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I am going to go absolutely bonkers if my mother tells me one more time how she used to play in the floor with my nephew... or how he puked on her when he was a baby. He's getting married next week. She's having a hard time getting past him being a baby 23 years ago. I understand that, but hearing it several times a day now is a bit much. SCREEEEEEAM!
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Jeanette, I love the picture of your dog and litttle yappers... My daughter took the chihuahua grandbaby to the dog park once... a very polite english bulldog SAT on her.. only her leash was visible! But no hard feelings....
We are getting snow here, about 6 inches so far.. but I am NOT AT WORk so I don't care for once!!! Only downside, did not get to go visit dad, so we called to check in..
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Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been a savior lately. It seems that's all she will eat in it's entirety. Oh, and banana's. sigh.
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hehe, Sydney must have known I was talking about her. There was mayyybe 6 inches of space between me and the armrest on the couch. She could have simply laid on the empty side but noooo.... she squeezed her big buns right up next to me.

Yep, mankind certainly has a reputation for taking what they deem best at all costs.
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Jeanette..that is another point for sure..I don't have a pittie...I can't have any dogs right now because I don't have a fenced in yard and I can't bear seeing one on a chain, but what amazes me, is that truly a lot of people do not understand them, and do not know them and so they are fearful of them...knowing that, I would never leave them unattended, as much because I'm protecting my pet as the people...because people are notorious for goading, poking at, yelling at, etc...and that is never acceptable to do that to any animal...
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Jeanette...I'm betting that is true...I got into a discussion this week with one of my neighbors who was again cursing the coyotes, bobcats and other wildlife that occasionally finds its way into our neighborhood...but again with him, my point was, where else are they gonna go??? We have lived here now over 46 years and we rarely ever had sightings of the yotes, bobcats, etc. until they started clearing the hills out and built a bunch of roads and a police lodge, etc...so we destroyed their habitat and they had no where to go for food. and soon after began drifting closer and closer into the neighborhoods...I'm not saying I wouldn't do something if I could stop one from hurting something, BUT rather than feeling we should annihilate all coyotes and bobcats, etc. I simply bring in my cats, don't put food and throw rotten fruit in the woods etc...even bird feeders are not immune from causing them to wander nearby...I guess I just have a strong mindset that God created our universe in perfect balance and all creatures seem to pretty much "get it" except for mankind...who seems destined to destroy, profit from and doom every species on the planet due to ill planning, greed and just sheer ignorance....ok..putting the soapbox away again...sorry, I get on a tear and can't stop..it's one of my missions in life..

I cannot believe how NOT cold it is today...and has the feel of spring storms..amazing...it was fiercely cold this morning, now it is already feeling like we for sure have some rough weather later on today...and then Sunday night the severe cold is supposed to be back....wow..wow...
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Excellent post cm !!

Sydney is a Staffie mix and a rescue. My opinion is she's mixed with lab since she loves the water so much. She's also fine with other dogs... not so much cats, but she's yet to eat mine, although she probably would if given the chance. We are still working on that :) I've had her a year now.... 2 days after she arrived, she did kill my rooster. It would peck on the back patio door, who knew chickens liked their reflections? Anyway, the chicken would peck, Sydney would be nose to beek with it (thank goodness the glass was thick) I had explained to mom that she cannot open the door and let the dogs out. She did. I do believe the chicken died of fright more than anything... given time they would have coexisted . hehe, chickens are funny creatures and they DO show it when they lose their dignity!

They are banned in a lot of Counties in the US. They are truly a misunderstood dog and many of the big rescues are trying to educate people. A good pit owner recognizes the misconception other people have and should never let their dog go unattended, even if you KNOW it wouldn't hurt a fly... most dogs, if attacked by something would fight back

hehe, we avoid those breed of dogs as well, not because she'd eat them, she's just so big and playful she might hurt them if she fell on em!
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Yes, true, but again, today’s pit bull is a descendant of the original English bull-baiting dog—a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals....and hence the breed came about due to people and their breeding practices...
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Point of order, Hope, and not that I disagree with a single one of your regrets about people's treatment of animals, but pit bulls were bred specifically for dog fighting - the "pit" part refers to the fighting arena, as in cockpit. The Old English bull terrier was bred into the Staffie (Staffordshire is at the heart of cattle farming country in England), with their enhanced grip and musculature, and they were quite literally used for controlling livestock long before they got their bad rep. as gangsta dogs; but pitbulls were then bred from Staffies purely for fighting other pitbulls, with no farming application that I'm aware of. They're bigger, dimmer and more aggressive, and without very good owners from birth the poor creatures haven't got a prayer. They're a banned breed in the UK, which means that they'll be euthanised as soon as their type is confirmed if they ever come to the attention of the authorities. It's a wicked world, and wondering what kind of people find it genuinely entertaining to watch these animals fight quite disturbs me.

