DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Hi All,

I have been on this site for a year and a half. I have gotten some great advise and made some nice friends.  I have gotten great grooming tips, food advice, lots of laughs and a few tears.  However, I have noticed recently when people ask questions, there is a tendency to be a little forceful with answers.  A lot of people are asking  questions or looking for solutions for real problems....aggressive dogs, food issues, re-homing issues...and instead of lending a sympathetic ear and helpful advice, there seems to be some quick responses with judging comments.  Often times I feel sorry for the person asking the question, and some of the answers are mean-spirited.  Some are very helpful.

Sometimes people don't see previous posts.  When someone re-posts something, or asks a question, again...the poster is not doing it to be a pain...maybe they just didn't see the original post.

I like this site. I like knowing peoples stories, and their pups.

I hope that this post can make people think twice before they post an answer to a post, where the poster is seeking advice.  The advice might be something that the poster does not like, but it can be stated in a kinder way.

For example, I am really nervous that people are going to react harshly to this post.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Whoops, you forgave me while I was typing. Forget what I said below : )

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

and she used real butter!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL....I do like butter :) Maybe she is my mom!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

She sees the light!

[F, Calla & Luca]

There you go and she was hysterically funny even when she didn't intend to be.

[Becka]

And she was a spy during World War II, wasn't she?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calumny!!! Wait I have to go and look that up. Okay, just what I meant and none too harsh. I figured out that you were Julia's daughter. I thought you would be flattered but you must have misinterpreted what I meant based on your own skewed perspective. (See comments in this discussion on that topic) Also, you fail to mention that although I didn't tell you exactly what I had planned I did ask your permission. Some people, really : )

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL....another big word that I have to go look up...calumny :)

[Gail and Bailey]

Wow...good word. (I had to look it up too!)

[Donna K & Quincy]

I remember someone who posted some less than flattering pics of me. :>)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Donna, Go walk Quincy or something :) LOL

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I think lots of you who answer the same or similar questions over and over again without losing it are saints : )  I personally haven't seen any comments that have been rude, a little acerbic perhaps and I agree that we should tread as softly as possible.  I'm probably guilty of this, I'm afraid that as I get older I'm getting a little grumpier.  I am not judgemental but as I love doodles so much I'm afraid I'm often guilty of putting the dog first.