tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7474285744180456003..comments2024-03-29T07:15:33.972-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Off the Digital LeashJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73305086828646081792014-07-31T21:58:32.592-04:002014-07-31T21:58:32.592-04:00I met the sweetest dog at my first writing confere...I met the sweetest dog at my first writing conference last week. I love dogs. When I was a kid, I had a dog that looked like the dog from the movie, Babe.<br /><br />Still processing your words about digital leash. For me, it's a catch 22. With my hearing loss, I rely on cochlear implants in order to maximize my hearing. If you meant cell phones, that's a different matter. I always turn it off in places that require quiet because I do not want to be distracted by text messages vibrating. I use it as a primary source of communication since some people would not be able to decipher my accent ;/<br /><br />Thank you for a great post!<br /><br />~DianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-846287305622873332014-07-31T17:25:36.923-04:002014-07-31T17:25:36.923-04:00love the TV dogs names.. What if we names dogs lik...love the TV dogs names.. What if we names dogs like Game of Thrones characters? Well, wait, there's already The Hound.<br /><br />Matthew, are you watching Tyrant? The Strain?<br /><br />Matthews big PARTY is tonight! SO champagne and head pats from all of us at Jungle Red!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51429878665548009232014-07-31T17:22:52.260-04:002014-07-31T17:22:52.260-04:00OH, DebRO, my pal Mary can help you find a dog to ...OH, DebRO, my pal Mary can help you find a dog to adopt! Don't even get her started..be warned!<br /><br />And yes,indeed, Reine.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46832514429921750512014-07-31T17:05:48.968-04:002014-07-31T17:05:48.968-04:00Has a dog ever changed my life?
Is there a sky?
Do...Has a dog ever changed my life?<br />Is there a sky?<br />Do I breathe?<br /><br />Kendall the Great has saved me from despair many times.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90715974371873544002014-07-31T16:25:15.173-04:002014-07-31T16:25:15.173-04:00Ohhh, after reading all the comments I am so tempt...Ohhh, after reading all the comments I am so tempted to get a dog of my own!! I'll read your book, Matthew, and maybe that will help fill up the space in me that I'd otherwise want to fill with a dog.Of course, after reading the book I'm pretty sure I'll want a dog even more.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5805250620995622702014-07-31T15:05:16.986-04:002014-07-31T15:05:16.986-04:00This is a great site!So many great stories.
Poop ...This is a great site!So many great stories.<br /><br />Poop ordinances are greatness. Thanks Ellen...<br /><br />Lisa: I love your story. We are two of a kind. So glad you have Fawn. I bet I'd fawn over her. <br /><br />OK, sorry.<br /><br />Deborah: WE ARE THE DOG PARK. I want a bumper sticker.<br /><br />Lucy: Soul dog. I love that. Toby is definitely my soul dog. People-person dogs are great, too. I know a few like that... Sometimes -- often, actually -- I am a dog-person person.<br /><br />Kristi!!!! I LOVE those dog names. That is so funny. So great.<br />Matthew Gilberthttp://www.matthewgilbert.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48733225294705018562014-07-31T13:38:47.599-04:002014-07-31T13:38:47.599-04:00Hi, Matthew! Your book sounds great. Carol Ann N...Hi, Matthew! Your book sounds great. Carol Ann Newsome has a series of murder mysteries written around a dog park klatch, very fun. <br /><br />My life and our household completely revolves around dogs. We wouldn't have it any other way. They do absolutely ground us and remind us to take time to smell the roses (and anything else we can find), leaving the digital world behind. Most of our friends are people we know from the training club or the Vet Clinic. They are the nicest folk!