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Archive through April 28, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan ~ Apr 2009: Free Expression: The return of The Return of the Gripe Thread (ARCHIVES): Archive through April 28, 2009 users admin

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Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 10:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
mmmm, cocoa puffs....

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 10:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
serate, i know with my rescue we are strict, but not as strict as what you have mentioned above.

we require that there is a 6 foot fence, and a fence around the pool. we require the fence around the pool because besides euthanasia, drowning is one of the leading causes of death among dogs.

we also would like to have someone who isn't going to have the dog outside all day. outside during the day when the family is gone is fine, but when the family is home, since the pet is part of the family, the dog should be inside at night, crated or not.

i also agree that i don't want people to go to a shelter and rescue any old dog, because, like you said serate, it could end up back there. i do, however, know they are plenty of rescues (lab rescue, german shepherd rescue, golden retriever rescue) that have pure bred dogs (not all older ones either) that were saved from shelters or they were owner surrenders and those dogs should be given a chance to. and yes, again, the requirements are strict and I do agree that sometimes they are too strict, but I also know that the volunteers for these rescues foster these dogs, etc. and want to see them go to a great home, not just too anyone.

and i have to agree, escapee, people shouldn't be creating new "breeds"...we already have enough different breeds out there.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 10:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I understand why some of these rules are in place but right away we wouldn't qualify because we don't have a six foot fence and we can't put one in either. However, that doesn't mean that we wouldn't take good care of a dog and that the people around us don't take good care of their dogs. There are no dogs running around unsupervised here and people spend lots of time with their dogs. So right away the shelter would have eliminated lots of people who would provide a wonderful home for a dog.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 10:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Gidget, I was *only* referring to how they acquire that pet, as I thought that was the conversation we were having. Sorry if I was unclear.

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 10:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
like i said jimmer, I don't like all the restrictions that we have in place. I understand why we do, but at the same time, I have seen some great people not be able to get dogs because of our standards. And it is sad, and if I had more pull I might say something, but I don't.

On the other hand, Fresno SPCA, just gives away animals. No restrictions, nothing.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Our Humane Society is pretty flexible. They ask a bunch of questions, and if you answer incorrectly, you're out. But they don't do home visits or screenings. They take you at your word. They do euthanize a lot of animals, so I suppose they think adoption is better than that.

The private rescues can be a handful to deal with however. You would think that living on acreage would be an advantage, but not so much. They want your dog to be a human being pretty much. I love my critters, take good care of them, but no they don't sleep on my bed.

The little puppy mill beagle needs to have a pretty consistent outdoor life since the more he's inside the more he 'forgets' he is housebroken. That doesn't mean he doesn't get his 2-3 mile walks almost every day, good food, a heated doghouse and water dish, and a nice warm crate indoors for nighttime.

But that wouldn't pass muster with the local breed association.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gidget a private message Print Post    
Karuuna it is far more likely I was confused, coming to the conversation late. It seems to me a chicken and egg question though in regards to shelters. Shelters get a lot of animals that are abandoned.

Off topic: There was a bit on my news last night. A home in NJ had been cleared of a cat hoarder. The cats are now in shelters and have multiplied from 100 to 180. They are working to spay/neuter and find homes.

Pet neglect is an issue that really gets my blood boiling. The neglectors are bad enough. But we as a society still categorize animals as chattel, hence their treatment is not subject to much review. Only the most heinest acts of cruelty are ever punished and then usually not strongly enough.

And laws are not enough either. We have laws to protect our children but there is no question about how many of them fall through the cracks. I realize it is probably futile to expect anything better for animals.


Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 11:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
One of the shelters here charges $45 for animals that are not neutered/spayed (usually because they are too young to be). You get the $40 back when you bring in proof that you've spayed/neutered your animal (within 4 months of purchase)

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 12:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/2007-10-15-saving-dogs-website_N.htm?POE=click-refer

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 12:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
I absolutely love that Ghandi quote at the end of the article.

