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Saint Bernards => Saint Bernard General Discussions => : tonyc August 26, 2005, 11:32:37 AM
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we live in a 750 sq ft 3rd floor unit of a single family home - with a fenced in yard - in Chicago near sox stadium. real estate is a premium in the city, and my gf's still a grad student, so we're on a budget...
i'm beginning to find it annoying that i'm judged for keeping 2 rather 'large' dogs (golden and now st. bernie) in this "condition". my friends in CA says it's (and i quote) "just too mean to the dogs" because i don't live in a house w/ a big back yard.
we walk our dogs twice a day at the park, take 'em to the dog beach often, carry 'em for drives along the lake shore, feed 'em PREMIUM kibbles, have a pretty darn reliable vet. this year so far, my golden's been to the vet 4 times.
when I tried to adopt a golden in CHI, golden rescue of IL scoffed because we weren't (rich?) in the burbs w/ a huge backyard. when i tried to adopt in LA, they laughed because i said the dog MAY stay outside. catch 22 or oxymoron??? our st. bernie was obtained off craigslist.com from a desperate family. the golden was an older unwanted stud dog ex backyard breeder in the boondocks of IN. i'm not sure how else to get people off my back. would people rather see these things put down? or is my city apartment a better home? GEE i wonder..
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I think it's really stupid when people assume you need a large house and yard for dogs. I mean, come on. They'll just want to occupy the same three feet you are in anyway! phooey on them!
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Don't know who these California friends are. Californian's are weird except for me, Jabear and Nickers and any other BPO here in the "golden state". We get the name "golden state" because of our brown dry grass all over the hills this time of year. Anyway, I am sure they live in grass houses so they better watch where they throw fireballs. Just let them put a notch in their gun because their day is comming, guaranteed.
:P
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i had this exact conversation with marit last night. i told her i feel bad for having two big dogs ain a not so big apartment (at least its an upgrade from the other one right). i told her i feel guilt for not having a yard for them to run around and play in and dig holes in and such. but the truth is, cody had a yard for the first 2 years of his life, we would put him out to go potty, and he would literally stand at the door and cry as soon as he was done cuz he wanted to be inside. and dont thats cuz we were there, lol, if we went outside, he would still rather be inside watching from the glass door.
the good thing about apartments or not having yards, AS MARIT POINTED OUT, is that they get to go on walks every day and meet new people and smell new things. its easy to have a yard and throw them out there with out walks every day, heck, i did that with cody cuz i was lazy lazy lazy. but when you are in an apartment, you feel the need to walk them and take them to dog parks and such, so i think that is a nice pay off.
and no, big dogs dont necessarily need big yards. even if i had a yard, i would bet my life both my dogs would want to be inside on my couch (thanks jaime)...not in some dirty yard. lol.
youve got good food, a good vet, 2 dogs to PLAY WITH EACHOTHER WHICH I THINK MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, lotsa love....what more could they ask for?
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HI there!!! Some people are very rude and don't THINK before they speak. We live in a 1300sq ft ranch house with a basement we plan on finishing off soon so double the sq footage, and a HUGE backyard and still we get family and friends telling us Great Danes are too big to live in the house. Some seem to think Great Danes or any giant breed for that matter should not even be considered a pet because they are too big. Apparently we're just supposed to chain Koby up outside and let him rot or something. What I'm trying to say is I know exactly how you feel when it comes to people saying rude things about big dogs and their living situations. It's very frustrating to hear all the time! If you think about it though, it doesn't matter what others say. I've learned to let it go in one ear and out the other. The love and slobbers I get from Koby makes ME happy, and in my opinion the others are missing out! lol
Andi
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Yes, this is totally appalling behavior. Who do people think that they are? Would you come up to someone and tell them that they shouldn't have that second piece of cake because they're lookin' a little tubby? NOPE. Cuz its THEIR business. Same with the dogs. I personally feel that people should have to have big yards and houses for small dogs, cuz those are the ones with the boundless energy! hahahahaha! Cabeza is usually hiding all 100 pounds of himself under our bed, snoozing away. When he's awake, he's (like someone else said) trying to occupy MY three feet of space! hahahaha!
Don't worry about it, Tony. Just come here when you're frustrated. We'll make ya feel better...heheh ehee!
BTW, I see Cody's Paw Print....where's Nikki's? He is a super-cutie, I wanna see pics of him with his BIG sister! hehehe!
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Would you come up to someone and tell them that they shouldn't have that second piece of cake because they're lookin' a little tubby?
