RSVP Blog

Posted by: fitpod at October 24, 2009 7:22 PM

Thats a lovely post and I really related to it. Arnie my doggie was my best best friend and yes, he was there for me through everything. I always imagine him with little angel wings :-)

Blueyes, I am sorry to hear your bad news :-(

Posted by: onemoreoption37 at October 25, 2009 7:42 AM

Blueeyes and Fitpod, I feel for both of you. Some ppl dont realise the strong connection that people have with their dogs. I love mine to pieces. Remember the good times and be glad that you were able to say goodbye to your friends. xx

Posted by: willow29 at October 24, 2009 10:07 PM

My thought are with you Blueeyes. I too lost my dog recently from cancer. He was nearly 14 but he had such a great life. My dog was the only one there for me thru thick and thin and I'm so lucky he was in my life. Unfortuanately we always think we have time with our pets and even though my boy was diagonsed with cancer you still think you have time to do things. Thankfully he passed more or less peacefully. Life does feel empty withtout my boy but thru him I made many good friends and I know my dog is running aorund in doggie Heaven with his best mate Jesse.

Posted by: fitpod at October 24, 2009 7:22 PM

Hi Blueeyes,
That is so sad that you lost your sweet dog.
Hope you are managing ok?

Posted by: memoryofkisses at October 12, 2009 6:35 PM

The best dog I have ever owned died a few months ago, I rescued her from an abusive home over-run by cats,dogs, rat and every animal inbetween. I didn't know at that time that she would be the one rescuing me. She was instantly attached to why hip, waited by the door everytime I left and knew my routines, however she would always be weary and look afraid around my brother, whimpering.
We found out not long after he had cancer, she would come to me when I arrived home from hospital visits, just stare up at me, in my eyes. Lay beside me, lick my hand if I got teary. I never liked poodles or girly dogs until I met her, lol.
A year ago, I was feeling ill, stopped attending uni, Paris never left my side not even wanting to leave to go eat. My mother thought we were nuts!. In the end it was determined that I had a brain tumor, and the only friend to stick by me was a poodle x maltese named Paris, aged 15 in human years.
In the end, she was my companion through, deaths, births, illness's and hardtimes that back then a young lady starting out doesn't see much of. She developed dementia and couldn't recognise me, but when we put her done, the last moment.. she just looked into my eyes.

My best dog.. and a very long comment.

Posted by: blueeyesjussy89 at October 11, 2009 5:27 PM

I took my scruffy little dog to Paws in the Park today. He had such a good time - sniffing other dogs and being friendly. I dont think he has ever seen so many dogs out and about at the same time.

They had some events on, and had some dog team events where they run and jump over little hurdles and fetch a ball as a relay. The dogs get really excited and are having a lot of fun doing it.

Posted by: memoryofkisses at September 13, 2009 3:26 PM

i have 2 dogs, a kelpie x dingo and a pure dingo. i trust them both in character judgements 100 %. so much so that if my dogs dont like you, i wont give you much more than a sideways glance. my kelpie x has proven to me time and time again that she is a far better judge than i ever could be.

examples

i guy i never really got along with, we always clashed, i was beginning to hate him, but my dog loved him, she always ran up to him tail wagging and all, well one day i had a bad fall from a horse out bush, this bloke was the only one out of around 30 other people to stop and offer a hand, how right was she, he really is a good bloke.

a woman i dated for a while my kelpie hated, but i ignored my dogs attitude and continued to see this girl. 6 months into it, i found out she was 2 timing me with another bloke the entire time we were dating, she lived with me for 3 months befor i found out. i really should have listened to my dog.

my dingo is nervous with all new people at the best of times, but out of character for him, he really showed a certain liking to a girl i met at the local pub, she was the nicest person you could ever meet, i wish it could have worked out for us

Posted by: stets at September 3, 2009 2:20 AM

I have four dogs and they are my very theme of existence. My very criteria of my perfect partner is that he should adore and just love dogs, the way I do or more.
People might change- might leave you but the love I see in their eyes for me is ever lasting- the same as it was before and it will ever be. They will always be super excited to see you every single time you walk in through that door- does not matter if you are gone for a minute, an hour or for the whole day.
My weird pack consisting of
Mastiff- Bruno, The Black Lab- Pepper, Maltese Terrier mix- Snowey and Kelpie-Dingo mix- Cindy- my pack, my heart, my family- love you till death!

Posted by: flutteringfairy at August 6, 2009 2:51 PM

If a potential partner did not like my dogs that's it no contest..So many men and woman have affairs and could you imagine you much loved Dog just going to someone and leave happily without a second glance..
Does not happen.. we humans can learn so much from these wonderful animals who have been beside us through the ages and adapted with us as we evolved.

