Calling all animal lovers . . .

[Bucky]

HA . .. I knew that would grab your attention!!   

Since so many of us own pets or have owned pets in the past, I thought it would be fun to start a thread about animals.  I've heard members talk about their horses, miniature donkeys (how cute!  ), cats, dogs, birds, turtles, rabbits, and the list goes on and on.  Nows your chance to do a little bragging about your animal.  I would bet the top four things people talk about most are:  children / grandchildren, PETS, their health and the weather.  Well, this thread is about our furry (or not) friends we call pets.  Although, they don't HAVE to be our "pets", it could be about animals in general.  For instance, I think penguins are so cool . . . however, you can't have one as a pet, so I will just have to observe them at the aquarium or at Sea World.     Did you ever notice they are always dressed for a party??      

I'm sure we have a bunch of "lurkers" on the board, maybe this non threatening topic will lure them out of hiding.   

Have fun and share your story!!!

Since I am starting this thread, I get to go first!!  Na, Na, Na!!!     Right now, I only have one pet.  Spooky, is a long haired , tortoise colored calico who lives outdoors.  She's three years old and the daughter of "Mama", another cat we had for 10+ yrs. until she passed away two years ago.  Due to allergies, our cats have had to be outdoor animals.  Although, we do let Spooky in - let me rephrase that, she "sneaks" in each day and ends up coming in one door, thru the living room and out the front door.  LOL  Like clockwork she will come in the door, stretch, plop down and roll on the carpet.  Never fails!!!  I've almost tripped over her on several occasions!!     Spooky is a trained cat.  Well, actually, she has US trained . . . in the evening she will jump on the outside door and that means  one of two things:  "I'm hungry, feed me"  or "Hey, let me in!!!"    Silly cat!!!

That's my story, what's yours??
Bucky

[Karyn]

Hey Bucky,
Well, we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 5 chickens, 5 guineas and 6 miniature donkeys (trying to sell one jack).
Karyn

[Katybarstool]

Bucky, what a wonderful idea for a thread. Thank you!

Karyn, that sounds like a menagerie

We have a very aged black cat called Sooty, and an elderly ginger terrier called Jaffa (yes, he's a seedless orange Jaffa thinks everyone loves him and is a real softie. He was a recue dog. Anyway, a couple of days ago, I bought a large shaggy rug for the lounge. As soon as I laid it, Jaffa sprawled out, and I could swear he was smiling. He obviously really liked it. However, it was a white back ground and, although it looked nice, I didn't really think it was very practical, so I rolled it up to take it back to the store to exchange. Jaffa was really upset, and when I looked in the lounge he had his head on the rolled up rug! It made me feel a bit mean, but I've decided to buy him a much smaller version of the same rug for his bed.

Yes, the animals certainly rule the roost.

Kathyx 

[jaygee]

I have 3 dogs     Sinbad is nearly 13 years old, black & white smooth fox terrier, Gemma is a chocolate labrador cross (we think), she's a rescue dog and around 3 years old, and Chloe is a Whippet cross Greyhound, and she'll be a year old at the end of this month.

Here they are 



I also have a PRE Andalusian horse, named Enebro X (Spanish horses always have a roman numeral after their name, as they re-use names.  His name means Juniper the 10th in Spanish  ).  He is 9 years old 



And my other horse is Lincoln, a KWPN Dutch Warmblood, who's now 16 years old 

[Patze]

Hey Bucky,

I have an overgrown black and white cat who thinks he's part dog/part human, and can't quite figure out that he's a cat.  He's a goofy guy, but a total love bug!