Ugh, my ex-husband used to do that. He thought I was too fat, so if we were in the grocery store and I picked up a candy bar or whatever, he would say "You don't need that." and basically forbid me to have it :(
I agree with everything else said - I think a lot of people don't understand that big dogs don't necessarily always have the boundless energy that smaller dogs seem to. They just think bigger dog = bigger energy level. Â
Nikki is right - even if you have a yard, your dogs want to be with you. How many times have you seen a dog put by itself into a backyard start to just run around and play and wear itself out? They usually lay down by the door and wait to come in. They are social and want to be where everyone else is.Â
I think it is much better for a dog, ANY dog, to get walks everyday and be exposed to new things, to go to the beach, to go to the park or for rides, even if they do have a yard to spend time in as well.Â
Besides, anyone with a large dog doing zoomies around the dining table and wrestling on the bed knows that they can find plenty of exercise and activity in the space they have to work with....Â
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Tulsa and I live in a 20 unit apartment complex in Clovis, CA. There are 19 dogs, numerous cats, and the greatest neighbors you could hope for, except for the one guy that doesn't have a dog. (All the dogs bark at him when he goes by!) What's up with that?
He turned Tulsa in to the P.D. about a week after we had moved in, when the officer arrived, Tulsa greeted him, sat on command, and demanded his attention, nudging his hand for affection. As he handed me the warning, he was warming up to Tulsa, and apologizing to me about having to do his job. I told him that I understood, we're all bound to certain obligations.
Tulsa still barks and growls at that one guy.
The officer stops when he sees us on a walk and loves on Tulsa, and she loves back.
Sweet!
John
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I'm moving to Chicago in the next couple of months. I'll be out toward Downers Grove. Maybe we could have a play date sometime.
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John, I can truly picture the Clovis Police coming out on that call. The Sheriff or even Fresno PD would laugh it off - only Clovis would issue a warning ticket. Oh well guess that makes them feel good.
Anyway neighbor, we live between Sanger and Clovis and are planning a BBQ, hope you can make it.
Peggy
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greek4,
a frenchie owning friend of mine lives out in Lombard, and Downers Grove has the benefit of that HUGE Fry's Electronics . so yah, hit me up when u move. there are a coupla really nice dog parks (registration and fees required tho) out around there...
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tonyc, I live in a very small house with a very small yard in the Chicago burbs with my 3 BPOs, two kids, fish and hubby. Barely a day goes past that someone doesn't ask why I have such big dogs..or my favorite...Wou ldn't they be happier at a zoo? >:( They are dogs, not zebras for crying out loud!!
I like to ask people like that why they have so many kids...or wouldn't their kids be happier in a small town, or maybe on a farm somewhere...Ya h, a farm, lotsa fresh air, space to run around in....
When they are offended, then I tell them that when they mind their own business I'll mind mine.
You and your BPOs are healthy and happy, so tell those Californians to get a life so they don't have to be butting into yours! (BPO Cali's excepted of course)
Stella
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People are idiots!!!...Our home is 2800 finished sq. ft but guess what?...My 2 big guys are confined to two rooms & only go anywhere else in the house by our invitation...T hey are in the basement with me alot as my computer is down here & they don't seem distressed by it at all!...I have 8 cats who do naughty things that I have to clean up if the dogs infringe on cat turf so that is the way it is here...We do have a big fenced in yard for the dogs but for the 1st 6 months Samson was here thre was no fence & somehow he survived on leashed walks...My dogs hardly move anyway...Very low energy dogs as is your St. I am sure...Great Danes are popular apt. pets for the same reason...low energy...I can assure you that I am confidant that my dogs wouldn't have a better life in a 50 room mansion with full run of the house!!!...You know your dogs are o.k...When people say these things to you just smile & assure them that their rediculous little opinion has been duly noted! ;D
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I hate when people make comments....of most kinds lol...I have had Willow out and people tell me I am going to have to move...lol Because my house is to small..I say talk to the hand!!!!
Just don't let it bother you,,,you know yourself and your dogs and that is all that matter....
Grump - I had a relationship like that also...go to order starbucks and get all kinds of dirty looks and comments....so my response - the bird - your outta here!!! And that was the end of that
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Don't know who these California friends are. Californian's are weird except for me, Jabear and Nickers and any other BPO here in the "golden state". We get the name "golden state" because of our brown dry grass all over the hills this time of year. Anyway, I am sure they live in grass houses so they better watch where they throw fireballs. Just let them put a notch in their gun because their day is comming, guaranteed.
:P
Nicker isn't wierd? :-\ :D
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Dude. Grumpy. I'm gonna whoop that guy. I'm so glad he's your EX husband. F that guy! Seriously. I have hate now.
