Josephine,

As I was following this thread, I have found it difficult to keep up with your posts - because you comment without quoting. If you would, please click the quote button on the bottom right of a post you wish to comment on. It makes for much easier reading.

k

Sunday, April 3 -

I just returned from Spanish Springs square from seeing Norman Lee and the Boondock Saints. Good show as always.

However, during the Electric Slide dance, an unsupervised child around 2 years old was trying to dance with the crowd, got right in back of a dancing woman, the woman did not notice the child, stepped backward and both the child and 60-ish woman went down on the cement square. Luckily, neither were hurt - but the woman was very upset at the child's parent who came running up.

Several dogs were present at the square - not in the dancing area - and all dogs were on short leashes or held in arms or in carriers.

Parents, please do not let your children go to the dance area by themselves!

Lots of people here have dogs, not too many have kids. Must have
been guests.

Hey all. Have Read most threads here. We are in early investigation phase. Snow birding,,, then???

Question..... I have read all of the pet threads. Some love them some, not so much. We currently have 4 (know the restrictions).

We are responsible owners and cognizant of others concerns. Much as we try to get them to go at home before a walk, it doesn't always work. Are folks there upset when a pet goes in the grass and it is picked up at once? I here people say to make sure they go at home, really?

Anyway, just thought we would ask for our virgin post...........

Jack Pine,
:welcome: Glad you have joined us here on TOTV. I can't speak for everyone, but I can assure you if your dog pooped in my yard and you picked it up, I'd wave and say hi and come pet your dogs if you let me.

Thanks, as much as we try, it has something to do with the wiggly walking motion that seems to get their systems going.

We are on 5 acres here and have cottage on 80 acres in Wisconsin so it's not an issue here.

We are looking at doing a week there soon to explore. The whole pet atmosphere thing is key for us.

Thanks for replying............

Yes, the little child was granddaughter of some Villages resident most likely.

Although, there are quite a few people from outside The Villages who come to the entertainment on a regular basis. As you know, you do not have to be a Villages resident to enjoy our excellent entertainment on the squares. In fact, Lake Weir Living and a Del Webb community nearby both advertise that fact for moving to their communities.

Holly cow, I have been on since 07 and did not know this. Thanks!

Jack Pine,

Welcome to TOTV. :welcome:

Many people don't realize that in the wild, dogs mark the perimeter of their large territories by leaving urine and feces. Male dogs especially, will save urine for marking, never completely emptying their bladders.

All dogs have "anal glands" which leave a scent on feces just as it leaves the anus. This scent is the reason dogs like to smell each others droppings. The scent gives information about the dog's health, age, gender, and other info. That's also why dogs want to smell each others hind quarters -- to gather information.

Because of the strong instinct to "mark" it is natural for a dog to urinate and defacate during a walk. And like you said, walking gets things moving -- for dogs and humans!

Some people are offended by a dog using their yard, even if you clean it up! So we walk our dogs in the "common areas" rather than walking them down the streets in our neighborhood. Some examples of common areas are the rec centers, grassy areas next to main streets where there are no houses, parks, mail stops, etc. Always pick up droppings with a plastic bag, then take the bag home to be thrown in your own trash.

We've not encountered one person who was upset by our dogs. Quite the opposite -- most people want to greet and pet them and say hello to us. Come see for yourself -- you and your dogs will love it here.

A moving violation or two?
 

Possibly a DUI (dancing under the influence).
I wonder who had the right of way?
Just thinking out loud.

Thanks, got it. that kind of gets to my point.

Doing the "duty" walk we would certainly do it in approved areas. However, when we want to go on a long exercise walk with the pups, stuff may happen. Your response (no offense intended) Is what I have heard and have some concerns about. i.e. Have them do it at home or in common areas. Would try, but sometimes...

Sorry, just trying to get the "feel" of TV.

Looking forward to our visits. Now, can I get a really fast cart?? (kidding)

Jack, Welcome... I do not have K-9s extensive knowledge of our furry friends, nor PT's writing ability, but here is how I see it.

We walk our doggy around the yard first thing in the a.m. to let him relieve himself. We then walk to a large common area near a pond. here he lets all the other doggies know that "Finley wuz here" just as K9 describes. By doing this he is less likely to need to marinate in someone's lawn. he loves to walk along the curbing at the edge of the road, but has been trained not to stray onto others' property. We use a 6 foot loose leash to walk him.

