BS: Strange Creature in Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Becca72
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 07:21 PM

LOL! Dad!

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: kendall
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 07:12 PM

Becca72 10:10 am, that sounds a lot like your mother.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 05:41 PM

It's a dog and it's dead.

Get over it. We have.

I wonder if it would improve our hard cider?

Charley Noble
Richmond, Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Becca72
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 02:16 PM

The verdict is in and it's..... a dog.

August 28, 2006

Mystery beast was a dog


Posted by The Associated Press, Wire Report
at 11:31 AM

LEWISTON, Maine -- The so-called mystery beast from Turner that created a media and Internet sensation was just a dog. That's according to preliminary DNA results from a University of Maine professor.

Dr. Irv Cornfield said the animal had a dog for a mother and probably a dog for a father, as well. More genetic testing is expected, but the preliminary findings back up Scott Lindsay, a Maine wildlife biologist in Gray. He said it was a wild dog, based on newspaper photos.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 02:12 PM

Yeah, it does kind of look like Charlie.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Scoville
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 12:57 PM

Hillbilly, nothing--I don't think there's any group in the world as inbred as the European royal families.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 11:04 AM

Kind of looks like the spawn of one of those hillbilly cousin marriages.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Scoville
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 09:55 AM

I like shibas, too, but they're too intense for me right now. Of course, I've got an American Eskimo dog and they certainly have enough detractors. Depends on what you can handle and what you like in a dog (I don't mind sweeping up hair, obviously). And one of these days I'm going to get that Norwegian elkhound I've always wanted . . .



I actually like pit bulls a lot. The vast majority of the ones I've handled--stuck needles into, even--have been very happy dogs, but I wouldn't own one because I think it would be a legal headache, and I would be afraid someone would steal it. I cannot imagine doing pit rescue. One of the clinics at which I worked had a mostly-pit bull they wanted to adopt out but everyone that came in to look at him refused to give us any personal information (phone number, address, anything--they wouldn't even give us enough to update his medical records), didn't want to take the heartworm pills that came with the adoption fee, said the dog was for their daughter's boyfriend but they didn't know his full name, etc. Shady characters. It took us over a year to find him a trustworthy "mom". Poor dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 25 Aug 06 - 09:42 AM

aw - I love cocker spaniels. There is an elderly one named Joe who is close pals with my Alsatian. Joe is prone to ear infections but that's all. I credit his sweet temperment on his also elderly owner who gives him plenty of exercise, keeps him meticulously groomed and never permits him to get away with agressive behavior without a gentle correction. Joe is a darling of the neighborhood and we worry when we don't see him for a week or so.

It's just like Cesar Milan says - bad dog behvaior is mostly due to the owners/masters/caretakers (whatever is the current PC term for a person who has a dog).

Even so, some breeds are more aggressive by nature or more prone to bite when they feel confronted. I don't doubt Sorcha's statement. They can be highly strung dogs if not in the right situation.

I'm very fond of Shibu Inus but have decided no matter how adorable they are (the look a lot like foxes) they are hunting/working dogs who prefer to be the dominant dog in the pack. I'd love one but need a more mellow type such as my Alsatian

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Joe Allen & sons
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 11:40 AM

Yikes!

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Choo Backy
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM

Wot?

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Jean
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM

Poor littl' doggie

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Scoville
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 10:41 AM

Cockers can't do as much damage as a pit bull or a chow or some other, larger dog, but I believe that Sorcha is right about them being one of the most likely breeds to bite. I think it's specifically American cockers--not English cockers, or the other spaniel breeds. I just know that my experience was that they were adorable as puppies and then turned into snapping beasts as they got older.

Also, I don't know where you live (what part of the country), but they are extremely prone to food and pollen allergies, and consequently often have chronic ear infections that require a lot of care. Probably less of a problem up north but Texas is allergen central and we saw a lot of really miserable cockers with really disgusting ear canals.

