PETS

Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 11 months ago to Humor
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I realize that there are many weighty things to discuss. However, I think that some lighter subjects should be brought front and center now and then. I was out and about today and eating lunch in my car. While doing so, I observed a man sitting at an outdoor table and as he was eating, he was dropping scraps accidently on purpose for his dog, a beautiful mid-sized all white mutt. I call that type of dog food, floor d'ouvres.

It started me thinking about pets. I live in a 165 year old village, but in the new section (30 years old). There are 285 homes and at least half of them contain dogs, and many cats a lot of them feral. I was impressed by the fact that the entire area didn't smell like a cesspool. Apparently, the pet lovers actually picked up after their dogs. we have every kind, from giant mastiffs, to little lap dogs like Yorkies. I own a beagle which I love dearly. Being a mini-hound the only way to get her on your lap is to put food there, but be careful, she might eat the buttons off your shirt.

This brings me to my topic. I wonder how many Gulchers have pets and who has dogs, or cats or something else, and why. Just curious. But in may be insightful -- about what, I'm not sure.


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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Don't tell me about getting old.
    Funny thing is my dog has a bum rear leg. She got it jumping off a sofa and banging into a table edge. She couldn't walk for a couple of days due to pain, but with meds and a mild walking regimen she has come back, although she walks a bit funny on her bum leg. She still runs if provoked but poops out quickly. She's quite active indoors with her favorite toy.
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  • Posted by Dobrien 8 years, 11 months ago
    We have had dogs for the last 25 years. We decided to get a Golden Retriever puppy and had to wait 6 weeks or so 5 1/2 weeks into the wait my wife and kids with mother in law went to a pet store to see a golden retriever needless to say we ended up with 2. Came into the house 3 days apart 13 years later they died 3 days apart ,3weeks later we lost our 18 year old son and the loss of the dogs were mostly an after thought.
    About three mo.s later I came home and a female golden puppy had been bought by my wife and daughter.
    She happened to have her birthday the day our son died ,she was a savior for us from our grief. We named her Mulligan she is now white faced and 12 1/4 years. Old. Every Day is a good day that Mulligan is with us!
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Feral cats are tricky. One hung out in my back yard and looked so scrawny that I felt sorry for it and opened a can of tuna and left it for her (it?). It eventually had 4 black & white kittens but after a couple of weeks took off and never came back.
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  • Posted by $ SarahMontalbano 8 years, 11 months ago
    Our family has a 10 year old English shepherd, a 7 year old German shepherd, and as of recently, a beautiful golden retriever girl. The boys are not too happy we brought her home, although we've gotten her past the initial "chew everything and pee on the floor" stage. The cat, a fat Siamese rescue, is also not enthused about the new addition. He spends a lot more time up in my room now, sitting in the windowsill and warming his fur. I love them all so much.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    While I'm not a cat hater, I feel like Ogden Nash felt about them.
    THE KITTEN
    The trouble with the kitten is THAT,
    It eventually becomes a CAT.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hah!
    It'll happen. You'll see someone with a cute pup, or a devoted companion and bingo! You're gone.
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  • Posted by gerstj 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You have to judge her quality of life. If she still enjoys herself and her pain is manageable, she will probably want to stay around. Dogs and cats have a way of telling you when it is time. Minor old age pain can be managed with periodic medication. If it is severe and bodily functions are failing, that is another matter.
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years, 11 months ago
    Three months ago I began to buy cans of cat food to one a day feed a feral black tom I call "Moocher" or "Green Eyes."
    Sometimes I call it "Stupid" after I toss a meat scrap its way and it just sits there with a "Say, did something just happen?" air about it.
    Otherwise, it will chase a rolling scrap like it s a mouse or something.
    Moocher will let me come much closer to it than it used to since it knows I won't try and touch it by surprise.
    Yesterday after I picked blueberries, it was walked so closely in front of me that I blurted out, "Will you please get out of my way?"
    I've been able to touch its nose twice when the critter knew what I was up to but so far that's it.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 8 years, 11 months ago
    During my working life I found having a pet at home difficult because my schedule was so fluid. Now that I'm retired (read shrugged) I have three cats, all rescues from different shelters. They each have totally different personalities and are a joy to be around. That reminds me, I need to update Facebook with the latest set of pictures. :-] They're all members of the Underfoot family.
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  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    lol

    Our dog (mutt) is 15..she has a bum rear leg which makes getting up a challenge. Her eye sight is starting to go, but she is completely deaf. She doesn't do much chasing anymore and seldom barks.

