The reason I give my dogs table scraps

[Rolando]

It'll be on topic before the end I promise.

So all the new information suggests that you really should never give your dogs table scraps (even though growing up this was a common practice). It is not good for them blah blah blah.

I love my dogs BUT I occasionally give them table scraps even though I know it is not good for them. Someone asked me why. I replied "Because they love it." So for me it is a question of them having a boring sterile life and living longer or enjoying themselves more and possibly having a shorter life. It is no contest.

I feel the same way about smoking. Some of the absolute best times of my life have been spent with a cigar or with my pipe. There may be some health risks but I don't want a boring sterile life. It is not like cigarettes where the risk is HUGE and I have never seen a longterm cig smoker who was enjoying, in fact, most feel like slaves to it.

I am not saying you should indulge every craving but a few table scraps can be worked in and balanced within a person's life.

[Professor Mike]

I totally agree. In this day and age something is going to cause our demise. So we might as well enjoy what little time we have on this earth.
We all develope cancerous cell as some point in time,its our immune system that determines wheather those cells survive and repoduce or are destroyed by antibodies that are produced by our immune system. Some of us are more prone to develope these cancerous cells than other which is part of our genetic make up. By maintaining a healthy immune system we are less likely to develope cancerous cell that survive. We only go around once so we might as well make the trip enjoyable and worthwhile.
Please excuse the ramblings.

Mike

[Ricmcam]

And who knows how much healthier or immune system becomes by having a few hobbies we enjoy!

[dillonmcmurphy]

I completely agree. It's all in balance.

[boonedoggle]

I enjoy my vice...in moderation, of course. All things, in moderation. Very nice comparison.

[kayaker]

Everything in moderation. Including moderation.

[Rolando]

Oh no. I take moderation to the extreme. TO THE EXTREME!

And who knows how much healthier or immune system becomes by having a few hobbies we enjoy!

Definitely. Stress will shave years and years off your life. Depression weakens you on every front.

[zackly]

[SIZE=3]I recently lost my older of two dogs, five months shy of his 14^th birthday. He was a beautiful mixed lab & some other big, short haired dog. In his younger days he was like Secretariat, big, strong, athletic & graceful.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]He and my other dog, a stumpy 12 y/o Golden Retreiver, were fed a diet that included dog food & whatever we were eating. I would always consider them when I shopped (I am a retired chef, so I do the cooking) buying extra for the “boys”. Steak, hot dogs, hamburgers, Chinese food, Indian food, pizza, you name it they ate it. Whenever I fired up the grill they both started licking their chops in anticipation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The Golden is overweight as are most older Goldens. My vet lectures me about overweight Goldens not living past 10 years. My guy has made it to twelve.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I’m not saying what I have done is in their best interests health wise. I’m just agreeing with the OP about enjoying life. [/SIZE]

[TheTraveler]

Originally Posted by zackly

[SIZE=3]I recently lost my older of two dogs, five months shy of his 14^th birthday. He was a beautiful mixed lab & some other big, short haired dog. In his younger days he was like Secretariat, big, strong, athletic & graceful.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]He and my other dog, a stumpy 12 y/o Golden Retreiver, were fed a diet that included dog food & whatever we were eating. I would always consider them when I shopped (I am a retired chef, so I do the cooking) buying extra for the “boys”. Steak, hot dogs, hamburgers, Chinese food, Indian food, pizza, you name it they ate it. Whenever I fired up the grill they both started licking their chops in anticipation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The Golden is overweight as are most older Goldens. My vet lectures me about overweight Goldens not living past 10 years. My guy has made it to twelve.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I’m not saying what I have done is in their best interests health wise. I’m just agreeing with the OP about enjoying life. [/SIZE]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I have a black lab/border collie mix who will soon turn 10. He loves every scrap we give him! I agree with you and Rolando - it definitely brightens their day and makes 'em happier.

[Rolando]

Sorry for the loss of your dog. It sounds like you have lots of nice memories.

[[OT] Loki]

i smoke in moderation.....moderation is a place that exsists whereever I am. I believe mark twain said that

[Rolando]

Moderation is great. Anything between living in a bubble to avoid second hand smoke and having 5 pipes and 5 cigars going simultaneously 24 hours a day is in between the extremes and therefore moderation, right?

[Phil The Thrill]

This is so true. So true that obviously the girlfriend won't agree with it

[dogsplayinpoker]

Originally Posted by Rolando

Moderation is great. Anything between living in a bubble to avoid second hand smoke and having 5 pipes and 5 cigars going simultaneously 24 hours a day is in between the extremes and therefore moderation, right?

sounds about right to me

[Arizona]

I agree whole-heartedly... IMHO a pipe or cigar is much different than cigarette smoking as far as health impact goes (assuming you don't inhale the smoke or sit in a 6'x6' enclosed room when you smoke your pipe, lol). In fact I'd dare say that smoking a couple bowls of tobacco a day probably gives you a stress-relieving factor that adds more than it detracts from your health.

Stress is a killer period. A pipe lends a period of peace and tranquility that is difficult to duplicate in any other way.

As our distinguished colleague Rolando says, I'd rather not have a perfectly sterile existance if it means never being able to enjoy a simple pleasure like a pipe or a cheeseburger or a steak here and there along the way. If it shaves a few years off my life oh well, I know I won't live forever and I also know I won't be anymore ready to kick the bucket at 85 than I will at 75 - when your time is up your time is up.

PS: And don't forget to POINT WITH YOUR PIPE AS YOU GO THROUGH YOUR DAY!!!!