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Messages - jabear

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For anyone who is still unclear of the donation situation, Michael and I are/were the only ones who ever had any information about that.

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I have been quietly watching you all turn something so wonderful into something so terrible so quickly. With such a huge fear of the unknown, constant gossip and speculation is only going to create more panic and uneasiness instead of trying to see if that which is so feared is actually decent and not really what you may think.

BPO has NEVER been a place where others were allowed to be treated so horrifically. Name calling, bashing, spreading rumors, and encouraging others to do the same is appalling. I can't believe that you are so hurt and angry with me, you feel like you are entitled to simply change the most basic of this site's principles into something so ugly and so similar to the behavior of those on other sites. You came here for a sense of community, shared interests, and a feeling of safety. That was here until everyone jumped on the "hate train".

If you are angry, fine. I you are hurt, fine. If you are scared, fine. All of those are real feelings and deserve to be shared...in the proper way. Let me quickly remind you of some rules that you all have so quickly forgotten yet all agreed to abide by and had done so until recently:


These rules are in place to keep the integrity of our site and keep the conversations flowing harmoniously. We want to ensure that everyone follows these rules so that there is no question as to what is considered inappropriate to post.
1.   No profanity shall be used in any posts unless of course you are referring to a female dog
(ie. bitch).
2.   No degrading comments towards anyone on this forum.
3.   No advertising of a specific breeder of a specific breed so that we don’t cause arguments that bring back grade school memories like “Mine is way better than yours”.
4.   No advertising of puppies for sale or we might just be tempted to buy one of everything…and I don’t think our landlord would allow that many pets in one place.

Members will be given one warning for the following offenses. Two warnings will be considered grounds for banishment and in some cases forwarding of the collected information to the proper authorities.
1.   Harassing anyone in any way. In case you are wondering what things might fall under this category, think before you type and if any comment could make you look like the 2nd syllable in the word harass, don’t write it.
2.   Threatening anyone in any way. Remember what you tell your kids (human or 4-legged) “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.
3.   Repeatedly posting topics which get locked (i.e. stirring the pot or intentionally causing trouble). This proverb should help to keep your memory fresh: “One mistake, shame on me. Two mistakes, shame on you”
.

I am once again sorry that you feel so hurt by my actions that you feel you need to react in this way. I am more sorry however, for anyone who has to read the behavior of a few people and think that this board is no different from anything else out there.

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Dearest BPO Members,

It’s been a long time since Michael and I have been around here and just hung out, so I felt it was time for an update on all that is going on here as well as let you know about a major change that affects BPO.

Let me first start by saying that this is bitter sweet for me to write to you all. Michael & I began this site so long ago in the hopes of finding other dog lovers who could share stories with us and bounce ideas off of us when we needed some help with our big boy Bear. Since its birth, we were fortunate enough to find loving members to chat with regularly and become friends with, if only online. We were also able to meet some of the most amazing people who share a vision of a place filled with love and safety, where people could share their thoughts and feeling without feeling threatened. These people, our wonderful moderators, have been here every day working to keep the community as strong as it is. 

Unfortunately, as the years have progressed, life has also. Michael and I have found ourselves visiting less and less and the periods in between have grown longer and longer.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our situation, here is a small look into our daily lives. Michael works full time and is in school. He has little free time between those two obligations, so when he is not in school or working, he is with me enjoying his freedom.  ;)
 
I am a teacher at a charter school so my days are long and extra duties are always taken up by those of "who can" in an effort to help our students perform the best they can. My free time includes being the good wife & mom to Bear so there really isn't much time left over. I’m also going back to school (full-time) to get my masters & pursue my dream job. Michael and I have also made the big decision that this summer is the summer of all changes- seriously looking for a house to buy and starting a family. So, to say there is a lot going on for us personally is an understatement .

