[F2F Book Discussions] F2F70: October 2017 [Pets] | A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

[Elaine]

Welcome dogs, cats and animal lovers!
I'm Elaine and I will be your moderator for October. I'd be very happy to read and discuss with you A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, a heartwarming story about a dog's life and his search for his purpose.

Reading Plan
The book is 320 pages long, so there's no need to worry because it's an easy read and won't be taking too much of your time. Hehehe

Week 1: Chapter 1-4, Toby
Week 2: Chapter 5-17, Bailey
Week 3: Chapter 18-25, Ellie and Chapter 26-32, Buddy

Grab your e-copies here:
(view spoiler)[
Epub
Audio
(hide spoiler)]
I'll be posting Discussion Questions on Wednesdays so I hope you can drop by and say hi.

F2F Event Details:
Date: October 21
Time: 3 - 5pm
Venue: High Grounds Cafe, Sct. Rallos, Tomas Morato, QC

[Maria]

Elaine, may iyakan bang magaganap pag binasa ko ung book? Hahaha

[Elaine]

Maria wrote: "Elaine, may iyakan bang magaganap pag binasa ko ung book? Hahaha"

Uhmmm, sa akin may iyakan. Hahaha.

[Elaine]

Happy Hump Day everyone! I hope you have already started reading the book. I promise to ask easy questions only. Hahaha

Discussion Questions 1
1. If you were a dog, what breed of dog would you like to be and why? If you have a hard time deciding, you can take a quiz here and see for yourself.

2. Toby and some of the dogs from the Yard are eventually euthanized because they are deemed unfit for adoption. Do you think it's justifiable to euthanize dogs/animals just because they are disabled or considered unhealthy?

Here is a little something: (view spoiler)[ Here in the Philippines, there is no agency that will take in unwanted pets except the City Pound (which also catches strays every now and then). The animals are then put to sleep or euthanized if they are not claimed or adopted by anyone within a week. Why are they euthanized? It's because the City Pound has a budget for a specific amount of animals only. They do not have the capacity to take care of all captured strays so whether it's a stray or a high breed, they may all end up in animal heaven.

So, when people look to the Pound to bring their animals, they are basically sentencing the animals to death. :( (hide spoiler)]

3. Senora said, "There are no bad dogs, Bobby, just bad people. They just need love." Do you believe that dogs behave the way they are because of how people treat them and not because of their inborn nature? (view spoiler)[ Example here is a pitbull. Some people claim that pitbulls are violent dogs and have a tendency to attack even its owners but some pitbull owners claim otherwise. (hide spoiler)]

[Meliza]

It's Wednesday! Dropping by to say hi! Hehehe! Haven't started the book yet, Elaine. Will do soon.

[Diane]

I think I'll start reading this. I just finished speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and I don't know what to read next :)

[Elaine]

Meliza wrote: "It's Wednesday! Dropping by to say hi! Hehehe! Haven't started the book yet, Elaine. Will do soon."

Hahaha. Akala ko pa naman excited ka magbasa. :P

[Elaine]

Diane wrote: "I think I'll start reading this. I just finished speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and I don't know what to read next :)"

Hi Diane! I do hope you could read and join us in the discussion. :)

[Meliza]

Elaine wrote: "Meliza wrote: "It's Wednesday! Dropping by to say hi! Hehehe! Haven't started the book yet, Elaine. Will do soon."

Hahaha. Akala ko pa naman excited ka magbasa. :P"

I started another book nung hindi mo ko agad binigyan. :P Sorry naaa.

[Tin]

Discussion Questions 1 (view spoiler)[

1. According to the quiz I am a Pomeranian! (view spoiler)[ You are a true friend and companion. You are also quite sensitive and your bark is usually bigger than your bite. But that doesn't mean you can't bite! Why? Because you are also protective of the ones you love. (hide spoiler)].

