A dog in the garden

[amh]

On 9/13/2024 at 5:26 PM, Jonathan said:

Whether protecting pineapples, overseeing orchids, cuddling kittens, eating the last intruder, or keeping the world safe from roosters...the GSD is the best all rounder! Friendly, gentle, intelligent, and forceful in one package, if, like any breed, well trained.

This is Scout, everyone who meets her, loves her...but we've never had an unwanted visitor.

 

I think the combination of your GSD and rooster(s) running around at large would keep all but the most determined trespassers away.

[Phoenikakias]

On 9/13/2024 at 1:17 PM, Than said:

We are going totally off topic but I just wanted to say I was considering a Basenji because barking is the one thing that would be an issue for me, given that I work from home through videocalls. And I also find it rude when people allow their dogs to bark non-stop. I believe that in the future, when/if our society is more civilised, it won't be tolerated.

However, a dog that would keep burglars out would def be a plus as we do have a problem in the area, so in this case, barking would come in handy. Just alerting me wouldn't be enough cos most burglaries happen when people are out.

I've had dogs since I was little and I have a cat now, prolly the clingiest and neediest cat in the world, so I know how much work a pet needs.. 

I sincerely wonder, what is the point of getting alarmed by a small dog or a machine, while you are prompted by the responsible minister to pretend that you are still sleeping?! I have several cases in mind, where criminals broke in and stole things, while owners were absent but dogs inside the residence. I have also in mind another incident, where a Caucasian (dog breed that is) was shot in the head behind propertie's fencing by bringing a female in heat close to the fence, in order to lure the Caucasian near her on the other side of the fence without noise. And I also have in mind that all neighboring appartments in Athens were breached 12 years ago, except mine, and all randomly a Cane was inthere. Anyway if you seriously have safety concerns, take in to account that a dog in the garden during your absence or your sleep is totally exposed to malevolent people. A central asian shepherd like kangal, caucasian, alabai, anatolian etc are intimidating, ferrocious space guardians but they do not like inside and are barely controlable, when it comes to embroilment. Cane is smaller, considerably more obedient (it steps back from an embroilment by command astonishingly easily) and it likes inside, in fact it needs inside close to its owner. Of course I am referring to the breed according to European standards, in the USA can be, and prob is, rather different.

[Jonathan]

15 hours ago, amh said:

I think the combination of your GSD and rooster(s) running around at large would keep all but the most determined trespassers away.

True! Although that particular rooster has developed an unholy dislike of me personally for some reason and has had his freedom limited somewhat.

In fact, never mind dogs in the garden...chickens are a nightmare of destructive potential, coming in third after wallabies and rabbits.

[amh]

27 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

True! Although that particular rooster has developed an unholy dislike of me personally for some reason and has had his freedom limited somewhat.

In fact, never mind dogs in the garden...chickens are a nightmare of destructive potential, coming in third after wallabies and rabbits.

Some roosters are just jerks, I had one that would bite and spur anyone who walked into the yard and others are tame.

My biggest garden destroyers are white tail deer, feral cats and chickens; a dog in the garden would help repel these three destructive species.

[Jonathan]

2 minutes ago, amh said:

Some roosters are just jerks, I had one that would bite and spur anyone who walked into the yard and others are tame.

So true...Horace, in the picture is a cad and a bounder! Our other old fella Elliot is a true gentleman. Australorps are hard to come by these days though, so he keeps his head...for now! 

[Silas_Sancona]

13 hours ago, peachy said:

A dog is a living being, not a tool. You might be better buying an alarm system for your house and fence lines. If you are not prepared to have a dog as part of your family, being involved in your activities and lifestyle, please don't get one.

@peachy  couldn't agree w/ this more..      And yes, i'm going to go off on one final, long ol' tangent..

Was looking over some Basenji ( of course, 😁 ) -related vids. and had another pop up  relating to someone who called them self " Average Guy "  talking about should you / why he rehomed his dog.. Didn't realize there was a whole YT thing about  people posting this either..