Patze

[voiceteacher]

HI All - - I have a VERY spoiled and adorable Sadie.  She is a black miniature schnauzer who LOVES people.  Since I teach about 24 private voice lessons in my home each week, she sees tons of people on a daily basis.  She likes to come into the voice lesson and hop on the chair to listen.  When she hears me say "ok, great, I'll see you next week," she knows the lesson is over and she hops off of the chair and goes to the door to greet the next person   I don't have children so she is the love of my life   She appreciates me when I feel well, but she's especially loving when I don't - - plus, when I'm fatigued, she LOVES that we both lie on the couch together and take naps

Voiceteacher

[Katybarstool]

VT

That sounds a wonderful little pooch 

Kathyx

[roetta]

We have two dogs - a collie/shepherd mix named Kayle that we adopted from the Humane Society. She is a neurotic mess who can never get enought attention and barks at everything, but we love her to death! And a big goofy chocolate lab. He was part of a litter that half of the puppies died from dehydration when the mother got a kidney infection. We're pretty sure he suffered a little brain damage, but he is the sweetest dog on the planet. He just loves everybody!

[Patze]

Hi Roetta,

That is so neat, I like the descriptions of "a neurotic mess" and "a big goofy chocolate lab", that is so neat that you've adopted them into your home and hearts!


Patze

[kimbo]

Lovin all these pet stories,

Jaygee, I love horses, and would love to have them a part of my life... but never had that privilege. I think they are beautiful.

Good Idea Bucky.

Otters... I think they are adorable. I have nagged my boss (dentist) to land scape the back of our office to create an otter sanctuary. Yeah... its not happening.  

We had a ground hog family that ate clovers at the back side of our office the Hygiene side. Hygiene patients loved this and were always watching for them.

All this past summer we had a couple of road runners that entertained our office. Boy / girl .... we know this because we witnessed them indulging one day. It was truly a national geographic moment.

My Otter picture taken on 25th anniversary trip this past summer, at the Seattle Aquarium. I could have watched them all day.

http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/klfowler7/?action=view&current=IMG_1372.jpg



Our Dog,  Elroy with Grandaughter.

http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd355/klfowler7/?action=view&current=IMG_2278.jpg

Elroy brings great joy to our lives.

kimbo

[Patze]

Ah Kimbo, your grand baby is adorable!!!!!!  And the puppy is cute too! 


Patze

[kimbo]

Thanks Patze,

My grandbabies have moved to Georgia. And we miss them soooooooooooo much.   

This child loves Elroy and always asks about him on the phone.

[BeckyG]

We have a cat Willow (who is half our kid and half a dog.. she's very confused!)



She can be a handful!

[Pisces24]

I have 5 cats and not I am not a "weird cat" lady.  I know I am part mush though.

I volunteer for a group that helps elderly disabled low income people keep their companion pet. We take food out once monthly, do spay/neuter, and help with some vet bills when we can. We just got 501c certified this year!

As to my indoor only felines:  (1) Jiggs 'like Maggie & Jiggs comic strip" big baby & the friendliest & the inquisitor. No cupboard he can't get into. He is the only one I got as a kitten at 5wks old "supposed to be 8 wks but vet said no"  (2) LilliBelle - Miss Southern comfort and Miss manners in a kitty suit. She will get a queen bee attitude and swat another cat if they misbehave or don't treat her like a lady.   (3) Tessa - the "special needs" cat who had 4 yrs in a no kill shelter before I got her. She was scared to death w/tummy upsets but has turned around beautifully in my care and now I call her the kitty with the heart of a lion.  (4) Rose aka Rosebud - 4 lb little pest who will always stay that size. She was a stray I rescued.  (5) Augie aka Augie the Mush. Also a stray I rescued and a big ole mush of a cat - talks a blue streak, head butts, purrs. I am trying to get him to lose wt as while the others are fine he is 15 lbs.  Colors are grey ; black/white, calico/siamese; tiger white and brown tabby.

I work long hours at times and do have a social life. But I usually get bawled out if I get home late or their breakfasts are late. A coworker asked me once why I had to have 5 cats "thought that was too many I guess".  I just told her they were cheaper than a psychiatrist or Prozac.   

OH FYI: we did have a pet fly named "Herman" but a cat finally caught him. RIP

[Patze]

Hi Pisces,

You're so right, they are much cheaper than a psychiatrist or Prozac!  They sound absolutely wonderful, and yes, I get "chewed out" if I come home late too - it's got to be in the kitty union I figure!


Patze