The bizarre criticisms from NJM and some of the nice comments by
others, had me thinking of the percentage of purebred dogs who actually
get to do ANYTHING that resembles what the breed was intended for. I'm
thinking it's a pretty damn small percentage.

Sporting dogs can simulate "real" retrieving, by fetching tennis balls,
stuffed toys, etc, and if they're lucky, their owners take them
swimming. Still, to see a dog's eyes light up at gunfire, ducks and
all, is truly lovely to behold. Even my not-so-little petstore Golden
is birdy (not saying that all Goldens ARE, but I'm glad he is).

Sporting breeds are very popular as family dogs, for a number of
reasons. I don't expect that most people hunt, but it's also kind of
sad that the dogs never get to go out and do anything that resembles
what they were bred to do.

I would imagine it's harder for people with herding breeds to find a way
to give those dogs a taste of what they were bred to do. It's not like
we all have flocks of sheep (or even geese) waiting around to be herded.

Obviously, both of those groups, being designed to work with their
handlers, can excel at a lot of dog sports and activities, and that is
all good. What about the working dog group? Is protecting hearth and
home enough of a simulation? Do the dogs become bored and restless or
bored and lethargic without something "real" to do?

No clear answers, but a lot of questions. I hate the idea of dogs being
JUST couch holders (mine do THAT rather well though!). Heck, it's one
of the reasons I HAVE dogs!

Anyone have some thoughts on why they do or don't do "stuff" with their
dogs?

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
Janet Boss wrote:
Anyone have some thoughts on why they do or don't do "stuff" with their
dogs?

Mine's easy - I love being outside, I love being outside on
snow, I love traveling over snow, and I love dogs. Duh!

The Iditarod website has a free 18 minute video that really
focuses on the dogs, and mushers talking about their dogs.
Go to http://www.iditarod.com and click on "2008 Iditarod
Preview." I'm not too crazy about what Jeff King has to say
(I know plenty of serious mushers who cuddle with their
dogs, including, apparently, Lance Mackey) but otherwise
it's really interesting, extremely beautiful, and I think
much of it goes directly to your question.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:


The Iditarod website has a free 18 minute video that really
focuses on the dogs, and mushers talking about their dogs.
Go to http://www.iditarod.com and click on "2008 Iditarod
Preview." I'm not too crazy about what Jeff King has to say
(I know plenty of serious mushers who cuddle with their
dogs, including, apparently, Lance Mackey) but otherwise
it's really interesting, extremely beautiful, and I think
much of it goes directly to your question.

Wow - that was pretty beautiful. Some of it pretty scary looking too!
What devotion.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:44:00 -0500, Janet Boss
wrote:

The bizarre criticisms from NJM

Presumably you meant HJM, eh?

And if you want more examples of truly bizarre criticisms, how much
more bizarre could it get than to criticize a woman because she enjoys
wearing high heels at times, or a man, because he prefers to lead his
wife through a boisterous crowd, or all your other bullshit and nit
picking of TD, and others, that has essentially become a full-time
hobby for you of late?

So, what goes around, comes around.

Always has, always will.

No clear answers, but a lot of questions.

Okay, I have a question.

When was the precise moment that you decided to become such an
asshole?

Tick tock.

--
Handsome Jack Morrison

New Hampshire Winter Festival canceled! Reason: Too damn much winter!
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7940256&nav=4QcS

Twelve-month long drop in world temperatures wipes out a century of warming!
http://www.dailytech.com/Temperature...ticle10866.htm

Snow cover over North America greatest since 1966...
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/...html?id=332289

"Melinda Shore" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Janet Boss wrote:
Anyone have some thoughts on why they do or don't do "stuff" with their
dogs?

Mine's easy - I love being outside, I love being outside on
snow, I love traveling over snow, and I love dogs. Duh!

The Iditarod website has a free 18 minute video that really
focuses on the dogs, and mushers talking about their dogs.
Go to http://www.iditarod.com and click on "2008 Iditarod
Preview." I'm not too crazy about what Jeff King has to say
(I know plenty of serious mushers who cuddle with their
dogs, including, apparently, Lance Mackey) but otherwise
it's really interesting, extremely beautiful, and I think
much of it goes directly to your question.


I've handled dogs in the iditarod for several years and most of the dogs are
cuddled, snuggled and very much loved as companions as well as atheletes.
Even at the ceremonial start in anchorage, which i'm sure you can imagine is
a stressful zoo for the dogs, they mostly are very affectionate. I trained
to be a hander with The Late Great Susan Butcher's dogs and they all wanted
to sit in my lap.

"Janet Boss" wrote in message
...
The bizarre criticisms from NJM and some of the nice comments by

Obviously, both of those groups, being designed to work with their
handlers, can excel at a lot of dog sports and activities, and that is
all good. What about the working dog group? Is protecting hearth and
home enough of a simulation? Do the dogs become bored and restless or
bored and lethargic without something "real" to do?

No clear answers, but a lot of questions. I hate the idea of dogs being
JUST couch holders (mine do THAT rather well though!). Heck, it's one
of the reasons I HAVE dogs!

Anyone have some thoughts on why they do or don't do "stuff" with their
dogs?


I think the primary purpose of most dog breeds is to be a companion for
humans. So for most, some appropriate exercise and being included in the
family structure is a pretty good life. Pirate may someday get to herd but
for the moment he seems pretty happy herding balls in the backyard. Kavik
skijored - as did Tok. none of us were particualrly skilled at skijoring
but we had fun and got our yaya's out.

In article ,
Beth In Alaska wrote:
I trained
to be a hander with The Late Great Susan Butcher's dogs and they all wanted
to sit in my lap.

Right, but my comment was more about King's attitude than it
was about whether or not the dogs are cuddlers by nature.

Too bad they didn't suspend Ramy Brooks for life, speaking
of "attitudes."
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Melinda said in part...
The Iditarod Website has an 18 minute video that really focuses on the
dogs, and mushers talking about their dogs.
_____________________________
I watched a special on the History Channel about Alaska today. It
addressed the dyptheria epidemic in Nome in 1925 and the fact that due
to blizzard conditions the only way to get the precious serum there was
by way of dog sled, actually relay teams of dogs sleds. (from
Anchorage) Balto really excited me. He was a black dog, thrown in as
the lead dog at the last minute. There is now a statue of him in
Central Park. All of this is confirmed on the history part of the
website Melinda posted. According to the History channel Balto's team
musher opted to go across ice in the interest of time. The ice broke up
just after they crossed. Balto is my hero of the day!
I had no idea that the emergency trip to Nome in part inspired the
Iditarod.


Be Free.....Judy

In article ,
Judith Althouse wrote:
I watched a special on the History Channel about Alaska today. It
addressed the dyptheria epidemic in Nome in 1925 and the fact that due
to blizzard conditions the only way to get the precious serum there was
by way of dog sled, actually relay teams of dogs sleds.

You might enjoy the book "The Cruelest Miles," about the
epidemic and the relay and really, a bunch of fascinating
Alaska history. It has my favorite dog photo ever.

Balto has been preserved and is in the mushing museum in
Fairbanks, which I actually think is kind of appalling.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

In article ,
elegy wrote:
hey, i have that book. i haven't read it, but i have it. which photo?

The one facing page 144. I'm not sure why I like it so
much, but I do.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community