Am I the only one who feels this way...or has PT really changed recently?

[Miranda_Rae]

Originally posted by micki76
Oh, and don’t even get me started on some of the subjects in the Dog House (on a supposedly family friendly site). I will say this, regardless of whether a child encounters these things in the real world or not, many parents would kick their kids (that’s ANYONE under 18) right off PT and forbid them to participate here anymore if they were to catch them viewing a thread about ILLEGAL drugs, drinking and such. I can imagine as a parent that I would expect PET TALK to be a fun, happy (read: relatively safe) place for my child to surf. I would go so far as to say that for many older teens the Dog House should be safe and certainly not encourage them to break the law. It’s bad enough to have other kids their age encouraging ILLEGAL activity, but to have adults doing it on a FAMILY friendly website just makes me realize that PT is in deep trouble. I thought the DH was for controversial subjects, but apparently it's a lot more than the normal "debate" forum that I thought it was intended for. Other forums I frequent have "debate" sections, but they still don't take it to the level that the DH sometimes reaches.

I couldn't agree more Micki! Some of the stuff that I have read in the DH shocked me. I couldn't beleive it was on a family forum, and even though I am 16 and am getting closer to an adult, some of that stuff I just plain don't want to know about or read, and sometimes its just down right discusting.

When I was lurking for those two years, yes people had their fights and tiffs and those are one of the many reasons I kept away from becoming a member. One thing I don't like though, is how some people can start saying a bunch of things about a situation that someone is in without even BEING in that situation, or saying things about people when they don't even know if they are true or not. I have learned to expect some harsh responses, and I've tried to put on my little armor (which is hard cause I'm sensative), but that doesn't mean that I hate PT. I love PT because its different than other forums because its like a little family. I have learned to treat everyone on here as humans with feelings, because they are, even though we are just communicating through the computer, they still have feelings.

The whole troll thing may have made everyone suspicious about "newbies", and yes I will admit it has made me suspicious sometimes too, but I try to look at them as genuine people until its proven otherwise. There are only a few people that I have corresponded with, and two of those are people that I trust, and I would LOVE to meet them some day.

All in all, PT has changed, it does seem slower, but I think it *might* be because people are second guessing about posting, like Kay said. I sometimes do that too, because I am afraid that people will think the thread is stupid or dumb, and so sometimes I just go, "Forget it" but I try to go, well if its important to me, then I'm going to post it.

[carole]

As for people posting threads that are considered boring, or ones like I am bored, they don't really bother me, I figure if stopping by in these threads can help that person in anyway, even if it is just plain bordem, then hey why not, and besides what one person may consider boring another does not.

We should all feel free to post about things in our life that we feel are important or simply things we wish to share without having to worry if we are boring someone, as long as they are not offensive or unkind, then surely its ok to do so.

Gosh I am sure I have bored the pants off some of you, just with my threads re my mother's birthday or whatever, but because I consider PT an important part of my daily life, I just cannot help myself and share almost everything.

[Queen of Poop]

I joined PT to talk with people who loved animals as much as I do. It's been a dreadful pet year for me and at times I needed and received support from you all, for which I am eternally grateful. Everything and everyone changes and evolves. I am glad that there is a place where pet chats can take place. I'd like to be so bold as to suggest we all contemplate what has been said in this thread and come back with a new zest for talking about our pets in the New Year. 2004 has been a bad year. 2005 WILL BE MUCH BETTER!!!

By the way, Sebastian recovered from his adrenal surgery and is back to his old ferret self!!!

[tatsxxx11]

What happy news, QSA!!! I try to follow up on all the sick ones, dog, cats, critters, birdies... So glad to hear that Sebastian is doing so well

[aly]

YAY for Sebastian! I'm so glad that is all over with

[finn's mom]

this is the most I've read on Pet Talk in a while! This thread is a great idea, I think. It's nice to see people's compassionate sides!

