[starbuck8]

Damn... it was such a good plan too! Hhmmpptt! Plan B it is then. I wonder if I can get her to shovel the walk? She could stand to lose a few lbs. after all!

[vwdieseljunkie]

Damn....it was such a good plan too! Hhmmpptt! Plan B it is then. I wonder if I can get her to shovel the walk? She could stand to lose a few lbs. afterall!

Yeah. Good luck on that. Let me know how that goes!

But then again, if you try that one first, you may have much better luck on the beer retrieval scheme! I know I'd rather fetch beer than shovel snow!

[starbuck8]

Therein lies my dilemna. If she masters getting the beer, I'll have to drink them! I'll still be left with no one to do the walks, because I know once she learns to get the beer, she'll likely need lots of practise. I could just be sitting here all day and night, and well... wait... what was my dilemna?

[linnealand]

Gasp! Akoue, I never would have taken you for a smoker. Then again, I wouldn't suppose that I would be taken for one either. There! The truth is out. Judge me at your discretion, you with the chubby pink lungs. Sure, it's a fact that leaves me in the shadows of shame, but quitting is t-o-u-g-h. I seem to remember someone else in here talking about smoking, too. Could it be that we're smoking while we're typing because we just can't take the stress hurled through us by some of the questions on the pet boards? That's the excuse I'll rest with today.

The last few posts reminded me of something I wanted to share about vet care and vet costs. We've talked about this before in related threads, but I can't get over how much more expensive vet care is in North America than it is here. Plus, in all honesty, the care we've gotten here has been better than the care we ever received from our vets back home. I'm talking about ultra-modern facilities, absolutely no rushing through our appointments, more than one vet available at all times to double check or even triple check any medical issues, an average cost of 25-35 euros for a complete check up and 6 euros for return visits (in one case, we went back every day for over a week for a dental abscess, and those 6 euros included a daily IV, antibiotics and vitamin boosters), plus an office that's open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 11pm with no extra cost at any of those times or days, and veterinary house calls (including an English speaking vet) available 24 hours a day for emergencies, all at the same price as an office visit. So what's with the big difference in costs?

Anyway, here's the part I really wanted to get to. In Italy, for the whole month of March, veterinary checkups will be free for all pet owners. You read it right. Free. They're doing it to inspire people just to get their pets checked. I think it's amazing.

I know there was a thread a few months ago about financially challenged pet owners. With the turn the economy has taken, I think this could become an even more significant discussion. Maybe it's worth starting another thread on this topic.

[JudyKayTee]

Linny, the dogs and I will be arriving and spending the month of March in Italy with you. Clean out the spare room and please make Vet appointments for both of them. I have had a cold for about 10 days and I have no problem seeing the Vet if he will see me because my Doctor is doing me no good.

I'm off now to make my airline reservations.

[starbuck8]

Linnykins? Do you have room for me and Snickers too?



Yes, you should start a thread about this! The costs of vet care here are INSANE!

[Alty]

Linnykins, can you make room for 4 more, we don't eat much. ;)

Starby, you can teach Nicki to get you beer, you just have to show her how, over and over and over again. Wait, are you training her, or is she training you? Interesting thought, after all, who jumps up and runs to the door when they hear a scratch? Who jumps up and fills up a bowl when they hear a whine? Who moves over to make room on the bed? I think we've been played! :eek:

[sajjw]

Linny, I gave up smoking this year, its been two months now. I did it with nicoteen patches and a nicoteen inhalator and it really wasn't as bad as I expected. Im not saying it was fun but I certainly wasn't tearing my hair out. The patches help tremendously with the cravings and the inhalor gives you something to do with your hands. Im ever so pleased about it.

[Akoue]

gasp! Akoue, I never would have taken you for a smoker. Then again, I wouldn't suppose that I would be taken for one either. There! The truth is out. Judge me at your discretion, you with the chubby pink lungs. Sure, it's a fact that leaves me in the shadows of shame, but quitting is t-o-u-g-h. I seem to remember someone else in here talking about smoking, too. Could it be that we're smoking while we're typing because we just can't take the stress hurled through us by some of the questions on the pet boards? That's the excuse I'll rest with today.

Well, Linny, at least you can still gasp! That's a good thing, right?

For my part, I haven't the least desire to quit smoking. Nicotine is a demanding mistress, to be sure, but she is so very tender and loving.

I know there was a thread a few months ago about financially challenged pet owners. With the turn the economy has taken, I think this could become an even more significant discussion. Maybe it's worth starting another thread on this topic.

This is a great idea.

[vwdieseljunkie]

Linny, I gave up smoking this year, its been two months now. I did it with nicoteen patches and a nicoteen inhalator and it really wasnt as bad as I expected. Im not saying it was fun but I certainly wasnt tearing my hair out. The patches help tremendously with the cravings and the inhalor gives you something to do with your hands. Im ever so pleased about it.

