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Some Simple Pleasures...
- Thread starter Codger_64
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james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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I've loved cats all my life, but never had a dog until recently, and frankly didn't see what the big deal was. Now I have three and I understand 
Codger_64
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I've loved cats all my life, but never had a dog until recently, and frankly didn't see what the big deal was. Now I have three and I understand
Owning a dog is definitely one of those things where the more attention and effort you put into it, the greater the return. Since the last time I had a Llewelyn Setter, circa 1979 before my first child was born, all of my family dogs have been just "dawgs" with very little training other than the bloodhounds I raised and trained for SAR. They were family companions with very little required of them beyond basic civility and not eating the children (and whatever cats we may have had at the time). And that was OK because, though dearly loved by one and all, they were just pets. And were forbidden to come into the house.
The training I am giving Jake goes way beyond mere suitability for family dog companionship. Learning commands, verbal backed up with hand signals until they become automatic is very time consuming but also rewarding. In time, he will be a certified service animal and can legally go everywhere I go (hotels/motels, restaurants, hospitals and ambulances, stores, parks, airlines, government office and courts etc.) with very few exceptions. He will have the same legal protections as a police dog, far beyond those of a pet.
For instance when I moved into my current home, my landlord asked if I had dogs. Previous tenants did have and they caused a lot of damage to the home. At the time, I did not have a dog. Now I do but, since he is a service animal, not a pet, I cannot be evicted or charged additional deposits. This is Federal and State law. Of course I am still responsible for any damage he does, both at home and in public.
But there is no reason that family pets can't be highly trained as well. It makes for a much better human/animal relationship. It doesn't take a lot of financial investment, just a lot of time and consistency.
Now, having rambled on and on, I'll say that I am not a person who thinks that dogs are people. Having raised both I can say they very definitely are not. IMHO, one does a disservice to both people and to dogs to treat dogs as if they were people. Dogs are a cool species, nonetheless.
james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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It's pretty amazing how much dogs have helped humans over the last few thousand years. :thumbup:
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Had the companionship of dogs over the years, even raised a wolf. My last dog passed away after 18 years. I'm too old now to get another dog, but:
Under the heading of simple pleasures, mom brought this little guy out of the woods this morning for his first visit.
Under the heading of simple pleasures, mom brought this little guy out of the woods this morning for his first visit.
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Codgermobile looks PIMP!!!!Hopefully I will finish early enough tomorrow that if we both feel up to it, Jake and I can go for a liesurely ride in the '63 Codgermobile, another simple pleasure and Jake's favorite thing to do.
:thumbup:
Codger_64
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Codgermobile looks PIMP!!!!
I've added more factory bling since this picture from the week I brought it home. Stainless window shades, Stainless rocker moldings and chrome fender top ornaments. She's a fun ride. And Jake likes her too.
Codger_64
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So after buying my semi-weekly groceries, the sacker offered to take them to my car. Normally, I just handle that chore myself but, since there is no buggy park and the parking lot is on a hill where unattended buggies will roll down into the street, I relented, rather than have to take the buggy back into the store myself.
I directed her ( ) to my car and she ooh'd and ahh'd at it.
"I love your car!"
"Do you? It is just a bit older than you, 1963", says I.
"Oh, well yes, a bit older. I was born in 1995".
She was cute though. I wonder how her parents would feel about adoption?
Dang I feel old today.
I directed her (
) to my car and she ooh'd and ahh'd at it. "I love your car!"
"Do you? It is just a bit older than you, 1963", says I.
"Oh, well yes, a bit older. I was born in 1995".
She was cute though. I wonder how her parents would feel about adoption?
Dang I feel old today.
james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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Sweet ride! I lol'ed at "buggy", never heard a grocery cart called that until I met my girlfriend (she's from Knoxville).
I know what you mean about those young laides at stores and whatnot. I wish they would stop calling me sir, I'm only 40 for goodness sake.
I know what you mean about those young laides at stores and whatnot. I wish they would stop calling me sir, I'm only 40 for goodness sake.
Codger_64
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...I know what you mean about those young laides at stores and whatnot. I wish they would stop calling me sir, I'm only 40 for goodness sake.
Just wait. It gets better. You buy a bottle of wine and ask the cashier if she wants to see I.D. becase the sign says so. "I'm sorry sir. We don't give senior discounts!"
Codger_64
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I had a hard week this past week. I worked seven long days in the heat. I built one pool and rebuilt another including running a 90# jackhammer that my workers claimed was loud, did service including dives for repairs. I was tired.
