No one is trying to run anyone off this board. Most of us just want to lighten things up a little bit. I was really sorry that gspjustin left, he is a very bright, driven young man that has a lot to offer the world, especially the dog world. It was nice to see a kid that wasn't getting into trouble. Sometimes people post something they are not looking for answers just a little comfort & understanding of what they are going through. Again I hope nobody leaves this forum. I have learned so much from everyone. My husband thinks I am nuts sometimes when I talk about, Barb, Renee, Bill , Marie, & some of the others on here that I consider friends. I do hope to meet a few of them someday. I have invited anyone who wishs to come here our quest cabin & a fishing trip on one of the best lakes in the US.

So here is my favorite saying: Don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing, and makes you walk funny. or, When life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade & then mix it with vodka!! Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

Can we all just start a chain email to tell each other how much we love and admire one another?  Maybe that could be another forum topic!  I know that I was lumped in with the group and all I was doing was giving the one poster the answer they wanted.  "He sure is"! 

Having some experience regarding online interactions, I recall a picture I once saw that is totally not politically correct, but nevertheless makes a valid point.  I apologize as it is offensive to some.  It said that arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics... even if you win, you're still retarded. 

Everyone is entitled to their opinions.  There are those who seem to have more than others, and I would rather have someone express their views and contribute to the board than to sit back quietly and not give us an opportunity to learn from them.  We are expecting perfection in the wrong place when we expect perfection from others. 

I do agree that some posts I've read seem a little condescending, if not downright rude (I am talking about multiple posters here, not just one in particular).  I do hope that those who post in the future will realize that everyone does not share the same perspective and will adjust their tone accordingly.  However, it does take compromise on either side, and postees should do their best to accept the opinions as they come... in the spirit they are given, not necessarily the letter.  If you think about it... nobody can actually offend you, you have to CHOOSE to be offended.  That doesn't mean we should push our luck though!

My dad once told me it was all in how you said something.  This was his example:  You can tell a girl, "Your face would make time stand still" or "Your face would stop a clock".  Both accomplish the same goal, but one might get you kissed and one might get you slapped.  Anyway, I do apologize if it seemed like I was jumping on the wagon for a lynching.  I try to make light of things as laughing about awkward situations makes them better... usually.

I will step down from the soap box and pass the mike...  Enjoy your day!

-James

James -

Here, Here.  I was trying to say the same thing in my earlier post, but you said it much more eloquently.   I enjoy all of the posts, whether I agree, or not.

Tucker
My Irish granny used to say "Don't get your panties in a wad" which probably is roughly equivalent to the knickers in a knot. Being a Type A personality I heard that a lot.

My husband was a social worker in the psych ward in the army when I met him. Probably one reason we are still married. I have seen a couple of posts where someone was being baited but for the most part this is a nice board. Sometines I have phrased things badly. Sometines I have had to reread what I wrote and apologize.

I think that being a supervisor of government workers made my skin a little thicker and I definitely learned the futilility of arguing with certain people. Or maybe that comes with age and not giving a s**t.

 P.S. I wasn't in the psych ward.  I was a bartender at a nearby western bar where the soldiers hung out. 

P.S.2 (since a lot of us are woemen)

Rules for arguing with a woman.

1.  The woman always gets the last word in the argument.

2.  Anything said after that is the start of a new argument.

Here is Rocky ready to jump in after that tennis ball for a retrieve in a Wisconsin small fresh water lake 10 miles from where we live.  Rocky LOVES  the water and to swim

Here is a better picture of the small lake and Rocky actually swimming carrying the ball in his mouth

Marie,

I see you use a CHUCKIT to toss the ROCKSTER'S ball......Isn't that just the greatest invention ?

We have two .... one is only about a foot long and is easier for me to control with my bad shoulders...Greg uses the regular length one.....

We have a lake about 5 miles away, I can't wait to take Bean there

I'm always a bit nervous when we take Bean to the Ocean Beaches, I never toss anything in for her to get, because I'm afraid with the wave action, she will lose it and just search till she is exhausted. She does chase all the gulls and shore birds

I took Ruger to the beach over the weekend at puget sound and he loves it there. He did drink some sea water and got yelled at, he ate all kinds of things too!!! Seaweed, kelp, crab claw you name it he tried it!! he also rolled in some nasty dead fish like GSPs love to do! Thankfully he did not get sick and i was worried that he may with the sea water and everything else he tasted. here are a few pics of him enjoying the beach. i just love everyones dogs pics!!!

JAG,

I live in puget sound area as well...I'm always concerned about the barnacles...LIKE on Hood Canal,,   I bought Bean booties, but it's a GGGGGRITCH   to get her to wear them..I gave up

Ocean shores & Westport seem to have great areas...BUT they always have that DEAD SMELLY whatever, that Bean is SO ATTRACTED to

I think WE live in one of the  most beautiful areas of our great United States .....BUT the more I see of all the GSP'ers out there...I could travel to the ends of the earth, to see OTHER fantastic places & hopefully have some great GSP play dates...GAS PRICES PENDING   LOL

Renee'

Well I'm still waiting for Bean to visit us... one dog + 1 or 2 adults over the pass for the day is easier than 3 dogs + 2 adults + one toddler, hence my preference for doing it here.

Meg,

I'm working on it....After that Arizona trip, I'm lucky to have $$ left to buy people food...DOG KIBBLE COMES FIRST

We're looking at Soap lake motorcycle rally ??  I think the 3rd week in July ( not sure ) We have the last weekend in July at Ocean Shores Rally.....and then MY FAVE   ( NOT ) !!!!   always seems to be on my B-DAY  Anacortes Oyster Run...we camp for a few days in Anacortes, then the Oyster run is ONE day " SUNDAY "....I have spent my B-Day the last 5 years with BIKER DUDES......I usually call them { stinky OLD biker dudes }....BUT many are NOT...BUT cute YUPPY stud muffins....TOO bad I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MARRIED.....

The Bean hasn't gone on that run YET...we kennel her, so I can go to the festivities downtown and chill................I miss the heck out of her & am not sure that she'll be in a kennel this year

This is one block of an entire town ( shut down ) for the festivities....MY bike is the COOL one LOL

Renee'

Trust me, I know that 'broke and buying food & dog food & gas' feeling.