Its like they have been put here for a reason to love, protect and help us,they will never let us down.My two Clumber Spaniels Oscar and Maybelle, the gentle leader Shane my Golden.Retriever are incredible they just about talk and they get on like a house on fire.Of course they are house dogs and they are always with me I am never lonely how can I be.Choose a man over my dogs no way,but there is room for the right one and would be welcomed warmly by all.

Posted by: belana3 at August 2, 2009 12:49 PM

I've learned one thing over the years. If one or more of my animals takes a dislike to someone then I tread very carefully with how much to trust them. They have never been wrong yet.

Posted by: unykorn at July 28, 2009 9:16 PM

My dog "Sam"(Scotch Collie) ( now in dog heaven ) nudged me to wake up in the middle of the night to tell me it was 'time' as I went into labour with my last two preganacies. He was right; it was time to get up and moving. He knew!
Another dog 'Mitzi" (spaniel)(gone too) and my dog now 'Rupert' (English Springer Spaniel) always come/came to comfort and protect me when I am/was upset. I don't need to say things to Rupert, he just knows whats about to happen sometimes. His ears rise, he stands to 'attention' looks at me intensely with his head cocked to one side, and just knows whats going on, and he's right. Our cats too. They just seem to know things. Animals are so great!

Posted by: paradisedream at June 12, 2009 8:21 PM

Oh gosh SM, you will have everyone crying in a minute and the soft paw on the face bit, oh , where are the tissues. My daughter has a 'rescue' cat who truly did need rescuing when he was a kitten and was in a pretty bad way. She felt so sorry for him and carried him around everywhere with her for about 6 weeks whilst he was regaining some strenth. Every night he would cuddle up next to her and put his head on the pillow. He was so tiny and he was safe there as she worried about squashing him in the night. Now he is huge and so long and gangly and the most gentle animal ever. He still climbs in bed with her and puts his head on the pillow and every night he puts his face on the side of her face before he goes to sleep. He's a lovely big gentle animals. Now my little cat, well that's a different story, she would rather bash up the dog now and then and hang off a cupboard and hook her when she walks by and doesn't have a sentimental bone in her body but she is great fun, totally fearless and loves everyone, friends, strangers, the mail man, kids walking up the street, anyone, she's out there bouncing around and showing off.

Posted by: iaminperth at May 27, 2009 7:45 PM

Yes Willow..I believe dogs and cats do really know and he (my cat) was just so tender at that precise moment..smiles

Posted by: sweetmixture at May 27, 2009 7:10 PM

Awww that's so lovely Sweetmixture. They really do know, don't they?

Posted by: willow29 at May 27, 2009 3:55 PM

I know this is blog is about dogs but I had an experience the other day with my cat and could not see a "Cat Blog" so am writing it in here if I may.

A program I was watching on television about a young woman with "Myeloid Leukaemia" left me in tears as I was watching it, due to very vivid memories returning of my husband who had succombed to Leukaemia. My cat who was lying beside me, looked up at me, then promptly parked himself in my lap facing me, put his paw up and gently touched my face as if to say "Dont cry, everything will be ok" with a soft miaowing sound to accompany the action. I lifted him up and cuddled him as he seemed so close to me right then and there. I felt certainly that he knew I was upset and wanted to attach himself to me emotionally in a loving way (smiles)

Posted by: sweetmixture at May 21, 2009 9:45 PM

My big puppy baby girl has lived with us since she was very small. She is so friendly active and welcoming. I met one guy once and sat down on a bench near to the ocean and she climbed in between us, obviously worried. I have never seen that before and laughed at the time and made a joke of it, but I knew there was something wrong. The next day I had to drive a family member miles for a competition and I had mentioned it the day previously. You guessed it, who was there, checking up. I never saw the guy again, didn't like him at all and he was off the site very quickly. I think my big companion puppy picked it straight away and yes, I think dogs are the best judge of character ever. Cats now so good, as anyone who loves them is fair game but I have one and she is beautiful.

Posted by: iaminperth at April 28, 2009 9:48 PM

Yeah dogs are a good judge of character as they are not influence by looks, money, they dont care if you are a millionaire or living on the street. They can detect cancer or the onset of a stroke. So it is very possible that they can also detect a person of false character.

Oh by the way dont dish cats they know more than you think.

