<p>What an odd turn this thread has taken. There is good natured ribbing, and then, there is ??? </p>
<p>C’mon guys, what are you trying to do here, exactly?</p>
<p>And then there is good natured ribbing–and hugs.</p>
<p>Okay. . . It’s getting late here. G’night. No doubt my dreams will be of narcissistic dogs diving into pools and ruining their nice hairdos. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Someone can explain to me later why the word hugs make some people see red. Or red haired dogs. Or . . .</p>
<p>My dog gives hugs- oh, wait- that’s him trying to hump our guests! I guess people are right when they say the dog is WildChild reincarnated as a dog!
If I were a better parent, I guess my kid AND my dog would be well-behaved.
Oh well, makes life interesting. Marly is worse- and he turned into a best seller.
Xiggi- narcissism makes the world go 'round. Toto, you’re not in Kansas anymore!</p>
<p>Hey…My poor hair-challenged chihuahua really does like to be in charge of the pool…she just thinks it’s all about her. Oh wait…could she ALSO be a canine narcissist??</p>
<p>Mstee…so sorry about the mental pictures. Hope you had sweet dreams with no dogs, pools or strange hair involved. ;)</p>
<p>lol - I think I get it 
This thread has some interesting undercurrents. Don’t mind me, just whispering in a corner here :-)</p>
<p>This is a wonderful idea and I’m going to be coming here all the time. You’ve been warned! My “good daughter” has been gone the entire past month at Governor’s School (having a wonderful time as we’ve barely heard from her!). Meanwhile, I’m at home with my 18 year old rising senior son who has been a nightmare and a half throughout his high school career. After reading so many “my child is perfect” threads on CC, I’m so glad to see other parents of boys dealing with the same issues. We don’t talk-- we argue. After a disastrous junior year, I really think we’re looking at a gap year - and I don’t know what I can do to help him see that the slightest bit of effort would make a world of difference in his life- academically and socially. Parents- please tell me how you’ve controlled your urge to talk too much?</p>
<p>Oh- I have a wonderful Labrador too- to keep that doggie undercurrent going!</p>
<p>sabaray - oh mine are definitely not perfect, nor am I the perfect parent…so you have my sympathy and empathy. There is a lot to be said for a delayed college start. I actually did much better after I took a year off…an unbelievable change for better. I think many here will tell you that the ‘testy’ attitude is pretty normal too…a part of the separating process so your child can eventually stand on their own two feet when they leave home. We went through the exact same thing. </p>
<p>Btw…I love labradors…but I bet my chi can beat your lab up…(JK…lol!)</p>
<p>:confused: Can someone explain? Speaking for myself, everything I posted about my dear sweet Cavalier and the loss of Cody/Colby is absolutely true, and I was just following along in the light-hearted conversation. The posters were talking about their dogs, the things they chewed, the accidents they had and the grooming disasters they had, which reminded me of my doggie and his trips to the groomer. I miss the dogs, but am glad that some of my memories, and the funny stories of others chihuahuas jumping into pools made me laugh. And for that I am appreciative. I thought this was a place for support, which, IMO, can take many different forms. If this is a place where judgement is left at the door, why am I feeling judged? I got some hugs, and I got some smiles. I don’t understand the problem. Lets make this a place where <em>everyone</em> feels welcome, even if you think a post is silly.</p>
<p>Awww jym…I really am sorry about your Cavilier (another favorite breed of mine). I’m not normally a hugger, but for you…[[hugs]]. </p>
<p>Dang it…I am a terrible hugger…lol!</p>
<p>There is a little ribbing going on here, but at least it’s not personal, unless there’s more to puffy doggies than I know about. ;)</p>
<p>Anyway, I know this is really selfish of me…but can I get a birthday hug?</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words and the laughs, ldmom06! And yes, I agree-- lets definitely keep the pet stories and bad hair days in the conversation, Sabaray! Talking about them should make us feel better, not worse!</p>
<p>It is very quiet around here, with s#1 on internship, s#2 in a program up north, and no doggie to make me smile. Just me and dh for now.</p>
<p>I am about to head off to a professional weekend conference, where part of what we are dealing with is the recent tragic death of one of our well-respected colleagues. It is a sad time for many of the members of the organization, especially those of us on the Board of Directors, who have spent countless hours lately dealing with the aftermath of this and the impact to the membersip of our organization. And as we process his loss, we will share good memories, and funny memories. We will not pass judgement or read something more into the intent or content of someone’s thoughts and feelings, regardless of the form it takes. We will try to make everyone feel better. And often laughter is the best medicine.</p>