A properly brought up Staffie is the safest thing you can leave a baby with. The trouble is that anyone who approaches that baby whom the dog doesn't know to be an authorised visitor could be in big trouble - faces get removed, for example. And they tend not to give much warning, either - just a quick risk assessment according to their own rules and then kerbosh. Threat destroyed. Just doing their job.

I'm making them sound awful. Actually, in real life, it calls for common sense and paying attention. Don't leave your dog unattended with people it doesn't know. It's not like it's difficult.

I can completely believe the dogs were good with the kittens - they just need to know the house rules and they're happy. Our old Staffie was given a cuddly toy dog a while back - I don't know what he thinks it is, but he carries it around the place as if it was his own puppy and tucks it in to his bed (when he remembers) - it's very cute. He's fine with all cats and other dogs unless they're rude to him first (so I avoid Jack Russells and Yorkies when we're out and about). There was a misunderstanding about chickens shortly after he came to live with us (he's a rescue dog); but once I'd explained (i.e. shouted at him, shaken him and told him he was a Very Bad Dog to chase and catch Bébé) he never went near them again. And the chicken was fine, apart from a few feathers, bruises and loss of dignity, which proves that he was only playing because all he had to do was close his jaws and he'd have killed her.
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hope, I think we'd love a vicious frog :) now if anyone wants to see a gorgeous giant pitbull, youtube or google biggest pitbull the hulk. He weighs near 176 lbs. Mine's only 80. She was snuggling with mom last night in her recliner... how she can fit her big pibble butt in small places is amazing... she knows grandma isn't feeling so well and needed cuddles.

The thing about the news, just how in the world is Hugh Jackmans advice for the Oscar host World News? I'm a Fox News junkie. It's all dad watched so it was all I watched for 6 months, next thing I knew I was addicted!! LOL ... had to stop watching it cold turkey though when mom started arguing with them. :)

Veronica, I've met some people in my lifetime that a snail could outsmart.

ohhh, I've always wanted a sewing machine!! Not sure why but I do like making things :) Knowing me I'd probably start making dog sweaters, t-shirts and the like.

I sure hope everyone is staying warm and off of those icy roads today.
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I understand when any animal that has become dangerous or vicious has to be euthanized even in the animals best interest because once an animal becomes known as vicious, it is open to even worse fates....this sadly includes all dog breeds, even cats...unless you have the rare person who is totally devoted and equipped to deal with it and protect the animal AND the public.. There aren't many of those people around....

What is so sad about the pitbull is it was literally BRED by HUMANS, it's origins being English, when they were literally bred and used to attack bulls, bears and other large animals...it became a bloodsport and was finally outlawed, but as people would of course have it, they decided it was ok to use them to fight one another....That is what is so sad...they were bred to be aggressive by humans in the early days...most likely the ones who turn still retain those genes in their lineage...but once again, what I'm saying is..as always, it is the HUMAN race who creates the mayhem and the innocent end up paying the price...ok...I'll stop there..it's an awful subject..and a sad one. But as a final note, one of my good friends has several beautiful pitties and they literally protected a group of kittens and the Mama and I fostered them until grown, kept one of the kittens and the Mama and found homes for the rest..but those dogs were so gentle with those kittens...but they were also doted on and given all kinds of love and attention..like Jeanette.. :)

Mama is having a good day, so I'm having a good day. It is still so cold here, but looks like the ice part has melted, waiting for severe storms and temps in the 60's, then back to freezing temps for Monday and the possibility of snow and ice again..the most bizarre weather ever....

