I couldn't have said this better myself.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:55 am

kazalala;1160811 wrote: Its amazing how many people dont relaise how important it is to walk your dogs,,, even some small dogs need walks, its so good for them in so many ways,,, and even if you have a masive back garden,, or yard,,, they still need walks!!!:-5:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Spot,, i suppose there are a lot of things that defacate the ground we walk on/sit on

maybe we should get rid of birds, rats, foxes, moles,

I wouldnt be offended or annoyed if parks had areas where dogs were not allowed on the grass etc. but just to be sure, why dont you take a blanket and put that down to sit on:)

you know, when i think of it ,, years ago when i was little dogs used to run around all over the place,,, they were just let out to roam around wherever,, theres not so much of that now. also the amount of germs i should have picked up with the places we used to go, climb. lie, sit, etc.,, i have always been pretty healthy

I think some people can go overboard trying to keep germs away and therefore weaken their immune system:-3

Couldn't have put it better myself. The ground is a microbiological battle area at the best of times.

Where my daughter is concerned, I take her where dogs are not generally taken. There are reasons other than infection why I do this. Dogs, especially if unleashed, cannot be trusted. As much as I may consider the owner irresponsible or worse, I care too much for my lass to expose her to the potential danger of a temperamental dog. There are other places not generally frequented by dogs where I can take her where she is safe.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:00 am

OpenMind;1160824 wrote: Couldn't have put it better myself. The ground is a microbiological battle area at the best of times.

Where my daughter is concerned, I take her where dogs are not generally taken. There are reasons other than infection why I do this. Dogs, especially if unleashed, cannot be trusted. As much as I may consider the owner irresponsible or worse, I care too much for my lass to expose her to the potential danger of a temperamental dog. There are other places not generally frequented by dogs where I can take her where she is safe.

well of course we have to look after our children first:) Thats one of the reasons i dont let my dog off the lead,, she absolutley loves kids, but think she can run up to them and jump up and lick etc.. well she is so strong she would just knock them flying and maybe hurt them unintentionally.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:32 am

kazalala;1160826 wrote: well of course we have to look after our children first:) Thats one of the reasons i dont let my dog off the lead,, she absolutley loves kids, but think she can run up to them and jump up and lick etc.. well she is so strong she would just knock them flying and maybe hurt them unintentionally.

Kids couldn't have a better friend than the family dog. They usually play well together and the dog provides security for the kids. Alsatians and akitas are my firm favourites here.

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:40 am

I now have three dogs all rescue dogs, two purebred and sold to totally unsuitable people who then mistreated the dog when it didnt live up to their expectations.

The third is a little cross who was dumped in a field near the motorway and left to fend for himself.

All 3 are microchiped regularly wormed and given tick and flea treatment.They are all neutered and I would never breed dogs myself.

I do my best to clean up after them and make sure they are of no bother to anyone else.

Thats more than most people do with their children who throw their litter all over the place, spit or urinate against park benches ect, shout or toot car horns late at night and are generally rude nasty little creatures.

But try imposing a breeding ban on certain type of human beings.. there would be outrage.

In return for a bowl of food and a walk what my dogs give me is companionship and affection, they never complain, never lie or deceive me, never turn away when I need them, they protect me and my home against human pests and give me so much pleasure I can hardly put the feeling into words , without them I am truely less alive, less whole.

Dogs are not the problem Humans are. But the dog will always pay the price for the human error.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:16 am

Victoria;1160859 wrote: I now have three dogs all rescue dogs, two purebred and sold to totally unsuitable people who then mistreated the dog when it didnt live up to their expectations.

The third is a little cross who was dumped in a field near the motorway and left to fend for himself.

All 3 are microchiped regularly wormed and given tick and flea treatment.They are all neutered and I would never breed dogs myself.

I do my best to clean up after them and make sure they are of no bother to anyone else.

Thats more than most people do with their children who throw their litter all over the place, spit or urinate against park benches ect, shout or toot car horns late at night and are generally rude nasty little creatures.

But try imposing a breeding ban on certain type of human beings.. there would be outrage.

In return for a bowl of food and a walk what my dogs give me is companionship and affection, they never complain, never lie or deceive me, never turn away when I need them, they protect me and my home against human pests and give me so much pleasure I can hardly put the feeling into words , without them I am truely less alive, less whole.

Dogs are not the problem Humans are. But the dog will always pay the price for the human error.

Bravo!:yh_clap:yh_clap

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:18 am

spot;1160815 wrote: Many responsible pet owners are unaware of the health hazards imposed on human by animal roundworm infections. Once the soil has become contaminated, infective eggs persist indefinitely.

Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans

Children get the eggs stuck to their fingers from contaminated grass in parks and transfer them easily to their eyes. Unilateral visual disturbances, strabismus, and eye pain are the most common presenting symptoms. Each year more than 700 people infected with Toxocara experience permanent partial loss of vision in the US - I can't find an equivalent figure for the UK.

Most of the parks here have dog areas and they are kept away from the children's play area with wardens around to impose fines. Must admit I heartily object to dog po in parks as well. If you find it undignified to pick up dog **** don't buy a dog. I object when I see dog owners not picking it up and yes I do own a dog.

What about sheep? they're all over the downs crapping everywhere, disgusting animals.

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:51 am

gmc;1160867 wrote: Most of the parks here have dog areas and they are kept away from the children's play area with wardens around to impose fines. Must admit I heartily object to dog po in parks as well. If you find it undignified to pick up dog **** don't buy a dog. I object when I see dog owners not picking it up and yes I do own a dog.

What about sheep? they're all over the downs crapping everywhere, disgusting animals.

The last sheep seen on the Downs were eaten in the winter of 1942 by local opportunists.

The last park warden in Bristol was privatised by the Civic Amenities Department in 1974 so as to lose his pension rights and made redundant two-years-and-a-month later.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:37 pm

face it.....everything has germs.

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:39 pm

Odie;1161164 wrote: face it.....everything has germs.

Not everything has bloody eye-infecting parasites though. Mere bacteria (they being germs, unlike parasites which are not germs) are a minor matter.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:42 pm

I have spent a while reflecting on this. In Roundhay Park in Leeds, a rather large park on the outskirts, I regularly see dogs about yet I don't think I've ever seen any dog faeces.

I will, of course, have to go back there and check on this.

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:46 pm

Perhaps some local benefactor goes round with corks?

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:55 pm

spot;1161171 wrote: Perhaps some local benefactor goes round with corks?

Who knows? I confess I haven't looked for corked rear ends.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:09 pm

Very dangerous - corked ends ! Could you imagine the results if the dog had eaten baked beans before his walk :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:29 pm

G#Gill;1161177 wrote: Very dangerous - corked ends ! Could you imagine the results if the dog had eaten baked beans before his walk :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

Exploding dogs.:yh_think

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:47 pm

OpenMind;1161187 wrote: Exploding dogs.:yh_think

can you imagine the mess?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:53 pm

Odie;1161202 wrote: can you imagine the mess?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

I'd rather not.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:54 pm

OpenMind;1161204 wrote: I'd rather not.

it was a joke, you mentioned exploding dogs.

:D

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:56 pm

Odie;1161207 wrote: it was a joke, you mentioned exploding dogs.

:D

That wasn't me. That was my avatar.