Happy Birthday to me!

[doctorwho]

Happy belated birthday, Mitch, and congrats on the beautiful 360!

[antipodean]

Happy Birthday Mitch!!! Sorry to be late - I spent yesterday doing real work for a change and missed the occasion.

And congrats on the 360. It looks superb.

PS If Balloo keeps misbehaving, Griffin is experienced in feline control and is looking to supplement his income...

[octagon]

Ha,Ha,Ha,thank Griffin for me,and thanks to everybody else for wishing me Happy birthday.It really means alot to me.

[kiramdear]

Tripper thinks he can beat Baloo and Griffin too, with one paw tied behind his back.

[jps]

Teddy is considering munching on all three!

[octagon]

Hey....

[ozover50]

Teddy!?!?!?????

The nightmares return...............

15_4_132[1].gif (45.69 KiB) Viewed 610 times

[melibreits]

Happy belated, Mitch!

[kiramdear]

Teddy!?!?!?????

The nightmares return...............

15_4_132[1].gif

Aitch, you're thinking of Freddie!

[ozover50]

Teddy may as well be Freddy, Kira. I was as nervous as a kitten when I was around Teddy in '06...........

[kiramdear]

He looks like a nice boy to me. Size means nothing in dog culture; attitude is everything. Tripper would not flinch to take on Teddy, but the results would be regrettable. There are stories of Yorkies attacking bears. Tripper loves people but hates about everything else that moves.

[jps]

Teddy may as well be Freddy, Kira. I was as nervous as a kitten when I was around Teddy in '06...........

Aw, Aitch, Teddy is really a pussy cat. A 120 lb. pussy cat!

Really.

[kiramdear]

I think the bigger they are, the sweeter they are, because they have no size-related fears of people. Most big dogs want to get in your lap.

[ozover50]

All of the above may be true, Jeff and Kira but I need to relate something that may help you understand.

When I was young (probably around 9 or 10) I was attacked by dogs twice..... once by an Alsatian and the other by a Boxer. I still have a scar above my left eye and a couple on my left hand that are constant reminders. Since then, hard as I might try, I am extremely wary - if not sometimes scared - of 'largish' dogs.

Many dogs sense my nervousness and interpret that as perhaps a disliking - therefore they can become aggressive toward me.

Unfortunate but just the way it is...................

[kiramdear]

I sympathize with you, Howard. An animal attack at any age of life can leave lasting traumatic symptoms. I hope you can enjoy the companionship of small animals, as pets are one of life's greatest attractions for me. Dogs can't lie to you, and they don't ask you to lie to them
I offer the following unsolicited advice to you
Animals do indeed sense your fear and will react aggresively to it. But you can take command with some simple behaviors: Say you go to Jeff's house and there's Teddy sizing you up at the door. Don't look in his eyes too long, or even appear to notice him much until he's worked out your place in the heirarchy. It's confrontational. Keep your focus on the alpha male (Jeff) until Teddy gets the idea. First impressions mean a lot so at the proper moment stay calm, make a pleasing sound and gently offer the back of your hand for inspection. The rest should go well.
I don't trust any strange dog off the leash outside, though. If the owner isn't present I steer clear, unless the animal is distressed. I've rescued many animals.