I have actually gotten the den cleaned and tidied and am thinking on what kind of curtains I want to make in here...I found some pretty fabric that has birds and butterflies on it and I think that would be perfect to make it look like a garden for Mama....One entire wall of our den is windowed, so it is going to take some firing up of the old sewing machine....but I think I'm ready...
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Capt I totally believe your story about the dog even though I am an animal lover I would do the same especially with a baby in the son's house. How many people have been bitten/eaten by sharks, crocodiles, lions and tigers. dogs may have been domesticated for manys but they can still revert to their natural instincts.
Jeanette you are correct there is always a human in the mix and in this case it was Capt's tenant. Some times you just have to make the best decision you can. I know Capt would have happily taken those dogs out in the woods and come back alone a very long time ago. When we took care of horses ther was often one that needed special precautions. i remember one that i could never set free in the field because instead of running off he always turned and aimed his hind legs at me. So I always turned him towards me and picked up the electric fence and closed the gate before i took his halter off. We are hopefully more intellegent than the animals we care for so can be educated before we take on the care of a pet/animal.
Capt I might be tempted to throw the tenant out now despite the cold. i have had tenants like that and when one lot left I found the frozen pipes were due to them not buying any fuel rather than the age of the walls in the basement.
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Captain...oh, I'm not saying I don't believe it happened, exactly as you said..all I'm saying is at the root of behavioral issues with "animals gone bad" you will always find a human somewhere in the mix..not feeding them, not socializing them, not providing them with the things they need to be good companions..and sadly, there are some who may "turn"..but even then, just as with people, there is something organically wrong somewhere .... just saying...as I've said before...I know you're a teddy bear.. :)
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katie,
up at our va hospital there are signs posted in a few of the waiting areas that advise you to turn the damm news off if your having trouble with depression . im kind of a news junkie but as im flipping around on international news sites ive an eye out for the positive things that are happening . you have to look pretty hard to find em but theyre there . theres good and evil on this planet and it aint the best time to be on the side of evil what with surveilance capabilities what they are . i think thats a positive thing .
jeanette / hope ,
im not rabblerowsing , and certainly not lying with the story about the dogs . dont kid yourselves where potentially dangerous animals are concerned . contrary to what you believe , you cannot read their minds .
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Mama has finally started drinking her ensures again and is resting well. She even let me brush her teeth without any fussing tonight and that always helps her rest better I think..I know it does me...so got all my furtots in and it is soooo cold here...everyone is settled down and I think I am going to treat myself to a cup of ice cream...yes, even though it is freezing..I am craving ice cream....hope everyone gets a good nights sleep...
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Jeanette, that is great that you are beginning the process...and if your hospice are anything like ours here, you're probably going to start seeing them pretty quickly...they tend to fight over us here.....with your Mom's decline and the AD I think she would qualify..I know they told me Mama would, even before she became bedfast...I don't know if different states do it differently, but they pretty much told me that a diagnosis of AD where someone has to take care of them 24/7 and there is a decline noted, they should qualify...good luck..and as they told me...don't feel like you are giving up on them, hospice has changed over the years and now it is not that you are giving up, you are giving in to letting people help you more....so look at it that way...
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ugh..I agree re the pittie thing..how sad to destroy a dog because of negligence of the owner...and dogs don't just kill other dogs and I've never heard of them eating them unless they are starving to death..again..another negligent owner..yep...a bastard for sure....

I got ready to run a quick errand this afternoon before everything iced over and sat down..that was my mistake. I fell asleep and dreamed the most insane dream....I am worn out now...I have the craziest dreams anyway and this one was wild....it is so cold..I have bumped the heat up a few degrees, wihich I rarely do, but it is so cold I'm in pain..Mama is nice and toasty and drank another ensure..yay!!! brother just made it home..yay..so now all my chickadees are in and safe...which is exactly where I intend on staying..expecting it to be in the 60's tomorrow...then another frigid turn for Monday...what on earth???
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Mom and my husband are resting...what a day this was and I hope to just get a little rest after all this today. I am thinking, Jeanette, that I am going to take a break from any news for awhile and see how I feel. Things seem to be getting weirder every time I turn on the news! I always say I am going to take a break from it and always get the urge to just see what is going on in the World, then I am sorry I turned it on....
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What? I cannot believe a dog, even a pitbull would eat another dogs head. It just does not happen that way Bob. Maybe, just maybe if the dog was being starved? Stop with the filthy dog thing. They are only as filthy as you let them, they are only as vicious as you train them. The neurotic dog was not being taken care of properly, those type need a lot of exercise... doubt it got any. How can one destroy a dog for the owners negligence? Bastard.

How can I tell this world is a mess.... well, just listen to the news.

Nightly News with David Muir just said... now this is the opening act (eyeroll)
The treacherous weekend storm from Atlanta to Boston, the 911 calls, the Ice Quakes, The FBI rescuing a kidnapped victim from the woods by using the surveillance from overhead... oh yeah, and Hugh Jackman with his advice for the Oscar Host.
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i need a team of therapists . neighbor left for the two coldest days of the season , bout all i could do is hope for the best what with me heating downstairs . the best didnt happen , got damaged water pipes upstairs . she ran herself out of wood deliberately . im going to throw her out as soon as the heating season is over . shes mentally ill, at least i can wait till the wood stove season is over so she cant accidently burn my house down after being served notice .
i had a great talk with her son today . if ya remember right he inherited her filthy dogs when i threw them out . it seems the dog i hated the most didnt die a natural death . " adam's " pit bull tore its head completely off and ate the head in its entirety . the neurotic little sob effected me that way too . " adam " then got some senses about him and had the pit bull destroyed . he has a baby in the house .
meanwhile here in the bunker im not smiling . this stress im suffering is directly connected to that binge drinking retard upstairs . i need her gone .
i agree you are your patient's security blanket . my mother was encouraged to go to senior events too . she told me she didnt really envision it unless i stayed there and ready to take her home if she wasnt comfortable .
saw my aunt tonight . shes in great spirits but easily confused . we mostly communicate with physical actions and of course our family's patented , cynical facial expressions . rummaging is about the most quality thing we have left . its like playaying dolls cept with the junk out of her purse .
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Yip... I have one of those brothers as well. Tweedle Dee (oldest bro) had to tell Tweedle Dumb (2nd oldest) that I should be compensated for taking care of mom, that free room and board just doesn't quite cover it. He's pretty cool in that regards, he just avoids responsibility, you know, out of sight out of mind? Tweedle Dumb is the one that cashed a check for $400.00 bucks when he watched mom for 3 days, that was well over a year ago... hmph, if he thinks he should get that much how much are my services valued at the past 2 plus years. He's very frugal, doesn't spend any money, but also very stingy. If he brings a bag of chips to a party and there's a partial bag left, he takes it back with him.... he's got plenty but feels he needs more, for nothing.