Now,  fully comprehend that there can be legitimate extenuating life circumstances where someone might have to consider this, been there too,  but, skipping through the kid's ( ...in my book )  7+ minute " discussion "  about why he'd chosen to,  the explanation of his reason (s) #1:  Freaked out after -3 days-  of having the dog,   Reasons  #2- 5:   Stressing over not being able to go to the gym / writing music / " getting better " on dong stuff on Youtube  /  how much he stressed over his life having to shift -for the dog   ....All that  " I / Me "  talk  made my head tilt thinking  " is dude for real w/ all this?..  "

To each their own of course,  while some might find his reasoning justified,   found it extremely hollow and very self centered.  If i knew / was related to someone like that,  we'd have a discussion of our own..  I also would not allow him / them  to stay in contact with the pet after rehoming either.  Their choice to.. and glad you at least put some thought into it when " disposing " of your stress,  but sorry,  but you can't / won't have it both ways.  I can't imagine being so self absorbed and overly intimidated by the weakest of challenges  ..that aren't even challenging to begin with...  that would compel me to do what he did.

In the 12 and 1/2 years Ash was part of my life, not once was i stopped from doing / missed out on -anything-  i wanted to do.  Rather enjoy my life / time with him ..and / or another, ...because there will be another,  in it,  than be like " Average ' guy ' " ( ..or girl.. ) and just give up if or when things get a little tough / because i might have to < gasp > stay off Youtube for an hour or 3. 🤦‍♂️SMH.

As mentioned, animals are living beings, not something like a couch or bike you just give away when you have no use for it.  Think giving up a pet is rough on a human < real humans at least > ( didn't seem to be w/ this kid )  far worse for the animal.  Want to mess up a dog or cat?  treat it like something disposable.   Id ask " what kind of person would do that, for such silly < imo > reasons? " but obviously,  -and unfortunately,  there are people out there like that.


As much as i hate saying these two words together,  Trust me,  As i'm sure others here can attest to,  the absence of... / working through " the process " of..  is more challenging than dealing with any challenges that i might have experienced at times when my brat was present.   Also more than happy to break it to anyone chained to the weird,  opposite way of thought..  reality is simple:  life was never supposed to be worry / stress / challenge  free.  Not while you're alive at least.

  Far better to have -at least-  someone to come home to after a stressful day,  than not.   Even better when you don't have to say a word  ..they just know..  and have that member of the pack  lay it's head on your lap,  and say  -in their own way- " It will be ok " / " Hey, lets go outside / for a walk.. it will help you feel better ..I need to pee anyways.. " 


All i can say is this ..It is fine if someone isn't at a point in their life where a four legged pack member will fit in..  That happens. 

To me, that is different than what seems to be a  " Ooh! gotta have it! /  Gotta...  jump on the what's currently trendy train / FOMO / FML if i don't "  kind of situation,  ..only to end up with buyer's remorse a few days / months  later  because the reality  wasn't the rose tinted,  diamond encrusted experience you assumed it to be ....because  what you wanted / had to have ..soo  bad,  got in the way of  " Me "  time..   I myself prefer " us " time,  and there is plenty to go around, even if things get busy at times.

Take the time to be sure a dog, cat, whatever size / breed / temperament / potential plant eater ..or not..  it is,  ..or even something fairly simple, like a lizard or fish  is the right fit / won't be " too much " for you to handle.    *** General statement  ..Not directed anywhere specific. ***

Figure that out well  BEFORE  even considering the commitment.  I started that process as soon as i knew i'd be pursuing a dog, my own dog  at all, 2 years ahead of when the right brat came home..

Is as important as when contemplating the commitment you make when deciding what  ..or how much... time you want to spend tending a garden,  lest the time needed to tend to the needs of your landscape take away from the gym, video games,   ..and/or youtube.  Oof. 🙃



On a side note, this little slice of happiness also popped up in the " other vid. suggestions " area.  FYI. these are what us Basenji folks call " Trindles " AKA Tri- Colored  color form of the breed.  Not exclusive to the breed, but unique.   Note the French Bulldog ( pup? ) / other pups in the video as well.
 

Would have enjoyed to see additional footage of the collection while the pups were exploring, but happy to take in nearly 3 minutes of it  ..Basenji and Kopsick = great pairing..  No gym needed either and excellent stress reducers.  All of it.