Schrack is back on a new Mac!

[schrackman]

Hi folks,

Just got back from vacation in Yosemite and picked up my new computer, installed the extra memory I purchased with it, loaded various software applications, and here I am back on the net. Wahoo! Unfortunately, I left my camera cord at work so I won't be able to download my pictures till tomorrow.

But, I will let you know, we had a great time with the kids. I went horseback riding for the first time (my rear is still a bit sore, hehe), did some rafting down the Merced River, went fishing, and also rode the Sugar Pine Express steam train (highly recommended for the family!!!). And, of course, shot some wonderful pictures. All in all, it was a memorable time with my wife and kids.

While you're waiting for the Yosemite photos, here's one I dug up from my files. This photo proves my long-standing theory that the government has long been trying to produce monkey dogs to replace politicians who fail to show up for voting at least 75% or more of the time. (p.s. this was edited using ps elements, of which I am not familiar with, so I'm not sure how it's going to look on your screen).

Ray

[mtbbrian]

Hey Ray,
Glad to see you on back online!
Now get out there and start shooting more of those great photos you share with us!
;)
Brian

[paulnj]

what's up with that dog??????

that is by far the cutest ugly puppy I have EVER seen

[schrackman]

Thanks, Brian! I should have some photos up very soon. Hope you don't mind if I create a second Yosemite thread since I shot about 150 photos (I won't share THAT many, just some of the more favorite ones).

Paul, I was hoping you could ID this "thing", but just from the looks of it this dog seems to be a mix of chow, akida or husky. I could be wrong, though, and it could very well be a distinct breed for all I know. But he sure is funny looking, isn't he?!!

Ray

[paulnj]

AKITA yes.........

but no to chow chow or husky ;)

akita mix is my ID.

but mind you, these are where my dog ID and tastes are ;)

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

big bark, big bite, big heart ;)

though not all are BIG bite type dogs ;)

you should adopt her ;)

[Old Timer]

Great news about the new computer. I need a new computer at home in the very worst way. I hope it works into the budget this fall, once all the new photo equipment is paid off.

[schrackman]

Thanks Old Timer and Penny. I've been too long on that old 8600 Powermac. I can't even believe I put up with it so long, especially after seeing how fast and powerful this new little eMac is. Everything takes a fraction of the time it used to. I am a happy camper, for sure. And, best of all, it really didn't burn a hole in my wallet! Well, maybe a small one, but it was money well spent.

Ray

[schrackman]

AKITA yes.........

but no to chow chow or husky ;)

akita mix is my ID.

but mind you, these are where my dog ID and tastes are ;)

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

big bark, big bite, big heart ;)

though not all are BIG bite type dogs ;)

you should adopt her ;)

She looks too bulky for my tastes. I prefer the Staffordshire Terrier, like this cutie:

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

My wife, however, likes Great Danes. We found a very adorable Dane/Pit mix here, but I told my wife that this is waaaay too much dog for us:

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

Oh yes, and you're right about the chow. All chow mixes I've seen always retain the dark, purplish tongue, but this one has a nice pinkish to red one. No chow in this dog.

Ray

[paulnj]

no really... a mastiff type is THE BEST dog I ever owned!!

labs.... no thanks

pits... had 9 ;)

mastiff type.... loyal family member, leary of stanger in the home, friendly to people outside the yard, huge deteriant

I used to leave my dog in the back of my truck with the sliding window open while in bad neighborhoods(VERY BAD)..... never had a problem.



I even left a prior mastiff in my brother's acura legend(most sought after get away car) ..... never had a problem ;)

that eleged DANE/PIT is a good starter dog(though terriers are chewers when bored).

ALL my mastiff types LOVED our PUG too ;)

but LARGE DOGS need a STRONG owner. not physically as much as mentally(though I am both, but am out weighed by most)

once you find a dog of the type you'd want..... your life will be MUCH better(if it could be) ...... a dog ALWAYS loves you.... always!!!!! you can't say even your wife and kids love you 100% of the time(99.99% is even a stretch) ;)

[paulnj]

ah ha..... more..................................

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?act...50&tmpl=&stat=

[schrackman]

no really... a mastiff type is THE BEST dog I ever owned!!

mastiff type.... loyal family member, leary of stanger in the home, friendly to people outside the yard, huge deteriant

I had one staffordshire terrier, and she displayed many of the same traits in regard to family loyalty. Never once did she growl or try to bite me, even when I got a little rough with her. And she loved to lay down right next to me when watching tv, or she would lay at my feet when I was at my computer. She, however, was a bit timid toward people she didn't know, although whether it was day or night she was a great bark dog when someone would get too close to the house.

that eleged DANE/PIT is a good starter dog (though terriers are chewers when bored)....but LARGE DOGS need a STRONG owner. not physically as much as mentally(though I am both, but am out weighed by most)

That's what dissuaded me from the great dane. We saw a harlequin great dane at a rest stop on our way home from yosemite. The guy holding her was a good 40 pounds heavier than me, and he was having trouble holding that dog in one place!

once you find a dog of the type you'd want..... your life will be MUCH better(if it could be) ...... a dog ALWAYS loves you.... always!!!!! you can't say even your wife and kids love you 100% of the time(99.99% is even a stretch) ;)

Well, a dog may always be loyal, but I'm fortunate enough to have a good wife who also will love me no matter what. She may not always like me but she does love me 100%, that's a fact. And believe me, if you knew me you'd know that's a very hard thing to do at times!!

As for getting another dog, I'd want a staffy again. After having one, I don't think I'd ever be happy with another breed. Althoughhhhh, a Catahoula Leopard Dog (Louisiana's state dog) would be a good second place candidate for me. Here's a pic of one my daughter Adrienne was petting up in Yosemite when we went to go horseback riding.

Ray

[paulnj]

OK now you are TRYING to trick me with rare breeds.... and they are RARE. I love the color of those coats!!!!

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/alapaha...odbulldog.html

ah how about this breed

great danes are ....... AKC... I don't like AKC breeds much. hard to find a stable genetic lineage in the AKC

honestly it's not the size of the owner, but the way you hold the leash and CARRY yourself.

I had a 168 pound neopolitan mastiff(31 inch neck) and a 98 # 5' GF who controlled him when he TRIED to chase rabbits. IT was the way I taught her to hold the leash because he could easily drag her for miles IF HE CHOSE TOO TRY.

I rescue most of my dogs...... I have been bitten by HUGE dogs plenty, though they get bitten back at times too

Seems everyone thinks a HUGE ominous dog needs to be a guard dog, so they beat it until it hates men!!!

I break them and make them LOVE people.. but they come home HATING my gender until they learn I am not the enemy ;)