I'm pretty sure my brothers know by now that I will sell the house and go back where I came from. If they hadn't of been so uncaring towards me and mom I would have stayed here, just to be around family. Guess not.
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Heard and understood completely, Jeanette. Out of my 3 siblings, 1 of them was the one that approached me and said I should be the executor of Mom's will now (he was previously) and that I should get the house. I checked with the other 2 siblings - one of them was completely in agreement - the other was not (guess which one). She told me it was fine, that I should get the house, then turned right around immediately after our phone conversation and complained bitterly to one of the other siblings about how I was getting a "free house". He set her straight - the house is *not* free - at that point, it still had 2 mortgages on it (1 now, and guess who has made that happen? ME), it gets water in the basement, has mold down there, needs a new roof on both house and garage and serious updating to the inside, including handicap accessibility updates. Who do you think is paying for all that? Not DS, who seems to think I'm getting a "free house". I've seriously considered selling it and moving away, but by the time Mom passes, I will have sunk well over $20,000 into this house in repairs and maintenance, which is about all it will sell for, due to the size of the house.
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You are their security blanket. You are their most trusted person in the whole world now. Even if they don't say it or show it, it is why they don't want to be without you. My mom was very fearful of appearing stupid/silly in front of others. Little did she realize they were just as silly as she was and would have had a great time with her peers.

I have no doubt if I will see my brothers once mom passes. I already know what's going to happen. They will be like they are right now. Basically non existent, oh wait... they'll be wondering if there's money left over that they feel entitled to or want me to sell the house I've lived in for 2.6 years.
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Thinking of you Jeanette, as you start this process.
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Well, I called our local area Hospice. They were so wonderful for the few days with dad. They are going to call mom's doc and speak to him about getting an assessment done. I cannot imagine him having and sort of problem with this at all. He's seen her decline and its no reflection on his abilities as a physician. Hopefully we can get hospice in here and do an assessment within the next week or so.
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See, that's the same thing here, Jessie. I have suggested to Mom that she could go to the Senior Center and make friends, and spend time with them. She gave me a blank look and asked what they do there all day. I explained that they play card games and bingo and such, and have speakers come in and give presentations - she had no interest at all. I think one of the issues is that she doesn't truly think of herself as a "senior" - but the other is she just doesn't want to go anywhere unless I'm with her. You're right - it's like a security blanket thing. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with her memory issues and incontinence problems. I keep on top of those things for her, and I think she's fearful of being embarrassed if I'm not there to watch out for her.
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Just got to thinking about something....I have to wonder how often I'll actually see my siblings when Mom passes - especially Denial Sis. The other two I'm sure will keep in touch - but doubtful that once Mom is gone that DS will bother coming around at all.
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Susan, my mother is the same way. She won't go anywhere or talk to anyone unless I am with her. The doctor asked yesterday why I didn't take my mother to the senior center every day. First, she wouldn't want to go. Second, if she did want to go I would have to be with her. If I tried to leave, she would go with me. I think that we are their security blankets.
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Well, I was *that* close to getting a couple hour break tomorrow. Mom nixed that. I was hoping I could get a sibling to take Mom to a relative's bday party tomorrow afternoon, but when I mentioned it to Mom, she said she'd just stay home if I wasn't going to take her, because in her words, "It's more fun when you take me". Really? I guess I didn't realize I was such a great entertainer. Sure don't feel like it sometimes. Most times, actually.

Guess I can pretty much count on very few breaks from now on, unless I leave the state for a few days to see my son.
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Katie, Veronica stated everything really well and if your Mom is bedridden, as mine is , you should also check it out. Jeanette, I think even if hospice is not appropriate at this time, perhaps the home health option would be helpful for you.
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