Posted by: markoszoli at April 28, 2009 8:02 PM

You can always tell a personality by the hat .
I don't trust the gaucho hats; the ones with the widish brim which curve from front to back and give the appearance of an elongated plate. They seem to come in all materials, but the least attractive are the ones which look like they are made of mesh. They are usually worn with a piece of string tied under the jaw.
Minnie and I were walking along the beach mid morning. As always, Minnie went to say hello to everyone. She wandered up to an older couple sitting on the sand, wagging her tail. She usually gets a greeting, but this couple were strangely cold. I don't know how anyone can react indifferently to Minnie, let alone coldly. The man was wearing the infamous hat. The woman, favouring her long grey hair in plaits and dressed in the remnants of her hippy wardrobe from the sixties and an ensemble on her head which looked like it had been used to mop up cat's piddle , spat out some comment about dogs. I thought I misheard her, so I said nothing. Her husband barked out an order to get my dog off the beach. I looked at them incredulously. Our beach is dog heaven. The place is normally covered in dogs when school holidays are on. Outside of school holidays the beach is deserted except for the permanent population of about ten people or so, all of whom have dogs, and all of which quadrupeds have the freedom of the beach.
Another younger man, who I deduced was the son of this person with the scowling physiognomy and his plaited partner with wrinkles the size of gullies , added helpfully that there was a sign somewhere that said that dogs were banned from the beach. The old farts growled at me in unison that the dog should not be there and that I should remove it immediately. I said that the dog lived here and I was about to say that she had wandered up and down this beach for ten years, along with every other canine in the area , when the harridan erupted with an invective that included some threat to report me to the authorities so that my dog would be impounded. I must have shaken my head in disbelief, because she picked herself up and strode across the beach, apparently to call the ranger to come and destroy my rabid dog.
Minnie and I wandered back from whence we had come, me shocked by the violence of the encounter but Minnie feeling very pleased with herself.
I considered the practice of bum sniffing. If humans were dogs would we have to sniff every bum we saw? Imagine, if you will , me as a dog. Presumably my arrival within the territory of the two rottweilers, because that is exactly what they were, would have been greeted by the same ferocious barking which came out as words in the human realm. Now, I think of myself as a cross between a border collie and a standard poodle, the reasons for which I'm happy to divulge at a later time. The rottweilers would not have attacked me immediately. They would have seen that I wasn't a miniature anything which they could bully. We would have circled each other attempting whatever olfactory exchange defines an acquaintance. I would not have spent too long with my nose in the region of the female's sphincter. I suspect it would have had that dried out mephitic quality which results from too many and frequent enemas. His date would have been similarly desiccated from vast periods of tight squeezing. They, however, would have insisted on nosing about in my nether regions puzzled by a sense that perhaps I smelt of freedom. I would have walked off, untroubled by the tension they seemed to suffer. That is exactly what Minnie did.
But I'm a human, and so I continue to suffer the indignity of the exchange.
Oh to be a dog!

Posted by: courbet at April 23, 2009 10:09 PM

I agree with you "d-a-g: Why and how "humans"( and I use the term advisedly) can ill -treat animals is beyond me '
But then the way some (people) abuse their own offspring..............!!
unfortunately my cats outlived my dogs,and the cats are too old to adapt to having a new dog in the household

Posted by: kurli at April 23, 2009 2:50 PM

I can definitely atest to this. I work with protection and detection trained dogs everyday for a living, and I've learnt very quickly always, no mater what trust your dogs instincts. I've had many so called friends over the years that my dog won't let near me, do the wrong thing by me.
It's the same with storms too, as they can often sense one coming quite some distance away. Their olfactory senses are truely amazing.
I have many work tales, but one that stands out in my mind was working in a busy, crowded street one day, when suddenly my partner is pulling me through the crowd like a sled dog to a fast food shop. Sure enough, there was a male about to enter. In his pocket was a large hunting knife, and underneath his shirt at the rear was a balaclava.
Quite often too, dogs dislike the scent of alcohol and/or smoke and get to know their scent usually means trouble.
I've manager to come home from work in one piece on many occassions due to my partners nose.
It saddens me to think though, there are still people out there that can actually harm a dog and treat them poorly, yet their abilities are amazing and endless.

Posted by: decentandgenuine at April 23, 2009 11:53 AM

remember that dogs have master but cats have servants

Posted by: unknownauthor at April 21, 2009 3:21 PM

Wouldn't it be nice if people were as nice as dogs, non judgemental, loving, don't care what you look like, easy going, friendly, warm and above all totally faithful.

Posted by: iaminperth at April 15, 2009 10:43 AM

We used to own a gorgeous border collie aptly name, by my children, "Spot". He underwent a name change at 6 months of age after he had a hind leg amputated as a consequence of running under the moving wheel of a tractor. At that time my children decided to rename him "Tripod". Tripod went on to enjoy 15 years of a great life but he always drew a wide berth around the tractor.