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by Queen of Poop
I'd like to be so bold as to suggest we all contemplate what has been said in this thread and come back with a new zest for talking about our pets in the New Year

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp46675_33..._aqua_pure.htm

Are you saying we don't bathe???

Originally posted by micki76
I would go so far as to say that for many older teens the Dog House should be safe and certainly not encourage them to break the law. It’s bad enough to have other kids their age encouraging ILLEGAL activity, but to have adults doing it on a FAMILY friendly website just makes me realize that PT is in deep trouble.

I do not remember seeing anyone advocate, condone or telling anyone to go out and break the law. Now if some kid decides to do something that they read about on the Internet, I'd cuff the parents upside the head for raising a follower, not a leader.


Most/some of us were merely relating our past experiences in a humorous manner.

Having people relate those stories sure took some batonga-wongas.....
-----------------

I find it's more irritating to physically be in the vicinity of someone infringing on my space.

When someone trashes my visual space, I blink or close my eyes.

And should we forget about how many kids are going on the internet this Xmas, with computers bought by their parents-
They are then left to surf and look for porn, search for instructions to make fireworks, explosives, get directions to rave parties and post hate message on their journals....

Did I mention hacking into school computers to change their grades????
--------------------

I apologize if you were offended by any of the stories I posted or
if it sounded like I endorsed the use of an illegal substances.

But then again, When I found out that an old Mexcian remedy for arthritis was to soak marijuana in alcohol and apply it to your aching joints- it raised my RB grandmother to a saintly level in my eyes.

I knew right then that she didn't inhale.

[cloverfdx]

Very well said Richard

Having people relate those stories sure took some batonga-wongas.....

LMAO

[jenluckenbach]

Hi PCB, I am here, does that count?

I actually don't know what to say, but I thought I would show you that I was reading....)

[teenster3]

I must be out of the "norm" here....
I didn't go through what everyone on here had to say about Pet Talk changing over the year/s. I haven't been on here extremely long (and probably not considered "an old timer") but still come on when I'm not busy or have something to say. I guess I'm not quite sure what you're talking about CHANGE? Doesn't everyone in life go through changes? I'm sure not everyone here has something to say all the time or something great to say all the time either. I thought this was a place to share thoughts, feelings, opinions, advice, etc. (and I mean anything anyone has to say should be accepted whether other's think it's right or wrong, it's how a person feels & people should respect that in itself....life is just too short)
I feel that I have tried my BEST to learn to get to know other's on here & don't always get a response back at times. I've signed up for the gift swap, given to someone that didn't receive anything, & sent out Christmas cards as well "to get to know people". I don't want to be "rewarded" for my actions, I'm just saying that I feel I've done my part in trying to get to know people here.
I've tried to come up with different threads, polls, etc. to get people to talk about different subjects. I've also asked advice & tried to give at times.
I guess I'm not quite sure what people are looking for. Is it that so many individuals are joining & no one knows them well? How do you "get to know" people if not for asking questions & chatting.
I love all the varieties of threads posted daily.....not too many seem to be the same. I really enjoy getting a laugh but can be serious as well.
Here I go blah, blah, blah......my favorite pastime, talking.
Seriously, this is all I have to say & is my opinion alone!

TiNa

[DogLover9501]

I agree with ALOT of this stuff!

A *huge* part of it for me, is about the dog side, and also pictures.

75% of the pictures I take, I take for PT, to share them, and when I first joined, I would be *really* excited to post pictures and to read replies.

Now, I just don't know if it's worth it or not, and NOW I don't keep checking every 10 minutes for replies, because 5-12 is the most I usually get(on the dog side), even though I try to reply to everyones

Now when I visit PT, I usually go right to the cat side, as there, if you posted 20 pictures everyday, you'd get just as many replies, and also they even reply to stories that you share, as the dog side don't usually.

I don't *think* that it's different BECAUSE of the cat/dog thing, I just think there's different people on the cat side than on the dog side.

