I find it baffling that so many people keep big dogs in their house. Being a pastor, I visit a lot of homes. It's amazing to me how many of those homes are ruled (as far as I can tell) by pets. The noise is overwhelming. Guests are attacked. Rooms are disaster areas. Meals can't be enjoyed in peace. Etc.
On the other hand, I'm greatly impressed when I visit a home with a well-trained dog. But folks, they are few and far between.
17 comments:
Are you advocatig small dogs in their place? If o, I may just have start disliking you Matt. Big dogs are friendly and great companions. Small dogs just look like the children of a male rat and female cat. Down with small dogs!
Spoken like a true animal apathist. I am sure you weren't speaking of our beloved Shenanigan.
WHo is always the picture of good behavior and canine grace.
PS. I take issue with Elliot's 'small male rat /female cat' reference. Perhaps MAtthew should post a pic of our little dog. Great companion, easy to handle and train, lite eater, AND we can dress her in holiday fashion!
Hey now, not ALL small dogs look like offspring of rats!! I happen to have had a BEAUTIFUL minature collie from the age of 7 to age 21! She was the SWEETEST THING EVER!! However, I do have to agree with you, Matthew, that dogs like that are few and far between...when she passed away, my parents replaced her with a male minature collie...and that is probably the DUMBEST dog on the planet. And loudest. The stupid mutt only eats non-food items, which results in weekly visits to the vet. And his constant yapping is about to get him a bark collar.
Anyway, Dane and I just talked about this on Saturday...he wants a big indoor dog, and I say no. Big indoor dogs drool, and they get super hyper, and they think they are lao dogs (I suppose I am just referring to labs, b/c that's what he wants). And I HATE dog drool. And I hate jumping. If it's going to jump, it better weigh no more than 5 pounds.
I like small dogs. I like big dogs as long as they can live at someone else's house!
A dog dressed in holiday attire is not a dog, it's a rat being treated like a Barbie!
And I apologize, there is an exception to the rat/cat crossbreeding that is a pug. NO OTHER EXCEPTIONS!
I am not really 'advocating' small dogs in their place since I technically don't like most small dogs either. Actually, I don't really like most pets except for well trained one's and spider monkeys.
The best thing about our dog Shenanigan is her name (since I named her). But then my family proceeded to nickname her 'shanny' and take away her only redeeming quality. If you really think shanny is awesome, mom, why don't you tell the folks how many baths she's needed this week :)
That being said, I'd prefer a small/annoying/inside dog to a big dog of the same kind in the same way as I'd prefer to experience a small hurricane to a big one. And that's granting Elliott's point that some of them look like slightly glorified rats.
I will, then, take the seemingly middle position with Kayla and say that dogs are cool if they are well trained. The less trained they are, the smaller the better. And if they are like most dogs (un-trained), I'm talking small enough as to appear invisible.
...and by "lao" dogs, I meant "LAP" dogs:)
*sigh* I must agree with most of what Matt says.
As the owner of a 10yr old golden retriever who for most of his life has been mellow and very well behaved, submissive, and has never jumped on people (though he has had 2 mounting experiences with guests/and or strangers) - he is now old and stinky, no matter how many times he'd groomed, has developed selective hearing, begs, and when young only barked 'the one drawn out warning woof' when strangers ran the doorbell- nows howls at every car that drives down the road.
Though he was NEVER like this before old age set it, it is now a great downfall.
I love him, but once he goes to 'doggy heaven' (which is by the way a whole 'nother topic) there will be no more dogs - big or small.
*Side note* small dogs get into **everything** (behind couches, under the bed,etc.) b/c they can. This is generally a larger problem than the big lug of a dog that lays around and throws and occassional "whhhoooofff" around.
a nice golden retriever may be the exception to the rule k-dog. and i agree that smaller dogs are troublesome in there own (sometimes worse) way.
perhaps i will do a future post about shenanigan
i think my comment page was broken for a while, sorry if anyone tried to comment and was unable to do so
I think a future post about shanny is a good idea. And as for the # of baths this week....4, but only cause the big dog that refuses to leave our property used her as a chew toy. The most annoying small dog trait to me...the yipping and craziness when I get home. But that is her way of showing love (or 'I want something to eat)Most annoying big dog trait... dogs that jump on you. Most annoying cat trait- Well, you know the old saying- To a dog you're family, to a cat youre staff.
I have to agree with Mrs. Rose's comments about Shanny...i love that little dog!
Matthew, my dog is a black lab (12 years old) and is extremely well-trained. A girl...Misty. :) You will probably never meet her, but she's wonderful. Does tricks, listens well and is very loving. I get to see her in 5 hours (which means I'm able to go home for Thanksgiving)!!! Yay!
I get annoyed with how people let their animals rule their home.
When we were house shopping, so many nice houses were ruined by their pets!
Even the house we bought (lived in for 9 months--brand new then) was bad. We had to pay 4500 to replace the carpet!
jessica....yeah, i really like well trained dogs. i once visited an old man that had a dog so well trained that he could practically shove a treat down its throat and it wouldn't chew until he said 'ok'
heather....it's crazy. some people have dogs that are so unruly that they basically can't leave the house anymore, or even open the door if someone visits them.
I am rolling on the floor laughing my head off at the image Jan gave of a big dog using Shany as a chew toy (don't know what Shany looks like, but I can pretend). LOL, it's a better picture then anything on TV tonight!
i'll post a shanny pic some day soon :)
Wow I've made this comment 3 times in the last day. Dogs suck. This convo is going to the dogs and may I remind you dogs suck.
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