Next came Pearl, the german shepherd...now what a great girl she was. Friendly with everyone...particularly the golden retriever who resided next door and well, um, they had an affair that produced 8 beautiful pups. 80% of the pups looked like shepherds and the other couple were golden coloured. However, there was one who very closely resembled the Jack Russell who resided around the corner (always had my suspicions). I found perfect homes for all of the pups except for the german shepherd sized pup with Jack Russell markings that I decided to welcome into my family...her name was Polly and she was the best dog I ever owned...friendly with most people.

Now, Tiger, our tortoiseshell cat was extremely passive/aggresive...she would smooch up to non family members and when she had their affection she would suddenly hiss and scratch at them before scurrying to the top of the highest cupboard to resume her queen bee position.

PS. Pearl was spayed after her first and only litter.

Posted by: bellibone at April 11, 2009 10:51 AM

Yes, dogs just love and please their owners because we are taking them out of their natural surroundings. I have a german shepherd, my fifth so she loves me as her owner and she rounds us all up and protects us because we are her sheep. She has a very strong protective instinct and lays in wait for any predators whilst I am asleep and when our family is all together she rounds us all up to keep us safe so she can watch over us. She is caring, loving, protecting and great fun. She likes also people who we accept into the flock and plays around with them. But she doesn't love them or protect them as they are visiting her flock and her attention is always on us. She is an integral part of our family and we respect her as much as she respects us. Our dog is never angry and rarely barks unless it is a welcome as she is safe and secure in the knowledge that she is doing her job so she is in her comfort zone. Just like us, when we are safe and happy in our comfort zone we don't complain either.

Posted by: iaminperth at April 10, 2009 9:29 PM

Posted by: notafigjam at April 9, 2009 8:05 PM

Hahahahaha...too true. I love that saying, now I could be wrong in it, am remembering as best I can:

Cats think because look after them etc that they are gods.

Dogs think because you look after them etc that you are are a god.

Probably the same with men.....thats all the answers, men are cats :-)

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 10, 2009 9:46 AM

Hi All

Dogs are the best...they love you unconditionally.

You know, I look at the profiles and speak to plenty of single women and their issues with men are "they are lazy, demanding, winge and whine, want you to cook for them, chase after them and think that you should be their mother"......then you find out they own a cat...the animal kingdoms answer to that man!!

Posted by: notafigjam at April 9, 2009 8:05 PM

Posted by: istj54 at April 9, 2009 4:04 PM

Yeh that darn American Pie movie has so much to answer for :-) I feel very errmmm.......unclean when these young bucks come a knocking....especially when you know they think you would be grateful (when in fact I find it absolutely unsexy).

Brilliant, so good to hear you didn't humilate him in front of the youngsters, poor fella would have been mortified to lose face :-)

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 9, 2009 4:47 PM

I even get the very young ones wanting to IM...so much so that I had to say to my son one day that I hoped he wasn't sitting there with me chatting up old ladies online...what are they thinking...yeah, I know, sex.

My dog recently peed twice in my daughter's bedroom...cocking a leg...which he doesn't normally do...just 'cos two new puppies came to visit and dared to romp in there for a look...and I couldn't even scold him as he would have been humiliated in front of the newbies. All that washing:)

Posted by: istj54 at April 9, 2009 4:04 PM

Posted by: bellibone at April 9, 2009 11:26 AM

Yeh I am getting the 21 year olds doing the same.......makes me ick out to feel like some guys fetish score for sure.

I have a large chest and I run a mile from any guy who says he loves curves too...anything that strikes fetish makes me want to hurl.

Indeed, each to their own, I dont see any good reason to go for an older guy, I dont need money, I am not insecure about my friends stealing men my own age that I need to go for someone they wouldnt be intersted in, I am happy, confident and attractive and so I want the same in a man, my equal......I feel no need to start trading, as I really dont feel like any of my baskets are empty where I need to start trading my age and looks for someones something else.

Just my opinion, but relationships are about equality, whether it be trading one persons empty (or ish) baskets for someone elses fuller ones, but I am pretty happy my baskets are all quite full, so dont feel I have to trade.

I know some people get upset when I say that, but its my opinion and that of many many psychologists and experts. Pretty people who have intellect, heart, emotional happiness, mental stability, financially healthy etc etc and all are full baskets...dont go for less attractive traditionally, less intelligent, older, less mentally stable etc etc people.

Oh and on the shower front...........I think he knew it was time to go.........I mean when a man feels he has to square up to a doggie, think he has some issues there :-)

Posted by: lafileuse at April 9, 2009 10:26 AM

I know what you mean there, there have been a couple of men who showed the right level of calm and respect that Arnie actually rather liked them and enjoyed having them around.

