Chat With Reyn

It looks very interesting. Any idea as to what it's all about? My Dutch history is terrible.

Correction:

That should be wouldn't.....

I am going to look at a 1994 Ford Aerostar for my wife's gardening and mother touting efforts.

My wife also says that she would accept a Bouvier des Flandres instead of a Chow but it also seems to be a rather hard to come by expensive breed.

Are you married and do you understand marital dynamics as it relates to cars and dogs?

I like Bouviers as much as I like Chows. All the ones I've come into contact with are aggressive SOBs.


Since you haven't read the first few pages of this thread, I'll recap:

I'm 54, recently retired; married 26 years; with 2 daughters, aged 25 and 24.

I hate dogs (for the most part), love cats (have 2). So, I can't honestly relate to the dog /family thing.

As for cars, we've only ever had small cars, so I can't really relate to a vehicle sized as the one you're contemplating in purchasing.

Next question....

Next question - -
Why don't you just apologize to dys and get it behind you?

Ohoh, what did I do to offend the big guy now?

I know, I know, I haven't officially changed my name to 'Rain' yet, right?

It couldn't be that he doesn't like me, because he's already said that we're a "clique of 2". So, I'm not worried about that.

Next question.....

I kinda like rain but I also think he's kinda weird.

You cannot edit a post that has already been responded to.

Next question........

Well, I don't want to hurt your feelings there, Dys, but you're kinda "out there", too......but in a good way. :wink:

reyn : we didn't much care for dogs, even though both mrs h and i sort of grew up with dogs on a part-time basis. a few years ago ebeth got a dog from animal rescue (master bailey - a kind of spitz) and a year later she rescued miss cleopatra (a kind of king charles mix).
looking back it's hard to believe that we didn't care for dogs - usually a bit afraid of them. not only do bailey and cleo "love us " and like to stay with us - allowed to sleep in bed with us - they actually allow us to sleep with them, how generous of them !!!
other dogs have become rather friendly to us and come up to us to be petted, and the neighbour's big dog comes over to receive her treats. in exchange she barks at anyone who enters on our property ! how those two little dogs have changed our attitude towards dogs - we actually miss them ! hbg

H, my attitude from dogs comes mainly from my past job as a meter reader.

My 18 years of contact with them via that job has given me a very negative attitude /opinion of the animal. That's not to say that there were not any positive moments, but I would definitely have to say that it was not a fulfilling part of my job.

I don't blame the dogs, of course, but the stupid irresponsible owners who don't give a damn as to what their pet is up to.

I met a few absolutely wonderful dogs who were very well-behaved and affectionate. I have a lot of respect for those who make the effort to train their dogs not to bark at anything that moves, not to jump up on someone to say hello, not to bite if there is no reason to, etc.

In general, Vivienne and I are "cat people", but perhaps under different circumstances, a small dog who have been alright, too.

My wife had a very bad experience with a dog as a child. She was bitten near one of her eyes, leaving a scar on an eyelid. Fortunately, her vision wasn't affected long-term.

A friend of mine got a job that took him into the yards of some well-to-do folks. It would have been an easy one, except, they let their dogs run free, knowing he was scheduled to appear. After a boxer bit his hand and a great dane chewed on his ankle, he found himself a new job.

I have always had dogs. They are a part of the family, even the present one, Punky. You ought to see my 80 pound pal sit on my lap many evenings.

Why in the heck would someone let their dog loose in the yard with a worker there, knowing that the animals had aggressive tendencies?

That's just plain ignorant. I betting the guy would have had a good case to sue.

It was part of the job to get chewed on, according to him. He was servicing the self contained sewage treatment systems. These things recycle the doody and sprinkle it on the lawn.

Huh? He was paid to be chewed /bitten by the owner's dogs? This gets worse!

Who would go for a job like that? Did he sign a waiver, or something?

He was expected to enter the yards, dogs or no, the way he described it. I wuld have worn padding, carried mace and a bat.

Reyn, I was a confirmed cat person (hated dogs) until a year ago when my husband and son talked me into getting a dog. I remembered what our dear Cav had said here on A2K about his dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and looked up some information about them.

I am now a convert. These little dogs are gentle, non-aggressive, soft, quiet and regard every new person as a long-lost friend. They are easily trained and require no special grooming or regular exercising. And they are beautiful.

Here's a photo of one that looks like our Liam.



As much as I love my two cats (and I do!), I have to admit that this little fluffball has grown on me. He is, truthfully, much better company than my cats.

Through all of this, I have come to believe that it's just a matter of finding the right dog.

Eva. That is a precious dog.

There's nothing like enthusiastic unconditional love, is there?

(The cats just never are able to pull off enthusiastic....or unconditional, now that I think about it!) LOL!!