But you know what, I'd love to be one of the Queen's Corgis. Because...
(view spoiler)[
I get to fly first calss, everytime. (hide spoiler)]

2. I am okay with euthanasia of animals as a last resort if the said animals' quality of life has become worse due to pain or some sickness, and all other means of helping him has been exhausted. Putting down non-terminally ill, or disabled dogs, like say, amputee dogs, that are quite healthy can be heartbreaking though, and on this note I don't think it is justifiable. (There have been issues about assisted death and euthanasia for the non-terminally ill PEOPLE, but with dogs, I mean, unless they can talk and say they wan't to quit life, but they can't so....)

3. Although we have already identified certain set of personalities common to each breed, I still believe that dogs largely behave the way they do because of how people treat them. I haven't met a Pitbull before, but I watched a couple of Cesar Milan's Dog Whisperer episodes and I see how terribly calm and quite and gentle Daddy (his pet pitbull) is. And he usually brings him along his rehabilitation trainings for aggressive dogs, to serve as an example. And if you see Daddy, he is always calm, cool and collected and never did snapped at the hostile behavior of the aggressive dog. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron Vincent]

Discussion Questions 1

(view spoiler)[
1. According tot he quiz, I'm a golden retriever.

You like to play, but you'll also work if you have to. You also love attention and aren't afraid to try whatever you can to get it!

I can't say it untrue. :D

2. If they are suffering, why not end it for them? I think it's an act of kindness. If they are disabled but still can function and live a happy life, giving them the chance to continue living is the only option.

3. I'm afraid of dogs so I might not be the person to answer this question. However, I don't think anyone or anything is fundamentally evil. It's just how they were raised to be. If their environment growing up is a harsh one, then it would not be surprising if they will be violent.

(hide spoiler)]

[Elaine]

Tin wrote:
(view spoiler)[
1. According to the quiz I am a Pomeranian! [spoilers removed].

But you know what, I'd love to be one of the Queen's Corgis. (hide spoiler)]

I'd love to be a corgi too! I find their butts cute when they walk. Hehehe


Aaron Vincent wrote:
(view spoiler)[1. According tot he quiz, I'm a golden retriever.

You like to play, but you'll also work if you have to. You also love attention and aren't afraid to try whatever you can..." (hide spoiler)]

Definitely agree on that. No violent reactions here. :P


My quiz results say I'm a Scottish Terrier
When it comes to sniffing out the rats, you're the one for the job! You can usually tell the truth from a lie and have a good sense of who you can trust in life. You are kind of a loner, too. You don't feel people are necessary to be happy.

Uhmmm... I don't know how true this is for me. (T_T)

[Elaine]

It's Wednesday!! How are you guys holding up with the reading? I hope you're liking it so far. :)

Discussion Questions 2

1. Share us a memory about your first pet. What kind of animal was it? In the event that you unfortunately never had a pet, what kind of animal would you like to have and why? (you may post photos if you like)

2. Does losing a pet equate to the feeling of losing a human loved one?

3. Bailey constantly wishes to be a “good dog”, do you think dogs or any animal wishes to be that? Do they have an understanding of good and bad?

[Angus]

Discussion Qs 1:
(view spoiler)[
1. I’d like to be a Border Collie but according to the quiz, I’m a Basset Hound.

2. Unhealthy and untreatable and in chronic suffering, yes. Disabled, no. Imagine PWDs being sentenced to death. So it goes without saying that my judgment is based on a human level.

3. All things have good and bad in them. It’s the universal law of balance, which I’m probably making up. So no, I don’t agree with Senora. There are good dogs and bad dogs.
(hide spoiler)]

Discussion Qs 2:
(view spoiler)[
1. Our first pet was a dog. Her name is Princess. I have no fond memories of her because I think she didn’t like me. I never had my own pet. There were the family dogs and cats, aspins and puspins. If I were to have a pet, I’d like a dog. I’d like a Border Collie but it looks like I can manage a Labrador better.

2. Yes! I cried when one of our family puppies was ran over by a speeding car. I was so mad at the driver despite his apologies and his offer to pay for what happened (we didn’t take the offer).

