Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Greetings Everyone!
I am new to the forum and would like to introduce myself. My name is Jeremy Smay, my wife Rita and I are from Portland, Oregon.
We are relocating to St. Thomas this fall (Sept./Oct) and are very excited to do so.
I work from home in the educaitonal field and Rita is a certified wine steward with many years of fine didning serving expereince.
We have been married for 5 years, she in her early 30's and myself am 40. We have no children (I have an 18 yr old daughter from previous marriage) nor do we have any plans to have children.
We are homeowners here in Oregon and after a trip to Hawaii and Puerto Rico this last year we decided why wait to live a dream. We came home, sold all our possesions, rented out our home and are now living with relatives for the time being before leaving stateside.
I tell you all of this to get an idea on the type of people we are and to consider us when I list our "needs" when coming to the island.
Here is our list:
1) We will be in the market for a 1+bd furnished home that allows pets for around $1000 a month. Willing to sign a long term lease as well. Location is not really an issue but prefer close to restaurants and such for Ritas work.
We have med size, well behaved, house trained, 5 yr old Chow Chow named Milo. He is more like a big cat as he is the most docile and laid back dog I have ever owned. Milo is very NON-aggressive, he has been socialized and well trained since a pup by us and gets along with all people and animals.
2) We would like a dependable car for around $5,000. I would prefer a jeep or convertable, but that is mostly wishful thinking in that price range.
3) A 24'-27' foot sailboat in good working order and decent shape. The price can vary but would prefer to be in the $5,000-$8,000 range.
4) Friendly faces
It would be an absolute dream come true if we were to accomplish all of this and become part of a tight knit community and enjoy life to it's fullest.
Thank you all so much for any considerations for us and we will be seeing you this Fall!!
Sincerly The Smay's,
[/img]
Posted : January 13, 2012 5:09 pm
You guys sound perfect for this place. Anybody with a friendly Chow must be good good people
Posted : January 13, 2012 5:23 pm
Topic starter
Thank you Jamison, we really tried to make sure the stigma bestowed on Chows would not be the case with Milo.
Sure there is something to a breeds "nature" but most overall personality comes from the owners and training. Anybody who has come to know Milo has wanted to keep him, lol.
Posted : January 13, 2012 5:57 pm
I had an akita the same way. got her when she was about 5/6 and she was sweet. I'm a huge pit fan and hate the myths about them, but as far as chows, akitas and sharpies (sp) are concerned, they're usually very dangerous. There's a lot of chows here and a lot of dog fighting. the way animals get treated on these islands is heart breaking, but the AWC does great work. There's a freaking cock fighting stadium for christ sake on stx.
Posted : January 13, 2012 7:14 pm
Topic starter
Yeh we saw a cock fighting stadium on our visit to Puerto Rico. Very sad. We are animal lovers being from the Pacific NW with a lot of wildlife around.
Dog fighinting is horrific and the ppl involved are purely barbaic and heartless.
Posted : January 13, 2012 7:25 pm
One of your priorities in housing will have to be keeping your Chow Chow cool. I have never seen one in the islands that looks remotely comfortable. Even shaved down, their fur is still too thick for them to be cool enough in our average temp.
Sept/Oct is a long time away in island time. Good luck with your move!
Posted : January 13, 2012 9:47 pm
Topic starter
Thank you fdr. Yeh we took that into consideration when making this decision to relocate. We do shave him down in the summers here and take him with us to cgo amping and out in the heat during the summer. with proper shade and water he seems to do pretty good.
He is not an active dog in the least, fetch......looks at me like I am crazy for throwing a ball. He just like to lounge all day.....sounds like an island dog to me! 🙂
Posted : January 13, 2012 10:37 pm
Hello Jeremy and Rita. My name is Nathan Van Cleave my wife is Emmy. I have been apart of this site for about a week now and had to respond to your post. We also live in Oregon. Salem to be exact and we are also moving to the U.S.V.I in April this year. I will be getting my masters in Agricultural science on St Croix, my wife will be getting her Bachelors degree in Sociology.
We have a dog as well. She is a 11 month old English Mastiff She will get to about 190-210 in weight so we have to watch the heat also. From the description you gave about your chow sounds exactly like Romie out mastiff.
Wish you the best of luck. Good to see some more Oregonians heading down there to live.
Posted : January 14, 2012 12:26 am
There's a freaking cock fighting stadium for christ sake on stx.
Cock fighting is legal in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, along with other US territories, including Guam.
Posted : January 14, 2012 1:14 am
legal doesn't make it okay
Posted : January 15, 2012 2:06 pm
No, but legal makes it LEGAL. And that is not going to change. Just another thing you need to know about the USVI.
Posted : January 15, 2012 3:30 pm
I have had two chows, one lived to be 15 years old, love the breed, very unique dogs. I lived in Chicago, Ill. for part of their lives and South Carolina for part.The chows were miserable in S.C. They were Okayish over the winter season.
I now live in USVI and can tell you, the dog will be absolutely miserable, I would say it almost borders on cruelty to have a chow in this climate.
Power is 4 times the cost of what we are used to state side, so you will not have your A/C running.
and ask your vet about shaving, I was always told by vets not to shave, their coats insulate them from both heat and cold.
Sorry to be so negative.... Just want you to realize what your getting into.
Posted : January 15, 2012 8:12 pm
