Lol. She would love that! But yeah, when we go for hikes she gets a harness and able to explore 30 feet from me down the trail.
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Thatâs one helluva happy velvet hippo!
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My dog died about two years ago. She was not the dog I thought Iâd fall in love with but the one that stole my heart. She was a one eyed chihuahua rescue who almost never barked and was more brave than my German shepherd. She also made me smile or laugh every day.
Today a photo of her came up in my memories widget, as they often do and I smiled. I still smile every time I see her face and I still miss her like she died yesterday. Couldnât feel more lucky to have had her in my life and as a large human being I could not care less what people think about my masculinity and small dogs. She was a badass.
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@Aphonic as a habitual rescue-er, I thank you for saving an animal. One animal at a time. I am sorry for your loss. I hope you get the opportunity, to save another one.
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Iâve had a few rescue animals in my time. My favourite was definitely Reuben: a Bengal killing machine that put the first ownerâs kids in hospital, destroyed the second ownerâs DVD player when bored, and when he got to me - happily hunted in the countryside for a decade.
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Iâve had soo many favorites, that rescued ME, hehe, they pick you and all that, but my current miracle, was a fluffy little girl who couldnât be placed (God only knows why), and found her in a kill shelter (yeah, they DO do that up here), and after thousands in med bills trying to get her safe, we were told she had COVID (I think, and it was MANY years ago), and they said she might not last a year. Well, the fluffy little prancer, has been ruling the roost for over 15 years now. How she ended up in a last chance, kill shelter was beyond us, but she decided to take me home.
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I say, save the pets FIRST, and if thereâs anything left over, THEN we save the people.
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Oh, his hunts resulted in many memorable tales: From coming in at 2am with a giant moustache from the bat he was carrying, running to me with the back half of a rabbit while I could hear a neighbourâs kid calling âFlopsyâ or him dragging a beaten-up mink after a long and noisy battle.
He was one hell of a tough cat who loved leaving ornamental tableaus worthy of Hannibal Lector on a creative day.
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She was my third rescue and I volunteered for a at a very large shelter - Iâm still trying to find a fit in the London area that works , but Iâm hopeful I can get back volunteering soon and find my new pal as well!
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AwwwâŚ
The more âdamagedâ they are, the easier to fall in love with.
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Every two eyed dog looks incorrect to me now lol.
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I still dream about my past dogs. They were a huge part of my life. I always said that dogs are most wonderful. They donât care what you look likeâŚthey donât care how much money you makeâŚthey donât care what you do for a livingâŚgive them food and some lovinâ and you get unconditional love back. Best deal in town !!
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Then you would have loved a dog in my home town: He only had one front leg and one back leg but loved running around the meer at insane speeds.
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I think I want to move to Australia now âŚ
Culture and Social Etiquette
Overall, Australia is a very welcoming culture, and expats should not worry too much about committing a grievous taboo. According to an InterNations Expat Insider survey, over 70% of expats living Down Under feel at home and describe the country as âeasy-going.â As a whole, Australian society greatly values friendship, authenticity, optimism, and egalitarianism.
Australians appreciate humility in social interactions as well as in business culture. Locals are typically down to earth people and do not feel superior to others. For this reason, Australia can be described as a classless society. They value sincerity, and dislike arrogance and pretentiousness. Self-deprecating humor is the norm, and Australians are distrustful of people who brag or outwardly show-off.
Meetings and Greetings
Australian greetings reflect the relaxed and casual culture. Using a formal greeting will seem standoffish and awkward. For example, Australians interact on a first-name basis, and do not use titles, even when meeting someone for the first time.
When meeting someone, shake hands firmly and confidently. As a foreigner, you should not attempt an Australian accent, nor should you say âGâdayâ or âGâday, mate.â This could sound condescending and like mockery. Stick with a simple âHello/Hiâ and âHow are you?â
There are not many topics that are taboo or off limits in Australia. However, when first meeting someone, try to avoid talking about sex, religion, politics, or race. It is also rude to ask about a personâs salary, age, or weight.
Australians can be difficult to impress. Even when they are impressed, they will not outwardly admit it, so do not be put off by this behavior when meeting people for the first time.
Gift-Exchanging
Australians exchange gifts between close friends, family, and neighbors on Christmas and birthdays. Gifts are usually opened upon receipt. Unlike some countries, such as China and Japan, where you cannot gift certain colors or types of flowers, Australia does not have any cultural restrictions. Items such as flowers, chocolates, or something from your home country are seen as nice gestures.
Dinner Etiquette
If you are invited to somebodyâs home for dinner, it is polite to bring a bottle of wine, chocolate, or flowers. If you are invited to a party, it is acceptable to be 15 minutes late, but anything over that is considered rude. Be sure to ask if there is anything you can contribute to the meal. It is polite to help the host clean up afterward.
If you are asked to come to a typical Australian âbarbieâ (barbecue), it is customary to bring your own alcohol. In some cases, you may need to bring your own meat, too. Like with a traditional dinner invitation, be sure to ask if there is anything extra that you can bring as well. Leftovers are typically left behind for the host.
If you are out to dinner, be polite to everyone, including hostesses and waiters. As mentioned, Australians do not feel superior to anyone, so everyone in the service industry is treated with respect.
If you are out to eat with friends or on a date, each person pays for their food and drink. Take note that buying âroundsâ (i.e. a drink or shot for everyone in your group) is sometimes common. Tipping is not expected, but it is considered polite at high-end restaurants.
Social Tips
Australians take littering and spitting very seriously. For example, even in movie theaters, where there is staff to clean up after you, you are still expected to take your garbage and throw it away.
Personal space is also important. You should keep an armâs length between yourself and strangers. Keep in mind that people generally keep to the left when walking or taking stairs and escalators.
Relationships in Australia are loyal, particularly among friends. Many Australians rely upon the help and support of good friends instead of family during hardships. This said, showing up to a friendâs home unannounced is considered rude.
Swearing
Swearing is common in Australia. Unlike some countries, where curse words are considered a sign of anger or aggression, Australians use a variety of colorful language in everyday conversation. While you should still be mindful of using swear words at work or when meeting people for the first time, do not be surprised if you hear the profanity thrown around casually.
Women in Australia
In Australia, women are considered equal to men and are not expected or required to fulfill any archaic, stereotypical gender roles. Nevertheless, many women still experience more interrupted careers than their male counterparts. They also work fewer full-time hours than their male partners, making them more readily available to raise children and take care of the household.
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Take me with you!
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Well, we recently had an Australian here, who seemed unaware of these characteristics ⌠
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Bull city is no joke.
Never a problem.
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I should have been there by now - silly pandemic.
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Russel Crowe?
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