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Don't waste good hate on him, girl. It'll come back around, and karma comes back hard.  ;D
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Hey as long as you are happy and your dogs -who cares what others think. They sound like they have a terriffic home are well cared for and loved. They make the most of whatever space they live in. ;D
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we live in a 750 sq ft 3rd floor unit of a single family home - with a fenced in yard - in Chicago near sox stadium. real estate is a premium in the city, and my gf's still a grad student, so we're on a budget...
i'm beginning to find it annoying that i'm judged for keeping 2 rather 'large' dogs (golden and now st. bernie) in this "condition". my friends in CA says it's (and i quote) "just too mean to the dogs" because i don't live in a house w/ a big back yard.
we walk our dogs twice a day at the park, take 'em to the dog beach often, carry 'em for drives along the lake shore, feed 'em PREMIUM kibbles, have a pretty darn reliable vet. this year so far, my golden's been to the vet 4 times.
when I tried to adopt a golden in CHI, golden rescue of IL scoffed because we weren't (rich?) in the burbs w/ a huge backyard. when i tried to adopt in LA, they laughed because i said the dog MAY stay outside. catch 22 or oxymoron??? our st. bernie was obtained off craigslist.com from a desperate family. the golden was an older unwanted stud dog ex backyard breeder in the boondocks of IN. i'm not sure how else to get people off my back. would people rather see these things put down? or is my city apartment a better home? GEE i wonder..
I think sometimes we are not protective enough of ourselves. A few years ago I put up with the comments from friends who would say, "It's those darned dogs that are holding you back. They cost too much. Get rid of them!" Then, I went through a very difficult time for about four years. Who was there for me? Why, the dogs, of course.
After that I thought back to the comments so-called friends made. I think if a person is a real friend they will be more respectful and less know-it-all judgmental. For example, many people like to belittle others, but they are really just silly two-faced morons.
I have a friend who lives on a ranch. She seems to have found a guy who is well-to-do as she raises goats and sends out updates with photos about their progress. When I took in Betti (rescue from a breeder who confiscated her from neglectful owners) she criticized me harshly for taking a purebred dog when there are all of those others out there. She really perched on a soap box and was quite extreme.
Not a month later she brought home a purebred border collie. I think she paid for it, too. I wrote back to her and made the point that we never know what will happen, etc., etc. I think she also missed the point that I did not PAY for Betti...only Betti's numerous vet bills. To that, she would exclaim that she has spent over $40,000 on a horse's veterinary care.
So, for some people there is no hope. They just do not get it and are ready to preach their pseudo values on everyone else. I think it makes them feel better or puts them in this authoritative position where they feel strong giving people like us (who take it in the bum) advice.
The way I look at it now, if they are a real friend, then they can take the answer I give them when I say, "Sorry to rain on your parade, but did I ask your opinion? I feel that my dogs are perfectly happy. I am so glad I have them." Or something like that.
Another comeback I've used lately is, "I do it because I want to, gosh!" I learned that from Napoleon Dynamite. Many people say that is a stupid movie, but for those who see the different layers it is really a remarkable film that has many lessons to teach. There are a myriad of ignoramus questions employed by weirdos that can be easily answered with, "I do whatever I want to, gosh!" because what else is there, really? What can they say? Instead of giving a logical explanation and trying to appease them, we really do not owe them anything and, besides, who gives a hoot what they think anyway? If we are doing something because it makes us happy, then there really is nothing they can say without being jerks.
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All I can say is "how rude!" I had many people, mostly family members, ask why I wanted to get such a big dog when we don't have alot of space and would be moving again w/i a year. I simply said, "because I do" and left it at that.
I, too am moving to the Chicago area (well, outside of Chicago), but not until next spring. I don't know exactly where you are at, but I'd be happy to set up a play date with the kids. And you'll have to let me know where all the good dog parks are at, I know where we are going there probably won't be any (legal ones anyway)
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We get the same comment everytime we go for a walk "I hope yu have a big house/yard" we now just say yes b/c we got tired of explaining that he's fine in our townhouse. He gets 2 walks a day plus play time. And he has a small backyard he likes to lounge in. He seems pretty happy. He's with me all the time anyway. What would he do with a big backyard? Some people are just ignorant.
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That was the first thing everyone said when they found out I was gettin a Dane. And now they all see he is healthy and thriving with out a 100 acre farm to roam.
The big yard for a big dog thing is kind of over rated don't get me wrong Spike would love to do laps around Pierres oops our back yard if he would not get in the pool anyway but if I go in the house he would be at the door rooing and crying at the indignity of being left outside all alone.