Congrats!
I wish patches would work for me. I'm looking for a method as we speak to kick the habit, so much so that I started a thread in the Health and Wellness/addictions area. I just did some quick figuring, and a low-ball estimate is that I have consumed over 131,000 cigarettes thus far. I don't even WANT to know what my lungs look like. Add a few years of professional firefighting to that, plus a few decades of burning fields, underbrush, and brush/debris piles, my lungs probably look like raisins.

[linnealand]

come one, come all! We've got free vets, dog friendly beaches, and dog parks. You can bring dogs into many cafes, to various restaurants, in trains, on buses, and while dress shopping at Gucci. My dog accompanies me to the bakery, the produce shop, the butcher shop, the cheese shop, the hardware store, and while picking up other household things around the city. There are also pet friendly hotels, and I personally do not know of anyone who was ever turned away from renting a house or an apartment because they have dogs, cats or both.

here's another kicker (just don't ask me how I didn't find out about this years ago because I'm still trying to figure that out for myself, but I'm in the middle of preparing a brand spanking new thread on this). The use of euthanasia as a means of ameliorating the dog and cat overpopulation problem has been deemed illegal on a national scale since 1991. This means that every shelter in the country is bound by no-kill laws.

Judy, my dear, you wouldn't have to sneak a helping hand from a vet for your awful cold because the doctors are also free. I think they may have instituted a new law asking for something like 15 euros as a flat rate for non-residents, but that would cover a trip to a family doctor, a specialist, a trip to the emergency room, or a stay in the hospital (including x-rays, sonograms, a necessary surgery... all of it). And if you don't want to use any of the thousands of affordable doctors that are available, you are equally welcome to go to completely private doctors, private specialists, and private hospitals. Prescription meds are often free to residents, or under 10-20 euros for non-residents. If you don't want to visit the doctor, you can stop by any local pharmacy and speak to the doctors there at no additional cost. I've tried various options from this list, and I have nothing to complain about. A few of the doctors and my German dentist (I love saying that--"German dentist"--sounds scary, no offense intended, lovely Alty!) are among the best I've seen.

the countryside is like a dream, the cities are dripping with art, the food is amazing, the wine is delicious, the clothes are beautiful, and the shoes are gorgeous, kids are well behaved, taking your time is considered a social necessity, and the average number of vacation days is an unreal 42 (it's closer to 28 in the UK, 26 in Canada and 13 in the U.S.), which usually includes a month long paid vacation at the beach or somewhere else in the world for the entire month of August. How do they do it? I don't know, but seems to work well enough for Italy to maintain one of the largest economies in the world. The only explanation I have so far is magic.

don't get me wrong, I still love the U.S. as I will for the rest of my life on this earth, and I still consider myself to be as patriotic as ever. I'm happy here, but I'd be happy back home, too. They're simply two different places. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't learn from each other! ;) 42 vacation days, 42 vacation days, plus weekends, plus weekends...

you can stay here, and bring along your dogs and cats. I live in the old library of a 14th century palazzo that's covered in the 16th century frescoes of cherubs, statues and angels . If you hang out until August, you can help us renovate the beach house. So if we're not unknowingly in Heaven, I'll be picking you up at the airport.

[linnealand]

Good Lord! "my lungs look like raisins." it's so horribly funny, and then it's not. Maybe the patch would work better if you smoked it. When I've worn it, I've found myself massaging its powers right into my skin, I suppose to release its flavor. I think I'll be joining you in the "break my addiction" department sooner or later. I commend you on your valency.

In the meantime, I consume leafy greens in an attempt to counterbalance my vices. Come on, we all have them. A near-compulsive answering of posts has been joining my list. Other than that, I'm still very healthy, and I can say with pleasure that I feel really good. Plus, I can still run, jump and swim. Oh, yes, and I can gasp.

I'm waiting for my next quitting window. That's how it works. You need to be ready to do it. If you're like me and you live with a smoker, though, you have to slap the patch on them too. I've done that before. We set a quitting date, and anyone who hadn't quit by that time would get the patch stuck right onto them. It worked too, at least for a few months. The part that's harder than quitting is not going back.

Akoue, until then, you, I the Marlboro Man can stick together. You can't hate it if you're doing it, can you? No point in being miserable about it. That's right, it's like a party in a box, especially when parked beside a good cup of coffee. Coffee, a cigarette and a good thread make for one fine trinity. Although, if I were a man, I might consider a pipe instead. I'm a sucker for the Sherlock Holmes / Masterpiece Theater look. I know, I know, but I think it's hot.

