Sigh, Wednesday chat

Paige, Rascal is really sensitive too, and for him honestly "unstable" wouldn't be THAT much of an overstatement. But it doesn't have to be an insult. Just like some dogs have stomachs that don't handle changes in food well, some dogs have temperaments than don't handle changes in environment well. Some people might call that "unstable" - but that's okay. It doesn't have to be a value judgment. Dogs shouldn't have to be okay with chaos. Just like a dog that is "unfriendly" (doesn't like strangers) isn't a "bad" dog, just has different needs. Clearly this isn't a Gracie problem anyway, as you so astutely noticed. It sounds like a great idea to have her stay with your parents. A somewhat similar issue with Rascal living in a chaotic household while I wasn't around did mess him up long-term, so I think you're right to be cautious, and aren't over-reacting at all. If I were in your position, knowing what I know now about sensitive dogs, I would absolutely do the same. For me and Rascal, it was a costly lesson to learn, and one we're still paying for. :-\

Really hope things settle down for you, Gracie, and your friend soon.

Edited to add: Rascal is really a perfect dog, when the circumstances are on his side - when things are calm, predictable, nobody is upset or scary, etc. It's only when his environment becomes unpredictable that he gets scared and is then "unbalanced." I don't think it's fair to expect every dog to be happy and relaxed in every environment - people sure aren't!

Cita

Paige, Rascal is really sensitive too, and for him honestly "unstable" wouldn't be THAT much of an overstatement. But it doesn't have to be an insult.

Sensitive is not unstable.  Unstable is something that incapacitates a dog from being able to process her world... which is not the case here.  It was an insult, and was intended as an insult.  She can't say G is stupid, or lacking accomplishments, or ugly.  She can insult her emotional capacity, so she did.  The irony is, of course, that the most unstable being in the entire house is the person who delivered the insult.

Cita

I don't think it's fair to expect every dog to be happy and relaxed in every environment - people sure aren't!

Paige, I missed any earlier posts/threads that may have said why you're staying with your friend, but if it's solely to help her out, then she's got a lot of nerve to say what she did about Gracie after all you've done.  I think it's a wise move to have Gracie stay with your folks -- it sounds like she'll feel more comfortable there, and it'll relieve some worry from you, too.

For those dealing with sore backs, hips, etc. -- I can relate.  When you have pain that flares up, it can really affect the overall "tone" of your day.  The older I get, the more I deal with this, and it stinks!

I can't offer much relationship advice, but, I think it's good to find that balance between not having unreasonable standards and "settling."  When I was really young, I had all these specific requirements, but over time I let a few go because it started to seem like an impossible list.  I hadn't imagined I'd marry a guy who wears only jeans and T-shirts and drives a pick-up truck, but that's who ended up being my Prince Charming!  As long as the really important "character qualities" are there, the right person can be quite different from what you think is "your type" or whatever you originally thought you were looking for. 

Those of you enjoying some warmer/sunnier weather, can you send some my way?  Grey and dreary here, as is typical this time of year!

Edited to add -- I was slow in writing my response to Courtney, so I missed your post, Paige --- I wanted to add that I think the distinction between "sensitive" and "unstable" is an excellent one.  For the record, I consider myself (and Ruby) to be sensitive to certain environments -- not unstable!    I should've written that we all have a little sensitivity in us, not instability.  At any rate, what your friend said was very hurtful!

Ginger, once I talked him into a table saw, which took something like THREE years, I've just basically used the same sort of logical argument.....it's safer for me to have the proper tool to do the job.

So......DS had his interview with the district manager, who has set up an appointment for him on Friday with the Regional Manager because the DM is very interested in him for management from the get go!  PLEASE keep the fingers crossed.....this boy so needs to get back to work.

Paige, smart move for Gracies sake.  Seriously??  Unstable??

Sheesh.  There are a lot of people who don't adapt readily to radical changes and they can be given an explanation of what's going on and why.  You can't do that with a dog.

Paige, we were all told that our jury duties were fulfilled for a year.  I honestly don't know if they meant a full 12 months from now or just for this calendar year, which, alas, is almost over.  I'll know if I get another jury summons in January or February. I think I'm in the stupid system twice because sometimes it comes addressed to my first name and sometimes to my middle name. I'm waiting for the day when both of myselves have to appear at the same time. 

The power went out this a.m. just about the time I got up and by the time I got home it was back on again. I've been having power issues ever since the solar panels were installed because the city has some sort of weird new requirement that doesn't work well with older houses and older wiring.  Hopefully the electrician can get with the city inspector and get it worked out ... but this time it wasn't just me, it was the entire neighborhood.

My hands are freezing.  I think I'll make myself a big mug of soup so I'll  have something warm to hold onto.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

  There are a lot of people who don't adapt readily to radical changes and they can be given an explanation of what's going on and why.  You can't do that with a dog.

So, in California - is your jury duty pulled based on your voter registration?  I always thought that's how it was in NH, but I don't know if that's the same for every state?  If you have multiple names is it from a voter registration?

Speaking of power outages, I read something something about a proposal in MA that the power company should give rebates to people when they're out of power for more than 8 hours in a single day.  Sounds fair.

miranadobe

So, in California - is your jury duty pulled based on your voter registration?  I always thought that's how it was in NH, but I don't know if that's the same for every state?  If you have multiple names is it from a voter registration?

I think it used to be but is now pulled from DMV records also or instead of the voter registrations but I'm not 100% sure.

I think many states quit using voter registrations to get people for jury duty.  Too many dead people were showing up.

JackieG

Too many dead people were showing up.

rwbeagles

Can somebody tell me why my husband is seemingly infrickincapable of taking his clothes out of the dryer when they're done?

Hehe!  It is all so clear now,  just went out to check the mail at the office and a full moon is already rising in the east :)  It's not hormones it the MOON!

 Here, a "man" joke for you.... from my Canadian friend.

Wanda's dishwasher was broken, so she called in a repairman. 
Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, 
'I'll leave the key under the mat. 
Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a 
check. 

Oh, by the way don't worry about my dog Spike.  He won't bother you. 

                      

But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot! 




I MUST STRESS TO YOU: 
DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!"


When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment, he discovered the 
biggest, meanest looking dog he has ever seen.
But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching 
the repairman go about his work.
The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant 
yelling, cursing and name calling. 
Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, 
'Shut up, you stupid, frickin ugly bird!' 
To which the parrot replied, 'Get him Spike!' 
See - Men just don't listen!

wide awake but need to be asleep.