Topic : 06/22 Settle This!

you are not controling... he had the children too.. and it is his responsibility to be there too ya he was a fireman when you meet.. but you didn't have children when you meet either so what is his point of that remark.. he can make kids and not share the responsibilty of raising them with you.. if you want to do it alone you would be alone...he need to be there for you too.. you need a break from doing everything with them to

I have to say "that would be the day a DOG came between my husband and I", and we have TWO of them.  But there are people in this world who use their companion animals as just that, their soul companions, and treat them BETTER than most of us treat our kids.  If they only understood exactly what they were doing to the dog.

Dogs are pack animals okay we all know that, but what most people don't understand is that the dogs look to us for LEADERSHIP, not equality.  In any dog pack there are alpha male and female, now that they are domesticated that becomes US, and they NEED to know that.

Spoiled dogs ( and the dog people can go on all they want) are ANNOYING.  Any dog trainer or breeder understands that, how many champion show dogs do you see jumping all over people trying to lick them, how many of the agility dogs do you see sitting there because they don't FEELlike doing it ( okay some have, I remember one border collie who stopped dead in the tunnel and decided to take a nap ).  There is NOTHING worse than going into someone's home and having Fido jumping all over me, mine are trained not to, also NO LICKING the face, if it can lick its butt, I don't want it licking my face, EWWWW.  Oh yeah, and as for their mouths being cleaner than ours, MYTH, Google it.

Spoiled dogs are looking for leadership, they tend to be nippy out of not knowing how to react to people or other dogs from a lack of socialization, lack of training makes a dog tense and nervous ( oh yeah, the reason you shouldn't let a dog sleep with you, the Alpha sleeps in their own space in any dog pack).  Dogs are NOT human and they are NOT children, we need to get over that, they need structure and dicipline , but most of all they need to know who Alpha is to become well adjusted dogs that are a PLEASURE to be around, even for the non-dog people.

Keep in mind some people are allergic, and some don't want your precious pooch all over them, and there are people who are absolutly PHOBIC of dogs, and your spoiled hyped up whatever, could mean years of therapy.

You are LIABLE if your pampered pet bites someone out of nervousness or just getting away with it with you, oh yeah and peeing and defecating all over the house is not only DISGUSTING, but a great way to spread intestinal parasites to your family, not to mention bacteria that can make you ill, HOUSEBREAKING will NOT kill or traumitize the dog.

But I wonder what the problem is when we forget about the human members of our families for the four legged ones? Don't get me wrong I LOVE my dogs ( and five cats, husband and two kids, I have a zoo), but if the house were burning, the animals are on their own until I am sure my kids are out.

Treat your dogs like dogs, they are NOT human, they will be much happier for it.

I too work for my local School Board and I can say my daughter is NOT dressed like many of her peers ( and before you say well she can change at school, sure she could, but the humiliation of mom marching her back to change again would be too much, I'm there every day ).

So I wonder who has control of the cash and credit cards in those homes ?  Really, why would you ALLOW your child to go out looking like a hooker for the sake of "fashion", do you want her to attract the guys like Toms in heat ?  Do you want her to think that all she is is a "BODY" to be ogled, and that its better to be pretty and sexy than smart ?

It's really sad that this is what its come to, young girls thinking they need to run around half naked at ELEVEN, high heels and makeup at the same age instead of just being kids they are being sexualized as CHILDREN, and yet we wring our hands helplessly and wonder why teen pregnancy and promiscuity are up.

