It's MDW Friday Chat !! (Deb W.)

I just came across this story -- somehow during all the coverage when the women in Cleveland were rescued, I missed the fact that there were dogs in the house, too.  It's an interesting question -- would the women want any or all of the dogs now that they've been freed, or would they be a painful reminder of their captivity.  I hope the dogs get a happy ending, regardless.  I'm sure lots of people would come forward to adopt them if the women don't want them. 

http://abcnews.go.com/US/kidnapped-cleveland-women-deciding-alleged-captors-dogs/story?id=19249608

It just started pouring here -- it's pelting the office windows.  Glad I got in from my lunch date before it started!

 Love the boxer Callie - in all seriousness I will be looking into doggles for B. Two years in a row with the eye irritation is enough

thank goodness its Friday night.

I did learn that I have a LONG week ahead, I need to not think about that right now

Tracy I'm not kidding about Eugene being a great place for those that suffer allergies. I've seen Eugene on a few lists for that. I actually lived in Eugene for 3 months (July, August and Sept) in 1977...went to Dog Grooming School there. I only had one day, the whole time I was there, that I suffered with allergies. The reason I think I had the problem that day was, come to find out, one of the dogs I groomed just got back from an out of state vacation. It probably brought a bunch of allergens in on it's coat.

I think one of the reasons Eugene is a good place to be if you suffer allergies, has something to do with the way the winds blow. Anyway, it was great for me when I was there and those months were typical of the bad time for my allergies.

tacran

It's an interesting question -- would the women want any or all of the dogs now that they've been freed, or would they be a painful reminder of their captivity.

I can't remember if I asked you this before Tracy but I remember there being a large population of young, homeless folks there in Eugene. It reminded me of a modern Haight Ashbury. Is that still the case? I was only there for the night with a coworker but we had the best dinner at this Italian place and I still dream about it now and then.

I met with a friend for a drink and to discuss the upcoming Horse Expo and another rescue venture she wants help with. She's the nicest person you could ever meet and the time flew by. We met at a restaurant on the river and sat outside. It was really fun but I feel like I chatted her poor ear off :)

cakana

We met at a restaurant on the river and sat outside. It was really fun but I feel like I chatted her poor ear off.

I was thinking the same as you, Cathy -- that the dogs may have been one of the few sources of affection, companionship, and comfort they experienced during their captivity.  I'd think they'd want to keep them.  But, I'm guessing there are probably lots of "little" things that trigger horrible memories when you've experienced that kind of trauma -- a sound, a smell, etc. -- and maybe the dogs would be a trigger.  My idealistic nature hopes that they loved the dogs and that each woman keeps one dog and they all stay in touch, but that's probably not likely.

Maureen, that's really interesting about your Eugene experience.  My good friend was raised there and has family still there -- I'll ask her if she knows if it's something about the wind current or landscape.  In fact, she has allergies up here where we live, so maybe she has first hand experience of how it's different there.

It's funny you mentioned the Italian restaurant, Cathy.  This same friend took me to her favorite Italian place in Eugene a couple years ago when we went down there for a concert.  I can't remember the name of it, but it was excellent.  I still remember what I ate and would love to go back.  Wonder if it's the same place?! 

As for the young homeless population -- I don't know about those statistics now, but Eugene definitely has a "hippie" vibe to it.  There's an area festival every summer where many people walk around naked, and there's all kinds of stereotypical things you hear about with New Age stuff, Grateful Dead type lifestyles, etc.  The University of Oregon is there, so there's a student influence, but there are "old hippies" wandering about, too!

Csllie, glad you're starting to feel a bit better.

Cathy, I didn't feel the quake either, but DS did.  He was lying across his bed working on his laptop.  Max apparently felt it too because he went tearing out through his doggy door like the hounds of hell were after him and the water in the pool was sloshing all around. Of course they had to screw up prime time programming to go on and on and on about it. Come on guys, it's CA.  We have earthquakes and we don't need a 3 hr. commentary unless there was a lot of damage like with the Northridge quake or the Loma Prieta quake.

Tracy, about yesterdays allergy comments .... I have a good friend up in Crescent City whose daughter had asthma and other assorted allergies all of her life, but when they came to Davis she felt fine and had no problems with anything. Yet, the central valley is supposed to be the allergy capital of the world.  I think her daughter was allergic to mold and if there's anything we don't have here it's dampness, especially in the summer.

Joyce