Nice People 12: Nice in Nice

zagubov

Our dog's a terrier breed prone to dysplasia but has suffered from knee problems instead. Not meant to be exercised too much and we're not too tempted to tempt fate.

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

For GBD, re spiders:

I always have my fingers crossed that the first alien intelligent species we meet doesn't look like spiders (in which case we'd find it impossible not to want to exterminate them like the daleks like to exterminate everything) or else we look like spiders to them in which case, we're stuffed.:eek:

LydiaJ

lostinrates wrote: »

I would add non reactive to other dogs ( I.e, safe to walk off the lead even if another dog is a bit cheeky to him/ her).

Absolutely.

That's why my first criterion was "good with children and other dogs"

Avatar dog was fine with other dogs if they were smaller than him, or female, or an obviously non-aggressive breed - there was an Old English sheepdog that we used to meet out walking loads of times, and he was never any trouble with him. However, if he felt scared - if the other dog was bigger than him and male, especially if unneutered and particularly if there was more than one other dog together - then he was a bit naughty about growling and barking etc. He was worse about it with me than with LNE. We thought perhaps he was trying to protect me.

He was half greyhound (we think) and really needed to run off the lead, but I was always on the look out for other dogs. I would call out to the other owner to ask if their dog was friendly, and if they said yes I would say "Play nicely Ben, play nicely Ben" in a calming sort of voice and then he was usually fine and I would praise him for it. He did get into a few scuffles with other dogs - all sound and fury and no actual injuries, but mortifying for us all the same - and only one serious fight, with a pair of bull terriers, one of whom did him some very nasty damage until I got so desperate I pulled it off him as its owner was taking so long to run across from the other side of the park. Eight bites all the way through to the bone, and 38 stitches, IIRC.

Next time I'd like a dog I don't have to worry about in that respect.

SingleSue wrote: »

Nope!

Clearing the loft tomorrow in preparation for getting a new heating system...although they (housing association manager and heating engineer manager) are now arguing about whether I am getting one or not.

After that, I have to completely clear my kitchen ready for getting a new kitchen, except they can't tell me when the new kitchen is going in and seem to expect me to live out of boxes for my kitchen stuff for what could be in a couple of weeks, a couple of months or even a year, no idea at all...if we had taken them at their word all those years ago, we would have been living out of boxes for cooking for the last 16 years!

Then a joint 18th and 21st birthday party.

Youngest's resit and his normal stress levels.

Hassles with middle son and his courses...he has become very aspergic in recent weeks.

Should calm down a little by Christmas hopefully :rotfl:

Look after yourself, Sue, and try not to overdo it.

Hope you have fun with the parties, and that the kitchen arrives soon with enough notice for you to sort your things out.

Generali

LydiaJ wrote: »

When we get a dog we will be getting a rescue dog and looking for:

Good with children and other dogs
Temperamentally suited to be a household pet
Likes to play fetch - so that if I'm too tired to go for a proper walk (or just can't be bothered ) I can stand/sit still in the park and throw a ball until the dog has had lots of running time
Short-medium fur - doesn't need more grooming than I've got time for

And my only 2 looks-based criteria:
"Sensible" ears - I don't like long ears that trail in the food bowl and on the ground
Straight or straightish tail - I have a thing about very curly tails (ie up over the dog's back all the time) and don't like them.

I want to get the kids a dog and have been thinking that an ex-racer greyhound would hit the mark.

Spirit_2

lostinrates wrote: »

Ah, she specifically said jeans.


Fleece pjs win over joggers here. . I walk dogs in them and she also said dog walking clothes so maybe I should have mentioned them, but spirit is quite elegant.

I think being able to dress myself will win over elegance.

Had a horrid night my blood pressure has been spiking at rest last night 190/110 so I had PBS throughout the night and an ECG have an additional drug now which has brought it under control. I also have night shivers which I was racked with . I am not a worrier but was frightened by the Bp in case I had another stroke

vivatifosi

LydiaJ wrote: »

Absolutely.