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 9, 2009 12:42 PM

Thank you kungfu for leaving the older blokes for us older girls!

And about the way you choose to flick their interest in your profile I believe is your business and is of no business of mine...to each his/her own. I have no doubt that when your business becomes my business, you would let me know.

Some time ago, I received an email from a nice young man who was 31yo who presented as a great catch. I responded politely and reminded him I already have a lovely natured, kind, tall, caring and gorgeous 30yo chick magnet in my life who happens to adore me (my son) and I have zero, zilch and zippo desire to hook up with a younger bloke.

I also suggested he should be chasing younger women of similar ages to my two lovely daughters and not wasting his emails on an older gal like me. He responded by saying he was only interested in older women.

Once again, to each his/her own I guess.

Posted by: bellibone at April 9, 2009 11:26 AM

Hey kungfu...did he take a shower prior to retreating, tail between legs?

Posted by: bellibone at April 9, 2009 10:56 AM

OK ... but pretending to eat their food first *is* a good dominance gesture, right? :-D

I have to say, the one fellow I was really impressed with, really impressed Dante, too. Dante is very happy to see anyone I actually let in the door ... it takes him a while to calm down and then after a brief time he remembers there is a new person in the house and gets all friendly again. This man just had to talk to him quietly, and he acted like he'd known him forever. He's never behaved like that before or since when meeting someone new.

Posted by: lafileuse at April 9, 2009 10:26 AM

Needless to say Perth.......I did actually ask him to leave and he did and was never seen again :-)

Absolutely he was letting the guy know he was third, which he was. That was Arnie's home and until a guy gets that close that he is invited into our pack, he will remain third too.

Yes we have all made bad people judgements in our lives and yes, he was definitely one of them. It was just sheer rudeness in someone elses home for starters, its like me going in and sending peoples kids to bed. Not to mention peeing on my dog!!!!

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 9, 2009 9:58 AM

A guy peed on your dog and you are trying to figure it out! Whatthe!!! I think you should be a lot more careful with your choice of guys as that one was a complete nut. I'm guessing Arnie was not desexed so he peed on the guy to show he was second on the list and the guy was third. Sort of males marking territory in the doggie world. I think human beings are supposed to be of a little higher reasoning power though so we might deduce from that, that your guy was a complete idiot and you should put your glasses on when choosing the next guy. Personally I would have called the dog into the house, locked the guy out on the front lawn and gone back to bed and fallen asleep.

Posted by: iaminperth at April 9, 2009 9:36 AM

Posted by: lafileuse at April 9, 2009 7:33 AM

Okay, firstly, let me say........Arnie did come above any man I ever dated.........he was my best friend and family and yes, as Arnie didnt like this guy and he did that to my boy......I never saw him again.

No man comes into my home and talks disrespectfully to my dog, ever........well not more than once.

I am the pack leader and only me..............and they do that out of respect for me, not out of forced hands.

More than happy to say, he went because of how he behaved toward MY dog.....not his own, mine.

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 9, 2009 9:11 AM

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 8, 2009 6:35 PM

I don't know much about dog psychology, but a friend who does gave me some pointers about how to make sure I was the alpha in the house ... necessary as Dante is a large dog.

You don't say if that incident was the reason you didn't see that fellow again, but it sounds to me that whether or not he intended it that way, what he did is just the sort of thing he should do if he wanted to be in your life and not be lower than your dog in status. Arnie may not have sensed something 'off' about this person ... he may have just been seeing off anyone likely to get close to you.

Or am I totally off base, dog-psychology-wise, people?

Posted by: lafileuse at April 9, 2009 7:33 AM

LOL, good on Arnie! Id get lab tests of a potential partner too (or retriever or border collie).

Posted by: willow29 at April 8, 2009 6:58 PM

I had a golden retriever called Arnie who was my very best friend and my family, when I lived in London. I started getting close to a guy I really liked, so he came to stay overnight for the first time.

I heard bit of a scuffle downstairs, only to find my new man peeing on Arnie in the yard. I asked what he thought he was doing and he told me. Apparently he had gone downstairs to get a drink, had his head in the fridge looking around to see what was in there and Arnie, who was the most well behaved dog in the world, had gone over to him and cocked his leg and peed on this guy (Arnie had never gone in the house, let alone done this, even as a Pup he was perfect in that respect). So he basically did the same back to him.

I never saw the guy again, but then always ran guys past Arnie from then on, before deciding if I wanted to take things further :-)

Posted by: kungfumanda at April 8, 2009 6:35 PM