I'm not actually saying don't get one, but don't get one from a pet shop. Find a either a rescue that can tell you something about the dog or a breeder with a good reputation where you can meet the parents, ask about health problems, etc. There are good and bad in every breed, and different breeds suit some people better than others.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Becca72
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 10:10 AM

My friend has a cocker spaniel and he is the most annoying dog you ever could meet. HUGE separation issues (she can't even leave the room without him freaking out), hates kids, hates other dogs...very obnoxious. Granted, though, she is at fault for much of this behavior. He hasn't gotten nippy yet, but I hear that happens when they get older.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 10:02 PM

Well, yes, bobad... but, if left to responsible breeders, for show even, many problems will not occur. Unfortunately, there are twits everywhere you turn.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: bobad
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 09:57 PM

It's stupid humans breeding them for show qualities that is the problem IMO.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 09:56 PM

Thanks, S... good to know.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 09:55 PM

Well, Mr says that our county has more dog bites from Cocker Spainiels than any other single breed. I'll see if I can find actual statisics, but IMO, they are nasty evil tempered things. Lots of eye problems too.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 08:38 PM

Scoville... "... our absolute least favorites were American cocker spaniels..."

Really? Tell me more, if you have time. I am considering a similar dog in the near future.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,farla
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 04:11 PM

I have a 50%chow/50%english bulldog mix and his head is shaped much like the animal- and my granny had a malamute that mated with a wolf in Arkansas- the puppies all had the curved teeth. As fun as it is to think it is really an oddity, it is probably just another heinz 57.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 07:03 AM

Ok - so they should tell the truth - the thing was merely playing dead and they gave it bus-fare to Los Angeles where it is now earning a living as the Wast End Ripper (See Psycho Raccon thread for explanation)

No kidding, as I type it is 4 Am and I see neighors out looking for the East End Ripper with their dogs. Don't know what they think they are gonna do if they find it - give it muniicipal summons for shredding cats, possums and yip yip dogs? (See Psycho Raccon thread for explanation)

West Hollywood has lost it's mind (See Psycho Raccon thread for explanation)

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Scoville
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 10:54 PM

I used to work for a vet and, of the breeds we saw most commonly, chows were among those that we liked least. A lot of them don't warn you before they take your face off--pit bulls and Rotties will growl and carry on but chows have no facial expressions (that you can see, at least, since they're so wrinkled), they're strong, and every time you think you have a grip on them all you really have is hair. And they're hard to muzzle because they have short, thick noses. I don't go near a chow that I don't know really, really, well.

(Incidentally, our absolute least favorites were American cocker spaniels and one woman's black Russian terrier, which was as strong as a pit bull and had no redeeming temperamental qualities at all. And American cockers are surprisingly mean little bastards for something that's bred to look like a toy).

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: gnu
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 03:58 PM

Well, if it's tongue is black, it's a Chow mix.

Guest, Stranger... "A chow is a tough dog and can be quite ferocius in certain situations." You got that right. One of the most territorial of all dogs, it is extremely ferocious, and when the coat is well kept, most other dogs cannot inflict a good bite. Just as many sheep dogs do, a Chow will present it's flank for attack and once the opponent has taken the bait, the Chow attacks the neck and throat.

A buddy of mine had one which absolutely mauled a rotty three times it's weight to the toon of $800 at the vet's. The twit that owned it had the nerve to ask my buddy to pay the bill... his dog was not on a leash while being walked and it attacked my buddy's dog in my buddy's yard, chained. That Chow also had two sheps and a dobby notched in her belt. Gentle as a kitten with children, but, not with anything else.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 02:21 PM

So, let's all try to make up names for various cross-breedings (not necessarily canine).
Hipporhinocephant?

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: bobad
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 07:19 PM

LtS, nothing compares with the exquisite taste of fresh campers, accept no substitute.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Mingulay
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 06:21 PM

Jest ye not at the "woodle", for my ex and I once had a "Spoodle". A mix of Spaniel and Poodle. When he wasn't rolling on his back to have his tummy tickled he absolutely murdered dog biscuits, tore them to shreds in a mad frenzy often whilst balancing them on an item of footwear. Really buggers your feet up does biscuit shrapnel!!