<br /><br />A couple of the Standard Poodles do like to watch a little TV now and then. And my husband, who gets to name all the girls, has called them all after TV characters. We had Murphy (Brown), Dharma (and Greg) and now Ziva (David, from NCIS, named 2 weeks before Cote de Pablo announced she was leaving, go figure!) <br /><br />We moved out to the country (so the dogs would have more room to run) twenty years ago and digital signals have been slow to catch up to us here, which helps, too. Cell phone signals are iffy, TV reception is spotty and there's not much bandwidth to speak of. I suppose it makes us sound like complete rubes, but Dear Husband travels the world as a software designer and I worked in that field for 20 years until giving it up to teach. We just decided we'd rather have the devices and screens work for us instead of the other way around... something we learned from the dogs, I guess... :-) Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07605406591025175181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4836019123104138852014-07-31T13:37:03.661-04:002014-07-31T13:37:03.661-04:00Hank-- re poop pick-up, this is another reason I s...Hank-- re poop pick-up, this is another reason I stick with smaller dogs. Bigger dogs not only eat more, but what goes in must come out. (Plastic bags from newspapers or vegetables-- even from bagels or hot dog buns-- are wonderful for this). But yeah, you get used to it and it doesn't even register that you are doing it, only when someone doesn't. <br /><br /> Ellen Kozaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11134042384223278542014-07-31T13:21:43.182-04:002014-07-31T13:21:43.182-04:00Matthew--we're so happy to have you here today...Matthew--we're so happy to have you here today--and can't wait to meet you at Crimebake! (For those of you haven't signed up for the conference yet, please consider! Matthew is speaking on Friday night with another New England critic and nice guy Joe Meyers.)<br /><br />Anyway, look forward to this wonderful book. We have Tonka, the Aussie, who is my soul dog--can't imagine what I'll do without him one day. He's not a dog park kind of guy--he says he's a people person:)<br /><br />Debs: 5 dogs????Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13101635580010227412014-07-31T13:13:43.371-04:002014-07-31T13:13:43.371-04:00Great post, Matthew, and your book already has me ...Great post, Matthew, and your book already has me thinking Christmas present for a couple of dog people on my list. Dogs can teach us so much, and it sounds as if you had an absolute transformation to a life of meaningful connections. The cleverness of your pairing "off the leash" for Toby with "off the digital leash" for you is a thematic link from which we all should take note. Toby knew what you needed and led you there.<br /><br />My dear dog Abbie is in the twilight years, almost 15 now, but she continues to be a model of loyalty and unconditional love. At this stage, she is giving me much needed lessons in patience and understanding, as she has the occasional lapse in bathroom matters. I have a wonderful dog sitter who takes loving care of Abbie when I need her, so going out of town isn't a traumatic deal for either of us.<br /><br />Oh, and losing a pet. It is indeed heart-wrenching, as you say, Cyndi. Before my husband and I had children, we had a sweet cocker spaniel named Barry, who was in essence our baby. When Barry died suddenly, I experienced grief like I had never known. But, if you are a dog person, you do eventually want another love like that. <br /><br />Thanks, Matthew for the dog-related thoughts and the gadget-free thoughts. You have inspired me to do better.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36712744869180527492014-07-31T13:10:31.583-04:002014-07-31T13:10:31.583-04:00Lisa--that is a fascinating story! Thank you..and ...Lisa--that is a fascinating story! Thank you..and what a lovely ending to it. Or, I guess, beginning.<br /><br />Debs, I am howling with laughter, imagining your house! Wonderful! <br /><br />(When I grew up, we had Penny the one-legged Irish Setter. She chased cars, frantically, and even did it on three legs.)Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48842756068989594932014-07-31T12:15:38.893-04:002014-07-31T12:15:38.893-04:00Hi Matthew!!! The only reason I'm not checking...Hi Matthew!!! The only reason I'm not checking in earlier is that I had a nap this morning, after spending half the night on the bathroom floor with our oldest German shepherd, who is storm phobic.<br /><br />We have five dogs in the house at the moment; our two GSDS, one if nine, the other almost two; two grand-dogs (along with daughter and son-in-law, who are waiting for their house to be finished), a boxer and pit-something-something mix; AND our brother-in-law's six month old GSD puppy. Can I just say it's a bit crazy? WE ARE THE DOG PARK...<br /><br />We don't take our dogs to the dog park--too many incidents with aggressive dogs--but we invite friends to bring their well-behaved dogs over to play.