Bottom line is more people need to spay and neuter and even below that, agencies need to make it more affordable - because I truly believe many people who have dogs who aren't the most responsible, won't pay an outrageous price for a spay/neuter. Granted, if they aren't going to be responsible, they shouldn't have the animal; but they do and we need to figure out a way to provide low cost - I know Fresno has one, that's pretty good, H.O.P.E., charges $65 for a spay/neuter under 40 lbs. $55 for a male under 40 lbs.

Dogdoc
Member

09-29-2001

Saturday, April 25, 2009 - 4:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dogdoc a private message Print Post    
We do low cost spays/neuters at our animal hospital through Animal Friends ABC (Animal Birth Control) program.

Dogdoc
Member

09-29-2001

Saturday, April 25, 2009 - 4:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dogdoc a private message Print Post    
Going back to Frootjuuce and comments about being single. I have never married. I inherited the house I grew up in when my parents died. I think the mover was annoyed about having to carry a lot of stuff. That is his job! I guess I have been lucky about comments about being single. One guy asked me "How come your not married, are you gay?" My family lives out of the country. I get invitations to dinner on holidays from families in the church. I am very happy being single. I am kind of a loner. I am not lonely.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 10:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
STAR testing starts today (Tue, Wed, Thur this week and next.) I'm already getting grumpy about it.

Last week at open house, we were talking to one of Caleb's teachers about him missing Thursday afternoon and Friday to go camping, teacher said, "Oh no problem, but...you will be here next week, won't you?" Looked from Caleb to us and said, "Cuz we need Caleb and the other kids like him to be here and do well, maybe then we can get off the PI list." No pressure buddy, really, it's not like they're counting on you and a group of other kids to carry the school or anything.

That started my grumpiness and it's just continuing. I've gotten 9 phone calls from the two school over the weekend and yesterday...we're doing testing, they have to be here, can't leave once they get here, make sure they eat, sleep, and rest plenty. Four letters have been sent home covering the same info.

Dakota informed me last night her teacher told them they had to have a good, hot, healthy breakfast for the next two weeks. Told her I have instant oatmeal, cheerios, and fruit and she told me she was supposed to have eggs and toast too. I asked what time her teacher would be here to cook for her?

Caleb got up at 5 this morning to study. I told him to go back to bed, he didn't need to be up that early studying. He said he had to do well on the test and needed to study and I said all he needed to do was his best, that's all anyone can ask of him. He stayed up to study.

Think test stress is affecting my neighbor/carpooler. We got ready to leave this morning and she was gone already! Uh, she forgot my kid and didn't leave me one of hers. Kota said oh, she said she was gonna take them the next couple weeks, she didn't want them to be late (When am I ever late? Think it's been once in 7 years, but ok.) Nice of her to let me know, luckily we were 10 minutes earlier than usual and I had time to drop Caleb off then get Kota to school cuz if we'd have left at the normal time, Kota wouldn't have made it to school on time. Told Kota since I haven't talked to the neighbor that I had no idea what her plans are...wait by this tree after school and I will pick you up...don't go with the neighbor cuz I won't be sure where you are! Still not sure if I'm picking her kid up from jr high since she's not home and not answering her cell phone.

Oy this is gonna be a long two weeks.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 12:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
I hate that they put so much pressure on these kids, it really does annoy me and I don't have any kids, so I can just imagine how annoyed you are! Hang in there, Oh and I would like my eggs scrambled please, LOL.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Geez. If STAR testing is what I think it is, the kids should be pointedly asked NOT to study. Isn't it supposed to be a general achievement test to guage the school's success at teaching the curriculum? If the school is doing its job then the kids should already be prepared. That's the way our system-wide testing works anyway, it's not to guage the students success as much as the teachers'.

In the past I have heard complaints that some schools would skew results by giving mysterious out-of-class tasks to students they felt would do poorly. Sounds like Caleb is being made to suffer for the same but inverse problem. Not fair!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 1:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
You coming over for the teacher to cook for you too, Dipo?