But... my daughter came over last night and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. "Dad, let's go canoing tomorrow"? So we did. I washed and cleaned my red Old Town Guide canoe this morning, rummaged through closets and my storage shed for gear, packed the dry box and sewed the Service Dog patches on Jake's life vest. And we went on an eight mile canoe trip on Tennessee's Buffalo River.
I've been trying to take Jake out in public more, but he had some "firsts" today. And I must say he handled them well.
It was his first ride on a large bus packed with people of all ages, the shuttle bus. He sat in the seat between Jennifer and me and behaved better than one might expect a one-year-old to do.
It was his first introduction to dozens of enthusiastic admirers, all wanting to pet him (he is, unexpectedly, a "chick magnet"!). It was his first time ever in a canoe, and with my two-year-old granddaughter as well, her first time in a canoe.
And it was his first time in public with ADA Service Dog identifier patches (I still have to add the "In Training" rocker patches). He did not embarass me but once, at the put-in when he didn't understand the idea of riding in the canoe instead of swimming around it.
I was prepared for the rental/shuttle service to give me grief over taking a dog into their store and on their bus, or at least trying to charge a fee to transport him. Nope. He was welcomed and accepted by one and all. It is, by the way, illegal to charge fees for a service dog, even if fees are commonly charged for pets, or to exclude one from most businesses, even where pets are excluded. They did require him to wear a life vest, and I was one step ahead of them there.
The only tribulations came when both Jake and Aubree repeatedly tried to lean over the same side of the canoe at the same time, one to dip water in a cup and one to snap at dragonflies and leaves. But they never tipped us. And Jake rode well without leaping overboard until told "Out" and reentered without a fuss on "In".
The river was conjested as usual by novice canoists in the livery clunkers, beat up bauxite boats. Most of our time was spent out of sight and hearing (for my passengers who could hear) of them until we beached for a soda and swim break. Then they would clunk-clunk-bang past us.
No matter how long of a break we took, we would soon overtake them again, usually at some slightly technical riffle with a sweeper that required basic canoing and water reading skills. And there they would be log-jammed, recovering gear and dumping water out of swamped canoes. Usually they spoke to us and said something regarding the hazard we were facing, according to my daughter once we were out of earshot. Without fail, they were amazed at the ease with which the red canoe with the old man, the toddler, the spotted white dog and the young lady slid effortlessly through the obsticles which been their undoing.
Jennifer, my daughter, has been canoing with me since she was three and knows when to do and when to ask. She knows what I mean when I say sweep or draw right or left. She knows the strokes to use and when to use them for both power and economy of effort. She knows when to keep her paddle in her lap and let the old man do the driving. And as bowman, she knows how to read the water and hold the line I describe to her.
We never swamped or grounded, never got wet except by choice during breaks on an inviting gravel bar when Jake and Aubree swam nonstop. It was a magnificent day. Warm, but not too hot. Breezy, but not windy. Populated, but not crowded.
And both novices in my canoe, Aubree and Jake, behaved themselves and had a good time. Both also slept all the way home (except for a brief stop at Sonic for people supper and dog treats... Jake doesn't eat people food) and went right to bed when we got here. Jake is zonked out beside my chair right now. He ate a quick supper, went out to pee and collapsed. He swam and worked hard today. And... he alerted when I had a brief COPD event. Good boy.
I have some pictures on my phone when I can figure out how to download them.
But... my daughter came over last night and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. "Dad, let's go canoing tomorrow"? So we did. I washed and cleaned my red Old Town Guide canoe this morning, rummaged through closets and my storage shed for gear, packed the dry box and sewed the Service Dog patches on Jake's life vest. And we went on an eight mile canoe trip on Tennessee's Buffalo River.
I've been trying to take Jake out in public more, but he had some "firsts" today. And I must say he handled them well.
It was his first ride on a large bus packed with people of all ages, the shuttle bus. He sat in the seat between Jennifer and me and behaved better than one might expect a one-year-old to do.
It was his first introduction to dozens of enthusiastic admirers, all wanting to pet him (he is, unexpectedly, a "chick magnet"!). It was his first time ever in a canoe, and with my two-year-old granddaughter as well, her first time in a canoe.
And it was his first time in public with ADA Service Dog identifier patches (I still have to add the "In Training" rocker patches). He did not embarass me but once, at the put-in when he didn't understand the idea of riding in the canoe instead of swimming around it.
I was prepared for the rental/shuttle service to give me grief over taking a dog into their store and on their bus, or at least trying to charge a fee to transport him. Nope. He was welcomed and accepted by one and all. It is, by the way, illegal to charge fees for a service dog, even if fees are commonly charged for pets, or to exclude one from most businesses, even where pets are excluded. They did require him to wear a life vest, and I was one step ahead of them there.