Bear is not doing as well as we'd like. He's an old man at 6 3/4 years old and has terrible hips & elbows. He is a constant focus in our lives and so we take him to fun places and do lots of outdoor activities to keep him happy instead of spending so much time indoors. We know he can't go on like this forever so we're wasting no time in enjoying what time he has left.
 
I have told you all that is going on with us personally but now I need to tell you what else has happened and how you are all involved. Michael and I have made the tough decision, through lots of talks and deliberations, to sell BPO to a new owner. BPO is now in the hands of new owners who seem to love everything that you love about BPO. The brother and sister team want to keep the board the same and have no plans to change that. They will probably have questions from time to time and I hope you will be as gracious to them as you’ve been to us.

I hope you all can understand our point of view and know that we do love you and have BPO’s best interest at heart. We have tried to ensure that the transition will be as painless for you as possible. We will pop in from time-to-time to check in and see what’s new with you all and will always be reachable by email or pm should you need us. Michael and I are so thankful for the friendships we've made and the love you have for one another. This site turned into something more than we ever could have imagined and we'll never forget the great times we’ve had here.

All of our love,
   Jaime, Michael, and Bear

4
Newfoundland Discussions / Oh Bear! =)
« on: March 25, 2009, 02:55:49 pm »
Bear is on a serious diet to lose weight to help him out with his terrible elbows & hips and so he is very restricted with what & how much he can eat. His whole life he has been the most trustworthy dog. We can leave whatever food out and know that he won't touch it. Well....yester day was another story.  ;)

I left a little bit of food out on the table from dinner the night before- a small piece of chicken, a little rice, and roll. ( I know, I'm lazy & decided not to clear off the table but since we rarely eat at the table I didn't think it was a big deal  ::)) Anyhow, I come home from work and look at the table....and see an empty plate with a small trail of rice leading to one side. I look at the table, look at him, look at the table, look at him. He puts his head down in shame and I laugh. Then I called Michael to make sure he didn't make the mess. The I loved my hungry boy and laughed some more. What a thief!

I can't believe he ate the food but it made me feel so bad because he was so hungry he couldn't resist the temptation.   :-\ So, I've upped the veggie fillers in his bowl and am hoping for the best.

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Thanks guys. In a twisted kind of way I find comfort in the fact others are having similar issues with their bubs. Not wishing problems on anyone, but knowing it's not just us.

It's hard not to think we must have messed up somehow. Let them play too hard, fed the wrong food, missed a hot spot that got out of control. It just seems to be the nature of the breed. So be it. The rest of the 'nature' of the breed so outweighs the bad. I'm guessing with all that we are learning and experiencing with them there will still be more Newfs in our future. ;)


I totally hear you. Bear is our first dog as adults & the learning curve has been steep. We'll definitely be more informed for the next dog.

Be glad he has a thyroid problem that can be treated. Bear gained lots of weight post neuter last year (he was 5 1/2 years old) and we hoped it was a thyroid problem. Nope!  ::) He's just fat due to us & is now on a major diet.  ;)

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Newfoundland Discussions / Re: A Newfless house is a lonely house
« on: February 25, 2009, 06:48:58 am »
Well..right now nobody is really allowed to watch Bear other than my parents. The dog walking company we used has been fired and the only neighbors we trusted have rehomed their great dane & just recently broken up themselves. So, without anybody close & trustworthy to give Bear the love & special care he needs, my parents are lucky winners of a drool & hair filled white-carpeted house for the next week & a half.  :D

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I totally get you and have spent many tearful nights wishing the same thing. He has elbow dysplasia & is on meds forever too. I guess with big dogs cone bigproblems. Love them, cry & vent here, and know that you are not alone. Hang in there! And hopefully once they get a bit older with solidified joints the problems will fewer and farther between.

