My grandfather died of Lung Cancer early in November. My boyfriend of 5 years proposed to me on November 20th and of course I said YES! We will be getting married September 15, 2012. ^_^
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Life Updates
Been a while since I've written here but here's what's happened since October...
My grandfather died of Lung Cancer early in November. My boyfriend of 5 years proposed to me on November 20th and of course I said YES! We will be getting married September 15, 2012. ^_^
My grandfather died of Lung Cancer early in November. My boyfriend of 5 years proposed to me on November 20th and of course I said YES! We will be getting married September 15, 2012. ^_^
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Goal & Greyhound
So, I finally have a plan! (lol) I'm still living with my parents and I've been wanting to move out for a while but don't have enough money. I came up with a pretty solid goal this past week to save up enough money to move out by the end of the summer, 2012. I'm looking to get a second job and had this brilliant idea to help me save money (which is something I often struggle with). The idea is to put one of my paychecks from one job into my savings account so that it is untouchable. Then put my other paycheck from my other job in my checking account to be used for day-to-day spending. As long as I follow through with this idea, my plan should be flawless!! :)
One of the big reasons I want to move out is so that I can get my own dog. Lately I've really been wanting to adopt a Greyhound. I've always wanted to adopt one since I started working at the veterinary hospital, but it's always been kinda in the back of my mind; something I thought of doing later in life. But lately I've been seeing a bunch of Greyhounds and I just cannot resist them! So, when I move out, I plan on adopting a young ex-racing Greyhound. I've done research and met many in person and they are excellent dogs! & Even though they are big, they are more like a small dog trapped in a big dog's body as far as personality. They are intelligent and eager to please. Contrary to popular belief, they are not highly energetic either. They only run when they "have" to & they really only sprint. They don't really have endurance which is part of why they're not so high-strung.
Anyways, enough about greyhounds themselves. When I get My Greyhound, I want it to be a girl, hopefully 2-3 years old. Brindle colored with an orange or dark brown base coat. I want to name her Kike (pronounced Kee-Kay) after a Cheetah on the Animal Planet show "Big Cat Diary" which my sister and I have been watching in the mornings. I love that name and it kinda fits because the Cheetah (Kike) is the fastest cat and greyhounds are the fastest dogs. Anyways, my sister and I think its a really pretty name! I will have her trained and test her to get the Canine Good Citizen Certificate. She'll be my baby! ^_^
One of the big reasons I want to move out is so that I can get my own dog. Lately I've really been wanting to adopt a Greyhound. I've always wanted to adopt one since I started working at the veterinary hospital, but it's always been kinda in the back of my mind; something I thought of doing later in life. But lately I've been seeing a bunch of Greyhounds and I just cannot resist them! So, when I move out, I plan on adopting a young ex-racing Greyhound. I've done research and met many in person and they are excellent dogs! & Even though they are big, they are more like a small dog trapped in a big dog's body as far as personality. They are intelligent and eager to please. Contrary to popular belief, they are not highly energetic either. They only run when they "have" to & they really only sprint. They don't really have endurance which is part of why they're not so high-strung.
Anyways, enough about greyhounds themselves. When I get My Greyhound, I want it to be a girl, hopefully 2-3 years old. Brindle colored with an orange or dark brown base coat. I want to name her Kike (pronounced Kee-Kay) after a Cheetah on the Animal Planet show "Big Cat Diary" which my sister and I have been watching in the mornings. I love that name and it kinda fits because the Cheetah (Kike) is the fastest cat and greyhounds are the fastest dogs. Anyways, my sister and I think its a really pretty name! I will have her trained and test her to get the Canine Good Citizen Certificate. She'll be my baby! ^_^
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Video Games
EDIT (9/16/2011): I'm specifically referring to Online Games. Online games are pure evil! just sayin.
I will say right now, I don't like video games. I especially don't like the more mature video games and video game consoles (such as xbox360 and ps3). I've never been able to get into games or enjoy them at all and I honestly don't see what the big deal is. And I don't see how people can play them obsessively (as in eat, sleep, game, eat, sleep, game, etc). I personally think it is not good for some people; makes them selfish and blind to others. I swear its like an Addiction! The only game console I'm okay with is the Nintendo Wii. I know that console is kinda childish and starting to fade from the trend...but at least it's interactive and not just sit on your butt, stare at the tv, and mash buttons while cursing the screen. The Wii is a great console for like fun party games (like the dancing games, and wii resort, and mario party, and stuff like that) because it involves getting up and interacting with friends who are there with you. I admit however that I don't play the Wii much anymore but when it first came out I actually really enjoyed it and to this day I still say its the best console for the very reasons I mentioned above.
