Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > General Forum for cats and dogs

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #211  
Old October 22nd, 2008, 06:36 PM
dogcatharmony's Avatar
dogcatharmony dogcatharmony is offline
Pumpkin' Dumplin' Gang
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,073
You didn't sound cranky to me, I was appauled (sp?) when she gave me the list of dogs she didn't like. I personally would have loved to hear an explaination on why she didn't like each one of the breeds she listed. I don't think she had any bad experience with dogs, the parents didn't mention anything when I spoke with them, and they didn't mind Zoe at all. The dad (well grandpa so I don't confuse anyone) commented on Zoe not being bothered by anything, that she liked to sit quitely and watch everything. They even had a chain saw running that day and Zoe just sat there with that look on her face like "what you doing to my shade tree?" I do believe she is a victim of media hype.
__________________
My personal take on cat purring:
1 cat Mono
2 cats Stereo
3+ cats......Surround sound
Reply With Quote
  #212  
Old October 22nd, 2008, 07:30 PM
erykah1310's Avatar
erykah1310 erykah1310 is offline
Blue eyed funny farm
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,595
WOW,
I just read this whole thread... what a read!
I couldn't imagine going through what you and Zoe have gone through this summer {{hugs}}
I'm glad things are coming around, but I am really hoping you can get a fence up this for this summer.

Hang in there.
__________________
Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyways. ~John Wayne
Reply With Quote
  #213  
Old October 22nd, 2008, 08:25 PM
mona_b's Avatar
mona_b mona_b is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hamilton Ont
Posts: 4,620
Next time she asks if you can watch the child,just say that you can't as Jennie said.If your not comfortable,then don't do it.

It's nice though that Zoe has a little playmate.
__________________
"A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours."
Reply With Quote
  #214  
Old October 23rd, 2008, 02:26 AM
rainbow's Avatar
rainbow rainbow is offline
-
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Beautiful BC's Kootenay Country
Posts: 34,757
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennieV View Post
DCH, I think that you have one of those cases where its one step ahead, two steps back... You should definitely be clear about some rules, bring it up to her that you are not her babysitter and won't take that responsibility. The best time to do that would be the next time it happens, when she casually says : "oh, can you watch him for a minute..", you can just as casually answer that no, you can't, because a. you are busy, b. you dont want to take on that responsibility, c. you are no comfortable with her leaving you with her child, d. all of the above.
Also, about the food, talk to her and ask her if her child has any allergies, if yes or no - doesn't matter, either way, how would she feel if a stranger was feeding him something? I think she needs to start realizing, that Zoe isn't just your dog, she is your family and she better start treating her with some respect. Your yard is not a dumpster, where she is welcome to throw her old cookies, in hopes that your dog will eat them.
Great suggestions.
Reply With Quote
  #215  
Old October 23rd, 2008, 12:19 PM
kandy kandy is offline
Hazel's Personal Servant
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 1,742
I'm glad that things (overall) have been better with the neighbor. I would bet that she had no idea that raisins are toxic to dogs - there are alot of people that are fairly knowledgeable about dogs that don't know that. But even if raisins weren't toxic, dogs don't need human junk food. I would be very adamant that she not feed Zoe anything without your permission. I had a neighbor that would throw all sorts of left over food over my fence. My one dog would never eat it, but the other would scarf it down. Even though I asked him repeatedly to not do that, it escalated to where he would open the gate so that he could leave them containers of stew among other things. What was worse was that he would leave the gate open - my dogs got out numerous times, and one of them was deaf so she couldn't hear cars or anything to warn her, let alone me calling for her. I finally had to get mad and yell at him (the poor guy had alzheimer's).

