Breeds of Dogs

[The Great Carouser]

Originally posted by OperaTenor:
I've been told I'm the Border Collie....

I guess we should count our blessings we're not the St. Bernard! Bon apetit!

[Serenity]

Here's an interesting "game" passed on to me during a party many years ago.

Jot down your 3 favorite animals; remember their order (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Write down 3 qualities or brief description, for each one, that you like or admire about that animal. Try to explain the animal's qualities so you know why you picked that trait.

I'll have to explain the game's significance later today or tomorrow so I don't skew your answers. Probably tomorrow to give the left coasters a chance to play. You can play along on the bulletin board or privately. In the mean time, here are my answers way back then.

1. Chimpanzee - intelligent, curious, fun;
2. Eagle - symbol of freedom, I like the idea of flying and, appears to be at peace and at one with environment.
3. Tiger - powerful, elusive, beautiful

[The Great Carouser]

Porpoise(dolphin)intelligent,strong,playful
Canada Goose- faithful, I also want to fly,brave
Sea Otter- intelligent, playful, clever

[mmichaelson]

Tiger - Strong, intelligent, graceful, and beautiful

Falcon - intelligent, beautiful, ability to fly

Dolphin - one of the most intelligent mammals, ability to swim and glide in water, strong protective urges against predators

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Beaver: custom built housing, landscaping a specialty.

Bear: Nobody much messes with you, always something good to eat, very decent winter nap.

Siamese housecat: Everyone loves me. I am the queen. You may admire me and bring sacrificial tuna to my altar. I'd like to be brushed now.

[barfle]

1. Eagle - magnificent animal, and at the top of the food chain in the air.

2. Tiger - magnificent animal, and at the top of the food chain on the ground.

3. Shark - magnificent animal, and at the top of the food chain in the water.

[Nicole Marie]

Crow- extremely intelligent, can fly, personal soul aspect

Sea Otter - can swim, intelligent, builds a really neat house

Cheetah- runs fast, solitary animal, sleeps in trees

[Serenity]

The first animal represents yourself; how you see yourself. The second animal represents how you show yourself to the world. The third animal has qualities you would like to acquire or have more of.

I am like the chimp; very curious, want to investigate everything and have fun at it.

When I interact with others, I'm like an eagle. I like my space and freedom. I take flight whenever I want. I like to soar above everything and catch a bird's eye view of the world. Zoom in if I see anything that catches my eye.

I guess I admire the tiger because I would like to have a bit more power and stealth in my actions. As far as writing down beautiful as a quality, I was not referring to physical beauty (although they are). As far as the "game" here, I believe the tiger's beauty refers more to the awe it inspires in me as a creature so well "evolved" to fit its environment that I wish I had some of that "natural tiger ability" in me.

Look over your answers and think about why you focused on certain qualities; try to "flesh out" your answer until it tells you something about yourself.

I'm surprised I didn't see Dog or Wolf (this is the dog breed thread), or Reptiles (snake), Hoofed animals(horse, caribou, deer), Elephant.
No one thought of mythological animals like the dragon, or insects (spiders, bees, ants).

Next time you see an animal, think about its good and redeeming qualities. I think it will help us appreciate nature a little more and learn a bit more about ourselves in the process.

If you want to discuss your answers you may do it on or off the board (private message or e-mail me at serenitynow@beethoven.com).

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

That system works for me. Beaver, Bear, Housecat. I do have a caveat about your "good and redeeming qualities" in an animal.

Good: From whose POV? I like the cat, I doubt a mouse would agree.

Redeeming: From what? Animals don't do the whole guilt/sin/redemption loop (except for dogs, who caught guilt from us.)

To truly develop an appreciation of nature, I'd suggest projecting less, do less anthropomorphizing, and just observe. Don't try to learn about yourself, leave the philosophy home, just watch.

[Nicole Marie]

So I can show the world that I build a really neat house and I want to sleep in trees? Hmmm...

[Serenity]

Nicole:
Do you keep a neat house? Do you landscape? Or do you mean "neat" as in groovy and "far out"? Why did you find sleeping in trees as an admirable or interesting quality? I'm curious about the crow's personal soul comment.

Selma: Keeping the anthropomorphizing out is good if you're doing practical or scientific observation. Appreciation is human and emotional; the POV I was referring to was your point of view.

<small>[ 06-17-2004, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Serenity ]</small>

[barfle]

So I'm consistently magnificent, but I want to swim better?

