Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

I Need A Listener

I badly need a listener, and it's not going to be Bob. I can see that I'm not going to make it if I don't soon have a warm body in this house to listen. There's just times you need to talk knowing what you say will not be repeated. I feel pretty sure over the next four years I can easily talk the ears off a bloodhound and the world will never know the things I said.


There's just nothing like a dog to listen when you need to talk but I'm 74 years old. I have to think about the life expectancy of any dog I might adopt. I'd hate to leave one an orphan. I looked around this morning and learned bloodhounds have a life expectancy of less than ten years so I should be able to handle that. (just kidding)

I think I've found my calling for volunteer service, I just live too far away to make it happen. The Oregon Zoo uses volunteers to walk their elderly African pigmy goats.  I think I would enjoy walking old goats.

32 comments:

  1. and the old goats would probably listen better than the old goat you are married too. LOL LOL

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    2. https://judeself.blogspot.com

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  2. You could probably talk to the old goats, too, and they would listen just fine. I talk to the cats. They listen about as well as my husband. I can tell him all sorts of things and then he tells me I never told him that! Nothing sticks around here.

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    1. I've found cats generally pay about as much attention as a husband.

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  3. I'm not sure if you're kidding or not about the bloodhound, but in case you aren't they are NOT a good dog for condo or apartment living. Not even close. Around here, a person who is in their seventies isn't allowed to adopt dogs under five years old. The humane society can help you figure out the right dog for you, your situation and the amount of time you're willing to spend training, grooming and walking etc. My dog has a small trust written up in my will, just enough to pay his expenses and upkeep so that he'll be more adoptable if I should die first.

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    1. No, I'm not adopting a dog. Can't imagine owning a bloodhound. Interesting about the adoption rules in your area. I would agree with that. For exactly that reason I will not adopt another dog. I might sometime consider a cat because my son is a cat person and any cat I left would have a home with his family. Good idea about the trust for your dog.

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  4. I agree that [eople really need somebody to talk to.You really have to find a person who really suits you.

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  5. You should know that I don't often laugh over things I read, but I'm laughing now. It's a shame that you can't take that job since you must be an expert at managing old goats.

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    1. I figure I'd be right at home herding old goats. They also probably listen about like Bob.

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  6. I was here a little while ago. I wrote a comment, but when I tried to publish, I realized my internet was down. Everything looks okay now. I sometimes think of getting a dog, but it is a big commitment. The idea of old women walking old goats is perfect. We've received ample training over the years. :)

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    1. I would love another dog but it would not be a smart thing for me to get one at this stage in my life. Old goats would no doubt ignore their handlers but I'm used to that. They're also bony like Bob. They are also probably like Bob about not listening.

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  7. Sage is lying at the other end of the sofa now, totally enraptured by her Nylabone. She's whittling it down to a shadow of its former self. I'm glad we've got her, but yes, she is a big commitment. I've heard a rabbit makes an excellent house pet, litter-box trainable even. Also, pot-bellied pigs. I love pigs but have never had one in the house.

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    1. I will get nothing as long as Bob lives, then I might consider a cat. Bob's not a pet person and it's just not worth the fight to have one.

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  8. The look on that hound's face...oh my. And I love when they bay the way they do. But too much of a commitment for me. I have to think long and hard about getting a house plant so it would be very unfair to take on an animal.

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    1. No, it would be a real complication for you traveling as you do. They are good listeners though.

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  9. How about a fish? Excellent listeners and low maintenance. That was funny about the old goats.
    Seriously, maybe foster a dog from the Humane society. You don't own them as you are only a temporary home. They come and go but you still get to enjoy them and it saves lives. Just don't get attached. Callie came in as a foster only to stay.

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    1. I'd prefer a goat. I wouldn't mind a fish. I don't know anything about fish.

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  10. Animal rescuer here, and I agree with Arkansas Patti - Rescues are always in need of both short-term and long-term foster homes for dogs (and cats). It's a great way to get companionship, and it helps the dogs, too! It can be hard when they go back to the rescue, but I know they're going on to the homes they're meant to have, and there are always more animals waiting for foster homes.

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    1. Bob is 84 and has health problems. Also we live in an apartment. Fostering just wouldn't work for us but I think I might enjoy volunteering at a shelter or the zoo. Our son and his family currently have five cats they've rescued.

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  11. You truly keep us all entertained!!! I know how much you love goats and I'm certain Bob should be very grateful for that!!

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    1. I'd have pygmy goats, chickens, and geese if I could but that's just not possible. Guess I'll just have to talk to the wall. That's about the same as talking to Bob.

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  12. AS much as I hate to say it, Lizzie may well be my last cat. She's five. I'm 65. I figure she probably has a good 10 years in her. And then... unless it was an older cat. I just never want to have to leave one behind for someone else to care for.

    And looking down at your posts -- yes, there should be mental health tests. So many people have some form of mental issue and it would not be debilitating for a president. But others... At least it would be good to know.

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    1. At some time in the future I might consider another cat but definitely an older one.

      It would be nice to know something about the mental stability of a presidential candidate. Might be opening a can of worms. Hard to tell.

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  13. Yes. I would be lost without my dog Buddy to talk to. He really is a lot of company.

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    1. I still miss our little chihuahua and how he would tilt his head when I would talk to him.

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  14. My Lucy is is an amazing listener and now we have granddog Dre living here so I not only have one pooch who will listen but two. But they also talk back to me. Love them to pieces.

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    1. You Lucy probably could tell a lot of stories, isn't she getting along in years?

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  15. I'm a cat person, myself. For one thing, there's not all that walking and such, and when you have a house kitty, they tend to be very healthy. She's a strange one -- not a lap sitter, for example -- but she is great company, and affectionate in her own way. I talk to her all the time, and occasionally she'll talk to me. But she's getting on in years -- nearly 17 now -- and I can get a little teary-eyed thinking about losing her. Still, it's better for her to go first. The thought of her being by herself distresses me, because she's such a one-person animal.

    Apart from all that, it is important to have someone to talk to. When I was caring for my mom, one of my aunts filled that role. I could call her up and vent, and since she knew my mom so well, it really was good.

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    1. I've had a lot more cats than dogs. If I get another pet it will have to be an older cat.

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