Have you ever tried to explain Pet Talk?

[Logan]

I was forced to explain my internet friends to my parents when I announced that Helen and I were taking a trip to Massachusetts to spend time with two good friends of mine. My mother was so worried. Now she asks how they are doing all the time! And of my 5 "best" friends, who I met on Pet Talk, I have now met all but one in person! And many other good friends at PT have come to visit me! Hubby didn't understand at first, but he does now, and like my mom, he embraces my friendships all over the world. What a wonderful thing for all of us!

[Laura's Babies]

I want to add also that when Eddie was in the hospital for so long, whenever he got a get well card from someone he didn't know, he would always ask if that was from some of "Mom's friends". He couldn't understand the concept of strangers sending him get well cards but he LOVED it and looked forwards to the next one.

People may look at us like we are wierd when we talk about "friends" we have never actually met but we know what it is and how wonderful PT'ers are. I have told the Lucky & Louie story so many times and how PT stepped up and helped save their lives and how they evenutally ended up in a great home so far away with a PT'er.. THAT always gets their attention and a "WOW!".. They understand then that we are not a bunch of "flaked" crazy people but share a wonderful community.

[Pinot's Mom]

I just saw this thread and wasn't a PTer in 2006 so I thought I'd put in my two cents! I'm a relative newbie myself.

I was introduced to the site by a fellow choir member who does not chat, she just checks in on the cat of the day. The addiction has come to me on my own; my husband is fully aware, and we discuss where the kitties are going next in the Catmobile on the ride home from work (we ride together; work in different places, but it make sense to ride together). I knew some of you had met and visited; I'm sure I don't know the extent. I had not heard about "Thursdays" (why didn't anyone say anything about Thursdays? Pinot IS the party kitty of the Catmobile! Edwina may be the fashionista, but, you know...). My husband would never be caught on the site, and he thinks I'm slightly nutty, but that's nothing new.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I really appreciate the site; some people aren't as "into" cats (or pets in general) and don't understand those of us who can't talk about them enough! I'm very glad I stumbled on this, and thanks for the welcoming environment (and all the excursions, past, present & to come, in the Catmobile!). It's a great community.

[slick]

I've been a member since 2002 and I've never tried to explain PT to anyone I know locally, including family, friends and coworkers. I'm sorry, but they just wouldn't "get it." The biggest challenge for me was in 2004 when I wanted to go to Gini's for her 2nd BBQ. How was I going to "splain" it to my Mom? "Gee, I'm flying to LA to stay in a strange city and meet strangers for a BBQ at another strangers house. Oh yes, and I met them on the internet." Mom would have a heart attack....so I had to lie. I know, I know, God will get me for that and I'm still waiting for it to bite me in the butt.

So now, years later and now that my Mom has met Gini, it's all good....and we even kept our stories straight.

[Randi]

LOL! It's so funny reading your replies. When I mention PT, I do it only to people I like, and I explain about the good advice, funny pictures and stories they could be part of - I even send a few good links. At the moment, I'm working on getting more from the cat-sitting exchange group to join. Two have already joined!

[Daisy and Delilah]

It's time for another comment from me. Three years later......nothing has changed. Everybody I know still thinks I'm crazy. If I repeat something I've heard here, I see those sideways glances and people trying to humor me by acting like they're listening.

My daughter has talked to Karen after one of my surgeries so she knows it's real. However, she still seems to "drift away" during a PT story.

I went to the doctor yesterday and I mentioned something health related I read here. He said, "You didn't get that from the internet did you?" He was smiling like he thought I needed help. He told me not to believe anything I hear from strangers. Aye yi yi!!

It's so funny to watch the reactions but annoying that no one thinks it's a real thing with real people.

[pomtzu]

No - not really. PT is my "other family" that's here if I need to get away from the one I have here, so I don't really say too much about it. My son knows it's a forum I belong to, and being the big protective guy that he is of his little Mom, he's always telling me "be careful of what you say to people you don't know". Yikes - he should take a look at The Dog House!!!

[lizbud]

It's time for another comment from me. Three years later......nothing has changed. Everybody I know still thinks I'm crazy. If I repeat something I've heard here, I see those sideways glances and people trying to humor me by acting like they're listening.

Same here. No matter how many times I mention PT to any
friends or family, they soon get the strangest look on their faces. I'm sure
they think I'm a little bit crazy, but they want to humor me.