Have you ever tried to explain Pet Talk?

[Barbara]

An American co-worker asked before the inauguration whether I am excited. I said: "Soso, but the kitties are on their way there with an eco-friendly catmobile and they worried all the time what to wear. After all they are going to represent Germany."

I have no idea what she thought

[wolflady]

*giggle* This thread made me smile when I saw it had resurfaced this morning. I'll never forget the time we were at your place Gini, and people walked by your house and asked "What's a Pet Talker?" when they saw that big sign hanging up. LOL That was priceless.

For me, trying to explain Pet Talk is like someone trying to explain AJAX to a non-techie person. They just don't get it. However, my pet friends do get it and if they seem interested, I point them to this forum so they can take a peek themselves. There are so many great people in this forum and I have made such wonderful friends here...many of which are now friends in real-life. That is a great gift.

[kokopup]

I talk about PT with my wife but usually only get an uh-huh. She doesn't understand so I don't push it. I am fairly new to PT and have found my home. I love that this is an age-less , border-less forum for people that love their pets.

Will someone explain "Thursday"

[k9krazee]

Ha...I rarely tell people, it took a long time for me to actually tell my parents! None of my friends know about it, and I like it that way!!

Hehe, I like this thread. In 2006 I said that none of my friends knew. Now I've fully embraced my addiction and love for PT. I rarely tell people, but if they see me on my computer and ask what I'm doing I'll try to explain. Most don't really get it. When Findlay meeting time comes around and I tell people I'm going to Ohio to meet people at a dog park they think I'm crazy. I love it!

My boyfriend actually embraces PT. It's funny. Sometimes we'll do something, or I'll take pictures of something or something funny will happen and he's like, you should share on Pet Talk! And he's excited to go to a PT meeting!

[Karen]

I talk about PT with my wife but usually only get an uh-huh. She doesn't understand so I don't push it. I am fairly new to PT and have found my home. I love that this is an age-less , border-less forum for people that love their pets.

Will someone explain "Thursday"

"Thursdays" is our imaginary "cyber" bar - where people can go, try the "drink of the week, share food, laughs and generally hang out. The great part is that it is all virtual - so the food and drinks have no calories, no harmful effects, and no allergens!

Price of admission is one joke, told the first time you post in a "thursdays" thread, otherwise, everyone is welcome.

[kokopup]

originally posted by Karen
"Thursdays" is our imaginary "cyber" bar - where people can go, try the "drink of the week, share food, laughs and generally hang out. The great part is that it is all virtual - so the food and drinks have no calories, no harmful effects, and no allergens!

Harmful effects and allergens I can do without, on the other hand
I need the calories.

I'll check Thursday out, thanks. I'm still trying to pickup on all the different nuances of PT

[ramanth]

My boyfriend actually embraces PT. It's funny. Sometimes we'll do something, or I'll take pictures of something or something funny will happen and he's like, you should share on Pet Talk! And he's excited to go to a PT meeting!

LOL! That's Andy's answer for everything. "You should ask PT" or "You should post that on PT".

[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!!!

[gini]

When I held the second PT BBQ, I invited some non-Pet Talk friends. I was foolishly thinking that they knew me well enough to understand. After all, my three cats had been shedding their fur all over them for several years.

A couple I invited had to leave early to meet another couple to attend a concert.

The following week I saw the husband of the "other couple" and he said to me........."so I understand that you had a BBQ at your home for a bunch of people that you have never met and they even stayed at your home."

Inside I was dying of laughter - but I said with a straight face........"yes, I did." He didn't say one more word.

I still chuckle over that one.

And Slick, you think it was easy for me to deal with your wonderful Mom
and keep the story straight huh? Well, I tried to hold up my end of the story - but it wasn't that easy.