How to Make Pipe Smoking More Socially Acceptable

[markus]

Say what you want, cite whatever articles you think supports your claims.

For every article you cite to say pit bulls are not a vicious breed, I'm pretty sure I can cite just as many articles, or more that say they are.

My point is, based on my past experiences with pit bulls, I won't trust them and furthermore, I think they have earned their reputation.

I do applaud your work rescuing dogs though, and I'm thankful for you, and people like you to be out there in the world, doing what you do.

Hell I'm a dog lover too, but I also call 'em like I see 'em!

 

[pappymac]

I didn't blog about dogs. I blogged about pipe smoking.

 

[woodsroad]

Here is the most recent (and best designed and executed) study of dog-bite related fatalities (DBRF), from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. There are some myth-busting statistics in here, including:
"Valid breed determination was possible for only 45 (17.6%) DBRFs; 20 breeds, including 2 known mixes, were identified."
"Most DBRFs were characterized by coincident, preventable factors; breed was not one of these (emphasis added). Study results supported previous recommendations for multifactorial approaches, instead of single-factor solutions such as breed-specific legislation, for dog bite prevention."
Also note that 30-40% of the time, media reports got it wrong when naming the dog breed in fatal attacks.
Best way to avoid a DBRF: Keep away from dogs (especially non-neutered males) that are socialized with other dogs and not with people (especially dogs in packs). Stay away from dogs with owners that are *ssholes. Stay away from dogs you do not know, especially if they are not smoking a pipe.

 

[mso489]

Brad, loved the story about your grandpa buying the bull. I bet there was bowing and scraping toward your grandpa after it was made clear he was solvent, more than. I had a prof who grew up in the mountains and was very young and has quite a mountain twang. I always enjoyed it when some academic tried to talk down to him and he started to unfold his vast memory on his subject area. Some of these folks would turn pale when it dawned on them they were in the cool presence of genius, mountain twang and all.

 

[woopigpiper]

I didn't blog about dogs. I blogged about pipe smoking.

This is what I was thinking. Hahaha 8)

 

[murica]

I'm just getting one before it gets crazy. I have a chesapeake bay retriever that will run circles arou d most any pitbull. Its happened before. I've also had several well bred bullies in my life. None have ever had the aggression or rage I've seen some chessies exhibit. They were originally bred for hog and bull bait. A working dog. Catahoula. Doberman. German shepherd. All breeds of dogs that I have encountered that are infinitely more aggressive and scary than any pit I have come across. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but blaming the breed versus the owner and socialization of the animal isn't really sound.
Back on topic. Great blog pappy.

 

[tbradsim1]

I applaud Big Van with his work with Dogs, I love dogs, , raised in the Country I have a special affinity for Animals. Thank you Big Van. :clap:

 

[mso489]

Some lap dog breeds give rise to aggressive individuals. I agree that misunderstanding of the animal itself is often the problem, and dog "owners" who don't understand the species at all, people who could make a biter out of Lassie. Nearly all cats will be crappy, tooth and claw, if picked up by someone who is hostile. There's a "getting to know you" ritual you must observe, and even then, individual cats have vastly different tolerance levels. Likewise, dogs. Dogs must have an alpha person and will go to incredible lengths to please, but must have clear and consistent directions. I'm not quite bossy enough for dogs; I like the way cats demand equality. But I grew up with a stellar dog, a water dog, whose picture still hands on my wall. George, all black, a springer-cocker mix, had burning embers in his eyes and swam through the ice in the winter, insisted upon it, despite having no fat on him at all, all muscle and bone and lightning to the core. I had a wonderful orange tabby who wrestled me to a draw to stay out of a carrier and amazed me on hindsight by never unsheathing his claws. Maybe Buddha reincarnated.

 

[warren]

I've always thought that if it is determined that an aggressive dog is to be "put down" that putting the owner "down" at the same time would be proper.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, in some cases!
Training and care is probably more important than breed, but regardless of fact or opinion, I steer well clear of Pitbulls: Often their owners are assholes. Some self selection going on??

 

[pappymac]

I did work with a guy one time that had a very large pet cat. It was a male cat that weighed-in at 30 lbs. The neighborhood dogs learned to leave it alone.

 

[pappymac]

I guess I should have mentioned cats. My grandfather who was a pipe smoker had two Siamese cats that would curl up on his lap while he was smoking his pipe. Never understood why because he smoked George Washington until they stopped making it. He then switched to Carter Hall. The Siamese were known to hunt squirrels and rabbits. They also chased dogs for sport.

 

[wyfbane]

Siamese cats are awesome. Crazy, but awesome. Good read. I won't own a Pit, either.
Back to original intent, I like wearing nice shorts and a Hawaiian shirt out when I smoke a pipe.

 

[beefeater33]

Great blog Pappy!

Don't forget that while lunting, a proper walk is most desirable..............

I have adopted this walk, and the pit bulls never bother me......... then again, no one does.......... :D

"A proper walk for Lunting"

 

[markus]

Beefeater, that was hilarious, I shot beer out of my nose. :rofl:

 

[beefeater33]

I shot beer out of my nose

Glad I could help!.............. :lol:

 

[akfilm]

The blog post may be satirical in nature, but it does have some very valid points. I love introducing people to pipe smoking, or moving people from cigarettes to pipe smoking. I also like to extend small courtesies, such as if I'm lunting and I was past runners or children I don't blow smoke out until I'm well past. If I'm sitting near someone on a dock or a park, I'll ask before lighting up. When I travel I like to get vrbos or airbnbs, and before booking I'll ask about smoking my pipe on the property, in any of the above cases I have never been shut down, people often seen surprised and half the time will strike up a conversation about pipe smoking and pipe tobacco and it's a great opportunity to help remove stigma. Thanks for a great article that's the perfect mix of satire and actual thoughts.

 

[pappymac]

Beefeater, I can't walk that way since my back surgery.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Heh. I bet John Cleese can't walk that way anymore!
I like akfilm's take above, and in the four years since I relit my pipes, I've not had one negative comment on my smoking in public. (Except from my son!)

 

[gunr]

Great blog pappy! Sadly it seems everytime a group of folks try to make light of one thing or another some one comes along and makes it serious....