I think the fact that she is into birds will work in your favor. It will be easier to educate her on the ways of dogs if you can relate the behaviors to similar bird behaviors (like being protective of territory).
__________________
Kandy
Livin in a Newfie Drool Zone
Reply With Quote
  #216  
Old October 23rd, 2008, 03:14 PM
Mat&Murph's Avatar
Mat&Murph Mat&Murph is offline
Master of the Drool!
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Posts: 2,149
Holy!! What a summer!!!! Poor Zoe. My boys love playing with kids. (I have 4 two legged kids plus the boys) So Matt and Murphy think all kids should play with them. With my guys being soo big I try and educate the parents the best I can about Matt and Murphy so they don't get so nervous around a big dog. Mind you I have a 3 year old that crawls all over Matt and lays on him so that helps. I can't even imagine what you are going through. But I would be telling her that you are not a babysitter. I just can't believe that she would be that nervey after basicly insulting you and your dog. I would keep a journal. Just in case. Good luck
__________________
Mom To
Matt and Murphy- Born March 18/08
English Mastiffs.
AHHHH They are a year old already!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #217  
Old October 25th, 2008, 12:11 PM
dbg10's Avatar
dbg10 dbg10 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 496
I bet you are breathing a sigh of relief now that the summer is over and they've essentially disappeared inside. I would be too

I agree with JennieV that you should refuse to allow her to leave her child with you for even a minute. This woman seems insensitive to other people, totally wrapped up in herself.

If you run into problems next summer before you get a chance to put up the fence, and she says she needs to run inside for a minute and could you watch baby, you could say 'I was just going inside myself so no I can't.' However, that is not very direct and doesn't deal with the problem so the suggestions JennieV made are better.

I am so glad that period of extreme stress is over for you, I'm sure you are feeling much more relaxed now than at the height of it. You've done a great job dealing with her and her child!
__________________
Willing Slave to: Sam 17 yrs; Bailey 14 yrs; and Smokey 10 yrs.
R.I.P. Raggs 1997-2012 ; Pepper 1997-2009 ; Tiger 2000 - 2014;
"Please do not breed or buy while shelter pets are left to die"
Reply With Quote
  #218  
Old November 11th, 2008, 03:19 PM
babymomma's Avatar
babymomma babymomma is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,170
How are things going? Good i hope

Making more progress?
__________________
Keely - Yorkie
Haley - German Shepherd
Casey - version 2.0 - Black lab
Jasper - White cat

R.I.P Casey #1.
Gone but never ever forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #219  
Old November 11th, 2008, 03:40 PM
dogcatharmony's Avatar
dogcatharmony dogcatharmony is offline
Pumpkin' Dumplin' Gang
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,073
We had a few more playdates. The one was short because Mom wasn't participating. I just said that Zoe was going in the house because I can't contol both by myself......( I was having one of my short fuse days, so I was brutally honest).

The little guy cried and pitched a fit because the dog went in the house. She had a hard time getting him over to their yard because he was having one heck of a hissy fit. Oh yeah, another time they were just in the back yard and the little guy tried bonking Zoe on the head with a plastic shovel. That didn't go over well.

The next time Mom was participating 100% and it went well. Yesterday was hilarious because we had our first snow fall, and Zoe was having super zoomies. So we spent a good hour making snow balls and watching her try to fetch them. So all in all it's been good. Zoe ran up and gave the little guy a big kiss when he started crying because he didn't want to wear his mitts(loved the look on mom's face).....then she took off with one when he put his hand out.....lots of giggles watching me run around the yard trying to get a little weenie mitt out of ol'sloberpuss's mouth. Then he wouldn't keep his mitts on because he kept trying to give them to Zoe.

Hopefully it keeps going well......the two of them are a hoot.
__________________
My personal take on cat purring:
1 cat Mono
2 cats Stereo
3+ cats......Surround sound
Reply With Quote
  #220  
Old November 11th, 2008, 04:21 PM
Mat&Murph's Avatar
Mat&Murph Mat&Murph is offline
Master of the Drool!
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Posts: 2,149
Good for Zoe!!!! Just shows she has More class then the mom!!!! Glad things are better for you now
__________________
Mom To
Matt and Murphy- Born March 18/08
English Mastiffs.
AHHHH They are a year old already!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #221  
Old June 29th, 2009, 12:12 PM
kara1 kara1 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: edmonton,alberta,canada
Posts: 116
how are things goin with you and the neigbour now
Reply With Quote
  #222  
Old June 29th, 2009, 02:12 PM
dogcatharmony's Avatar
dogcatharmony dogcatharmony is offline
Pumpkin' Dumplin' Gang
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,073
Thanks Kara1 for reminding me to post an update. I was going to do it earlier but forgot with all the commotion of a new kitty into the house.

