I'm so upset right now...

[tikeyas_mom]

AWWW jordini.. hat sux that you wont be able to go the rat show... i hope you end up going.. poor baby..

I heart you!
dont forget it.. your mom is just a cow..

[Tiah]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
She thinks that the breeder is trying to steal me, and apparently everyone in the US has a gun so I might get shot.

I think that's so sad that some people think that way.

I hope you get to do whatever you truely want to do. I know how you feel with your mom, in a way. I sometimes feel my dad feels that way about me, too. He has even told me before that my brother is his "favorite." He just says hurtful things when we get mad at each other.
Anyways, good luck, and I hope you get to go!!

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
dont forget it.. your mom is just a cow..

LOL Jynnelle, you're awesome haha.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom

dont forget it.. your mom is just a cow..

And you are just "some stupid person I met on some stupid site." LOL. I heart you too!

[micki76]

Yeah, you won't like this, BUT - I wouldn't let you go if you were my kid either. Too many freaks and weirdos in the world.

I'm 37 years old and when I first went to Austin my sister was FREAKED out that I was meeting "strangers" from the net. I reassured her that I really knew Aly pretty well, and she was eventually comfortable enough to settle down about it. She did have my cousin who lives in Austin check up on me twice a day though.

Honestly, you can't be too careful. Plus, you'd be in the US? No WAY would I let my kid go to another COUNTRY with a "stranger" she's been talking with for "the last couple of months". I wouldn't even go myself after knowing someone such a short amount of time.

[Karen]

Oh, Jordan, I know you're disappointed, but your aunt is just looking out for you. Perhaps she should go to some Pet Talk gathering some time ... WITH you. But you never can be certain about someone you have not yet met in person, and it is hard to remember that not everyone in the world is as nice as the people of Pet Talk. Sometimes I go read the news, and then have to come back to Pet Talk to reassure myself that there is GOOD news in the world, and there are good people. Your Aunt doesn't have that, so she hears more scary, bad stuff, I bet!

It's hard being a teenager, isn't it? One minute everyone seems to expect you to be an adult, and the next, a child. Don't worry, Jordan, it doesn't last forever.

[Oggyflute]

I really hope things work out for you mate, and if Slick can help, well that would be great.

My advice could only really come from my own experiences, and that might not be the best given your own particular circumstances. Suffice to say it took many years to rebuild what relationship I had with my father. So whatever you do decide to do, make sure it's not out of spite, but from logic. To get that logic seek advice from people you know and respect.

[wolfsoul]

I'm not going. My mother can't find a babysitter for my brother. Looks like I have to wait a whole six months for the next one. It's in Port Orchard as well. It sucks that they never have one in Kelowna.

Karen, I'd never bring my aunt to a PT meeting LOL. She'd cramp my style.

[Karen]

Send her to Findlay - she'd be so outnumbered, she'd not have a chance at cramping your style!

[LauraT7]

Jordan -

I'm fairly new to this board - but others here have known me for years from a Golden retreiver board I've been on with them.

People who are not familiar with bulliten boards, like this, really cannot understand how truly close we can get to some of our 'internet' friends. Sure there are a few nuts who can stalk someone on one of these boards - but to keep up a fake front for months on end - well, it would be more 'work' than most kooks want to do!

I'm a mom of a teen, and an avid 'pet' person. I have made alot of friends on the internet and met some really nice people in person - I have to say that I have never had any 'problems'. However, I am cautious - I've always had my own transportation, a working cell phone, left a detailed itinerary with family, and met people in a public place. Only once did I take a 'risk' and go off to meet a friend at their home, 5-6 hrs away - and still, I went prepared to leave and fend for myself, should things not work out.

Still, if my son, Jon, wanted to go off to Canada for a dog show with someone we have never met - you can bet that at a minimum, I would be going with him. And i would be prepped for any contingency.

Staying at a hotel alone, or at someones house that you don't know well - neither are a good choice. I'm not sure i would do either, myself - and I'm a 45 yr old adult! It's just not 'smart' to take risks like that. I'm with your aunt on this - I would be worried silly about you.

I think, in the end, it's probably a good idea to wait for the next show.

however, knowing what you NOW know are going to be the objections your family is going to come up with - see if you can prepare for them -

you can call the insurance company and ASK if your insurance, cell phone service, phone calling card, credit cards, or anything else you might need, works in the US.

Is there someone who can go with you in September that your aunt and mom trust? Is there anyone else you know going to this show? there's safety in numbers.

Is there a place or person you can stay with nearby, that THEY know? another relative nearby? do you have a school friend who has a relative in that town? maybe you can take your friend and stay with HER family.

Can your aunt or mom get to know your internet friends better so they will feel more secure about them? don't be so quick to think that your aunt might 'cramp your style' - If she cares about you, She's probably more considerate of your feelings than that - and I bet you would be surprised how 'cool' some adults can be!

I hope you DO get to go in September - I'm sure you are very dissapointed now - i would be, too!

but even though I don't know you - if you headed off with so many unknowns right now - I'd be worried about you, too!

Laura

(PS - not ALL of us crazy americans have guns - but you'd better look out for my killer, kissy golden retreiver! LOL! She just might bowl you over and lick you to death!)

[wolfsoul]

Thanks for your nice reply, Laura. In September I probably won't even be living with my mom anymore, so luckily I don't have to worry about her being against me going anywhere. Even if I am still living with her, she told me today that as soon as I'm graduated she will respect whatever decision I make even if she doesn't agree with it (as long as it doesn't involve bringing more pets home --- That's one BIG downfall hehe).

You're so right, we can get so close to our friends on the internet. I think that the majority of people you talk to on the net are not psychos or creeps. I've met many of my best friends on the internet, and I'm really glad I took the time to meet them! Speaking of which, I'm off to Vancouver tomorrow for the PT meeting on Saturday. I'll be meeting three people I've never met before.

[NoahsMommy]

Jordan,

I'm sorry you're unable to go. I know that's really frustrating. Your mom could have handled the situation better, of course.

I think that they do have your best interests in mind.

When you're on your own, which sounds like its soon, you can do whatever you want. That's the good part of being older and independent.

Hang in there. Its hard when parents are less than sensitive to your feelings.

September will be here before you know it.

Hugs,
Kelly

[EssTer]

Oh, Jordan, I´m so sorry to hear that

((HUGS))