Why You Love I-dog

Between the aggression issues when we first rescued Sassy and then all of her allergy-related problems, I can't begin to imagine what I'd have done if I hadn't found this forum.  I've still got so much to learn, but I'm far more informed than I was when I first found this site. 

It gives me something to do when I'm bored at work. [sm=lol.gif] Just kidding. (Sort of.)
 
I have learned an amazing amount of info here that I don't think I could find anywhere else. I know that Rupert now has a better, healthier life because of it. I feel confident that if I ever have a doggie question, concern, or good story, I can come here, and I will get answers and support. I have met some absolutely wonderful people who I now consider my friends. Awww. Love and mushiness.

I love i-dog because of its consistency over the years.  [sm=lol.gif]  Even the fights are always the same!  Seriously, I love i-dog for the knowledge I've gleaned from it, the support I've received during difficult times, and the friends I've made here.  And my dog loves it because I'm a much better mom to her.  For example, when I'm too tired and don't feel like exercising with her, I just think of all the other i-doggers who are out exercising with their dogs and being responsible dog-parents and I am guilted into getting off the couch.  [sm=angel.gif]

What else would I do at work?? [] I like I-dog. I'm grateful for the opportunity to come here, and begin to make friends with some wonderful similar-minded people.

You know y'all, its the time of year. Every web board I belong to at the moment is at odds with each other - and in my experience it seems to happen every year about this time. We're coming through winter, and people are struggling right now. Call it SADS, call it the winter blahs, whatever its a tough time of the year for a lot of people. We'll probably see another surge in the dead of summer too, as people are tired of being hot and sticky.

My solution? Chocolate and popcorn. And some I-dog group hugs. Y'all know I don't do group hugs, but I'm willing to take one for the team. Who's up to it??

I don't do group hugs, either, but Roscoe is always up for a hug. He's a weird dog that way.
 
I'll take the chocolate. []

I joined this forum in Sept. 2005. Previously, I had been in a sled dog forum elsewhere and had been flamed and slammed in ways that make i-dog look mild. That moderator's reply was, in so many words, "sorry about your luck."
 
Anyway, we immediately fit in at i-dog, with mixed breeds galore, many of them rescues. Our own dog was given to us by a family that was ready to put him to sleep to be mean to the daughter that owned him. So, that's kind of a rescue. I wish I had rescued one more, his playmate, Duke, a JRT. Duke was re-homed a few times. The last time, he got out of the yard and was killed by a coyote.
 
Squabbles aside, I've learned so much here. Either directly from discussions or from reading something inspired by a discussion. And there are good people here doing good things, here and abroad.
 
And everyone here seemed to have liked my irish story and you just have to love an appreciative audience. Plenty of people have shown the patience of Job while I caught up to speed. When I got Shadow, I was on a steep learning curve. Coming to i-dog made it sheer vertical, like El Capitan.
 

And Ron, you've got those nice legs too!!  That's why we were so patient with you!![]

[]Gosh! Gee whiz! And I thought you had admired me for my mind. On second thought, my mind is only used to keep my ears from slapping together, so, I'm better off having the manly legs, anyway. And the husky blue eyes.
 

And don't forget those long flowing locks!! [8D]

 I found idog in 2001.  It was the best.  My 1st dog ever was a fear agressive, biting-potentialed scary -what- have -I -gotten- myself- into-type of dog.  And this place saved her life. 

I lurked for 2 years searching the archives and accessing the present beleagured dogowners that shared my girl's spooky agression.  I learned management and patience. I was the ultimate lurker exploring the idog library.  I NEVER posted. I took advice as I felt it could redeem me as an owner and her as my pet and disregarded all info that never "worked" for us.  Along the way, I learned nutrition.  And some advice, I followed, and some....my girl puked, so I changed my mind! I always followed what worked for my dog.

Years later, I got brave and "joined" the mix after the addition of my beautiful Murphy, my ultimate hound. For me, after Murph joined the family, my problems became obedience issues, and I had to finally, participate and post in 2003.  I understood the rationale of the board advice, and I decided to get a trainer back then to help "train" me to become more patient and advised with my boy.  As always, I only implemented what was successful for us.

I have never looked back.  I understand the passion of dogowners.  I am one.  And impassioned at that.  But this place has been many different things, for many different reasons, for many different people.  Discord and dissension has its place, always, always before a decision.  I remember then, as I remember now, contribute kindly, and contribute well.

This I confess is what idog means to me....

[]
 
I have this one impersonation that you have to see to appreciate. 20-something years ago, Cybil Shepherd was the Loreal Girl. Her final line in the ad went like this:
 
"I use Preference by Loreal because"
She swivels her head to toss her hair over her shoulder...
"I'm worth it."
 
I've gotten more than a few giggles doing that, even with my mug.
 

Ever since I adopted my chi mix pup not so long ago I had been searching the web for a community of people that were friendly, caring, informative, and just plain old good people to chat with.  I'll be honest I did come across other message boards that revolved around animals but this is the only one that I was able to fufilll all those descriptions.  Being a SAHM right now in a new state after living in NY all my life up until now which has brought me here to SC I don't know really anybody besides the few family members that are here.  I feel that I have connected with people and made friends in a different manner.
 
Thank you I-Dog[sm=angel.gif]

Like Anne said, it's like having a lot of weird relatives - a big extended family.  People might might get annoyed with each other, but if someone is having a problem or needs help, everyone is willing to pitch in.  And the incredible amount of knowledge that some people have and are willing to share is truly amazing.