grateful

wait, how does a corpse, other than your own that is, belong to you ?!?

as were mine (directed to you only in response to "the elephant in the room")

the elephant in the room can we agree that sometimes it is not hyper sensitivity but an acknowledgement that one may have actually been demeaned? come on. not proud of it but I can think of one member who I seldom respond to because simply, no good would come of it. I have been rude and confrontational with him, and it was because I let my opinion of him and what I assumed/surmised , based on his writings, he stands for get in the way of the point being made. it's clear, outside of the "mutual admiration societies" here, that there are certain members who grind other members gears. the responses reflect that is all. this isn't about parsing commentary looking for insult, it is insult staring you in the face. there is over sensitivity, which I think you are speaking to, and then there is simply calling a spade a spade - after applying the ben stein tactic that is there are members here who I really like, we may not bond over political or topical issues, we may disagree completely on religion or philosophy but there is something about them, maybe their humor, maybe their intelligence, maybe their altruism or kindness, maybe their work ethic and honesty, maybe their ability to beat a dead horse but there is something. the something is understanding and an underlying respectfulness. when I post here, I don't need or expect people to agree with me. I enjoy when someone asks for clarification, even those that do so in ways that may appear snarky, I learn from that. I'm not talking about myself, while I may have a bit of a knee jerk reaction I have pretty thick skin, it's all good. (acknowledging that I may be dead wrong, as the point I was reacting to - based on my own personal biases, desires and icebergs - is not at all the point the you were trying to make)

I'm not sure when then was br. devon but I see (and have seen) plenty of old and new members continue to respond respectfully while agreeing to disagree over the last few years. I've also seen them lose their cool at times. do these times you refer to reflect a time when everyone was more respectful or when everyone was more like minded? I'm not here to make friends, but I've made a few , I'm also not here to make enemies, I've made a few of those too - I am here to view a microcosm of the planet through this forum and to consider and participate in discussions around spirituality, current events and sometimes dogs. disagreement is fine, disagreement is expected - for example, there is PLENTY that happy and I disagree on (hello happy) but perhaps much we agree on, okay, not politically, but otherwise - we both appreciate good food and hard work to mention just two. it's like he and songster say, could say what could be construed as dreadful things in response to a post that I make and I would feel no insult, because I believe no insult is intended, others, not so much conversational style could be the culprit and at the root of some disagreements here, but I'm kind of a mind to say if you feel insulted, you've probably been insulted; perhaps not in the way that you think but insulted (dismissed, over-rided or diminished publically) nontheless. there will always be those who need to be right, who will suggest a better question than one you may have presented, to point out the flaws in another's thinking and/or spread their message of love or hate, have at it then there is the elephant in the room

ugh I know, in order to help people, we need to meet them where they are - and if where they are is struggling with a life out of control, its hard not to take it on because they "can't", for the four leggeds who didn't ask to land in such a deplorable and chaotic situation. I wish I was closer or at least familiar with no-kill shelters/rehomers in the area ..

they're gorgeous! (are the bad cat parents willing to let you re-home bucky and moon?)

that's a cute little rat you've got there bishop!

my humble opinion is that they don't help at all; they may feed, keep a roof over and even love these animals, but love does not take the place of good food, veterinary care when needed and appropriate daily care. yeah, it's a conundrum, is something known and sub standard worth risking for the unknown - a great life with a family/person who adores them or ... maybe death? Alot to say on this but I'm having trouble composing my thoughts, long day, but will be back

I am seldom surprised but always amazed and humbled by the lengths to which a good dog will go. good dog layka

so true our two have a butler in the form of my husband. they have him "come stare at my water bowl with me", "open the refrigerator, I want cold water", "let me in" followed immediately by "let me out", "let's take the dog for a walk" and "what do you mean you don't want me to sit in the sink"? cats, cats, cats ... sigh ... >^..^<

whoa, and he gave you a feather? the magician is inviting you then, they say .. it's a very positive visitor despite sometimes negative connotations it probably isn't your totem animal at all, just one who wanted to get your attention and he did, didn't he? the picture of your morning was beautiful, by the time the dog laid down, I knew it was going to be good I'll look up the raven/crow for you!