On the dog side, if you bring up something like tail docking, ear cropping..etc, it will turn into something REALLY bad, with alot of "" faces and other things like that, as on the cat side, if something like de-clawing is brought up, it's discussed without any of those things, and I like that.

Another thing that brings PT down is when people gang up on people, or bash people without even being in their shoes and without even knowing the entire situation, and it hurts alot of members, and most members have left because of arguments and hurtful things that were said.

I also used to spend HOURS on PT, and it would be my home-page and the first place I'd visit when I got up and the last place I'd visit before bed, but not now.

I still browse everyday, but I go to post and sometimes wonder what the use is, I was also planning to take a break from PT a couple weeks ago.

I really hope we can fix this, and become *way* more like a family than we are now, like we used to be

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by DogLover9501
On the dog side, if you bring up something like tail docking, ear cropping..etc, it will turn into something REALLY bad, with alot of "" faces and other things like that, as on the cat side, if something like de-clawing is brought up, it's discussed without any of those things, and I like that.

I agree, but I also disagree. The dog side CAN get pretty heated when some of those "hot topics" are brought up, but I've seen the "cat side" get into many arguments/debates as well (such as declawing, and leaving cats outdoors), and some of them have ended badly. There's always going to be hot subjects on either side.. dog or cat. I'm starting to get really sick with all of this cat side versus dog side drama.

Anyway, I meant no offense to you with this post, Robyn. I'd love to see more pictures of your pups when you get the chance. I never get tired of them.

Personally, I think the board has sped up a little bit, and will probably (or should I say *hopefully*?) speed up more when the holidays pass.

[Amber]

Oh how I agree Robyn!

Their are times when I want to tell funny stories of Elvis, but I always second think and always decide not to post, because I dont want to seem like a "loser" or something and not get any replies. It hurts, really. Even though your thread is veiwed alot, its the replies that count too.

Same goes as pictures. Their is a HUGE difference when I post pictures of my dogs. When I'm begged to death for Katie pictures I end up with 5-6 or so replies. But when I post pictures of Elvis I get a ton more replies.



Now, I know this thread isn't directed to this topic, but I just wanted to say it out.

[Kfamr]

Robyn, sorry, but I have to disagree with your post.


I guess it's different for everyone, but it seems as if the cat side has always been like this to me, and a few of the cat-frequenters have always been bitter towards non cat-frequenters.

I had a lot more typed out about my negative experiences with the cat-side, but I deleted it once I typed it out, just to get it off my mind.

Maybe this shouldn't still shouldn't be said, but I felt I needed to say something.

I guess we probably shouldn't have this Cat Gen. VS Others Discussion, as I'd like for it to change, but it'll never change unless everyone is willing to help the change.

I'd like to see all "Congrats", Birthday, Nephew/Niece/Family, ect posts made in general, instead of just in Cat General, or just in Dog General. Going in Cat General, and seeing those threads in there make it feel like it wasn't meant for the whole board to see, or it wasn't meant for us to congratulate someone.
It's also rather un-inviting if it's just cross-posted. Why can't it just be in general? Why can't the Cat/Dog people just come in general to see that stuff?

I think if everyone were able to spread out more it'd make Pet Talk a more family-like place. I understand they want their close friends to see it, but why can't everyone become friends, and then post where everyone else posts Congrats/Birthday threads - for everybody to see. I mean, afterall, no matter which type of pet we own, or owns us -- we're still all here for the same exact reason. We love our animals dearly.

I guess i'm just blabbing and no one even cares, but i'd just like to see this place become more friendly instead of everyone being bitter towards eachother.

[Amber]

Kay, i agree.

Maybe we just need to COMBINE, yes combine pet talk where cat and dog topics go in the same Pet general type of thing. That way, PT will become more closer, it will save people time who say. "I dont have time to go to every section of PT" plus both cat & dog people can comment on everyones pictures, and stories. Maybe that will keep things livley and everyone together?