Off-Topic Man Bites Dog...

Why's that? Maybe you've never thought of the issue in quite this way. Try this for a thought experiment: When you have a new baby in the house, do many of your behaviors and routines get adjusted?

"JoeSpareBedroom" ...

But why do we have children? (those of us who do so voluntarily, anyway). I became a parent to bring that experience into my life. I wanted it, and was lucky enough to be blessed with parenthood. Deciding to get a pet should be about the same. Just as with a child, you should make sure you're able to properly care for this being, who will depend on you to a great degree.

All I'm saying is that if you don't care for dogs, (or kids) fine, don't include them in your own life. But to not want them to exist seems a bit pathological to me.

Natalie

Would I be correct in saying that you found the use of the word "train" to be odd, in my earlier comment? Dogs training their humans?

"JoeSpareBedroom" ...

I took at is tongue-in-cheek. You call it training, I call it adaptation, just as you have to do with any changes in your life.

For the record, I'm more of a cat fan, but I don't even wanna know what you think of *them*

Natalie

Oooh! Ask me! Ask me!

I love cats. The only reason I don't have one right now is I'm not sure how the cat would deal with the noise levels from band practice.

My point about dogs is illustrated by an example. Even the stupidest person, like dbu, would never roll their trash can to a neighbor's lawn and dump it. But, people think nothing of letting their dog take a crap on someone's lawn. I had some slob stop their dog right by a flower bed to take a leak, right on the friggin' flowers! I politely (but loudly) asked her to never do that there again. She asked me why.

Excuse me? Why? What kind of a question is that?

I could run with this one, but I'll refrain.

A question from a brain-dead moron. Was she wearing a Hillary for President hat?

Seriously, as a RESPONSIBLE dog owner, it's difficult to picture someone like this. I suppose they're common, but not 'round these parts.

"JoeSpareBedroom" ...

That really surprises me. You seemed to have an aversion to affection. Glad that's not true.

But again, you're projecting the idiocy of the owner onto the dog. I don't think that's fair.

Natalie

They're very common here. Another neighbor's dog is constantly running loose. The neighbor is deaf, and she once told me (and then the dog catcher) that this was somehow a reason why the dog roamed off her property. (He and I can't figure that one out). She's got a nice fenced in back yard, but says the dog gets out because the gate's often opened. So???

She once denied that the dog got out, but fortunately (for me and the dog catcher), I found the dog's collar & ID tag on my lawn, 30' in from the street. She still denied it was happening.

Ridiculous. She's just too damned lazy to own a dog.

The owner is walking the dog because she's been trained to. It's "expected", as far as many dog owners are concerned. She doesn't want the mess on her property. The dog is as guilty as the owner. It has living requirements that are not compatible with most neighborhoods. Now, you may say a dog owner could fence in a part of the yard for the dog. Result: A part of the yard becomes disgusting, and don't tell me "no". I've heard the complaints from people who hated their yards after a year with a dog.

Be specific. What don't you agree with in the paragraph above, beginning with "the owner"?

"JoeSpareBedroom" ...

"JoeSpareBedroom"

You've just made my point about idjit owners. You can put up a sign that says, "No loitering or dog-walking on this property. Violators will be prosecuted for trespassing."

Natalie

"JoeSpareBedroom"...

You seem to have some misanthropic traits. You already know I think you're spiritually empty, so there's no reason for us to rehash that - neither of us will be swayed to the other view, so we won't go there.

But then when you seemed to reject even the affection of an animal, despite the inconveniences, I was concerned. Glad to know cats meet your approval, at least.

:-)

Natalie

Even if dogs behaved like cats, they still smell nasty. You probably don't notice it, though.

"JoeSpareBedroom"...

Yes I do! That's why I never had one after becoming an adult. Cats are much less smelly, if you use the right litter.

Natalie

Back to the word "training", you might enjoy a book called "The Botany of Desire". The author suggests a novel idea: We think that by hybridizing plants, we're in control. But, who's zoomin' who?

"JoeSpareBedroom" ...

What a strange topic for a book!

Natalie

The guy's brilliant.