The only tribulations came when both Jake and Aubree repeatedly tried to lean over the same side of the canoe at the same time, one to dip water in a cup and one to snap at dragonflies and leaves. But they never tipped us. And Jake rode well without leaping overboard until told "Out" and reentered without a fuss on "In".
The river was conjested as usual by novice canoists in the livery clunkers, beat up bauxite boats. Most of our time was spent out of sight and hearing (for my passengers who could hear) of them until we beached for a soda and swim break. Then they would clunk-clunk-bang past us.
No matter how long of a break we took, we would soon overtake them again, usually at some slightly technical riffle with a sweeper that required basic canoing and water reading skills. And there they would be log-jammed, recovering gear and dumping water out of swamped canoes. Usually they spoke to us and said something regarding the hazard we were facing, according to my daughter once we were out of earshot. Without fail, they were amazed at the ease with which the red canoe with the old man, the toddler, the spotted white dog and the young lady slid effortlessly through the obsticles which been their undoing.
Jennifer, my daughter, has been canoing with me since she was three and knows when to do and when to ask. She knows what I mean when I say sweep or draw right or left. She knows the strokes to use and when to use them for both power and economy of effort. She knows when to keep her paddle in her lap and let the old man do the driving. And as bowman, she knows how to read the water and hold the line I describe to her.
We never swamped or grounded, never got wet except by choice during breaks on an inviting gravel bar when Jake and Aubree swam nonstop. It was a magnificent day. Warm, but not too hot. Breezy, but not windy. Populated, but not crowded.
And both novices in my canoe, Aubree and Jake, behaved themselves and had a good time. Both also slept all the way home (except for a brief stop at Sonic for people supper and dog treats... Jake doesn't eat people food) and went right to bed when we got here. Jake is zonked out beside my chair right now. He ate a quick supper, went out to pee and collapsed. He swam and worked hard today. And... he alerted when I had a brief COPD event. Good boy.
I have some pictures on my phone when I can figure out how to download them.
Codger_64
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I finally got the right USB cable and downloaded the drivers (whatever that is). Here are a few pictures of that first trip. We've made several more since, including the last one with just Jake and me. Canoing is now his favorite thing to do. Plus, it lets him go for a nice ride in the truck, also his favorite thing to do.
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I've added more factory bling since this picture from the week I brought it home. Stainless window shades, Stainless rocker moldings and chrome fender top ornaments. She's a fun ride. And Jake likes her too.
Since this is the simple pleasures thread, I'll show my age.
A couple years ago my wife and I were in the market for a new car. Lease rates were stupid cheap so we test drove a Mazda CX7 SUV-ish turd of a vehicle. We immediately decided against it after about five minutes in the thing.
The driver and passenger sat in these deep, cockpit like pockets and were completely separated from each other. The whole time I was behind the wheel I thought of nothing but the old bench seats where your sweetie could sit close and you could throw an arm around her on those slow cruises home from the movies or dinner.
Sad to think that the last vehicle I had that offered that option was my '81 Chevy pick-up.
The go-fast was nice. The chrome and styling was nice. Anyone that thinks that it ended there doesn't fully appreciate the bench seat.
Codger_64
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Another hard week of it. Temps aroung 100 degrees most days. I dug another new pool and completed it as far as possible until the concrete finishers pour the concrete coping border. Then I'll grout the bottom, set the liner and fill the pool. It should be done by the end of next week except the finishing touches of pouring, stamping and dyeing the deck, setting the slide, diving board, ladder and building the cascade fountains.
So Jake and I are rewarding ourselves with a planned canoe trip on the Buffalo again tomorrow, barring storms. It is only supposed to get up to the mid 80's with a 50% chance of storms. But I've sat out storms under a tarp before. It is actually kinda fun. Especially with a companion and some snacks.
I made Jake stay home today while I made the trip to Gander Mountain and two other outdoor stores. It was around 100 again, and I didn't want to take him through all those stores, and too hot for him to sit in the car. I did a lot of shopping but didn't buy much. I did get a drybag. It is only a 30 liter one, but if it works well, I'll get a second one next week. I was very tempted to buy a nice laminated Canadian paddle in one store. My mouth was watering and my hands were itching. The price wasn't bad considering the quality, but it was the same as the cost of the prescription I need to get Tuesday, so it will have to wait. I did get one of those GEC canoe seats with a backrest last week, but I haven't tried it with these moulded seats yet. It may be a bust until I replace the seats with Old Town ash and cane units.