Another thing about video games, I don't understand why people let their kids play Mature rated video games.It's rated mature for a reason! Just like movies are rated R for a reason. There are things in there that a kid should not see, hear, or learn. Kids should play age appropriate video games and watch age appropriate movies (however I do think with movies, you can be a little more lenient, like with PG-13 & etc. but still the adult/parent should watch it first). When I have kids of my own, they will play age appropriate games. I will not have my kids running around the house using words and actions they learned from their form of entertainment (such as pointing a pencil at someone, holding it like its held in a shooting game, and pretending to shoot someone; or saying curse words that are said in mature rated video games) As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather my kid not point a toy gun, even a water gun or pop gun, at anyone until they are old enough to understand the dangers of what a real one can do. And even after they learn the dangers, I will scold if they do so. But that's beside the point. Kids should spend their childhood outside playing with their friends and having fun by being active and releasing all that energy (that we all miss having later in life), and not by sitting in front of the tv, mashing buttons.
Now, let me be clear, I'm not saying that I dislike you if you play video games. I don't care that people play. That's just life & how people entertain themselves today. I just believe there is a limit, and crossing that limit is unhealthy. When playing a video game begins to affect you (as in eating less, sleeping less, being less physically social, irritation, etc.) and affect those around you (strained relationships, stress, fights, irritation, usually centrally caused by console), that is when the line has been crossed and the game or console has become an obsession / addiction and something needs to be done.
Feedback
Please feel free to share your opinion about video games and game consoles. Do you feel the same? Do you completely disagree? Do you find that some game consoles are less "healthy" than others? Etc. Please share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say about this worldwide popular activity.
I will say right now, I don't like video games. I especially don't like the more mature video games and video game consoles (such as xbox360 and ps3). I've never been able to get into games or enjoy them at all and I honestly don't see what the big deal is. And I don't see how people can play them obsessively (as in eat, sleep, game, eat, sleep, game, etc). I personally think it is not good for some people; makes them selfish and blind to others. I swear its like an Addiction! The only game console I'm okay with is the Nintendo Wii. I know that console is kinda childish and starting to fade from the trend...but at least it's interactive and not just sit on your butt, stare at the tv, and mash buttons while cursing the screen. The Wii is a great console for like fun party games (like the dancing games, and wii resort, and mario party, and stuff like that) because it involves getting up and interacting with friends who are there with you. I admit however that I don't play the Wii much anymore but when it first came out I actually really enjoyed it and to this day I still say its the best console for the very reasons I mentioned above.
Another thing about video games, I don't understand why people let their kids play Mature rated video games.It's rated mature for a reason! Just like movies are rated R for a reason. There are things in there that a kid should not see, hear, or learn. Kids should play age appropriate video games and watch age appropriate movies (however I do think with movies, you can be a little more lenient, like with PG-13 & etc. but still the adult/parent should watch it first). When I have kids of my own, they will play age appropriate games. I will not have my kids running around the house using words and actions they learned from their form of entertainment (such as pointing a pencil at someone, holding it like its held in a shooting game, and pretending to shoot someone; or saying curse words that are said in mature rated video games) As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather my kid not point a toy gun, even a water gun or pop gun, at anyone until they are old enough to understand the dangers of what a real one can do. And even after they learn the dangers, I will scold if they do so. But that's beside the point. Kids should spend their childhood outside playing with their friends and having fun by being active and releasing all that energy (that we all miss having later in life), and not by sitting in front of the tv, mashing buttons.
Now, let me be clear, I'm not saying that I dislike you if you play video games. I don't care that people play. That's just life & how people entertain themselves today. I just believe there is a limit, and crossing that limit is unhealthy. When playing a video game begins to affect you (as in eating less, sleeping less, being less physically social, irritation, etc.) and affect those around you (strained relationships, stress, fights, irritation, usually centrally caused by console), that is when the line has been crossed and the game or console has become an obsession / addiction and something needs to be done.
Feedback
Please feel free to share your opinion about video games and game consoles. Do you feel the same? Do you completely disagree? Do you find that some game consoles are less "healthy" than others? Etc. Please share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say about this worldwide popular activity.
My Pet Peeves When Driving
- Ignorance
- Arrogance
- People who do not use their blinkers
- People who tailgate
- People who go under the speed limit
- People who pull out in front of you at the wrong time and you have to slam on brakes so as not to hit them.
- Offensive / Aggressive drivers
- School buses
- People who park ridiculously crooked or take up two parking spaces at once.
