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October 2011 Moms
~~**UO Thursday**~~
This discussion has been closed.
Re: ~~**UO Thursday**~~
I couldn't agree more ! Even if we had a yard, we would never.ever.ever allow our dogs to go outside while we are not home to watch them. There are so many things that can go wrong/trouble they could get into, the weather can change suddenly (and the dog have no shelter), or if they bark, they may annoy the neighbors. Also, not sure where you live but we have random wildlife issues where an animal gets attacked by a coyote or large bird. Sure the fence "may" keep a coyote away (although they have been known to dig under them if the really wanted to get to the dog) but what prevents a large bird from attacking or trying to fly off with my chihuahua? Sure, my hound mix may fair better in a bird attack but it could still attack him.
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." --Thomas A. Edison
StephK - can you explain why you think it's unsafe to leave a dog outdoors unattended? I can't wrap my head around this line of thought for the life of me.
We have a 65 lb lab. He's has access to the house when we're home (although a lot of the time he prefers being outside) but when we're gone at work for the day (approx 2-3 hours in the morning, H comes home for lunch, and then a few more hours in the afternoon) we leave him outside. Our yard is large and enclosed by fences on three sides and a hill in the back. He always has shade and water while he's out. Oh, and we walk him in the mornings and evenings... so please explain. What's so unsafe about this situation? Are you really saying that leaving him indoors in a crate is preferable? Because I don't buy it.
Dogs are really supposed to like being in a crate. They really don't have the same concept of space as humans do.
While I am not saying I agree with all of this here are the commonly sited reasons against dogs being left outside
Problems that result from leaving dogs outdoors:
* Escape from the yard, which can lead to being hit by a car, lost in the woods, hurt by people. Also: they can frighten and even bite people out of confusion.
* Taunting and cruelty from youths or adults on the other side of the fence.
* Theft.
* Poisoning.
* Neighbor complaints and threats; visits from animal control officers.
* Accidental release by a passerby, meter reader or service technician. And any resulting bites.
* Frustration from wanting to visit with passing dogs and humans, which can lead to barrier aggression, which fuels aggression towards other dogs and humans.
* Illness and chronic health problems from being out in hot, cold or wet weather.
* Sunburn or heatstroke.
* Flystrike on ears and other body parts, which can lead to open wounds and maggot infestation.
* Electrocution when digging up or chewing on wiring outside the house.
That's exactly what I'm saying. It's a little different that your dog has ready access to the indoors and isn't alone all day without any checking in. Keeping my dog inside, in a crate is a controlled situation and is safe for my dog. While I know there are those that disagree, my dog LOVES her crate. It is her space.
If you leave your dog outside unattended for hours, the dog can climb the fence or dig under the fence, get loose and get hit by a car, lost, etc.. It can be attacked by animals, other dogs, people. The dog can be stolen - it HAS happened. Those are just a few reasons, ignoring the weather aspect that in my opinion it just isn't safe. Maybe I have this opinion after dealing with multiple rescue groups that make it very clear that it is not acceptable to leave a dog outside alone when you're gone during the day.
One of many resources to show that I didn't just form this opinion out of thin air:
https://www.grrmf.org/care/backyard_safety.html
I would agree!
I have been up on the scales and down on the scales. The last time I lost weight, I counted calories, but I didn't keep track of my calories burned. I just figured that if I eat more than 1600 calories, I will maintain or gain. It took a while to figure that.
The logic is there, but we all burn calories at different rates, and I personally think one has to be psychologically ready to lose weight and be successful at it.
After my LO is born, it's back to counting calories, and I hope I can get in the right frame of mind. It is a challenge for some!
I would never in a million years leave my dogs outside unattended for all the reasons outlined above. I am most afraid of them being stolen since one of them is a pit bull and my biggest fear is that someone will steal him and try to fight him. I would also be afraid of them escaping and being hit by a car. And poisoning. In my mind, it's just safer for them to be inside when I am not home. I also don't leave them alone together; one is crated (which is the safest option for him) and one is not.
After seeing my neighbor leaving her three dogs out in 95 degree weather for the past week, I am very comfortable leaving my 70lb American bulldog in his crate rather than putting him outside.
Given that my dog hates his crate and absolutely loves napping/hanging out outdoors (last night he laid outside on the patio until we called him in around 9:30pm) I'll continue to take the "risk" with him. I suppose that makes me a bad pet owner - I don't know. We actually did rescue him - the rescue found him on the streets of Taiwan where he was a stray. I'm certain that his quality of life with us is a vast improvement over his life on the streets. And yeah, still not buying the argument that yards aren't/can't be safe for dogs left unattended.
I'm not saying you're a bad pet owner. I already said it was a bit different that your dog has access to the indoors and so can go inside if he gets too hot, it starts raining, etc. Every dog is different, it's possible that in your area, with your dog, there will never, ever be an issue. I'm just saying that I would never leave my dog outside unattended during the day for all of the reasons I've already given. Generally speaking it isn't safe.
I would definitely agree with you that I am quite sure your dog is a much happier dog being with you than he was as a stray. Our first rescue was picked up as a stray and she was such a sensitive dog, it always broke my heart to picture her life before we rescued her.
my popular opinion (I am going to guess) is that no child is the same as another. no parenting technique is the only way. There can be more than one right way to raise a child.
