Zazinnia said:


Our Bella. She is a 'contact' dog also. Sticks to us like velcro. Never had a sweeter or more affectionate dog.

Missy -- Bella is adorable. And she certainly looks like a Peek-a-Poo!! I have to say that the structure of her face, and her coloring on her face, also makes her look a little bit like a Pug too. What a cutie-pie!!!

Somewhere I've got a picture of my first Peek-a-Poo -- Maddie. Tried to find it and couldn't -- . I had trimmed her very short at one point -- like your picture of Bella -- and she looked so much like Bella -- but she was all cream-colored, so didn't have the face markings.

How old is Bella?

Oh yes, I forgot to mention Bella- that face!

AlanJ said:Hi Mary Ann,

Thanks for the compliment on my 2 doggies. Yours is absolutely adorable! I used to have a Shih-Tzu many years ago when I lived in NYC, and just loved her, but she was the same colors as your 'Peek-a-Poo'. So, thanks for sharing her pic - it made my Day !

Thanks Patrick. I'm quite in love with her.

My sister has three Shih-Tzu's!! She loves that breed -- and they are cuties too.

Muddymitts said:Exactly, Neal. Thanks for saying so. I saw nothing "grouchy" about Bonnie's post. This group of people has gone "off topic" many times -- but always with respect to the people reading and replying.

Quite frankly, Betsy -- you're the one doing the "hammering". If someone disagrees with you -- you climb down their throats with accusations (about not reading your links, for instance) and you come back swinging with more links/articles -- trying to force them to acknowledge that your opinion is the *right* one. I refer to the subject of Pit Bulls as an example.

And for whatever it's worth, just because no one jumps in and applauds your opinion, does not mean that they disagree with it. You'd be surprised to know which topic you addressed that I agreed with completely. I just wasn't willing to beat anybody up over it. I think most of the people here think the same way -- which is why we've never had any open conflict here -- until now.

I think it's interesting that you use the word "clique" to describe the people here -- wonder where that came from...............

(I see the clique edits it's remarks to make it look like they didn't respond the way the actually did.)

The word "Clique" came from my observance of the few who seem to band together to bully. Maybe I am misinterpreting. If nagging a few people for putting up a sweet welcome sign is what that few is about then I'm glad I don't fit in with it.

Re: the vaccines. I merely asked that everyone please agree to not agree and end the posts on the subject because it seemed that the debate was getting quite heated. If I am a "mean girl" for issuing that request so be it.

I have yet to meet any mean girls on this forum, or mean boys for that matter.

Bella is about 5 years old. I also have 3 cats that live in my house and I love them. 2 of them look like Leslies avitar.

Zazinnia said:I have yet to meet any mean girls on this forum, or mean boys for that matter. .

Me neither!!

Lestv said:Re: the vaccines. I merely asked that everyone please agree to not agree and end the posts on the subject because it seemed that the debate was getting quite heated. If I am a "mean girl" for issuing that request so be it.

Ok... Now I see... there was and is a misunderstanding. I was not debating anyone. The two of us who were talking on the subject were and are in agreeance.

(There was no debate going on at all unless there was an imaginary one within someone's own heart.)

I had only mentioned that the stuff he was asking for had already been provided. That's not a debate. Neither one of us debated anything about it. And neither one of us was upset. As I mentioned before we are having pleasant tree mails which is better because there are not folks around to make assumptions or misunderstand a private convo.

But if two folks DO want to have a civil debate I'm ok with it. (Not yelling. Just emphasizing the free agency.) I would not intervene. They can debate fertilizer, propagation methods, doggies..., whatever.... I view people as adults here who don't need a baby sitter. And I don't view myself as the "topic" police.

I do appreciate Leslie's concern though...

I recognize that often the way I word things are so directly to the point that it catches them off guard sometimes and they interpret that in an emotional way.

Perhaps like I misinterpreted Granny's constructive criticism of the use of a "welcome" sign. I'm sure she was only trying to help.

Barbalee said:

Me neither!!

I certainly hope so.
I'm probably just misinterpreting the constant tart responses.

I'm sure we are all welcome...

Which is what I was trying to say (right before this convo inflated)

I need to learn the proper way to say "Anyone is welcome." without offending others.

Many here have been corresponding for many years on iris forums of various sites and have developed wonderful friendships. In the 3 years I've been active on this forum, we've grieved the loss of our beloved Polly (who used to be a moderator of this forum), we've supported each other through personal battles and health issues, and shared all sorts of aspects of our lives. Because of that history and closeness, many of us read each others posts already knowing each others personalities and have a pretty accurate impression of the intended tone. For example, most of us know Bonnie to be the most loving, witty, intelligent, and generous person one could hope to correspond with, and understand that she only meant to share information about the "new member" banner and express that we already know Patrick. When we see our sweet friend accused of grouchy behavior, someone is likely to jump to her defense. I understand how it can sometimes seem "clique-ish" , but that isn't the intent.

I love the diversity of this group and I believe that's what makes us kinda awesome. What a boring world it would be if we all agreed on everything!

Missy - you have some Maine Coon kitties? Aren't they just the best?

I am glad everything is becoming peaceful again here on the threads. Neal, that was a very nice post.

..... made me cry. I love you all

Thank you, Neal. You see the best in everyone.

Isn't the internet age amazing! I don't even know what you look like, but I love ya all to pieces!

You're a sweetheart, Neal! I'm glad you're around here just about every day (when the weddings don't jam up too much!)!

gemini_sage said:Isn't the internet age amazing! I don't even know what you look like, but I love ya all to pieces!

Yup ! The best friends I never met !! !

Lestv said:Missy - you have some Maine Coon kitties? Aren't they just the best?

I am glad everything is becoming peaceful again here on the threads. Neal, that was a very nice post.

Leslie, I have 2 brothers, Riley and Thomas. They are not purebred. They are absolutely the best! Couldn't find a pix of them together but they are almost twins.I will post a pix later.

Oh do! Love those furry love muffins!

Thanks Neal, you are the man of the hour! Now lets get this thread back to being the beautiful one it started out to be.

gemini_sage said:Many here have been corresponding for many years on iris forums of various sites and have developed wonderful friendships. In the 3 years I've been active on this forum, we've grieved the loss of our beloved Polly (who used to be a moderator of this forum), we've supported each other through personal battles and health issues, and shared all sorts of aspects of our lives. Because of that history and closeness, many of us read each others posts already knowing each others personalities and have a pretty accurate impression of the intended tone. For example, most of us know Bonnie to be the most loving, witty, intelligent, and generous person one could hope to correspond with, and understand that she only meant to share information about the "new member" banner and express that we already know Patrick. When we see our sweet friend accused of grouchy behavior, someone is likely to jump to her defense. I understand how it can sometimes seem "clique-ish" , but that isn't the intent.

I love the diversity of this group and I believe that's what makes us kinda awesome. What a boring world it would be if we all agreed on everything!

Thank you Gemini,

Perhaps I was too judge mental. I agree that Bonnie is very sweet and I have a bad habit of being a "know-it-all" and very outspoken. Maryanne may be justified in feeling a little exasperated over it. I probably just need to get to know the personalities better.

One fact is true. People who garden have good souls if we can be patient and get to know them.

Once you have a friendship then those little quirks aren't so uncomfortable because we know the demeanor behind the words.

I apologize to Bonnie, Leslie, and Maryanne.
I'm not in a position to judge.