    What a drag it is getting old..Even though she may be in pain, I haven't the heart to have her put to sleep. Sad.
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  • Posted by jchristyatty 8 years, 11 months ago
    I have a dog, Hunter. He is the moral protector. Should have named him Ragnar, Age 31/2 about 75 lbs. He was a rescue and is now a member of my family. I take him to the office where he is known and greeted by my clients who sometimes bring him treats, bones and an assortment of chew toys. We even play fetch in the long hallway of my office building after hours or on weekends. Most of the local restaurants are dog friendly and he goes with me and sits outside with me on the patios and is just a great, well behaved dog!
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 8 years, 11 months ago
    Grew up with dogs and cats-(cats that thought they were dogs). Down the street was a farm that not only had typical farm animals but also a bear, a monkey, raccoons and peacocks.
    Throughout life, I have always managed to have a dog or a cat...In my nomadic days there was always a local pet or a friends pet to make acquaintance.
    My present wife of 24 years, has always had Maltese, we've raised many a litter...I enjoy playing with and teaching these pups...they get the best of homes and we, of late, puppy sit when the parents go away.
    I don't mind being their keepers...it seems natural and I don't think I could sleep well at night without these small creatures snuggled up next to me...they are a delight and truly a gift to mankind.
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  • Posted by Pussums01 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We have a ancient cat who has been with us for close to 17 years. Obviously she runs the house!
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  • Posted by AngelBunnie 8 years, 11 months ago
    I'm actually a rabbit breeder of the lionhead breed. I sell them as pets. I also have an American Eskimo named Minnie Pearl and 2 grandkitties, Meander & Aries. They belong to my daughter, who is in the process of getting settled in Las Vegas. I hope she will take the kitties back once she gets a place of her own. I love them, don't get me wrong, but the dog and the bunnies are plenty for me to keep up with. Luckily, the kitties are older and pretty much keep to themselves. I love my pets! They enhance my life tremendously. My husband, on the other hand, isn't a big fan of them, but he realizes they make me happy and his motto is: Happy Wife, Happy Life!! :-)
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  • Posted by $ jdg 8 years, 11 months ago
    I have had both dogs and cats. None now.
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  • Posted by $ Your_Name_Goes_Here 8 years, 11 months ago
    We have two miniature long-haired Dachshunds.

    Gustav is a dapple... mostly chocolate brown but with touches of white. He has one blue eye and one brown eye. Oh, and he has my nose.

    Heidi is a crème with brown eyes. And a total diva.

    Since we are empty-nesters, these are our two babies.
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  • Posted by edweaver 8 years, 11 months ago
    Dogs for me but we have a cat too. Just lost my 13 year old lab 2 weeks ago. Hard for them to go but he brought so much joy. It is hard to imagine life without the antics of a dog. He made me laugh almost everyday, especially in his younger years.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Every time I lose a dog, I vow to never get another, and I always get another. I just love them, I guess. This one, however may outlive me.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My beagle is getting old but still chases cats. On the rare times she corners one she just stares at it until it decides to go away.
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  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 8 years, 11 months ago
    I'm a dog person, always have been. My wife and daughter wanted a cat. I gave in. Treated teh cat like a dog, played rough, whistled for it, but mainly ignored it. The cat loves me, hops into my lap when I'm reading my kindle and even spies on me (one eye poking from a corner) and runs past when it thinks I'm unaware. My entire family is jealous.

    I don't call the cat by the name they gave him, Sammy; I call him savage cat. :)

    Our dog is very old, very passive, and for all intents an purposes thinks its a cat...go figure.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 8 years, 11 months ago
    Currently just a cat. My dog, a Samoyede, died a few years ago, my horse a few years before that.
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  • Posted by 8 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ah, royalty. They do everything in excess.
    But then, as they say, nothing succeeds like excess.
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