I wish I had a pet I could do something with like your cat. My dog is boring."
I saw a Newfie when I was out last week and my cousins had a Bernese so I know they are excellent dogs.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on April 04, 2025, 02:37:14 PMMy wife and I have the rule that if we ever get a dog, it has to be bigger than a cat (Our current cat is 17 pounds so the standard has been set at a higher bar now).
Her sister has a 5-pound Italian Greyhound. That's not a dog; it's a giant rat that shakes like it's had one too many double espressos. My wife's niece was over and playing with our last cat and said "I wish I had a pet I could do something with like your cat. My dog is boring."
I saw a Newfie when I was out last week and my cousins had a Bernese so I know they are excellent dogs.
Your local SPCA shelter will probably confirm this, but I think big dogs often remain in a shelter quite a bit longer than smaller ones. Also, there are breed specific rescue organizations. Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League is one I am familiar with. Of course, I have made it plain that I love the breed, but
just to see how such an organization works, check out their website. It is quite impressive as well as very thorough. No doubt there are Newfie and Bernese orgs out there.
https://www.magdrl.org
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on April 04, 2025, 02:37:14 PMHer sister has a 5-pound Italian Greyhound. That's not a dog; it's a giant rat that shakes like it's had one too many double espressos. My wife's niece was over and playing with our last cat and said "I wish I had a pet I could do something with like your cat. My dog is boring."
That's kind of bizarre honestly. I can think of many reasons people might not care for them but I'd never think boring. My sister has an Iggy and its almost got too much personality. She will periodically stay with my parents in Florida for a few weeks if my sister has work travel or trips and she's the star of the dog walking/dog playing set of the neighborhood. Loves fetch, loves games, needs to meet and greet every human and dog, etc... My sister goes to a few Iggy meet ups in NYC and most of them are similar. I mean, they are sighthounds bred to hunt rabbits. They can absolutely JET, pretty funny to watch in an open field. They aren't some rat dog in the toy category that does nothing but sit. But I guess there are duds in every breed, YMMV.
The shaking thing is spot on though. Its an ongoing joke with her. "Oh Blu is shaking, what is it this time?" Cause it could be actual cold, or anxious, or need to go to the bathroom...but usually its cause she knows shaking makes people pay attention to her and she needs to be the center of attention.
My wife and I saw the movie The Friend last week, starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and Apollo, a 150 lb. Great Dane. Of course, being an aficionado of the breed was enough to make me want to see the movie even though I expected the movie would be a bit fluffy and with humor that would likely be silly at times.
The film was much deeper than I expected, delving into grief and the interrelationship between human and dog in experiencing their grief. I thought Apollo stole the show just by exhibiting his pure, simple grasp of life. Humans sometimes need therapists or psychiatrists to get through difficult times partly, I think, because they immensely complicate matters rather than focusing on the basics. And that is where dogs are great teachers.
Near the end, Iris (Watts) and Apollo are vacationing in a simple, no-frills waterfront cabin rather than NYC, which is where most of the movie takes place. I think that if Apollo could have communicated his thoughts of a place to stay at for a while, this would be it. It was the perfect final setting for the movie.
Edit: I think this is an important note to add, and I do not think it qualifies as a spoiler. The subject of suicide and the effect it has on the friends and family of the suicide is front and center. I would be remiss to not alert you, should you be dealing with the subject somehow. I thought it was handled exceptionally well, but....be aware.