the dolphin would eat

I did what I asked of others (religious, non- religious and anti-religious) when she was small was to leave the little one out of it it sounds like you and your husband are at least on the same chapter if not on the same page; asking family to consider and be respectful of the way you choose to raise your children, presented respectfully should get you the desired understanding by the time mine was a teenager, she referred to herself as a quaker, roman catholic, muslim, jew - she is all of those, it is her heritage, but ultimately as an adult, she's an agnostic like her mom

he's all good now, swelling is down, acting completely normal - I gave him the once over, benadryl and crossed my fingers - but did not actually see him get stung, or hear the resulting noise, maybe a spider? my sister suggested it may have been a snake! not sure how I could have missed a snake (I was with him when he'd outside) yes, I am definitely interested what he really might enjoy relief from is our two visitor dogs..

much smellier, dogs go for what dogs go for though (he's acting very normal hours later, just with a big nose)

newt! the words you shared seems to have caused a little bit of a tempest in a teapot, huh? that happens sometimes, no worries. I think the sentiments you shared could be enjoyed/embraced by anyone if they simply inserted the deity or idea of their choosing - you're talking about when your heart fills up and you're like, damn, this is a pretty incredible moment/life right?

they just do viking, they just do brother devon, I had one of those, he was a delight salon paws, thank you, now I'll never forget that commercial and if they have a jingle that will probably stick in my head too when I think about my friends, there are a few who still tear my heart too, not because they were different than the others but that I feel that I didn't do one hundred percent by them. I did what I could, but it wasn't enough, you know when it wasn't enough.. lately, I pretty much surround myself with dogs. I'm no longer at the inn, long story, but have six clients of my own - and snazzy business cards. there's a little dog napping next to me, her sister is on the floor and mr. bee sting is on his bed; this morning I walked for an hour and a half with three newfoundlands I love the ones with me today for themselves but also in honor of the ones who went before

I looked at himself an hour or so ago and thought, hmm, he looks like he's snarling .. poor guy got stung by a bee I think, or maybe bitten by a spider, his nose is all swollen; gave him benadryl and watching ugh, hopefully not a huge vet bill in my near future cross fingers (I was going to post a picture but he's embarrassed)

loved this viking (only some human animals are vicious)

sounds like the best kind of dog days and isn't she's doing beautifully for one so young, the recall to you in your studio is a coup! she's clearly got the idea, good girl. smart dogs train so easily, and once you've got it going with a good dog, I think you spend part of your life thinking, wow, that's a REALLY good dog we have two lovely little visitors just arrived last night, and himself is being a perfect if just the slightest bit uneasy host. two weeks of vacation and training for the girls, among my first clients (!) and we're in love, training will commence once we stop fussing over them like spoiled grandchildren - in all seriousness, we need to develop a connection, right? betty is such a beauty, thanks for sharing her little dog self with us!

oh my god! she.is.delicious. and look at her holding that sit for the picture! no easy feat, I know. what a beauty, and what character! she makes me miss one of my favorite charges, a one year old doberman named odie, good dog how does little happy like her? (I love it when another dog helps me train a dog)

wow, to a person serving in the military .. I don't even know what to say (well, thank you of course, but other than that..) I had just walked into a community rec center where one of my colleagues was watching a small tv right after the first plane hit. I will never forget her face as she turned to look at me, she knew my eighteen year old daughter would be at or near there at that time on a beautiful tuesday morning. in addition to the terror for my country, my city, my friends in New York, my daughter was there, I can't begin to describe what I felt I can tell you what I felt standing in Union Square Park with her and a few thousand others two days later, hope ..

I join you in remembering that sad day, the senseless loss of life and sadness

did you write this newt?

I thought I was! until the security code..