Put Up Or Shut Up

[Dody 0]

3 Loves...I love you like a daughter. Anyone that says true friendship can't be found on the internet has no clue what they are talking about. People meet and marry on here every day...hmmmmmmm I know a couple on here that did just that.

OK, I said my piece. I told you how I felt. Now send me some hugs and mushies so I know you really care

[Momotrips 0]

I second that emotion, NurseKathy!

[Luna 0]

*belches loudly, raises from the lawn chair and yells "I OBJECT!!!"*

On what grounds?

[nursekathy2u 0]

On what grounds?

On the grounds that nobody gives a damn!!!

[FunnyDuddies 6]

*falls out of her lawn chair laughing hard*

dammit i spilled my beer

[Momotrips 0]

Well? When do those fireworks start? And more importantly, where is my beer!? It's the full one!

[Luna 0]

On the grounds that nobody gives a damn!!!

Objection allowed, bailiff, please pass the evidence around the court, be sure everyone gets a beer for inspection.

[FunnyDuddies 6]

Momo, I'm low on miller, it will have to be bud. just wipe the grass clippings off the top. we stole this case from the boy cuttin the yard.

[DrewsLou 3]

:peace: :peace: :peace: :peace:

Holy crap.... I'm dying over here!

"Stalk on".... freakin' classic! :heh:

[Momotrips 0]

Ah, I see, the fireworks are lurking around out there...

[Bettina 0]

Full moon in 7 days, what will it be like then??? LOL:guess

[Momotrips 0]

No worries! About the beer, I mean. A little grass never killed anyone - did it?

I'll have to add that to my siggy, DrewsLou!

[leatha_g 4]

The Social System of the Pack

There are two separate dominance orders within each pack: a male order and a female order. The highest ranking member of each order occupies the "alpha" position. "Alpha" is followed by the "beta" individual and so forth until the last position which is called "omega" (as in the Greek alphabet). Very few individuals are considered "equal".

Alpha positions are usually occupied by a mated pair. The ultimate dominant individual can be either the male or female and that individual directs the activities of the pack. In studies done on wolves, however, it is interesting to note that sometimes the alpha male refrains from breeding the alpha female. He will allow a lower ranking male to mate with her instead.

In Wolf packs the alpha male and female are usually the parents of the subordinate pack-mates. Very rarely are strange wolves allowed to enter an established wolf pack. As canines are "first cousins" to Wolves this may help to explain why the entry of a strange dog to the pack can result in an escalation of fights. In well-established packs there are other possible classifications of social ranking : 1. mature subordinate animals 2. outcasts or dogs who rank so low that they avoid the main pack members and 3. juveniles who do not become part of the pack nucleus until they are much older. Dominance orders cross sexual lines in immature animals and do not divide into male/female orders until sexual maturity.

The older a pack is ... the more stable its social structure becomes. When the alpha male dies, grows old or weak the resulting competition for the alpha position may disrupt the social stability of the pack.

Most conflicts within a pack are not severe. Some behavior may appear severe as the animals display ritualistic threatening postures, noise and fighting. Occasionally the fighting may escalate causing serious injury or death. Often several animals in the pack will "gang up" on one of the dogs involved. An interesting note... in Wolves the dominant alpha will usually break up the fight before such serious problems occur. Most of the time this happens when the dominant male places himself between the two fighting parties but doesn't participate in the fight itself.

Leadership within the pack is a matter of supreme importance. The leader of the pack initiates the play pattern, which direction the pack will travel, when to rest and when it is time to hunt. A well established leader rarely has his authority challenged. He/she directs pack activities and also takes the initiative in reacting to intrusions. The leader is neither despotic nor democratic but a combination of both.

Because dog packs are highly organized ... order is the rule. Dogs within each pack generally interact predictably and the social structure of the groups is maintained. Much of the behavior is directed toward the goal of either maintaining ones social status or possibly raising it. A dog's social status is unusually established early in life but circumstance may change this position. Any drastic disturbance such as the loss or addition of pack members can trigger a status rearrangement. Each and every member is constantly watchful and interested in all socially important happenings within the pack. In particular, status quarrels are never private affairs between two individuals. The whole society may participate in the final outcome.

The role of the Omega dog is crucial to the stability of day to day pack life. Usually this animal is the outcast and is not allowed to join in pack activities. Some scientists believe that the omega position offers a way for wolves to disperse energy. If the omega strays from allotted territory or attempts to join in on a feeding the pack will persecute the omega until order is restored. Energy is released during the confrontation and this is immediately followed by a period of peace.

[FunnyDuddies 6]

No worries! About the beer, I mean. A little grass never killed anyone - did it?

nah...but i don't know what killed the dog, and he peed in that grass...

[DrewsLou 3]

Stalk on sucka'!