That's why my first criterion was "good with children and other dogs"

He was half greyhound (we think) and really needed to run off the lead, but I was always on the look out for other dogs. I would call out to the other owner to ask if their dog was friendly, and if they said yes I would say "Play nicely Ben, play nicely Ben" in a calming sort of voice and then he was usually fine and I would praise him for it. He did get into a few scuffles with other dogs - all sound and fury and no actual injuries, but mortifying for us all the same - and only one serious fight, with a pair of bull terriers, one of whom did him some very nasty damage until I got so desperate I pulled it off him as its owner was taking so long to run across from the other side of the park. Eight bites all the way through to the bone, and 38 stitches, IIRC.

Next time I'd like a dog I don't have to worry about

It's a tough one. First lurcher dog was the most placid laid back dog you could possibly meet, but she was badly attacked by a other dog. She was not small... 24kg, but the other dog was much bigger and she didn't fight back.

The other dog we think was jealous. Lurcher dog was walked past their house every day, to growls across the fence, but the other dog, which was huge, was never let out of walked and was only a little smaller than big dog.

I guess my point is that you do all you can as a responsible dog owner, only to find that there are owners out there who let down themselves and their own pets by not sharing common sense dog owning values.

lostinrates

Generali wrote: »

I want to get the kids a dog and have been thinking that an ex-racer greyhound would hit the mark.

Some will, some won't.

I love them. With some you might have issues, but the specialist rehomers would help you I 'my guessing. I would have thought in an athletic family like yours a dog that wants more exercise might be a better match, and its not often one says that!

Dog dog ( not ex racer) is possibly the nicest house dog. Curls up tony, and though not a non shedder so little coat a weekly five minute brush with a very soft brush ( we use a horses brush called a body brush) is sufficient to control most of it. Wipe with a facecloth and she's shiny clean and fragrant.


But they can chase things.

Nikkster

Spirit, that just be very scary. Which in turn can't help your bp.

For what it's worth, I think you'd make Tesco value joggers look a great deal more stylish than I could ever do, just by being you.

lostinrates

Spirit wrote: »

I think being able to dress myself will win over elegance.

Had a horrid night my blood pressure has been spiking at rest last night 190/110 so I had PBS throughout the night and an ECG have an additional drug now which has brought it under control. I also have night shivers which I was racked with . I am not a worrier but was frightened by the Bp in case I had another stroke

Terrifying.

Please let us know how new drug goes.

Joggers then.:)

( pure. That NDG recommended have cashmere mix leggings or joggers iirc, would be elegant with a tunic top.) I even thought about them for a minute then laughed at the idea of me wearing cashmere trews. ) but could be worth it for you I think?

LydiaJ

Spirit wrote: »

Had a horrid night my blood pressure has been spiking at rest last night 190/110 so I had PBS throughout the night and an ECG have an additional drug now which has brought it under control. I also have night shivers which I was racked with . I am not a worrier but was frightened by the Bp in case I had another stroke

Oh Spirit! How awful. So sorry to hear about that. Hope the new drug works and the shivers stop too.

vivatifosi wrote: »

It's a tough one. First lurcher dog was the most placid laid back dog you could possibly meet, but she was badly attacked by a other dog. She was not small... 24kg, but the other dog was much bigger and she didn't fight back.

The other dog we think was jealous. Lurcher dog was walked past their house every day, to growls across the fence, but the other dog, which was huge, was never let out of walked and was only a little smaller than big dog.

I guess my point is that you do all you can as a responsible dog owner, only to find that there are owners out there who let down themselves and their own pets by not sharing common sense dog owning values.

Your poor dog.
I know there's nothing I can do to stop other owners being irresponsible - what I meant was I'd like not to have to worry about my dog starting anything.

PasturesNew

Spirit wrote: »

I think being able to dress myself will win over elegance.

Had a horrid night my blood pressure has been spiking at rest last night 190/110 so I had PBS throughout the night and an ECG have an additional drug now which has brought it under control. I also have night shivers which I was racked with . I am not a worrier but was frightened by the Bp in case I had another stroke

Maybe a couple of vintage kaftans? Comfortable, easy to put on .... great for round the house or local/social house parties.

Being ill in the night is terrifying at any time. A sense of loneliness and wondering if there's something bigger that's wrong and nobody around.

At least, no matter what occurs, you're in the right place! Not much help, I know.