The Flip Side - how do the boards enrich your life?

When I first came here about 18 months ago, I was desperate to find information to help us with our dog's anal gland infections and eventual removal surgery.  The input at that time was very helpful, and when his health deteriorated a short time later and we were faced with the heartbreaking decision to help him to the Bridge, I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness and supportive words and messages from so many people here.  Each post and IM was printed and put with all Tonka's scrapbook items.  I will be eternally grateful for this forum and the folks on it.  For many weeks, coming here was the only place where I felt I could continue to grieve openly without being judged and where I'd find someone who understood.
 
Because of that experience, I tend to gravitate towards the Rainbow Bridge and Spiritual Circle areas -- partly because I still struggle with my grief and can relate to threads there, but also because it's an area where I can lend support to people who are currently experiencing what I went through. 
 
I don't visit some areas often since we no longer have a dog and don't have current issues to research, but I check them periodically because of the excellent information they offer about things like Nutrition, Training, etc.  As an infrequent user of those areas, I probably avoid some of the heated exchanges that have tainted some folks experiences here. 
 
I always check the Photo area to make me smile and warm my heart, and the NDR topics are often really funny, educational, or thought-provoking.  I like that there is such a variety of personalities, ages, backgrounds, and ideas represented here.
 
I'm very glad to have found thsi forum and to have "met" so many great people!  Thanks to everyone on the forum and behind the scenes who keep it going! 

Houndlove's growth spurt of dog knowledge more than any other on this forum. All must agree to this.

Good point, considering her and my experiences are quite similar.

ETA:

I should not forget Kennelkeeper. Her direct (and I do mean first hand) experience and scientific knowledge in the care of wild animals, including wolves, as well as her experience with field dogs feed my need for science and she throws math "treats" my way, too. She, too, has bravery and courage by the truckload. I won't reveal the details but she had a crisis that she managed to get through and never let anyone but me know about it. I'll leave it at that, as that's the way she would want it.

But thank you for PENCILING (????) me in!

 
Yeah, and I listed you first. First in the post, even. Nanner, nanner, boo, boo.
 

There are a lot of people here with excellent ideas and a wealth of information. Much of it isn't applicable to my everyday life, but gets mentally filed away in case it pops up for either myself or a real life friend to use in the future.
 
I wasn't a member here yet when my dog had cancer. The two boards I was a member of, gave overwhelming supports and some good advice. I'm not sure he'd be alive today if I hadn't heard of internet forums, and I'd probably be seeing a psychiatrist and on antidepressant medications. Hopefully, I can share a little of the knowledge I've gained and repay some of that support.

Gosh, where do I start?! I can't begin to go into all the details of everything I've learned from everyone here. As Stacita said, it may not all apply to me right now, but I do hope to remember it should I ever need it one day. This forum has become my "dog dictionary", so to speak. If I have any dog-related question, I always come here first, and am almost instantaneously enlightened by the great people here.
 
In a nutshell, I have certainly learned how to become a much improved "dog mom", and I am ever grateful!! []

I came here in search of more information on my Bloodhound. To hopefully meet other bloodhound owners and lovers and to learn, learn, learn.   And I have!  I am always learning something new here.  []

I've learned SO MUCH on this board! A whole bunch of you should be feeling some really LARGE CYBERHUGS right about now!

There have been ups and downs, just like everywhere. Gosh, Callie, I think we've both been here about the same amount of time! I'm shocked I've been here so long, yikes! My profile doesn't say what date I joined. I think that's because I was here before this current board format. Is that right? Anyone know?

Anyway, I've made so many good friends here. I've yakked on the phone with some of you and will be very happy to show Kate and anyone else around Interior Alaska! I will definitely have lunch with AcesMom next time I go to Anchorage! I wish there were some fantastic way for us to gather in person and just hang out and have fun. Perhaps on my trip south I'll be able to meet more folks....but until then, know that I'm very, very glad I joined this board.

Jeez, what to say....
I was a lurker for a while, and when I was heavily involved in chatrooms in the late 90s I wanted to give it up, simply because, it just got too heavy. So, signing on here was a step I intially didn't want to take.
With that said, I am glad I did..........I learned a ton about nutrition, more on different training methods, and most of all how everyone on this board has a different way of doing things, and they all seem to work.
 
Some of the members share the same passion as I do, rescue.......I tip my hat DPU, others are passionate about training....spiritdogs, Glenda for sharing her love for GSDs and rescue....and being tough, willowchow for being even tempered,Ron ....same passion for Sibes and very educated, espencer for his believe and dedication, Xerxes for dealing with his hounds and keeping a level head,Gina....who does it all....mother, breeder, moderator, poster....the list goes on,and many other members I have learned from, made me laugh or touched me in ways that is almost impossible on the internet.
 
With all the problems we have at times this place is home for many dedicated animal lovers.

Wow this feels like a bonfire moment []

I came to this forum after looking for a good place to talk about dogs, i tried a lot of places, i signed on several (and i even got kicked out of one) before coming here, i just wanted to talk about dogs and how they beheave, people in other forums where too clueless to even realize that dogs are not "furniture"  or toys you can play with "every time you are bored"

When i found this place i saw that there was a good amount of people that knew what they were talking about, "intelligent discussion" i thought so i jumped in right away

Now, just like at the Oscars i would like to thank some people:

Angelique: Because it seems she can get into my mind and describe in a better way what do i think and supports me
Snownose: She was the first to say hi (she thought i was living in the same State but i wasnt []) and she is always there for me when i'm frustrated []
Ron, Trevell and Mastiff: they share the same views than me and are whilling to stay that way
Gina: even when she thinks Prince is better than U2

And also my appreciation to:

Anne, Glenda, Ed, Houndlove, Chuffy and JM: because even when we dont share some ideas (and sometimes i get frustrated) at least that makes this forum entertained for me

Wow.  What to say.  If I remember right, I lurked for about 1/2 hr. and then jumped in. [sm=rofl.gif] It seemed like a great place ... and it is.  I know Max is a happier dog for what I've learned here about +R training and nutrition, not to mention all the great friends I've made in the last couple of years.
 
Joyce