My plan is to make this trip an overnighter if the weather cooperates. It will be another series of firsts for Jake. He has never been camping, in a tent, or sat around a campfire with an old man who howls at the moon. I may even dig out my old blues harp and see if he will sing along with some "Sons Of The Pioneers". Hopefully he won't keep me up all night worrying about the night animals. Swimming usually wears him out though. So likely I only have to worry about my snoring keeping him awake.
I'll fish a bit but, because I might hook Jake (spinnerbaits fascinate him), I'll probably pack along grouper fillets for supper instead of eating bass and perch. I haven't had a big campfire meal in years and it really sounds good. Knowing it may rain though, I'll also take along a few Mountain House freeze dried meals that I can whip up on my stove under my tarp or in the vestibule of my tent.
I've done pretty well with the chores involved with canoing so far, even solo, but launching and loading are killers. I have to sit for ten minutes or so after each to catch my breath. I'll probably pay the shuttle service to do those for me this time and save my energy for the paddling.
So Jake and I are rewarding ourselves with a planned canoe trip on the Buffalo again tomorrow, barring storms. It is only supposed to get up to the mid 80's with a 50% chance of storms. But I've sat out storms under a tarp before. It is actually kinda fun. Especially with a companion and some snacks.
I made Jake stay home today while I made the trip to Gander Mountain and two other outdoor stores. It was around 100 again, and I didn't want to take him through all those stores, and too hot for him to sit in the car. I did a lot of shopping but didn't buy much. I did get a drybag. It is only a 30 liter one, but if it works well, I'll get a second one next week. I was very tempted to buy a nice laminated Canadian paddle in one store. My mouth was watering and my hands were itching. The price wasn't bad considering the quality, but it was the same as the cost of the prescription I need to get Tuesday, so it will have to wait. I did get one of those GEC canoe seats with a backrest last week, but I haven't tried it with these moulded seats yet. It may be a bust until I replace the seats with Old Town ash and cane units.
My plan is to make this trip an overnighter if the weather cooperates. It will be another series of firsts for Jake. He has never been camping, in a tent, or sat around a campfire with an old man who howls at the moon. I may even dig out my old blues harp and see if he will sing along with some "Sons Of The Pioneers". Hopefully he won't keep me up all night worrying about the night animals. Swimming usually wears him out though. So likely I only have to worry about my snoring keeping him awake.
I'll fish a bit but, because I might hook Jake (spinnerbaits fascinate him), I'll probably pack along grouper fillets for supper instead of eating bass and perch. I haven't had a big campfire meal in years and it really sounds good. Knowing it may rain though, I'll also take along a few Mountain House freeze dried meals that I can whip up on my stove under my tarp or in the vestibule of my tent.
I've done pretty well with the chores involved with canoing so far, even solo, but launching and loading are killers. I have to sit for ten minutes or so after each to catch my breath. I'll probably pay the shuttle service to do those for me this time and save my energy for the paddling.
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Great pictures Michael. We all get so wrapped up in daily life, that we take simple things for granted. Your daughter had a great idea goin canoeing.
I like the Codgermobile. Old cars have so much more personality. Almost daily I think of the cars and pickups of my youth.
I like the Codgermobile. Old cars have so much more personality. Almost daily I think of the cars and pickups of my youth.
Codger_64
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Yeah, this one (one almost like it) is a car from my youth, revisited in my middle years and returned to now. SUre, it isn't as comfortable to drive as the '03 Impala. It takes effort to turn the non-power steering when sitting still and you have to push harder on the manual brakes. It has only "six-sixty" airconditioning (windows rolled down and wind wings open at sixty mph). But it takes me back to first girlfriends, a full tank of gas for five dollars, and just driving for the joy of driving.
I'm packing gear and watching the radar. Humidity is very high and it is playing havoc with my breathing already, just sitting here and working in the house. Jake and I may have to settle for playing with a quail wing on a fishing pole in the yard. His favorite thing to do.
ETA: By the way, Jake isn't tethered to the canoe when we are underway anymore. That was just the first trip when he was learning nautical commands from his Captain. We do use the check cord at swim time and other rest breaks though.
I'm packing gear and watching the radar. Humidity is very high and it is playing havoc with my breathing already, just sitting here and working in the house. Jake and I may have to settle for playing with a quail wing on a fishing pole in the yard. His favorite thing to do.
ETA: By the way, Jake isn't tethered to the canoe when we are underway anymore. That was just the first trip when he was learning nautical commands from his Captain. We do use the check cord at swim time and other rest breaks though.
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