This summer is going excellent so far

Zoe and the little guy are like peas in a pod when he is allowed over. I have worked up to him giving her treats, her favorite green milkbones. He knows to tell her to sit, and then gives her the treat. He has even started calling her by her nickname "boo". Mom seems seriously more relaxed, I even have her petting Zoe now.

Dad has got more involved and the little guy is supervised now by one or the other parent at all times. No more bolting into the backyard. I have started letting him take one of her toys home with him and then he brings it back at the play time I have set. If it is too hot out, they have to wait until later after supper when it's cooler. The mom asked if we could start taking a walk together some time.

A fence is still going up, work on it starts in the middle of July, have some renovations to do to. So it has been a complete turn around since last summer.....I don't want to jinx it, I really hope it stays the same.
__________________
My personal take on cat purring:
1 cat Mono
2 cats Stereo
3+ cats......Surround sound
Reply With Quote
  #223  
Old June 29th, 2009, 10:41 PM
kara1 kara1 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: edmonton,alberta,canada
Posts: 116
Smile

thanks i was curious how your situation was over there
Reply With Quote
  #224  
Old June 29th, 2009, 11:51 PM
Tundra_Queen's Avatar
Tundra_Queen Tundra_Queen is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 5,603
YEAH!! *Jumping up and down and doing the happy dance*

I am so glad things are going so much better than last year!! And I am glad that u are still going to put up a fence too. Don't forget to put it on YOUR side of the property line so they can't mess with it or if they move new neighbours can't mess with it.

Debbie
__________________
~Friendship is like a bank account. You can't continue to draw on it without making deposits~


~Tegan 9 year old yellow lab~
~Wilbur 9 year old LH cat~
~Mirabelle 18 mos dsh~
~O'Shawnnessey 18 mos dsh~
~Darby 1 year old dsh~
~Mindy 7 yr old shih tzu~
~Dexter 10yr old Salmon (large goldfish)
Reply With Quote
  #225  
Old June 30th, 2009, 11:17 AM
kandy kandy is offline
Hazel's Personal Servant
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 1,742
Good to hear! Having neighbors who don't like dogs is a royal pain.....i've got some.
__________________
Kandy
Livin in a Newfie Drool Zone
Reply With Quote
  #226  
Old June 30th, 2009, 04:42 PM
dbg10's Avatar
dbg10 dbg10 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 496
Fantastic News!

You deserve a lot of credit for introducing this mother and child to dogs in such a way that they have both learned how torespect and love them. Children who are afraid of dogs are often the ones who have bad experiences with dogs because they don't know how to approach them, let alone how to act around one. Congratulations!

I'm sure it is much more pleasant having them as neighbours now, a far cry from last year. I wish you and Zoe continued luck with them
__________________
Willing Slave to: Sam 17 yrs; Bailey 14 yrs; and Smokey 10 yrs.
R.I.P. Raggs 1997-2012 ; Pepper 1997-2009 ; Tiger 2000 - 2014;
"Please do not breed or buy while shelter pets are left to die"
Reply With Quote
  #227  
Old June 30th, 2009, 05:10 PM
dogcatharmony's Avatar
dogcatharmony dogcatharmony is offline
Pumpkin' Dumplin' Gang
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,073
I have to say that I am using both of them to help each other. And Zoe is the one who deserves all the credit, she is such a good dog and just loves little kids.

I have been teaching the boy how to pet Zoe, and Zoe has a problem with her bum. But she doesn't think of it when the little fella is around. She will even walk beside him patiently, with his hand on her back (or bum) when he is trying to go somewhere. It's like she knows not to move or he would tumble over.

The mother is the amazing thing, Zoe gives her the "get over here now and pet me!" bark. And she does, she will even sit down on the grass and give Zoe a belly rub.

It's totally amazing what animals can teach us humans. I was ready to build a brick wall between us.......Zoe walked us through it......and now things are going good. The mother and I sat outside one night until midnight just shooting the poop.........
__________________
My personal take on cat purring:
1 cat Mono
2 cats Stereo
3+ cats......Surround sound
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:55 AM.