Sajjw, you earn big kudos for being able to demonstrate such super-human quitting prowess. The patch definitely helps, at least with the physical side of things. Still, it ain't easy. Many congratulations to you.

[vwdieseljunkie]

good Lord! "my lungs look like raisins." it's so horribly funny, and then it's not.

Couldn't have said it any better!

maybe the patch would work better if you smoked it. when i've worn it, i've found myself massaging its powers right into my skin, i suppose to release its flavor.

When I was wearing mine, I found myself "smacking" it all the time. I think I'll pass on trying to roll up a patch and smoke it!

i'm waiting for my next quitting window. that's how it works. you need to be ready to do it. if you're like me and you live with a smoker, though, you have to slap the patch on them too.

My wife is an ex smoker, got sick right before entering into basic training, and had to put them down, then went through basic, and by the time she was out, she didn't have any desire for them. In that instance, it was circumstance that brought her through it. In basic training, there's no opportunity, no availability, and simply no time to even wish for one. My quitting window it two-fold: not only is my wife about to have sinus surgery, one that will significantly improve her nasal passages, but it will increase her sensitivity. Also, I am re-entering the armed forces in a different career field in this same window, and will have a great deal of pre-occupation, that hopefully will work for me like basic training did for her.

i'm a sucker for the Sherlock Holmes / Masterpiece Theater look. i know, i know, but i think it's hot.

You sick, sick woman! LOL. I love the smell of pipe tobacco. I simply never found a pipe that was comfortable to smoke.

[JudyKayTee]

One of my best friends was diagnosed with bladder cancer last Friday. Do you know the #1 cause of bladder cancer? It's smoking.

The outlook for her is grim.

[Silverfoxkit]

Smoking will never be a problem for me! I'm horribly allergic to the cigarette smoke. I can hardly breathe if it gets near me. If it gets any worse I'll have to get an inhaler.

[sajjw]

good Lord! "my lungs look like raisins." it's so horribly funny, and then it's not. maybe the patch would work better if you smoked it. when i've worn it, i've found myself massaging its powers right into my skin, i suppose to release its flavor. i think i'll be joining you in the "break my addiction" department sooner or later. i commend you on your valency.

in the meantime, i consume leafy greens in an attempt to counterbalance my vices. come on, we all have them. a near-compulsive answering of posts has been joining my list. other than that, i'm still very healthy, and i can say with pleasure that i feel really good. plus, i can still run, jump and swim. oh, yes, and i can gasp.

i'm waiting for my next quitting window. that's how it works. you need to be ready to do it. if you're like me and you live with a smoker, though, you have to slap the patch on them too. i've done that before. we set a quitting date, and anyone who hadn't quit by that time would get the patch stuck right onto them. it worked too, at least for a few months. the part that's harder than quitting is not going back.

Akoue, until then, you, I the Marlboro Man can stick together. you can't hate it if you're doing it, can you? no point in being miserable about it. that's right, it's like a party in a box, especially when parked beside a good cup of coffee. coffee, a cigarette and a good thread make for one fine trinity. although, if i were a man, i might consider a pipe instead. i'm a sucker for the Sherlock Holmes / Masterpiece Theater look. i know, i know, but i think it's hot.

Sajjw, you earn big kudos for being able to demonstrate such super-human quitting prowess. the patch definitely helps, at least with the physical side of things. still, it ain't easy. many congratulations to you.

No I wouldn't say it was easy and I'm the worst when it comes to self control (especially where chocolate is concerned!) but so worth it for the health benefits. I get my breath back quicker after legging it around the agility course and I don't get a chest full of goo when I get a cold. Also, I don't need to worry so much about the big C. Judy makes a very good point. Oh God I've turned into one of those dreadful ex-smokers who try to convince everyone else to do it lol -sorry!

[Alty]

Darn, now I feel like I should quit. I have a feeling I could cover my body with patches and it wouldn't work. :(

Poo, this sucks! :(

[linnealand]

One of my best friends was diagnosed with bladder cancer last Friday. Do you know the #1 cause of bladder cancer? It's smoking.

The outlook for her is grim.

Judy, I'm sincerely sorry to hear that. It really is both serious and sad. Still, someone should have told her not to smoke from down there. I prefer to put them in my mouth.

[JudyKayTee]

Judy, I'm sincerely sorry to hear that. It really is both serious and sad. Still, someone should have told her not to smoke from down there. I prefer to put them in my mouth.

Lean over here, Linny - I want to slap you but I can't quite reach.

"Do you smoke after sex?"

"I don't know, I never looked."

[linnealand]

Nice comeback, Judy, and well deserved, I must admit. There are just some things that are too hard to resist saying. Still, I meant no real offense. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. All right, so hit me. I said hit m--holy mackerel! Where did that Singapore style cane come from? ::running away::