As for the big house thing someone already said it He is always right near me so even if we had a palace for him to run he would still be within tripping distance of my feet.
Rachael and Spike
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I totally agree. I've had Maxwell for a year now and I still get lectured by anyone with a voice. People are shocked when I tell them Maxwell lives in our home and heaven forbid sleeps with us in bed sometimes. I know he's huge but he's still just a regular dog. My friends laugh and call him a lap dog because he likes to sleep with his head on your lap. My Brother in law said he wouldn't come over and visit if I got a Saint. (What did I do....get a Saint!! Ha Ha!) Imagine, the nerve of someone telling me what I can or can't have in my home. I have a sign put in the entrance of our home and it says "I love my dogs, this is their home from which I hope they never roam. They're faithful friends, I love them best. This is their home, you are a guest. If dogs to you are just a peeve, then by all means feel free to leave." We bought the sign at a craft fair and it sums up my feelings exactly. My Brother in Law hardly visits now, but to us, the dogs are our family and we won't budge. I don't know how many times people asked "What were you thinking when you got Maxwell?" I just say, I've always loved Saints and always wanted one so I got one. It's pretty simple. Some people love babies and want 3 or 4 of them and I love dogs. To each his own. Whatever happens, don't ever let other people dictate how you feel. I have a funny feeling that a lot of Saints are homeless because their owners listened to the critics and couldn't take it anymore. The moral of the story is not to care about what others think and enjoy what you have.
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I have a saint also and get some of the same comments, but here is the line that will shut people up.
DID I ASK YOU TO TALK TO ME!
You say that to someone with an opinion and watch their mouth drop. I would love to hear about someone doing that and what happens, I'm telling you it works.
awo
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I was talking with my Aunt the other day on the phone (an Aunt that I honestly don't like.. lol). And Bubba was bugging me to let him outside. I asked her to hold on a second and I switched to the cordless phone and took Bubba outside. She says "Oh you got a dog?" Yes I did... "What kind of dog did you get?" We got a Saint Bernard.. She was quiet for a couple seconds and then says "Wow where does he sleep?" Um in my bedroom. "Omg, you keep him in the house?" GRRR YES!! "OH well a dog like that doesn't belong in the house" My reply was well this isn't your house and if you don't like it don't bother visiting. And then I hung up on her. LOL
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I find it funny. You either get the super positive people or the super negative ones. When I take Maxwell out on the town, he's treated like a superstar!!! We took him to hopewell rocks and there were a lot of tourists there. Anyway, families were getting there pictures taken with Max and we were surrounded by kids and adults wanting to pet Max. We get that a lot. Saints are rare I guess in my area. When Maxwell's in the back seat of our car, people tail gate us to get a better look at him. When we're in a parking lot, we always come back to the car and find it surrounded by people staring at him. It's nice and Maxwell loves the attention. I don't recommend getting a Saint if you are super shy because everyone talks to you and asks questions. But you do get the occasional jerk that says something stupid. Some people are scared of him too but most are nice and friendly. I just know that one day I'll be walking Maxwell and someone will get in a car accident. People drive by and just stare at him and don't watch where there going.
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"Omg, you keep him in the house?" GRRR YES!! "OH well a dog like that doesn't belong in the house"
I get the same thing form my mom...That & "a dog like that wants to be outside"....PUUULLLEEE AAAASSSSSEEEEE EEEEE!...Tell that to Samson & Pippin when they are looking through the patio door like I am abusing & neglecting them if I don't let them back in 30 seconds after they go potty!
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like they pay your bills or clean your house i get it too,if someone has a problem with my dogs inMY house ,i would prefer they not come over its just like someone telling you you shouldnt drive a suv or live somewhere give me a break,
i work pay my bills taxes and don't break to many laws leave me alone......... ............
POOP NAZI
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People can be so singleminded in their perception of what makes a good owner! >:( We have 160 acres and are berrated by our neighbor for not "running" our dogs on the land. HELLO!!!! BIG SPACE they run plenty, but SUPERVISED. We have a 1,000 ft kennel and we are "CRAZY" for spending that type of "MONEY" to contain them when we are not home and working or such. Our dog "HOUSE" is much to "NICE" and way to "BIG" for an "ANIMAL" excuse me! Our dogs are part of our family and I would never let my children "RUN FREE" nor would I leave them without the approprite precautions! Others that livein smaller conditions I have met here, and take long walks, participatein activities with their 4 legged family members and take excellent care. All I have to say is mind your OWN BUSINESS!