Is there ever a time that need gets the better of him to either urinate or defecate? I'm sure there is, but cannot remember a time lately. However, he is no longer a pup, but still young. We need to make allowances for the older doggies - like us stuff doesn't work the way it used to.

Most people will understand. Some will not. Others will not train their dogs to respect others property by giving them ample time "to go" in designated areas. I think that those who don't understand are often a factor of those pet owners who don't care, and it sounds to me as if you do care so not to worry.

k

thanks..........

Please wipe your pup's paws
 

Folks, just a suggestion -- if you're going to walk your dogs in common areas, please get some baby wipes and clean their paws when you get home. There have been a few cases of foot cancer in dogs and the theory is that it was probably caused by all the chemicals being used, especially by TV crews (most personal yards don't use quite as strong chemicals).

I have never thought of that. Still not in TV but when that time comes we will bring Minnie and Gracie our Cavachons !:thumbup:

Is the Cavachon the name for the puppies that are born from one parent a Bichon Frise and the other parent a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Bet Minnie and Gracie are cute! Do you have photos you can post?

We are not dog owners...are there REALLY that many dogs around? It may be a deciding factor in a purchase there as we near retirement in 5 years. Not that we don't like dogs, just not lovers of them as it seems folks post on here are. Just wondering...

I don't perceive there to be any more pets here than any other city I have lived. In fact, there were far more dogs in Germany...everywhere. Dogs are allowed in restaurants, shopping malls, churches...just about anywhere, except a grocery store.

Just my perception...

I was told by my vet one time, when I mentioned that my little yorkie stopped so often to pee...
"Oh, don't worry he is just sending out "pee-mail" :D so of course all the sniffing he must be reading his "pee-mail" :D

Gee....
We are allergic to perfume.... so please don't wear any.

We love animals and really miss our babes. Our lab died 2 days before we moved, so now we usually stop and pet any animal in the square (after asking permission)

However, not picking up after your pet is just inconsiderate, we always carried bags attached to their leads. Our Millie never failed to leave a deposit and never missed a step in the process. Had to be quick to catch the fall out.:duck:

Ditto.

Bill

OMG, I can just see it now! The Villages set up a pee-mail station near our mail stations that's just for the doggies.

In the near vinicity of our mailboxes there would be rows of pee-boxes built for canines where there would be card activated door on the front and include washable and removable artificial grass for the floor inside.

The doggies would be issued an electronic pee-door medallion equipped similar to our gate cards but smaller that matched up to the individually assigned boxs. The medallion would hung on their collar along with their license and contact ID's.

On each box there would be a grated top that other pooches can hop onto to leave their personalized pee-messages for the box holder to later sniff out.
http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/dog3.gif
Additionally, poop-boxes could also.....
http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/a...oy2/loldog.gif

Dog in the Square
 

One poster asked if there really are that many dogs here? I do not know how to reply because it depends on your attitude towards pets. I suspect that the pet population is growing as rapidly as the human population. I have lived here 5 years. This last year I have heard more dogs bark and bark longer from my lanai than the previous four years combined. I have seen more dogs walked, carried. pushed in a carriage than the previous 4 years. And I have been invited to more homes and greeted by dogs this last year than the previous four. Again a personal disclosure is required. I am afraid of dogs but only four kinds, big, litttle, alive and dead. So from my personal point of view there are too many dogs in TV. Also without burdening you with the why, suffice to say I come by my bias honestly. This is a personal view and one that does not imply or infer there is a right or wrong.

Rubicon,

Thank you for such an honest post. I feel the same way about snakes!