3. With training and TLC, maybe they can develop some semblance of rational thought. But on their own, I don’t think so. They still operate on the second tier of the soul. They can gather information through their senses but I don’t think they have this wish to be a good dog.
(hide spoiler)]

[Elaine]

Angus wrote: "Discussion Qs 1:

(view spoiler)[1. I’d like to be a Border Collie but according to the quiz, I’m a Basset Hound.

2. Unhealthy and untreatable and in chronic suffering, yes. Disabled, no. Imagine PWDs being sent..." (hide spoiler)]

I also never had my own pet just family pets too, but the ones I was very fond of were the dogs I named. So far, I named 2 dogs Minnie. Hehehe. But I'm pretty sure I won't be baptizing the next one Minnie.

[Tin]

Discussion Questions 2
(view spoiler)[

1. Also not technically “my” pet, but the family pet, a German Shepherd and mutt mix. We named her Lassie, because we were so fond of the 90s TV show Lassie, (about a family and their collie Lassie). Anyhuuu first memory would beeeee, I guess the times where I would be left at home because my sisters were all going to school already (we have a 7yr gap between me and the sister before me), and I would play doctor in the garden with Lassie, and she would gladly lie on her back so I could put my plastic stetoscope on her belly for a thorough check-up.

If I could have a pet, I'd probably get a dog. And because I saw Kingsman: The Golden Circle (not a very good sequel imho), and there's a very, very cute Cairn Terrier pup in it and I want one for myself.


2. Yes, it could equate to losing a human loved one because we can love pets much the same way we do humans, and they would love us back (the pets).

3. Hmmm. If by wish you mean to strongly desire, long for or hope to be good. Maybe, not really. BUT I believe they abide by a moral code of their own, not as complex as human moral code. Like say, the Toby chapters in the book, where he would tell us about how the pack in Senora's yard operates, I think the author took much inspiration from scientific research about the rules that govern an acutal wolf pack. The whole handicapping and forgiveness thing during play, about not taking what is not theirs etc. I think they have a concept of what is fair, of justice etc. And research says that those who would not follow the code would get reprimanded by the pack. This is also true of other animals like cayotes or chimpanzees etc. So yeah, I think they have a basic moral code, or else they'll just eat each other up and that'll be the end of their kind. (hide spoiler)]

[Elaine]

Tin wrote: "Discussion Questions 2


1. Also not technically “my” pet, but the family pet, a German Shepherd and mutt mix. We named her Lassie, because we were so fond of the 90s TV show Lassie, (about a famil..."

I guess most of us here technically do not have our own pets but collective family pets. Hehe. But we all love them just the same.

I saw Kingsman too but my heart is for Jack Bauer the pug. Hihihi. I would looovvee to have one. I know most people find pugs ugly but I really think they're cute. :P

[Elaine]

Happy mid-week! Here is the final set of Discussion Questions for A Dog's Purpose. I hope you enjoyed reading it.

Discussion Questions 3

1. What are your thoughts about working animals (e.g. police dogs, farm animals, etc.)? Do you consider it as animal abuse?

2. Which of the dog's lives resonated most with you? Why?

[Monique]

Answers :)

(view spoiler)[
Discussion Questions 1
1. I'm supposed to be a Scottish Terrier. I thought for sure I'd be a pitbull, hahaha. I don't know about terriers so OK lang. :D

2. If the dogs will pose a threat to the health of humans, like they have a disease that would affect their humans, I'd say it's OK to euthanize them. That's the only justification I think for euthanasia.

Discussion Questions 2
1. We used to have dogs at my parents' house when I was a kid, but I didn't really consider them as "pets," like Bailey was. They were all mongrels so they weren't really endearing, haha. My first "real" pet was Lorin, half-mongrel and half-Lab. She was given to me by my law school classmate and she was all white and so furry. She would sleep beside me on my bed and I intended to teach her how to poop and pee in the toilet. Unfortunately, parvo hit her early (that is, before I could bring her to the vet for shots) and she died at 3 months. After that, I vowed not to have pets again :(

2. Perhaps not the same level, but in both instances we experience a loss, right? And that's a sad thing.

3. They don't have an understanding of "good" and "bad" the way humans would, but I think, in their own way, they know which things to do to get attention, to get food, or to even get a whipping from their humans.

