[Barefoot]

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."

- Gene Hill

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

It's like anywhere else... some miserable people scowl at you as you are out walking with your beloved 4 legged companion and others stop, chat, pet, scratch and talk doggie talk... ignore the miserable ones and enjoy the friendly ones.

Sorry, but just because somebody doesn't stop and scratch your pet and "talk doggie talk, does not make them "miserable." When we meet, I will be happy to show you the scars on my right wrist from childhood when I was encouraged to pet a "friendly dog that would never bite anybody." And, perhaps you may meet our daughter who's wears a scar on her upper lip from the dog of her best friend when we lived in Kansas City. The dog was "just playing" when it snarled and leaped at her. Over our protest, the Johnson County Kansas, animal control officers quarantined their dog for 30 days. Not everybody loves your dog like you do. Why do you suppose that nearly every county in the United States has a dog leash law. My guess it is to protect people from "friendly" dogs.

[novelchick]

thank you to the talk host for that post. Yes us non dog owners are NOT miserable. Matter of fact we may are VERY happy. We don't have to run home to let the dog out. We can come and go as we please all the time without worrying oh i can't i have an animal. We don't have to vacuum up hair all the time or worry about the vet bills. We are very happy and very active and love our life in the Villages!!! Finally, someone who has common sense speaks up. All we ask is you respect our rights and keep your animals on YOUR property and off of jumping on us. . I myself as a child was bitten by a dog and never got over it. As much as people love their animals (and i can appreciate that as a previous dog owner) they are still an ANIMAL, NOT a human being. i much prefer the company of another person to chat with over a nice cup of coffee and the free time to spend my retirement running, joining all the clubs and doing everything i never had time to do while working. That to me is my Dream Retirement, not having to walk a dog and picking up dog crap. I have much to many other things to do here in the Villages. That is why i moved here. There is so much to do and frankly i don't have time for a dog. i want to play myself!! ok gotta run. Time to dance!!

[chelsea24]

While I can appreciate being afraid of a dog if you've been bitten, again, people are usually bitten because of an inattentive owner or misbehaved child. My hubby owned a Veterinarian practice for 35 years and I can tell you more times than not, it's a "human's" fault that they or their child was snapped at.

As far as pets go, yes, they are ours and we love them. But, in the same vain, although I have children, I feel the same way about people shoving their grandkids in my face. No! I don't always think they're cute and NO! I don't always want to hold them or even know them. So, Novelchick, with this in mind, should I ask people to lock up their grandkids when I come over??? Should I tell them "not interested" when they drag out the pictures??? I don't think so. I respect "THEIR" love for that child.

I, personally could not be friendly with a person that does not like animals. I've always been extremely proud of my husband's profession. As much as any doctor or nurse, he heals the sick. Possibly more difficult because the patient can't actually tell you what's wrong!

So, in my opinion, I would not even have people in my home that did not love animals and respect my love for mine.

[novelchick]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

While I can appreciate being afraid of a dog if you've been bitten, again, people are usually bitten because of an inattentive owner or misbehaved child. My hubby owned a Veterinarian practice for 35 years and I can tell you more times than not, it's a "human's" fault that they or their child was snapped at.

As far as pets go, yes, they are ours and we love them. But, in the same vain, although I have children, I feel the same way about people shoving their grandkids in my face. No! I don't always think they're cute and NO! I don't always want to hold them or even know them. So, Novelchick, with this in mind, should I ask people to lock up their grandkids when I come over??? Should I tell them "not interested" when they drag out the pictures??? I don't think so. I respect "THEIR" love for that child.

I, personally could not be friendly with a person that does not like animals. I've always been extremely proud of my husband's profession. As much as any doctor or nurse, he heals the sick. Possibly more difficult because the patient can't actually tell you what's wrong!

So, in my opinion, I would not even have people in my home that did not love animals and respect my love for mine.