After reading all the complaints from the spouse of an animal lover...  NO WONDER YOUR SPOUSE IS HUGGING THE DOG!  Man could learn quite a bit about being human by watching the dog.  My dogs are my protectors, they can sense someone that is "mean" in character their barking stops when the person leaves.  They can sense an animal lover and shower he/her with kisses.  They will never disappoint me, always are at the door when I return home or come in from the yard. They don't ask me to be someone I'm not. They accept just as I am and allow me

to live as I choose.They don't gossip about everyone, they don't lie, cheat, and are not unscrupulous.  My dogs have never criticized me, told me I was gaining weight, they have always been flattering passing me compliments with the hugs and kisses.  I make them "happy", they have never been unfaithful to me, they never indulged in alcohol,  drugs nor smoked.  They love being with me .. as I love being with them.  My dogs have never put me on a guilt trip, nor made me feel inferior, have never bullied me, have never been over bearing, or sexist.  My dogs look to me for their leadership.  They accept me as their "leader" of their pack. They love me unconditionally and I love them for all the freedom they give me.

My sister never understood that my dogs could tell she and especially her man friend didn't like any thing on four legs.  It took over a year for my dogs to accept her into my home .. her friend that never happened.  So can you imagine how much they see of me. The way my sister has treated me over the last 6 years or better .. I'd say my dogs are a good judge of character.

So for those that are gripping about a spouse that "you" think gives a dog too much attention. Maybe you could take some lessons from that dog! Look at all the love your spouse is getting with no complaints from the dog.  Start with accepting your spouse as they are not as you want them. That dog isn't asking them to change anything.  To start with quit the complaining..  "Can't we all just get along?"  Wow!

Carla, hang on to your dog!  Your other half needs to get over his obvious childish jealousy and admit he is not a dog person.  You on the other hand need to realize not everyone considers the family pet as a family member.  There is and can be a happy medium found if both of you are willing.

I found out long ago, I much prefer the company of my dogs to the company of most people I know and have met.   They are always glad to see me, they don't complain, nag or bitch about things, they are not judgmental and don't argue.  It does not matter to them where they are going as long as they are going with me.  My friends know how I feel and accept this as who I am.  Most family members know and understand or at least accept,  but the ones that don't and have made remarks, well, I no longer have any contact with them nor to I intend to.  I am divorced and date seldom and this is personal preference for me.  I would not consider even dating someone that had even the smallest qualm about my dogs. 

I do realize some people see dogs as 'just a pet' not a member of the family and don't have a problem with them being this way as long as the family pet is taken care of and not mistreated in any way.  What I do have a problem with is someone that sees pets as a disposable commodity and mistreats the pet, someone that wants to breed a dog 'just so the kids can see pups being born', that is not a reason to breed dogs.   If you are not a breeder then spay or neuter your animal. 

I am the grandmother of a soon to be 15 year old and her Mom lets her dress any way she wants.  I think some mothers want to be their daughters friend instead of the parent.  The high schools and middle schools should have a dress code and the students should be made to follow it.  My granddaughter goes to Pam Beach Central in Florida, where they wear whatever they want.  Their clothes are tight,  low cut with thair breast visible to all.  They wear belly shirts,  mini skirts, and enough gold jewelry to even embarass Mr. T.  Yes, they all have cell phones, Ipods, and digital cameras (where they take pictures and display them on myspace. 

I told my daughter that she needs to get her head out of the ground (like an oestrich) and pay attention to what her daughter is wearing, who her friends are and what she does.  However, this resulted in her not talking to me anymore. 

 Hello, Everyone! I am writing in regard to the woman who prefers the company of her dog

over her spouse.

 I am really glad I don't have to fight with my hubby over our animals. We both grew up in households where the pets were part of the family. I, myself, always had animals around, and

I adore them,  whether its a Mouse or a Moose!!  

 We are in our late 20's, and have been married one year. We both want children very much, but

have not been blessed with kids yet. We do, however, have 1 dog, Maya, who we spoil, much like if she was our child! Admittedly, we also allow her to sleep in our bed with us at night.

When she was a puppy, she would lie on the floor, but that didn't last very long!

In addition to our dog, we also have 3 cats.  And, my hubby and I have never argued on the subject of our animals.  We just think of the pets as kind of an extension of our love for each other.

  Cassie