[Nicole Marie]

It was more a joke then anything Serenity. Yes, I landscape and no my house is never neat as in clean, I have a husband and two dogs. But the layout of it is neat as in interesting. And I like to sleep in trees. No really I used to do it when I was younger. My sister and I would climb into the tree fort. Mom let us camp out in it at night. Lots of fun sleeping outside in a tree.

There is an old belief that Crows carry the souls of those that have died into the after life.

Note: Crows are different from Ravens which are considered the ill omen bird. Some believe that the Raven takes your soul.

<small>[ 06-17-2004, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: Nicole Marie ]</small>

[barfle]

Originally posted by Nicole Marie:
Some believe that the Raven takes your soul.

Nevermore...

[mmichaelson]

Hm. Well, I would never classify myself as graceful and beautiful, but I would surely like to be both!
Maybe I can aspire to be LIKE the Tiger.
I could use a little of the "neatness" of Nicole's Sea Otter. Our house is in a cute "cookie cutter" neighborhood that I adore, but it's not very unique. I try to create landscaping that sets it apart, but have to spread around the plants, as they are expensive.

[Nicole Marie]

Hi Saxy, there is nothing that drives me more crazy then the cookie cutter neighbohoods. When one developer builds an entire area and all the house are the same! I hate that. My area every house is different and the additions we built on the house give it a really unique layout inside. It's all open, large window, lots of light etc.

To cut down on the cost of plants, start a trading system with your neighbors. On my street a few of us are big gardeners. Every year we will split some of our plants and flowers and trade them with each other. This year I got a few Jacob's Ladders and Peonies in exchange for Black Eyed Susans and a few Phlox. It works great!

[mmichaelson]

That's a good idea. Though we're still new to the neighborhood, and don't know very many people. (we moved in back at the end of February, and this is our first house)
It's a nice family neighborhood and houses around here are so high, this is a very nice place for us to be. The houses aren't quite all the same. . .though they are similar. They're all brick, with garages, etc. Though vaguely similar in shape, they're not identical. We do have prettier grass, and I'm working on creating a tropical garden in our back yard.
So far I have planted two antique rose bushes and two Jane Magnolia shrubs (which are flowering!!!) in the back yard. I think next spring I will plant some Jasmine and Wysteria and a crepe myrtle or two.
I like the climbing shrubs and things that are easy to tend. I tend to have trouble with watering potted plants or plants that require lots of care, but when I get new pots that drain, I won't have as many problems.
So far, my gardening is doing well.
I was just excited to finally own a home!

[piqaboo]

My neighborhood started out cookie cutter, but after 50 years, its highly varied! Everyone did a different remodel, paint scheme, garden etc.
I love walking thru it looking for ideas to apply.

One neighbor is a geranium enthusiast. They are easy to grow, GREAT for color (year round in so cal), and drought tolerant . The scented ones are fun along walking areas (edges of patio's etc) , because they release the scent when crushed or brushed against. The scent comes from the leaves (the flowers of the scented ones are usually not as showy as the non-scented varieties) - you can get mint, chocolate, lemon, rose, etc etc etc.

Have a ficus benjaminus serving as a sightblock from the high rise a few blocks away. Need to get rid of it before it "eats" the plumbing. Wondering what kind of dense ever-green that will grow to ~ 15' tree to replace it with.... am wondering about a Meyer lemon. Any suggestions?

[mmichaelson]

Well, the Jane Magnolias are supposed to grow 10' high and 10' wide, and they have pretty flowers. . .if you're looking for some kind of flowering shrub. . .I like them a lot. Their delicate (and large) purple-on-the-outside-and-white-on-the-inside flowers are really pretty, though scentless (at least to my nose).
I had some geraniums, but they got drowned in one of the monsoons these past months, so I need to replace them. It doesn't help that my pots do not have holes for drainage.

[Nicole Marie]

Since CT is in zone 6 we have a different growing season then CA but you may want to try the Rosa Rogosa, it smells amazing! But be carful of the thorns.

Or try the lilac. I love the French hybrids but they like sweet soil so you may have to mix lime into the soil if they do not flower during the spring or summer.

Hostas are always cheep and very easy to grow. Be sure to keep them in a shade to part shade area.

Rose of Sharon is another amazing flowering bush that bees love. Oh! you have to have Bee Bolm. It maintains the bees and butterflies with will keep a healthy garden. Remember spiders and bees are good for your yard. So are worms, the more worms you have the richer the soil. If you have a low number of worms buy some at a bait and tackle store. Place them in a moist, shady area right under the soil so they will not over heat and they can start to work their way into the ground.


Note: Make manure your best friend!