hi chelsea i'll try again to explain my position on this topic. First of all, i have seen through my life experience that most times when someone is bitten it is the dog owners fault. If the dog is properly kept on a lease, not roaming around no one gets bitten. When a child is around a dog (WHICH IS A ANIMAL)the dog should be put away. That's a no-brainer. Children might pull at an animal by mistake and the dog can snap. how many times have people been bitten by pit bulls when the owners says "oh they never bit anyone before. They are still an animal. Take it to court, you lose!! You are responsible for your animal all the time!! Anyway, putting that aside, you quoted you could Never be friends with someone who does not LOVE animals!! Could I be friends with someone who LOVES animals!! YOU BET i could. Why? Because i Love the person for who they are, IF they are thoughtful and kind. Just because you love an animal and i don't doesn't make you better or me worse. I love people!! Would i be there for you (when i'm your friend) and you need me?? I sure will be. i can listen to your broken heart, share stories, help you when your ill, etc... which your doggie can't do. I can take you to the Dr., laugh with you, cry with you and enjoy life together. You compared a dog to a grandchild which really isn't a good paragon but here's the difference. When you visit my home when my grandchild is here, i dont' let my grandchild crawl all over you, spit on you, jump on you, or ask you to hold him. He is not put away (after all he is not an animal ) but we can occupy him with cartoons, coloring books, toys, etc that keep him occupied while you and i chat over coffee. His Mom and Dad take him out or watch him so it's not even an issue!! I raised my children to have respect for others feelings. If you have grandchildren and enjoy talking about them then we may. If you dont' have grandchildren I don't go on and on about mine!! We find other common interests we have and talk about those. I smoke. would i smoke in your home?? absolutely NOT. do i smoke when you visit me?? absolutely NOT If you don't smoke, i'll go outside a few minutes If i just can't wait for another cigarette( but i don't smoke that much that i can't) I usually wait. The bottom line is all non dog owners ask is that you be responsible for your dog. You choose to have an animal and i'm sure you love your animal. But when you have guests is it too much to ask that you put them away so they don't jump on us, sniff our private areas, get hair all over us, and distract us from spending quality time with you (my friend)? If that is too much then i guess we can't be friends. Because that is where i'm respecting you but your not respecting me. And what a loss for you. Because you will never meet someone who would be a better friend than me. I won't bore you with my grandchildren pics if you don't bore me with your doggie pics. I've been there, done that. it's over. Now that we finally retired it's our time to play, join everything, not be tied down to our kids or animals. That is our Dream retirement. Maybe someday when we're home more we'll want animals. But now we are so busy we don't. so if you really read into what i'm trying to explain (instead of getting defensive) you will find i can be a wonderful friend. I love everything about life, the villages, and being retired. I have a million things to share and talk about. But if your life is ONLY your dog then you lose out on so much more in life!! People are wonderful. Dog owners and non-dog owners!! Just respect each other. Stop and think next time you have friends over. say to yourself i wonder if i should put my dog in another room for awhile just in case it bothers suzi. and then we can spend some quality time together and talk about similar interests we share!!!! Give people a chance!! Don't close the door on them because they don't want to hear your doggie stories. They may be the most kind wonderful generous considerate friend you'll ever have!! And if you don't let them in because they don't LOVE animals like you do, you will never know what you lost out on. Because even though your doggie may give you unconditional love, so will a best friend!! And even better, they can hug you, hold you, and listen to you unlike an animal!!! Enjoy your animals but get out there with all kinds of people!!! That is the fun of living here. Learning all about others lives, what they did, what they are like, etc.. and put the judgement aside but most importantly learn to RESPECT others and we all get along!!! Have a Happy Day!! Now i'm off to next a exercise class and then dinner with friends and i can stay out as long as i want. i don't need to worry about getting home to let an animal out!! And i LOVE my Life and could not be happier!!!

[graciegirl]

Novelchick.

I am trying to think how to begin. I am an animal lover and I also love people very much and am blessed with wonderful friendships. The animals in my life and in my friends lives add a layer of richness to all of our lives. I have friends who fear and as a result dislike dogs and cats intensely and that is a pity. Sometimes that attitude comes from a bad and frightening experience as a child and sometimes it is from their parents fears. I don't think everyone should be a pet owner just as I don't think everyone should be a parent. I have never been bitten, my daughter was when she was at college and went to pet a dog tied to a post outside of a store. She never thought it was anything but her fault for going up to a strange dog and trying to pet it.

Not very often does an animal jump on me or sniff me when I go visiting. None of my friends bore me with their dog tales or their dog pictures. I am a VERY grown up senior and I personally can only think of one person that I knew in my life beside my daughter that was bitten by a dog.

I just want you to know that most of us do have very full lives and do not obsess about our animals, we just love them and they are sweet and giving back.

Part of the joy of the Villages for me is seeing the doggies walking their humans down our street and in the squares. But that is me.

I don't have dogs, just two counter walking cats.

[chelsea24]

Novelchick, take a breath! I never said I didn't respect your opinion, so please don't take mine as defensive or disrespect it. Where you got the idea that my life revolves around my dog is beyond me??? I don't even have a dog!

Again, I will state, that for me and me alone.... I have never trusted anyone that does not like animals. It's that simple. I'm not saying someone has to own one at all to be my friend. That would be ridiculous! And please remember that fear and dislike are two different things. However, you do seem to have a lot of rules for animals, so perhaps it is better that you don't own one.

