Yeah my pit seems to feel no pain when it comes to running full speed into things. Luckily my old dog wasn't a play wrestler dog and now that she's gone my pit has little reason to get over excited and barrel around taking out peoples knee caps. Plus she's just getting old herself and lies around most of the day anyway. For the first four years or so I lived with my roommate who also had a pit about her size and it was like the cartoon tornado cloud when they wrestled. We'd have to put them away when we had people over because they'd knock everyone over without batting an eye. Sweet as can be around humans, have had issues with her and other dogs, particularly small dogs. But I think that is more my fault for not properly socializing her as a puppy and just letting her run rampant with my roommate's pit when we lived together. This is her most of the day:
I've had a few problems with Buddy and other dogs, too. I think he gets intimidated by dogs his size or larger, and he prefers females over males. He likes small, submissive female dogs. I did some reading about the proper setting for socializing your dog with another dog and found this site's links: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.badrap.org/node/97" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.badrap.org/node/97</a> and <a class="postlink" href="http://www.badrap.org/node/98" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.badrap.org/node/98</a>. It is specifically about pit bulls, but is it a good guide for anyone with a dog having socialization issues. It also solidified my uneasy feeling about dog parks--they do way more harm than good. "Just throw them in there and let them sort it out" isn't a good idea when you have many strange dogs with unknown aggression and a grumpy dog (my dog is bitchy with other dogs, I fully realize this). He has gotten into fights there and I don't think it does any good because it makes him expect a fight when strange dogs are around. The most important thing I've realized through reading this site and others is that in recent times, dog owners have been made to believe that all dogs are supposed to be friendly to all dogs and want to romp and play with other dogs without a care. This may be true for puppies but most adult dogs are very selective.
I get Blue jays outside my window, they shriek vulgarities at me in their horrible bird-lingo every morning. Why would somebody own a parrot for that matter? Sure, McCaws are pretty but the only reason they exist is to keep human beings awake and punch holes in our flesh. All day, all night, 100 dB level screaming. And they live over 100 years, so even when you die they'll be around to annoy a whole new generation.
I was almost attacked by a Great Dane once. It was in our old neighborhood and I was walking in our neighborhood with my headphones on (I know, I know) and it was dark. I feel a pull on my arm as it swings back and I just thought it was a neighbor trying to get my attention. As I turn around I'm face to face with a Great Dane--that is barking angrily at me. I had no idea what to do, so I froze and I think I put my hands up like I was being arrested and I'm looking out the corner of my eye to see if there's a stick laying around. Because I'm sure that would easily protect my 110 lb. self against a 200 lb dog with drool dripping off its fangs. As I'm contemplating my imminent death and/or disfigurement, the dog's owner came out. She is about 19 (married her ex-boyfriend's father who was in his 50s) and she doesn't come near the dog. She just stood in the middle of the road trying to call him. I don't remember his name, but let's say it was oh, Killer. "Come here Killer! Killer, come here!" as the dog just keeps staring at me and barking. I yelled at her to come get him but she ignored me. So I just slowly backed up while still facing the dog with my hands in the air and luckily he didn't come after me. That was scary and I think I was shaking for quite a while after that incident. Funny story about that neighbor. Well, funny to everyone but her I guess. Her neighbor found an envelope in his yard and when he looked in it it was nudie pictures of her. He was too embarrassed to say anything so he SAYS he threw them out. Well, she must have realized she lost them and went around to the neighbors asking if they found an envelope. He denied it as he was way too uncomfortable admitting it.
I was attacked by a goose when I was a kid. The fucker wouldn't stop chasing me and pecking at my chest. It probably explains my elation every time I shoot one of those flying carp out of the sky.
My dad and I were fishing once, and he gave a goose some cracker. Well you know If You Give a Moose a Muffin, he will want some jam. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie he will want some milk. Give a goose a cracker and then run out? The goose will jump into your boat and beat you with his wings.
And eventually, he'll clean your whole damn house just so he can get another cookie and milk. It's almost as cheap as hiring an illegal maid, but it doesn't carry the legal consequences.
Ha! Got a picture, finally. They have been doing a circuit around the building since 6am. It's not the greatest picture but I was sitting on the ground behind the blinds.