<br /><br />And I have no trouble unplugging. There is nothing like watching dogs play (or playing with dogs) to right your perspective on the world. My favorite time of the day when the weather permits? Throwing the tennis ball for the two-year-old GSD for a good hour in the evenings.<br /><br />PS. Our GSDs play well with our two cats, too.<br /><br />PSS. I'm buying your book!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-221114914090004472014-07-31T12:08:49.441-04:002014-07-31T12:08:49.441-04:00Matthew, I can SO totally relate to your post. I h...Matthew, I can SO totally relate to your post. I had a dog named Luna the One-Eyed Wonder Dog. She died in April. I hadn't realized what she meant to the quality of my life until she was gone. I no longer saw my neighbors, I no longer met and chatted and made new friends through dog parks and dog walking ...<br /><br />I'm an introvert writer type, kind of a loner. So the long story short of it is that I got depressed, went on antidepressants. Then, about a month ago, I woke up one morning with a hankering to visit the Oregon Humane Society -- for a dog fix I told myself. A week later I had Fawn, the craziest/cutest Chihuahua/Terrier mix ever. <br /><br />Voila, I'm healed! She's my therapy dog without meaning to be! I'm getting socialized again! I'm a better, happier person! :-)<br /><br />So, yes, I totally get you about the time we spend outside with our dogs -- away from technology, and, for me, away from my introspective, whirling thoughts. Can't help but be in the moment when I'm hanging outside with Fawn. <br /><br />Thanks for being here today!Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48274200987865545002014-07-31T11:27:56.289-04:002014-07-31T11:27:56.289-04:00Ellen Kozak! This is historic..and I guess we are ...Ellen Kozak! This is historic..and I guess we are happy they didn't name it after you!<br /><br />The poop pick up--do you get used to that?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30623025189067638962014-07-31T11:07:46.310-04:002014-07-31T11:07:46.310-04:00It's all a matter of practicality. I have a s...It's all a matter of practicality. I have a small dog because I have a small house and because he is less able to pull me off my feet (although it is amazing how much power they have). I rescued an older dog because I am older and don't think I (or all my stuff) could handle young-dog behaviors. I keep my dog on a leash when we are outside because I don't want him attacking another dog (and I would prefer that other dogs not attack him, even if he is barking at them. So I avoid the dog park where they can be off-leash). <br /><br />I am rather proud of my place in history-- I am responsible for Milwaukee's pooper-scooper ordinance (by way of a campaign for city council that I lost back in 1972, but the guy who beat me picked up that plank from me). There are worse influences to have had. <br /><br />One of the ways I keep myself unplugged is by not owning a smart phone-- and not remembering to charge, or ever using, my flip phone. When I am in the car, I concentrate on driving. I wish the other drivers would do so as well. Ellen Kozaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68438243011774559352014-07-31T10:56:48.208-04:002014-07-31T10:56:48.208-04:00Welcome, Matthew! We don't have a dog of our o...Welcome, Matthew! We don't have a dog of our own due to allergies, but my family and I love dogs and I'm proud "dogmother" to our friends' rescue lab-mix girl, Busy. Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27444597192616361732014-07-31T10:43:35.042-04:002014-07-31T10:43:35.042-04:00That's it! I'm writing a dog book! "H...That's it! I'm writing a dog book! "Harley and Me"! Wait, is there a problem with that? (Harley is my beloved lab who passed away a couple years ago.)<br /><br />Thanks for the shout out to Solly and Daisy, Hank! They DO make me laugh everyday !! And I could not imagine life without them and the adventures! <br /><br />By the way they're both rescue dogs--so if anyone wants information on adopting, anywhere in the US, let me know!Mary Schwagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17037705295969300316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-83114409867998342482014-07-31T10:36:49.835-04:002014-07-31T10:36:49.835-04:00Dogs, yes!!!! Can't wait to find your book, Ma...Dogs, yes!!!! Can't wait to find your book, Matthew. Currently dogless, because I travel a lot for work--I tried to have a dog because my boss told me I could bring her with me, but she didn't travel well, and sadly, I had to find her a new home.