Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Bipeds, bipeds, bipeds. Tsk, Tsk. I thought my mom TOLD you already how to avoid all those annoying people asking questions about us. Now sit, STAY, and F-O-C-U-S, okay? Dress yourself in shorts and tee shirt, sit on the floor and brush your dog vigorously (but gently) -- give LOTS OF TREATS. Make sure you're well-covered in dog hair before venturing out -- I personally like to add a whole bunch of slobber marks to my mom's clothes (and love scratches to her legs, using my dewclaws). When you encounter anyone who stops to ask you about us, signal your dogs to take off after something (my Berner buddies Belle, Beau, and Breezie exiting a store was enough for Maddie and me), and have your dog yank you off your feet and on down the sidewalk. Believe me, those pesky people will learn all they need to know about living with us Berner kids, and will just sort of slink away. (This is easier with a sister Berner, but I'm confident I could do the job on my own.) I guarantee it! Bernerly yours, Sascha's Ursa Major (known as Major Noodlehead), and is not allowed use the initials CGC for now Bozeman, Montana _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Michaela, ... Invariably, the person starts asking a thousand questions about them. I AM flattered and I am normally only too happy to talk at length about Bernese, but sometimes I would just like to have a conversation with the friend I have come to meet, or drink my cup of coffee in peace and quiet. Two of my friends are by now so cheesed off by these constant interruptions that they refuse to meet up if I have the dogs with me... I always have the same problem when I'm in public with my boys. BMD's attract a lot of attention! First my husband and I thought a sign would work: "..A Bernese Mt Dog", but Buef just ate the sign. So then we resorted to T-shirts, one for me one for my husband. That didn't work - no one looked at us! So we decided to put a 'sign' on the dog. Buef now has his own black t-shirt that says 'Bernese Mt Dog', 'BMD', 'Berner', 'Sennenhund' and 'I'm a Bernese Mt Dog' all over it!! His back pak also says BMD on it. BooBoo wears a t-shirt that says "BooBoo The Dog"! My husband and I usually team up together when we have the dogs out in public. One of us will answer everyones questions, while the other concentrates on shopping. If I really don't want to be disturbed, I turn my back and avoid eye contact. As soon as you acknowledge someone with a smile or eye contact their all over you. I know it sounds rude, but you gotta do what ya gotta do! I want all my dogs to be properly socialized and become CGC's and that means going out into public places with them. -Denise Michigan USA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED---* * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * *Mail Lists at Prairienet only accept PLAIN TEXT* * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RE: Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Michaela: Buy a packet of "Berner Baseball Cards" from Pat Long (the donation supports BLEF, I believe). With a simple mailing label, you can (or maybe Pat will) tailor the "contact for further information" section on the card to your local Berner Club or yourself, if you are indeed willing to answer questions at a later time. When someone approaches you, say that you have an appointment with someone and cannot chat about dogs now, but (hand them the card) this card will give you some information on the breed, along with contacts for learning more. If the person rudely persists, say, "As I stated previously, I have an engagement and cannot talk just now." Then don't. Nancy Melone Mars, PA
Re: Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Oh Michela, the problem is you! Yes, the dogs are gorgeous and everyone wants to talk about them. But--if you're not so approachable, the problem will be solved! Wear curlers in your hair, a dirty old housecoat, ratty pink slippers, a cigarette hanging out of your mouth, an overloaded ripped shopping bag. Have a bit of eau de skunk ready and spray a bit as the curious ones approach. Get a big wad of pictures of drooling infants and tell them they have to see your grandchildren before talking about the dogs. Those pesky admirers will soon disappear! Marjie
Re: Need help in how to avert endless questions!
How about a sign that says: "Dogs in training! Please do not approach!" :-) Bernd Günter Germany > . Who knows an effective phrase which will keep all parties happy?
Re: Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Hi Michaela, Maybe you could order some breed baseball cards and say something like, "I'm sorry, I'm unable to talk about my dogs right now but would you like one of these cards which will give you information on the breed?" Hand them the card and go back to your coffee. You can educate, and have time with your friends. : ) Bernerly, Mary Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners N. California, USA http://snobear.freeyellow.com
Need help in how to avert endless questions!
I need your input with a seemingly daft question. Here is the thing: I, thanks to our relatively dog friendly laws in cafes and pubs, almost always have my boys in tow when I'm out and about. I enjoy having them with me and they enjoy tagging along. So far, so good. Both my boys are born schmooze bears and overjoyed when approached by strangers. They are very handsome dogs and appear to "invite" cuddles from everywhere. Invariably, the person starts asking a thousand questions about them. I AM flattered and I am normally only too happy to talk at length about Bernese, but sometimes I would just like to have a conversation with the friend I have come to meet, or drink my cup of coffee in peace and quiet. Two of my friends are by now so cheesed off by these constant interruptions that they refuse to meet up if I have the dogs with me. I CAN understand them, we never get to have a conversation! My friends sit there for a long time, bored witless, whilst I talk to perfect strangers about Bernese. Moreover, I have taught the boys to lie down quietly in those places, but with an endless stream of people coaxing them over, it has turned into an equally endless up-down-up-down-up-down. Not really what I want. Sure, it's a minor problem BUT is annoying all the same. I, not being English, don't know how to signal in a POLITE way that this isn't a good time for me to answer their questions. I have tried. But people are amazingly persistent and I don't want to be brusque with them. Hence, who knows a good way to deflect questions? I like my friends, I like having my dogs with me and I don't want to snub nice but intrusive strangers. Who knows an effective phrase which will keep all parties happy? Michaela, Harvey & Rupert ( but we LOVE all that attention - lying down quietly is boring!) Devon/UK