8
Newfoundland Discussions / Re: A Newfless house is a lonely house
« on: February 24, 2009, 06:50:26 am »
I'm happy to report that the Bear cub is having a blast with my parents & he is actually doing them such a service! My parents are pretty inactive (they walk around the block and that's it for exercise at home) and because of him they are getting out and walking a good mile two times a day.  ;D Bear is so happy too that he has yet to whine for me or Michael...but I'd rather have him happier than sad.  :)

As for the suggestion with Michael, maybe I'll have to do that.  ;)

9
Newfoundland Discussions / Re: Dog Park Hoodlums!
« on: February 23, 2009, 01:32:53 pm »
Haha...that is funny. Bear is a pee-maniac! Everything needs his scent and when he does it is the dirt- even if it is just a little drop- he'll sometimes kick the dirt around with his back paws to make it more potent.  :)

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Newfoundland Discussions / A Newfless house is a lonely house
« on: February 23, 2009, 01:29:34 pm »
I just wanted to share my loneliness for a minute.  ;)

Bear is away at "winter-camp" right now and the house is so lonely. This coming weekend we're going out of town for some r-n-r and can't take him to the cabin we're staying in. We no longer have any non-relatives we trust with him, so he is staying with my parents for two whole weeks!  :o My parents live 3 1/2 hours away, so we went up there this past weekend & left him. We will be going to get him next weekend and although the break is nice (no 5:30 a.m. walks outside), coming home without being greeted is sad.  :( Even though he misses us too, he has grandma to give him extra tasty meals and grandpa to give him extra belly rubs so he's content.

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Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Welcome, Kelly! Maggie's New Mom!!!
« on: February 19, 2009, 02:41:36 pm »
Awww Maggie! I'm so glad that she is doing well and I agree, her skin looks amazing & she looks so happy.

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I'm so glad that she was there with you during your venting session. Tears & dogs making you better go so well together. Hang in there & I hope things get better soon!

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Saint Bernard Pictures / Re: New Teddy pics
« on: February 17, 2009, 03:23:09 pm »
SO cute! I love the big smushy face pic.

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: Is this creepy?
« on: January 29, 2009, 02:22:53 pm »
Thanks everyone. Your ideas are wonderful! Besides being more careful & alert than I already am I think that having Michael meet him would be great.

To answer some questions:
He does know I'm married but I never wear my ring when I walk outside because I'm scared a bum will try to steal my rings or something, so they stay home when I walk with Bear.

The guy is young & Russian, from Belarus. He seems very serious but was weird when discussing his job at a jewelry company.

In any event, I need to remain on alert & hope that he turns out to be odd but harmless.

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Is this creepy?
« on: January 28, 2009, 05:47:40 pm »
There is this guy on my floor that I have seen a few times before in passing. He seems normal looking, and said hi to Bear a few times- no biggie. Well a few days ago I see him getting out of the elevator as we go to get in. His English is not so great so I figure that whatever he has asked must be lost in translation. All I really understood was "I walk with you?" I stared and he said "Weird?". I nodded and smiled then got into the elevator.

Well, tonight Bear and I go walking down the hall to go outside. I hear the elevator door close as we walk down the hall. I'm laughing at Bear and tugging on the leash he has in his mouth. We round the corner & I see the guy there. He had heard me making noises & decided to wait and see it if was the 2 of us. Well, we make eye contact, he says "hi. Can I walk with you?" I make a face that says NO and then he asks "Is that weird?" I say yes in a way that to most would me absolutely not you freak. Then he walks his way & Bear & I go ours.

As I turn to enter the street, I look back at the people behind me & see him right behind us. He quickly catches up and walks with us. Bear is so....Bear...t hat he could care less. Mind you, this is one of the rare nights I'd love to see someone I know but nobody is around. He seems very nice, smiles way to much, knows I am married but walks with us anyways.  I kept the walk VERY short. We walk back into the building & go back up to our floor. As he leaves to his loft he goes, "next time we walk too." I just stare and RAN to my door.

So, now I am feeling all heeby-jeeby inside thinking he could be a erial killer or something. I have already called my dogless neighbor to convince her to walk with me when Michael is in class. I'm so creeped out....do you think I should be or am I over reacting?

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