<br /><br />One of my favorite childhood pets was a black lab/shepherd mix named Tiger Joe. A total fun-loving goofball! He would get the baseballs, gloves, bats, and make a pile in the yard, then bark for someone to come out and play! Chase butterflies over the sweet potato ridges in the garden, use his nose to roll a basketball all over the yard if no one would come out to play!<br /><br />Dogs--and cats--require you to be in the moment--Murphy the cat will lie across my keyboard and refuse to get up until he's had his moments of lovin.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51812601596237792662014-07-31T10:31:25.396-04:002014-07-31T10:31:25.396-04:00Mark, I hear you. I am not a fan of strange dogs, ...Mark, I hear you. I am not a fan of strange dogs, especially of strange dogs that run pell mell at me. I once had one try to attack a friend and me while we were walking together. She had been attacked by three dogs once, and she froze, with her pepper spray in her hand, unable to do anything with it, and it was up to me to run the dog off. Never want to repeat that experience. <br /><br />I am also not a fan of dog owners who tolerate their animals jumping on visitors, with a "He won't hurt you." Sure. If you say so. Well-behaved dogs who don't jump on people? My favorite. Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78592504010841256392014-07-31T10:25:14.876-04:002014-07-31T10:25:14.876-04:00I hear you Mark. Dog owners need to be respectful ...I hear you Mark. Dog owners need to be respectful of non-dog people. They bother me, and so do the people who don't pick up their dog poop!Matthew Gilberthttp://www.matthewgilbert.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47848037370218929112014-07-31T10:17:07.600-04:002014-07-31T10:17:07.600-04:00Don't get me started on "those people.&qu...Don't get me started on "those people." I've had dogs almost trip me in the park while I was out running. There are signs everywhere that dogs must be on the leash. And the owners are just saying, "He doesn't bite." That's great, but I don't want him running after me barking at me either. (And yes, I try to give them a wide section so I'm not teasing them needlessly. I know it is a two way street. But if they aren't on a leash, then there is only so much I can do.)Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87923239441782036292014-07-31T10:02:39.779-04:002014-07-31T10:02:39.779-04:00Mary, I really admire you for making that decision...Mary, I really admire you for making that decision. Too too too many owners get dogs and then leave them alone all day. It's not fair. (A loud beagle mix? What?)<br /><br />Hank -- I kinda like the name McPhee (McGee and Magoo, too)!Matthew Gilberthttp://www.matthewgilbert.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17809221680446233912014-07-31T09:52:51.425-04:002014-07-31T09:52:51.425-04:00There are "Charlottes" even in the non-d...There are "Charlottes" even in the non-dog world, right?<br /><br />I love dog names, too. They are so revealing! I once had a beagle (arooo!) named McGee. It was supposed to be in honor of John McPhee, but McPhee didn't work as a dog name. <br /><br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35435733585041605222014-07-31T09:50:19.258-04:002014-07-31T09:50:19.258-04:00For as connected as I am, I'm also pretty good...For as connected as I am, I'm also pretty good about letting it go. The only reason I checked my phone the last time my husband and I went to a concert was that the kids were home alone - I checked at intermission to make sure they hadn't called me. But if I'm bored, well, that's a different story.<br /><br />I adore dogs. I am currently dog-less and it pains me every day. We had a beagle/yellow lab mix for 14 years and he was a joy. Loud, not all that obedient at times, but a joy. Very protective of my kids when they were babies. I miss him. But we just aren't home enough these days - it's not fair to buy a dog and then leave him alone for 8-10 hours a day. I think I also need an invisible dog - perhaps Wheatie was one of a litter?<br /><br />But should I ever hit the mother-load and wind up working from home full time (writing or something else), I <b>will</b> have a dog again. I lust after rescued racing greyhounds. So pretty, so sweet.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12869694919003791492014-07-31T09:50:15.450-04:002014-07-31T09:50:15.450-04:00Karen: Grand-dogs are good!!! I hope Otis is on t...Karen: Grand-dogs are good!!! I hope Otis is on the good list; I LOVE that name...<br /><br />Kathy -- Cats are good too! I wish dogs could purrrrr.Matthew Gilberthttp://www.matthewgilbert.com/noreply@blogger.com