To those who drive with arrogance, the road does not belong to you. The road plus the drivers on it do not revolve around you either. People around you do not automatically know what you intend to do (for example, suddenly turning & everyone behind you has to slam on brakes because they had no idea you were going to slow down and turn because you did not have your blinker on to warn everyone ahead of time). People around you also are not going to drive like you so don’t yell and fuss and flip the bird just because they’re not doing something you would’ve done.
I am a defensive driver. Being a defensive driver does not make you weak. It shows you are considerate of yours and other people’s safety. Safety is key when driving. As the saying goes, “The best offense is a good defense.”
Dogs and Children
I’ve always thought dogs and children were very similar. Back when I wanted to become an Elementary School Teacher, I thought young kids would be easy to care for because they are about the same as dogs. All you have to do to entertain a dog or a child is to play with them, feed them, give them attention, talk to them, and give them a safe comfy place to learn and grow. I’d always loved animals and dogs but at the time I couldn’t think of a job with animals without becoming a veterinarian or biologist, neither of which I wanted to do. So, I thought being a teacher would be a better alternative. Comparing dogs to children was my way justifying my unsteady decision. However, I told a small handful of people about my comparison, and some of them were kind of taken aback about comparing a child to a dog! I thought my comparison made perfect sense & I never meant to offend. After clearing up the taboo comparison & explaining that I’m not trying to say that a child is a “pet” or “dog” (in the derogatory sense), I kept my opinion about children and dogs to myself.
After I finally put away the idea of becoming an elementary school teacher, I decided that I could still work with dogs by becoming a groomer. So, at work at the veterinary hospital, I moved out of the kennels (where we board dogs whose families are on vacation) and began working alongside the new groomer as her assistant. I also started grooming classes at my local technical college. Today in my grooming class, my instructor said something that brought my comparison back into the light. She said that on the news recently, it was said that research has found that dogs have a similar mental capacity as a 2-year old child! My previous comparison instantly clicked in my head and I was right (in a way)!
To further extend my comparison, dogs do also learn in about the same way that children do: repetition, conditioning, shaping, reverse psychology, and positive reinforcement. Children (such as 2-year-olds) as well as dogs, also do not comprehend some things like we do. The example my instructor used was when a dog’s mouth hurts because of a toothache, we may not know if or where it hurts, but the dog may become aggressive or irritable because all it knows is it hurts but is unaware of how to fix it. Same with a young child, if it has a toothache it becomes irritable and is not very nice for the same reasons that all it knows is that it hurts but is unaware of how to fix it. Many other comparisons could be made but a parent would be able to give more accurate examples. I am not a parent, I only make the comparisons based on the experience I’ve had as a babysitter in the past, & from observing how children (& dogs) behave in public areas.
Note
Please do not become offended by me stating that dogs have the mental capacity of a 2-year-old. I do not wish to call anyone’s dog stupid or anything like that. I love dogs with all my might. This comparison applies to dogs in general. The mental capacity can vary by breed. If you think your dog is brilliant, Awesome! Tell your dog he/she is brilliant! If you think your dog has the mental capacity of a newborn…just love him/her all the same.
Also, please do not become offended by me comparing children to dogs. I do not mean that your child is a “dog” or a “pet” & I never use those terms in a derogatory meaning to begin with.
Feedback
Thank you for reading!!!! I am always open to feedback! If you have any thoughts or examples on this comparison between dogs and young children, please share! Speaking of children and dogs, feel free to post a cute picture of your child and dog playing together or loving on each other! ^_^
After I finally put away the idea of becoming an elementary school teacher, I decided that I could still work with dogs by becoming a groomer. So, at work at the veterinary hospital, I moved out of the kennels (where we board dogs whose families are on vacation) and began working alongside the new groomer as her assistant. I also started grooming classes at my local technical college. Today in my grooming class, my instructor said something that brought my comparison back into the light. She said that on the news recently, it was said that research has found that dogs have a similar mental capacity as a 2-year old child! My previous comparison instantly clicked in my head and I was right (in a way)!
To further extend my comparison, dogs do also learn in about the same way that children do: repetition, conditioning, shaping, reverse psychology, and positive reinforcement. Children (such as 2-year-olds) as well as dogs, also do not comprehend some things like we do. The example my instructor used was when a dog’s mouth hurts because of a toothache, we may not know if or where it hurts, but the dog may become aggressive or irritable because all it knows is it hurts but is unaware of how to fix it. Same with a young child, if it has a toothache it becomes irritable and is not very nice for the same reasons that all it knows is that it hurts but is unaware of how to fix it. Many other comparisons could be made but a parent would be able to give more accurate examples. I am not a parent, I only make the comparisons based on the experience I’ve had as a babysitter in the past, & from observing how children (& dogs) behave in public areas.