I don't know if we are more "dog lovers" than elsewhere - but I do wonder if, for those of us empty nesters, our pets have helped us to fill a void.

k

Katezbox...this special relationship you address is exactly why I remain passive and neutral. Just don't be offended if when your approaching me I immediately pivot and go in the opposite direction. I have been known to throw my wife in front of me as a barrier. Yep she still loves me. See we have a special relationship and so she remains passive and neutral:D

As non-dog owners, I think this is what we notice more here at home too. We have dogs barking and it seems the owners don't hear them and sometimes it can go on and on and it drive us nuts. (yes we have spoke to them, called the town etc) Looking at how close some homes are in TV and how close one lanai is to the next, we are a little concerned that we will run into the same thing but closer to the problem. Just saying...

dogs in the squares
 

You need to control the critters. Example .....Tuesday night aat Lake Sumter Landing...I am sitting on white bench on sidewalk with the better half directly in front of Pooters' display tent... Some one in wheelchair going South...Big man with big dog can not wait for wheel chair person to safely pass so he steps on my foot to squeeze by...his dog behind him on leash tries to squeeze by.......dogs wagging tail knocks my drink off the arm of the bench and the dog then pauses just long enough to stick his nose in my wife's drink which was in her hand.... Grow up you inconsiderate people. The ruined 5.50 worth of drinks did not bother me......but .....the lard a88 with the dog should consider himself lucky that there were ladies and children nearby.....or maybe there would have been a boogity-shoe going on in the street ( naw the juice wasn't worth the squeeze ).....The nice man in the wheel chair did apologize......Said........:"I am truly sorry that fat a88 was in such a hurry,,, (and offered to replace our drinks) then he said..." slobs are slobs and some slobs bring their big dogs to the squares."

Rubicon, I respect your honest post. Many are afraid of dogs for a lot of reasons.

I am afraid of some breeds, such as Pit bulls. That isn't their real name, but I can't think of it.

I enjoy dogs, I don't own one.

When traveling in Paris some years ago, I was chatting with the cab driver.
We had met and chatted with some very polite school children in our walks and noticed how quietly the dogs would lie next to their owners in outdoor restaurants.

I asked him Why did he think that the dogs and children in Paris were so well behaved.

He said. "We beat them".

(Perhaps I did not translate well, he surely meant that children and dogs brought up correctly did better.)

Gracie, your comedy just gets better and better every day!! :clap2:

Bill :)

Mr Fixit - The kindly man in the wheel chair got it exactly right! (IMHO) There are jerks in this world - and some own pets. Those pet-owning jerks give the rest of us pet owners aggro too!

The TOTV people with doggies who bring them to the squares who have posted here all agree that crowded nights are not a good choice - unless the pooch can be carried or you stay in your cart.

Kate

(who, if Finley did this to you, would have offered to replace the drinks and given you a heartfelt apology)

Sounds like a case of your PERCEIVER not working properly.You can have that fixed at Mayo's .....thats sam mayo's in Bellview........
fumar:highfive:

Where have you been? Been expecting a Fumar-ism for days now!:MOJE_whot::clap2::duck:

I was waiting for Fumar too.

If you haven't met Fumar, his bark is worse than his bite.

But....I'm not sure of that.:ho:

He has published a Canine Cookbook, but the ingredients..........

bump

OK, as a relatively new resident to TV, I don't know what sam mayo's is! I couldn't find anything on a Google search and didn't even find anything that would help in the Google ads after doing the searches! :shocked:

You might be right.... I've been to Sam's before, but the PERCEIVER adjustment is a painful process ...and expensive! :1rotfl:

This thread has really gone to the DOGS . . .

over and out . . .

Well, girls, your comments here might explain something. I just knew I had been hearing singing off in the distance. I have been hearing it for quite a while now......

Oh where? Oh where has our Fumar gone? Oh where? Oh where could he be-e-e-e-e???.......

And I thought maybe I was imagining things. But now, I feel so much better knowing the singing could have been you two.

And about that Canine Cookbook mentioned, it was a stir-fry cookbook, titled "Wok Your Dog."

My guess is that being a savvy guy, Fumar knew he could not sell very many copies of "Wok Your Dog" on vendors' nights at the squares -- no matter how delightful the cover -- no matter that he would personally autograph each and every copy sold. Savvy Fumar surely knew that, no matter what, TV would not be the best place to market his book.

So maybe Fumar has been away on a book-signing tour.

Boomer

Being on the road that long has to have been really ruff on him - unless, of course, he is barking mad and drooling...:duck:

You make it sound like he's about to be put down. I think the Admins kind of frown on that kind though. http://th492.photobucket.com/albums/...gs_nosmile.gif http://th492.photobucket.com/albums/...n2_nosmile.gif

I thought maybe he was off getting his rabies shots. If you were a dog, wouldn't you bite Fumar?