Just to be clear, I don't blame the teachers...I think they're under as much stress and pressure as the kids are They've got to cram the knowledge into the kids, make them aware of the importance of the tests, keep them focused, and then sit back and wait and that has got to be hard too.

I just picked Kota up and she said her brain hurts. Today was the first part of the language arts part of the test and she just dreads that (weird kid, she'd rather do the math any day over LA.) She came home, went straight to her room, turned on her stereo and is laying on her bed. Hate to disturb her but she's got to get up in a minute so we can go get Caleb.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 1:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
Ah, just cook it for her, it's only 2 weeks. You could probably fix her scrambled eggs before you head off to work. Then you'd get a hot breakfast too. I know that next year when I start taking my oldest to school before work, that hot breakfasts are gonna be part of the deal every once in a while. That means earlier to bed, earlier to rise. Such is life. BUT, if I only have to do it for 2 weeks outta the year....no problem. I'm a cereal girl my self, lol.

Denecee
Member

09-05-2002

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 1:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Denecee a private message Print Post    
My niece was stressing big time about some test at school too. She is in the 6th grade. My sister doesn't understand why she was stressing since she is a straight A student.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Rissa, I don't think studying helps either, but Caleb most definitely suffers from test stress and the more its emphasized how important it is, the more worried and stressed he gets. So he's studying. Neighbor's daughter (also straight A student) is just as bad and her parents have to do bedchecks during the weeks they test because she'll hide under the covers with a flashlight and her textbooks all night.

Denecee, from what I've seen most of the kids stress over it. Caleb stresses about not doing as well as last year and the usual test stress he suffers anyways, Dakota stresses that if she doesn't do well she'll have to take supplemental classes next year (we're already figuring on a language arts supplemental for her and don't see that as a bad thing,) while neighbor girl worries that her test scores won't reflect her grades and how hard she studies and works for those grades.

Also Denecee, I don't know if your niece is in jr high yet or not, but one of the big rumors around this time of year that crops up in 2nd grade (first year they do the tests) and 5th grade (last year of elementary school for us) is that if they don't score high enough they'll be held back next year. We went through it in 2nd grade with both kids, went through it with Caleb in 5th and have just recently had the same talk with Kota.

Grooch
Member

06-16-2006

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Grooch a private message Print Post    
What would happen if everyone protested and kept their kids home because of something like, say "Swine Flu" fears?

If the kids do poorly, will they be beaten? The whole thing sounds insane and I wouldn't let my child suffer through it.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
When we did star testing it was to see who knew what without having to study for it, that way the school knew if they needed to improve standards or not. Seems like the kids stressing is only to save the teachers behinds.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
It's not the teachers' doing!! They would like to throw NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND out the window as well as standardized testing. They would just rather be left alone to do what they do best. Teach. Not teach a kid how to take a test.

Luckily here, only the teachers stress. The kids don't. Well I am sure some do, but most don't. The school only reminds the parents that the tests are going to occur right before that week so they should make sure the kid gets a good night's sleep and good breakfast. There is no way a kid could study for these tests anyway. It's not like there are study books available.

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
i see star testing as such a huge contradiction. first you have tons of standards that require you to teach so many things in a semester, whether or not you adequately teach those things or not - i believe you are even given time tables to teach things in. star testing makes you know it all, plus more. just seems weird that you give the teacher standards to live up to and those teachers can only teach for a certain amount of time on a subject, before they have to move on and then throw in 2 weeks of star testing to see how much the kids really know on those subjects. it is unfair to the teachers and to the kids, imho.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 2:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Escapee, that's my understanding as well. In fact I don't think the kids even get their marks. Do the schools even get them? Or just the statistics? The only one we get any feedback from at all is the high school literacy test and even then the kids are simply told... pass or fail.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 3:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
The kids do get their results (well the parents). The schools get them too. They show where the kid is within the whole state. Scares me to think how "bad" the rest of the kids in our state must be for Ryan to score so high in an area he was doing so poorly in!!