Note
Please do not become offended by me stating that dogs have the mental capacity of a 2-year-old. I do not wish to call anyone’s dog stupid or anything like that. I love dogs with all my might. This comparison applies to dogs in general. The mental capacity can vary by breed. If you think your dog is brilliant, Awesome! Tell your dog he/she is brilliant! If you think your dog has the mental capacity of a newborn…just love him/her all the same.
Also, please do not become offended by me comparing children to dogs. I do not mean that your child is a “dog” or a “pet” & I never use those terms in a derogatory meaning to begin with.
Feedback
Thank you for reading!!!! I am always open to feedback! If you have any thoughts or examples on this comparison between dogs and young children, please share! Speaking of children and dogs, feel free to post a cute picture of your child and dog playing together or loving on each other! ^_^
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
My Future Dog
My Dogs Now
I have always grown up with a passion for animals. I especially love dogs and horses. Right now, my main focus is on dogs, especially because I am currently pursuing a degree in Dog Grooming at my local technical college. I’ve always had dogs and loved being around them. My family, with whom I live with, has a Pekingese and a Tibetan Spaniel. The Pekingese is “my” dog but of course, in the end, after I move out they will stay with my parents.
Raising our dogs we never really took them out in public or spent a whole lot of money on spoiling them. They always had the “bare necessities,” such as a collar, a leash, dog food, treats, toys, and beds. Since we never took them out of the house, we rarely took them to the vet, therefore they never received their vaccinations.
However, last summer (2010) I started working at a Veterinary Hospital as a kennel worker. Being an employee, I got discounts on vaccines so I got the dogs vaccinated and started taking them to work with me and taking them out in public. I bought them new harnesses and leashes as well. However, being that my dogs are not used to being out in public, they both act a little strange. My pekingese loves car rides (which is awesome) but when I take her to the dog park, she only walks around and pees instead of meeting and playing with other dogs. My Tibetan Spaniel, on the other hand, did not do well at all in the car at first. She would throw up and/or poop during the ride. I finally got her to where she can ride for longer distances and remain calm. But she acts even worse around dogs, she’s not aggressive by any means, but she gets extremely nervous around other dogs, so she drools like a waterfall and has no manners when it comes to pooping in public. She’s pooped and walked at the same time on the sidewalk several times, leaving a trail of droppings behind us. Because of her nervousness in public, I try to avoid taking her to public places (because, quite frankly, it is embarrassing). That being said, my dogs are not very well socialized and they do not have proper leash manners (by that I mean they pull) & they don’t know critical commands such as “come” and “stay” etc. I also decided to explore all the different foods out there for dogs, especially after a lady came to work to promote Purina dog food and offered a 3 month weight loss program for staff dogs using their dog food for free! After that, dog food became an issue. My dogs loved that weight loss food, but we can’t really afford to spend that much money on a special bag of dog food as well as my work doesn’t sell it. So the dog food shuffle began. We’ve tried so many different brands and textures of dog food & my blond dog will get bored with the food & will barely eat it. I’m constantly on the hunt for good food that they will like and that is good for them. After researching dog food I discovered that corn, wheat, and soy, which are found in MOST dog foods, are actually not good for dogs. Dogs in general are actually allergic to it. I try giving my dogs good food without those ingredients but they are just not that interested. So, the dog food shuffle continues.
My Future Dog
Getting on to the point of this blog, I just want to jot down some thoughts of how I would like to raise my own dog differently from the way my parents raised our dogs. I didn’t become aware of all these social and health things until the family dogs were about 8 years old…a little late to be socializing and training.
When I get my dog, whatever breed it may be, I will get it when it is somewhere between 6 months and 1 year old. I would want it to be a female small - medium dog. At its young age we would go in to training classes where she would learn to be potty trained, leash manners, and basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” “heel,” “leave it,” etc. I would hope that she becomes an obedient and loyal dog who always wants to be with me and looks to me for guidance. I would start her on good food with good ingredients and a well-maintained diet which would continue and adjust to her growth and lifestyle. I will socialize her at an early age, taking her to dog parks, doggie day cares, and local canine friendly events. She will travel with me for hikes, camping trips, walks, and any other adventure. I would hope she has a great sense of adventure and fun with plenty of endurance and stamina. I hope that she loves to play in the water too, which I will also do my best to teach her at an early age. She will always get all her shots as often as she needs them so that she can stay healthy and happy. I will train her at an early age to accept her teeth being brushed daily. She will have tasty treats, comfy beds, a pretty collar & leash. I would hope that from all the socialization she does well with strangers, other dogs, and other animals. She will receive the best of care and get brushed, bathed, and groomed often. She will be my best friend, my soul mate, my companion.