Discussion Questions 3
1. I think it's not animal abuse if they are treated right, i.e., given food, proper shelter, TLC. These K-9 dogs are actually amazing when you think about it, so I don't see any reason why they can't help.

2. My favorite is the Ellie life. I mean I cried over Bailey but what Ellie did is just extraordinary.
(hide spoiler)]

[Mawi]

Discussion Questions 1
(view spoiler)[
1. I’m a Scottish Terrier daw according to the quiz, accurate ang wiry, unkempt-looking hair/coat. Haha!

2. Yes only if the animal is terribly suffering and all means to try to get them to feel better has been exhausted and, most importantly, if the method used is as pain-free as possible.

Elaine, the city pound story is so true and super heartbreaking because the euthanasia procedure they make use of is so primitive and cruel. Although I get it that that’s due to lack of funds but still...huhu! I used to volunteer for an animal shelter and it is really costly to run a place that will provide shelter for strays (hundreds of them!) until such a time that someone comes to adopt them. So places like city pounds, with really small budgets, resort to putting down animals. And all this really boils down to responsible pet ownership, ‘wag magkuha ng pets kung hindi naman kayang alagaan sila their whole life! Ugh, triggered ako! Haha!

3. I think animals, like people, have different personalities and the way they turn out to be is a product of their environment, the way they were raised, and I also read somewhere that dogs can have mental health issues as well, which affects their behaviour (maybe this explains the unexpected violence of usually passive animals?). (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions 2
(view spoiler)[
1. I have always had pets, I don’t think there was ever a point in my conscious life that I had no pets to take care of, although sometimes they’re just stray animals that I like to feed and to pet (yuck na kung yuck! Haha!). Like most of you, my first pet was a family pet, too. Two Japanese spitz dogs, Jackie and Joko. I was really young pa when we had them so all I remember about them was their fluffeeeh, white coat and all those times they would race me, or anyone, down the stairs whenever the doorbell rings (and play-bite me, or anyone, when they lose.), they died early because of distemper, we were not aware of vaccines and all then, and we learned our lesson the hurtful way.

2. Yes, in a way, especially if you’ve cared for that pet like you would a human loved one.

3. Yes, some. I have seen this lots of times. This is particularly evident on some dogs who have experienced cruelty, they are so intent on being good and I’m not sure if it’s out of fear of being maltreated again or out of desire to be loved. Nakakalungkot and you just want to loooove them huhu! (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions 3
(view spoiler)[
1. This is really conflicting for me!! Concurring with Monique, that if they’re treated right, are not being overworked, and are shown love in a way, then maybe it’s not really abusive. But if it’s for entertainment, like circuses and horse-drawn carriage in the middle of the city amidst cars, f*ck yes that’s abuse na.

2. Both Bailey’s and Ellie’s lives. Bailey’s life is a typical pet dog’s life and it made me cry when he died. But Ellie’s life is woah, I mean, she was able to accomplish so much in her life and I’m just here commenting how awesome a life she has lived. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Tin]

Discussion Questions 3:
(view spoiler)[

1. Working animals are okay by me, so long as you treat them right. And by right I mean you give them all the tender loving care.

2. This tough! Ellie's was pretty amazing though. I asked my sister whether our dog would save me if I were in trouble. She said, she'd prolly skeedadle the other way, Lol. So yeah, Ellie's. (hide spoiler)]

Elaine: (view spoiler)[JB! Okay, I agree JB was pretty cute. Sniff! Eggsy now has a new one tho. Also I had a pug phase once, when Men in Black first came out. Haha. But i got over it. So I am team Mr. Pickle. :)

Good Luck tomorrow Elaine! Wish I could be there! Mamimigay ka ba ng aso? Hahaha
(hide spoiler)]