Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Some things we have learned

We thought we would answer some question we have seen popping up in our comments today.

GATORS - no we haven't seen any and we are hoping we never do. Mom is super vigilant and won't let us within 20 feet of any lake edge.  Mom did some research and in an average year only two people are killed by gators and between 4 - 12 are injured by them. There really isn't any count kept on dogs being chomped up but from the research Mom did it look like there are 10-20 each year that are reported (there are probably more that aren't). That may seem a lot but to keep it in perspective many more dogs are euthanized in shelters each day! People tend to fear the gruesomeness of the attack which makes our fear of them seem worse then it really is - a bit like shark attacks too.

THE NON-PEEING DWEEB - Yes it is true - the Dweeb (and now you now why I call him that) will not pee or poop at any park. He will barely even sniff while we are at the park. He has always been that way and will only go in his own backyard.

DOG FRIENDLY - Yes - the area we chose to live in is very dog friendly (which is why we chose it ) - now admittedly they are pretty strict on the whole leash thing and Mom says we probably won't be using our invisible leashes much any more but the parks are all dog friendly and we are super happy to see that they all have "poop" stations (free poop bags and waste bins) placed at regular intervals. The big farmers market is pet friendly and there are many restaurants that have outdoor patios that are also pet friendly.  There are LOTS and lots of dog parks around Jacksonville too and many of them use to be golf courses - they are all fenced so there is lots of room to run and lakes to swim in but Mom says we won't be visiting them very often as they very expensive to use  and cost between $11 - $16 per visit or yearly passes for around $350. The parks we have been going to around where live are free (we did buy a yearly pass for Hanna Cowspotdog Park but that was only $90 and for access to the beach and park well worth it)

Other things we have discovered - Mom and Dad nearly fainted when they saw how much it will cost to register MY cars and changes over their licenses - over $800 for the two of them (it only cost about $280 for both cars and licenses in Arkansas). We doggies also have to be licensed here in Florida $20 each (we didn't have to be in Arkansas) Gas of coarse is a lot more expensive here - 30 cents more than in Arkansas and Dad says he is considering trading in MY mini van for something more fuel efficient. MY hybrid car that Mom drives is doing great around here and she averages 40 miles to the gallon. One of the REALLY REALLY good things that Mom totally loves - is that there are sidewalks everywhere and you can actually walk or ride a bike to any the places we want to go - how cool is that? Sadly Mom had to give up her bike as her old knees can not handle peddling anymore but she loves to walk and so do we - so win win we say :)

27 comments:

  1. That's interesting and freaky about the gators. Hope you never see them either!

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  2. Looks like you've moved to a wonderful place, looking forward to more adventures.

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  3. I think spending a little more money than Arkansas was worth it. The pictures of the parks you showed us already are very nice. I think the parks are nicer than your Cowspotdog parks back in Arkansas.

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  4. that was interesting to learn more about your new place... and I think you are right with the gators...a lot of people feel that way you described...
    it happened to us too as we had to change the car plates...it was around 200 on our old place and here it was a little more and my dad came back with his 200 bucks and the non-changed plates :o)
    easy rider

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  5. Start-up expenses in Florida are high but, there is NO state income tax so it will even itself out. Welcome to Florida!! I live in the central part -- near Orlando.

    The "T" Tribe

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  6. Thank goodness no gators. What a pretty place you found
    Lily & Edward

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  7. Hari OM
    ....gotta pay for the sunshine bonus, huh? Them's the breaks... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  8. That sounds so awesome my friends. My uncle Mike lives there in Jacksonville. Maybe the next time my humans go for a visit with him, they can visit ya'll too. Wouldn't that be awesome? XOXo - Bacon

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  9. We were in the West Palm Beach near Orlando in March and were quite surprised at the Gator population there. Our grandparents retired there and they say the costs even out for them. Of course they came from a high tax state so, losing the income tax was huge for them.

    How are you guys dealing with the heat? We would miss our snow banks something terribly although after last winter Mom wasn't too sad to leave us at the spa and head off to visit the grandparents in sunny FL.

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  10. Good thing you are learning this stuff BUTT we still think you should carry a gator gun with you! We are not sure what a gator gun is we thought it sounded good. YIKES! Expensive car registrations!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  11. I'm so glad you're finding your way around your new area! Asise from the gas, it sounds wonderful!!

    -Ruby

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  12. Funny, I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to poop in my back yard. Ever.
    I think you are very lucky that your peep took your needs into account when deciding where to live.
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  13. Hey you guys!!!!! There are some HUGE birdies behind you!!!!!
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  14. THANKS fur giving us all the info about your new area... It is WONDERFUL that you have moved to Such a DAWG FURendly Location... We Agree with your assessment of the Gators and the Dog situation...

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  15. So all in all, we have to say this was a very good move. Bummer on the high gas and registration prices, but it must be nice to walk to so many dog friendly places.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  16. Sounds like you've found the perfect place. Pet Friendly. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Thanks for telling us all about new home.

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  17. That is some great info!! Sounds like you all are settling in nicely!! Our parents also almost fainted when we first moved to California and had to register AND pay VERY high taxes on our cars....ugh!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  18. It's always give and take on the prices of things. It probably averages out in the end. My mom says groceries are expensive in FL, that makes her mad when we go there. I guess as long as you are not the 1 or 2 who are eaten by a gator, no worries ;)

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  19. You dont even want to know what gas costs up here (I paid $2.80 today)! We cant wait to move out of NY, because of the high taxes.

    It sounds like you are enjoying it so far! You're going to really be lovin' life In February when all us crazy northerners are freezing.

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  20. We're glad you're adjusting to your new home, and haven't met any alligators!

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  21. We hope you never see an alligator - just sayin'.

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  22. Denny, mom gets you she says there's no place like home to poop.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  23. Hey, I got some of dose birdies in my backyard too.

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  24. We thought for sure there would be more people vs. alligator issues than that! I am so happy to see you are settling in, even though there is the sticker shock to deal with.
    oxox
    Daisy

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  25. We can't get over how each state has it's own tax percentage and petrol (gas) prices etc. Denny, it's ok as long as you do your "thing" at some point, the where of it doesn't really matter.
    Wally & Sammy

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  26. You've gotta pay to use dog parks and beaches??????????????????????? CRIKEY ..... I hope they don't bring that in here. My Mum's just like the Dweeb. She only goes at home too. I'll go anywhere but I only drink at home. Mum despairs sometimes cause if I've been running a lot (and I do) she thinks I should have a drink. I'll drink from a pond or a puddle but they aren't always around.

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  27. Flamingos!! $20 does seem a bit steep for a dog license, ours is only $5 as long as you are spayed or neutered. Its not the gators I'm afraid of its the SNAKES! So be careful boys but it sure looks like you've moved to Shan-gri-la! Love Dolly

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Thank you for woofing at us - we read each and every one of them