Your Feedback
If you happen to read this blog, Awesome!! LOL If you’d like, please tell me the story about you and your dog/pet and your relationship together! I hope to hear from other animal lovers like myself!! ^_^
I have always grown up with a passion for animals. I especially love dogs and horses. Right now, my main focus is on dogs, especially because I am currently pursuing a degree in Dog Grooming at my local technical college. I’ve always had dogs and loved being around them. My family, with whom I live with, has a Pekingese and a Tibetan Spaniel. The Pekingese is “my” dog but of course, in the end, after I move out they will stay with my parents.
Raising our dogs we never really took them out in public or spent a whole lot of money on spoiling them. They always had the “bare necessities,” such as a collar, a leash, dog food, treats, toys, and beds. Since we never took them out of the house, we rarely took them to the vet, therefore they never received their vaccinations.
However, last summer (2010) I started working at a Veterinary Hospital as a kennel worker. Being an employee, I got discounts on vaccines so I got the dogs vaccinated and started taking them to work with me and taking them out in public. I bought them new harnesses and leashes as well. However, being that my dogs are not used to being out in public, they both act a little strange. My pekingese loves car rides (which is awesome) but when I take her to the dog park, she only walks around and pees instead of meeting and playing with other dogs. My Tibetan Spaniel, on the other hand, did not do well at all in the car at first. She would throw up and/or poop during the ride. I finally got her to where she can ride for longer distances and remain calm. But she acts even worse around dogs, she’s not aggressive by any means, but she gets extremely nervous around other dogs, so she drools like a waterfall and has no manners when it comes to pooping in public. She’s pooped and walked at the same time on the sidewalk several times, leaving a trail of droppings behind us. Because of her nervousness in public, I try to avoid taking her to public places (because, quite frankly, it is embarrassing). That being said, my dogs are not very well socialized and they do not have proper leash manners (by that I mean they pull) & they don’t know critical commands such as “come” and “stay” etc. I also decided to explore all the different foods out there for dogs, especially after a lady came to work to promote Purina dog food and offered a 3 month weight loss program for staff dogs using their dog food for free! After that, dog food became an issue. My dogs loved that weight loss food, but we can’t really afford to spend that much money on a special bag of dog food as well as my work doesn’t sell it. So the dog food shuffle began. We’ve tried so many different brands and textures of dog food & my blond dog will get bored with the food & will barely eat it. I’m constantly on the hunt for good food that they will like and that is good for them. After researching dog food I discovered that corn, wheat, and soy, which are found in MOST dog foods, are actually not good for dogs. Dogs in general are actually allergic to it. I try giving my dogs good food without those ingredients but they are just not that interested. So, the dog food shuffle continues.
My Future Dog
Getting on to the point of this blog, I just want to jot down some thoughts of how I would like to raise my own dog differently from the way my parents raised our dogs. I didn’t become aware of all these social and health things until the family dogs were about 8 years old…a little late to be socializing and training.
When I get my dog, whatever breed it may be, I will get it when it is somewhere between 6 months and 1 year old. I would want it to be a female small - medium dog. At its young age we would go in to training classes where she would learn to be potty trained, leash manners, and basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” “heel,” “leave it,” etc. I would hope that she becomes an obedient and loyal dog who always wants to be with me and looks to me for guidance. I would start her on good food with good ingredients and a well-maintained diet which would continue and adjust to her growth and lifestyle. I will socialize her at an early age, taking her to dog parks, doggie day cares, and local canine friendly events. She will travel with me for hikes, camping trips, walks, and any other adventure. I would hope she has a great sense of adventure and fun with plenty of endurance and stamina. I hope that she loves to play in the water too, which I will also do my best to teach her at an early age. She will always get all her shots as often as she needs them so that she can stay healthy and happy. I will train her at an early age to accept her teeth being brushed daily. She will have tasty treats, comfy beds, a pretty collar & leash. I would hope that from all the socialization she does well with strangers, other dogs, and other animals. She will receive the best of care and get brushed, bathed, and groomed often. She will be my best friend, my soul mate, my companion.
Your Feedback
If you happen to read this blog, Awesome!! LOL If you’d like, please tell me the story about you and your dog/pet and your relationship together! I hope to hear from other animal lovers like myself!! ^_^
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