LtS, I thought chow-mix was number 43 at the Chinese takeaway.

Coat on, leaving now.............

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 05:34 PM

Isn't chow-mix a sort of dried meat substitute for campers?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Stranger
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 02:20 PM

My first thought was it looked a lot like a chow. And thinking more, if a chow was mixed with a wolf it could possibly look like that.
A chow is a tough dog and can be quite ferocius in certain situations.
I'm sure it's a chow-mix of something, clearly a dog anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 12:21 PM

Re: The adverse effects of selective breeding; quite right. I mean, look at Britain's most familiar examples. Even drafting in pretty decent-looking weemin over the years, like the ould Queen Mother for example, the Royal Family still ends up with the likes of Cherlie and Anne.

I'll get my cape, and take the Woodle for a long walk....

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: ranger1
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 11:00 AM

It's a feral dog. IF&W has better things to do than to scoop up road kill for DNA testing just because some nutcase thinks there's a supernatural creature in the Maine woods. Personally, I think that was a good move on the part of IF&W, there are better things I'd like my tax dollars spent on than doing testing on feral dogs.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,CrazyEddie
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 05:29 AM

I saw a Yorkshire terrier kill a Rotweiller-Pitbull hybrid recently.


...Got stuck in its throat.



I'll get me coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 04:29 AM

Deeper shit if Yorkies were the size of rottweilers!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 04:12 AM

If pit bulls ot rottweilers were as brave as Yorkshire terriers we would be in deep shit.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Peter Woodruff
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:56 PM

The beast is Alf.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Scoville
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:29 PM

I finally met a Yorkie I liked a few weeks ago. Unfortuately, he's twelve years old and partially paralyzed (which is not why I like him, since he really is a dear little dog, only that it's too bad I couldn't meet one I liked that had more years left in him). Amazing. I mostly thought they were good for feeding pit bulls.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:27 PM

I've eaten a fair few Yorkies.....
























Just to explain, in the UK, a Yorkie is a really thick chocolate bar.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 01:02 PM

Grin...attacking rats!

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: bobad
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 12:41 PM

Ya mean attacking ankles?

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 12:34 PM

But have you ever seen a Yorkie in action???

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: bobad
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 11:53 AM

I've seen rats larger than Yorkies.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 10:31 AM

Thank you eric.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Ernest
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:53 AM

"O-ho the ratting dog, the dog down in the valley-oh"...

so this song is from Yorkshire?

Best
Ernest

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:59 AM

Guest Bee, I'll explain in one word, ' ratting '

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: GUEST,Bee
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 11:54 PM

Sorcha, I love dogs, but if you can explain to me the good reason for breeding the Yorkshire Terrier, I'll be amazed. ;-}

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 08:19 PM

Les....if you think that selective breeding is 'abuse' you are very sadly mistaken....I agree that big mistakes can be made in selective breeding, and often are by idiots who shouldn't own or breed dogs...but there ARE good reasons for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:16 PM

That's not all. Englishmen are often seen peering under someone's "bonnet", the prurient swine!

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Les from Hull
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:43 PM

Yes but isn't 'torch' a much nicer word than 'flashlight'. Not nearly as descriptive, but much nicer.

Puts me in mind of them old flashlight singers we had back in the 40s...

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:14 PM

Les, you need to come over here across the pond. Our torches don't require any batteries, just our flashlights............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Les from Hull
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 04:33 PM

Dog. People have been mutilating dogs for years - they call it 'breeding'.

Although, just to be certain, why don't we all split up and conduct separate searches at night, while that scary music is playing in the background? You know I was sure I'd put new batteries in this torch.

Subject: RE: BS: Strange Creature in Maine
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:27 PM

How strange is it that just 4 days ago my sister and I were driving down the VERY ROAD on which Stephen King was hit by that van...and this thingamabob looks sort of like the creature that came out of the woods at the beginning of Kingdom Hospital...oh, nevermind...only 4 of us watched that show.