Also, there is more than one way to correctly take care of a dog. You arent a better pet owner, you just have a different pet.
so if your dog likes to be outside - fantastic. If he likes the crate - great/
If you want to CIO - go for it. If your daughter watches Disney movies - great.
Things that are wrong are not feeding your pet at all. never walking him at all, etc.
Things that are wrong - CIO at 1 week of age for a baby.
but most of us will be good parents. but we may do things differently.
This. My sister said yesterday that I was making it 'impossible' for her. I told her I had 2 registries for a reason and that there were plenty of neutral items on each. Basically she was just peeved that she couldn't buy cute little outfits which is actually part of the reason we didn't find out the sex...we can buy that stuff, we don't need you to spoil our children with a million little outfits they'll never wear. Also, my MIL and SIL asked where I was registered and I told them "Target and Smart Momma, but most of the stuff is at Smart Momma" to which they replied, "Oh, well then we'll go to Target." I think people just do what they want no matter what you do.
Also, to weigh in on the dog question...some dogs like crates, yes, but some don't. My rescue came from a puppy mill where she was locked up all the time, so when I got her home and tried to crate her (at the SPCA's insistence), she flipped the heck out (like destroyed the crate, the floor, almost hurt herself). As soon as I let her have run of the house, she chilled completely out.
Alright, my official UO, I struggle to understand when people say they don't know 'how to cook.' I honestly usually just assume they're lazy because everyone can cook something unless you have a medical reason keeping you from cooking. I learned from years of trial and error, but it happened.
By no means did my UO said counting calories was easy..for the thin or heavy. I have been a personal trainer for over a decade now..and have heard every excuse in the book. There are those who are committed and are successful, but far more look for reasons for not sticking to the routine. Its NOT easy. But dont say "nothing works". These same ppl say only GB will help..and how do you think that works- I ask them-it keeps you from eating and absorbing the excess calories that your body doesnt need-diet is the MOST important aspect of having that surgery. Calories in need to be less than calories out. Regardless of how you decide to look at it...its a simple equation...I never said it was an easy task.
To jump in about GB....
I had one a year and a half ago. I was losing weight and doing well on my own until I got very, very ill. I was incapacitated for almost a year. I was depressed and upset with how fall I fell from the previous year. When I finally got the all-clear from my doctor, I gained back the 100lbs I lost and then some. I was not strong enough to work out the way I was before. I went to my endocrinologist (who treats me for thyroid disease and have trusted for over 10 years) and he told me since I had no other co-mobidities that I was a good candidate for surgery. I had no diabetes, no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol. I had a very high BMI and my metabolism was out of whack. He predicted it would take me about 2 years to get back to where I was on my own, or about a year with the surgery. I wanted to have kids, I wanted to HAVE MY LIFE BACK! I got into therapy and got approved for the surgery and never looked back. I'm so happy I made that decision.
Could I have done it on my own? Yes, I was doing it on my own and lost 100lbs in a year and a half prior to my illnesses. Had I not gotten sick, I wouldn't never contemplated surgery.
You have to be ready to commit to a life commitment. It wasn't hard to adapt to the new eating plan because I had done it before. It wasn't hard working out 6 days a week because I had done it before. The surgery sped up the process, but only if I committed to eat right and work out. It was the reset button I needed to get me back from the hell of the year before.
Are there people who SAY they are doing everything they can and cannot lose weight but aren't? Yes. Once they are honest with themselves it will be easier to lose. I had to come to terms with a lot of issues before I had the surgery. I was depressed from my illnesses, my dad is a d*ck, my dysfunctional childhood. Once I accepted I was an emotional eater and learned how to channel those emotions, the weight gain stopped. Once I had the surgery, I never gained again.
Deciding to have the surgery was one of the hardest decisions I had to make because people are judgmental. Everyone assumes they know exactly why you are obese and what you can do to cure it. I had to make the decision for me, not for what people may think. Until you've walked in my size 34 pants, you have no idea how I got to where I was.
Sorry if this has been said, I couldn't read all 100+ posts.
1) In general, large dogs do well small spaces. They are not by nature as active as small dogs. Mastiffs and Great Danes are actually EXCELLENT apartment dogs.
2) Yards do not equal exercise. We had a 120lb Lab and he would not play in the yard alone. He wanted walks and park time.
3) Many dogs adjust to their owners schedules. So while they may appear "sad" they are just passing the time until their parents come home.
4) A yard or covered porch should not be a reason to get or not get a dog. All you need is a dedicated doggy parent to walk the dog daily.
Its too bad that many ppl dont realize how much work one has to do after the GB. Its no magic bullet and the diet and exercise is the same hard work b4 and after the surgery-I dont understand why ppl think surgery will make them thin. If you cant follow a diet b4 the GB then surgery is probably not a safe answer for your plight. My cousin lost 200lbs on her own..gained it back...had GB lost 200+ and has since gained most of it back again. She has been over 400lbs most of her life. And post surgery, got very sick by not following the proper diet to get the nutrition she needed. But I totally respect those that are honest with themselves and others about what works and what doesnt. Following a strict diet sucks for everyone..not just those that are overweight, and not everyone enjoys working out but they do it b/c its a healthy part of life. And there is nothing to be ashamed of if you have GB...you have put in the hard work and thats what counts.
You really could not think of any reasons why it would be unsafe to leave your dog outside all day? Wow...just wow.