[PyrNet-L] Pyrs easy to train? NOT ALL!

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/4/98 11:18:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, TLehrman@aol.com
writes:

<< Freedom of speech in a reasonably civil manner is
 essential here and I think only pleasantness is a farce. Emotional responses
 are accepted here at least by me, regardless of whether I agree with what is
 being said or not.
 That is what the "delete" button is for!!!!
  >>

Ted, 
   The problem is that the DELETE button does not erase the stress and pain
caused by insensitive people's responses to others on the list. I wish I
didn't care about what others think and say, but I'm one of those sensitive
types that care a lot. When someone says something mean-spirited or makes
unkind generalizations it bothers me for days , maybe weeks, even.  But I
don't just care a lot about that - I CARE A LOT about everything, especially
about my family and I consider Albert and our cat Chester both part of the
family!! 
   (The following is NOT aimed at you, Ted.)
   I find it very upsetting when people with eager-to-please pyrs who are not
stubborn ARE making assumptions that if a dog is stubborn or independent that
it is the owner's fault or because the dog and owner are not close and do not
have a loving relationship. When maybe they just happened to get the eager-to-
please one of the litter. Maybe the others (like myself) got the rest of the
pyrs in the litter that are more stubborn like most pyrs are. I find it
extremely insulting and insensitive and a horrible generalization to make
statements that are trying to find fault with and point fingers at people and
their dogs that you know very little about.  I say my dog is stubborn because
he is, he is not stubborn because I said he was! The stubbornness came prior
to me saying he was stubborn and after he exhibited many stubborn actions and
behaviors, so there is no cause and effect there! That's like saying someone
is an alcoholic because someone said they are an alconolic after they became
one!  I am not someone that is quick to pidgeon-hole someone and label
someone. Someone (including my dog) has to consistently display the same
behavior before I would ever claim they are that way. If you'd been reading my
posts all along you would know that my love for Albert is very strong and how
attached to him I am and vice versa. I think my vet thinks I am one of the
most devoted pet owners he has ever seen. He gets a real kick out of my
relationship and how loving I am to Albert. He knows when Albert is at the
vet's overnight that we want to stay as long after hours as possible and that
if he is ever making an after-hours trip to clinic to call us so we can meet
him there and hold and massage Albert and that we'll bring our herbal hot pad
for his belly, too. And I get right down on the vet clinic's floor and hold
Albert for hours or as long as possible. He loves to see this big guy on his
back between my legs with his head on my lap and me massaging his belly, head
and shoulders and everywhere. He chuckles and tells the office gals to go peek
at us, too!! He is more apt to go the extra mile for us by letting us come
after hours because I think he knows we are some of the best medicine for
Albert!!  
   To say otherwise is hurtful and making judgments about something you know
nothing about!  I am sick of hearing those kinds of comments! And I'll quit
now because Albert is licking my ear and cheek and pawing my arm and is
telling me he wants my undivided attention for a bit!! Even though I have been
petting him a lot while I've been typing this. He's being extra needy of my
attentions today and doesn't even want me to read the paper or anything. When
I tried to read our weekly local newspaper tonight for election results to
local races he kept wanting attention and me petting him the whole while
wasn't enough: he kept climbing up on my news-paper like a cat will do and
licking me!!  Think he's trying to make up for yesterday when he was a very
disobedient boy and escaped his pen and left the property and scared me  and
made me mad at him when he wouldn't obey me and was his most disobedient yet.
Nothing would work to get him to come back within my reach. Not walking away,
or meatballs, or inviting him to get his belly rubbed, or holding the cat, or
inviting him to go on a walk or a ride, or saying SIT or anything. None of the
usual things would work. 

:)  &  :)```   (me grinning & Albert grinning & drooling!)

Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, WA.