Good luck to you with your "dream retirement". I hope you enjoy many friends, clubs and happy gatherings as I do.

[Blondie]

Hmmmm...If I were an animal, I would certainly choose to live with chelsea where I would feel very welcome and loved.

[graciegirl]

On the same subject, kind of.....

My grandmother told me when I was young that when I picked a husband I should chose someone that was kind to old people and to cats.

I did. It worked out well. However we haven't been married that long....only 47 years.

[Karen83]

Grace, my boys have used a similar test. Anyone they have dated must pass the "Tucker" (our little Yorkie-Poo) test. They go by "Love me, love my dog" and so far it has worked out well for them!

[Rokinronda]

I have always had pets and can not imagine life without at least one. My Lila, adopted 2 years ago when she was 10 when no one wanted her, including the owners who were tired of caring for her, is such a sweet happy dog. I literally saved her life. She is no hinderance on my active lifestyle, takes me 10 minutes a day to care for, at most, and gives unconditional love. I have a 20 foot lead that I put her on from my lanai. She does her business in my yard and comes right back inside.

A neighbor accused neighborhood dogs of ruining his lawn. Grumbling and complaining to everyone. My dog never went on his lawn. I actually never saw any animal on his lawn. He would shout at people to cross the street and stay away from his yard......Well so much for his theory, his lawn guy told me had GRUBS!!! Grubs killed his lawn!

My parents had pets, my children have pets and my granddaughter knows not to grab, pet, pounce, or poke any animal that we don't know. A provoked animal will react. A loved animal will return that love 10 fold.

If you don't accept my dog, don't come over. My Lila will not be shut in another room. Sorry!

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by Blondie

Hmmmm...If I were an animal, I would certainly choose to live with chelsea where I would feel very welcome and loved.

Boy I don't know Blondie. Earlier she said she was thinking of putting a pillow over vetmans head.

I had a whole litany of items written but thought it best to erase.

I will always have an animal. In fact an animal, yellow lab, attended the Presidential Ball tonight for wounded veterans. It seems he was escorting a Marine Master Sergeant.

The Few
The Proud
The United States Marines

[JohnnyM]

Good post F-16....You know Novelchick our little Prancer below is three. She never knew the life of a puppy, in fact a little over 4 months ago she was racing in Alabama. She spent the best part of 20 hours a day, every day, locked in a crate lined with shredded newspaper. Would I or my wife run home to let her out...I would give up a night at the Oscar's to get home and let her out. God gave us Prancer and I won't let God or Prancer down.

[Fourpar]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

This subject is my major gripe here in the Villages. While I'm sure it happens elsewhere, this is where I see it.

There is this coot down the street that allows his dog to do it every single day in my neighbors yard. EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!! My neighbors yell at him, I yell at him, others yell at him, we all try to talk nicely to him, but he tells us to ***k off. The last time I spoke to him about it, he said, "Awwwww, everybody does it, mind your own ****ing buiness." At one time, I posted a picture here on Talk of The Villages, of he and his dog doing their daily ****.

Can somebody please advise me as to what can be done? He is not breaking any civil law, just a major ethics violation.

Great neighbor you got there Talk Host!

The s**t on the doorstep may be one way to handle things. And it might even work. But I think getting The Villages involved might be a better way to go, at least to start with.

The Covenants and Restrictions have a restriction on pets that reads, in part:
""Only domestic pets are permitted and they shall not be allowed to make any unreasonable amount of noise or create a nuisance..."

I think it is a monumental nuisance when a pet craps on neighborhood properties and the owner sneers at the rules and the neighbors. If indeed that goes on with regularity it becomes an issue that can harm the image of The Villages, in addition to depriving you and your neighbors of enjoying their property.

How about getting the neighbors to start sending the Deed Compliance people letters every time this happens? If there are enough folks affected, I cannot imagine The Villages sitting on their hands. They have too much at stake here to ignore that kind of thing. It might be worth a try.

I just don't understand a neighbor who has no problem with being the scourge of his neighbors. What a way to live. The jerk needs to be throttled one way or another IMHO!

I'm not in TV yet, but it seems like allowing your dog to leave its business on someone elses lawn should be littering. If it were considered littering couldn't the person be fined? Is littering illegal in TV?

It seems like a really simple problem to solve if it were against the law.

As far as placing a dog in another room of my house while guests are visiting, there would have to be a legitimate reason, ie. allergies, deathly afraid of dogs, an illness, something good... I respect my dogs WAY too much to leave them cooped up in another room while I'm having friends over. Yes, dogs are not humans, but they deserve to be loved and included in what happens in their homes.