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<p>That is SO chihuahua! Love 'em–my parents have always had chihuahuas and they have always been given the same name (like George Foreman’s kids).</p>
<p>To answer a few questions: My pooch is a min pin, so no grooming problems. She has a doggie door and uses it (after many nights of my getting up at 3 am to make sure she went out when she was a puppy). It would drive me nuts if my pooch used a portion of the house as her personal potty area (as my dad’s chihuahua does)! And if it required my H to move a piano?? …dog would be gone by now…She’s on thin ice as it is with her eating the furniture.</p>
<p>Anyone who has lost a beloved dog CERTAINLY deserves hugs, jym626!</p>
<p>Happy b’day doubleplay! C’mon over to Sinners Alley and I’ll buy you a drink!! It’s early here- so would you like a mimosa?</p>
<p>sabaray- If you EVER feel that you are alone in raising a difficult son, just search for my old posts! I would be glad to give you help as you try to survive these next few years. My son was kicked out of several schools for behavioral issues before making it through high school and is at an Ivy League college from which he went AWOL briefly last spring. No perfect kid here! Fortunately, D has been less challenging (at least since the witch years of 13-15).</p>
<p>Thanks, ellenemenope! I do miss my doggie. He was the only male around this house that ever listened to a thing I said-- even after he lost his hearing! :D</p>
<p>Hugs to you, jym, and have a great trip. Sorry about the loss you’re dealing with.</p>
<p>I agree - internet correspondence is so hard to convey tone - just best if we assume the writer meant no harm. Or if they did, perhaps they haven’t been hugged enough in childhood and just need an extra hug! </p>
<p>I’m not used to having to explain <em>why</em> I need a hug. In our family, “I need a hug” is usually met without requirements - even by my S’s. My D is leaving for Germany on Tuesday for 2 weeks, so I will want extra hugs then. I have no fear of her ability to handle herself in Germany - she is staying with friends, speaks the language, and is at home there. I do have concerns about her making her connections in Paris - she has been through there before but always with a parent, and/or taking the right trains in Germany (they split). As some of you may remember, we have some interesting travel stories, so my fears are not ungrounded.</p>
<p>Happy Birthday, Doubleplay!</p>
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<p>AACK!! That would definitely deserve a lot of hugs! How did you ever survive?</p>
<p>jym626, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad! When my husband and I married (20 years ago next month), he travelled a lot so bought me a dog for companionship (I was a young law student at the time) so I wouldn’t be alone at night. He lived until the ripe old age of 14 when we had to put him to sleep. I never thought I’d want another dog - but my husband told me that he couldn’t stand to be around me without one. Evidently I was irritable. So now I have a 110 lb brute that drools, slobbers, lies on the furniture…BUT listens to every word I say, knows when I’m feeling sad and need a hug! and ldmom, you’re right- your chihuahua COULD beat him up! </p>
<p>MomofWildChild- I’ll definitely be looking for your old posts! And the support is appreciated! I’ve picked up plenty from reading posts about what to do for my daughter- who is going to be a junior - but not a lot on what to do with my son, so thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I survived by dealing with it like I have had to deal with all his other “adventures”. It was awful, but we got him and his partner-in-crime/classmate turned back around (they were headed to live in the Utah wilderness), started working on transfer apps and explained how there were better ways to handle “I don’t like my school”. I told him that I found it a little surprising that after all he had been through in his life (being hauled off to a wilderness program by paid escorts, being bounced out of schools, being put in a VERY strict emotional growth boarding school for a year…) that he would run away from the University of Pennsylvania! This is the same kid who acquired above-mentioned WildDog by stealing our checkbook, finding and researching a breeder, and arriving home with the most precious Golden Retriever puppy you have ever seen. Said puppy became HUGE (120 pounds) and is the love of my life at 4 years old. Also the same kid who just completed three summer classes in 7 weeks with great grades and is now backpacking somewhere in the Adirondacks by himself. I guess I have to take the bad with the good.</p>