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JanR
Guest
Here is a picture of Snugglepuss, my white Siamese:
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J
JanR
Guest
Snugglepuss was the only cat I’ve ever had that instinctively knew not to sink his claws into me when I held him. He would knead, but he always kept his claws retracted when he did so. He just knew to do that. I never had to train him not to claw me. And he wasn’t declawed. I don’t believe in doing that.
Amazing kitty!
Amazing kitty!
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libbeylu
Guest
Yes, I must agree that cats or dogs should only belong to those who love them despite the shedding…the cost of food, and their well-being. My love for dogs was sealed when I was seven years old…here I was riding the school bus home and when I got off…there across the road was an individual that I dearly loved, my Mom! She came to greet us, my sister, brother, and me…we crossed the road and there, in her arms was my little black and white puppy, Trigger! My heart melted! The joy this little puppy brought into my young life is indescribable. I can still remember when my Mom rescued her from a nearby abandoned house. She was left to die…I am older now and recall all the dogs that entered and left my life. I loved them all…the word DOG spells GOD backwards…wow how precious these animals are to me…I just gave my little pup a little squeeze now…she is sitting on my lap…how many recall the song…“How much is that doggy in the window?”
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JanR
Guest
CAT spelled backwards is TAC, short for TACTIC. And kitties are good at using just the right TACTICS to get pretty much whatever they want, including playing the sympathy card for all it’s worth when they find out it gets them extra treats and pettings.
Trip to the vet in the car: “MEOW! MEOW! MEEEEOOOWWWW!!!” all the way over, when they know full well they’re coming home again and getting treats after a brief period of poking and prodding, and maybe a pill or two dropped down their throats.
Trip back home: SILENCE. Either they’re mad, or slightly sedated by medication, or anticipating extra attention and affection by the humans they own.
Once home again: Greedily devouring cat treats and lap snuggling.
Yep. Cats know what works. And CAT spelled backwards is TAC = TACTIC.
They’re experts at it, we know it, and most of us who love cats wouldn’t have it any other way.
Trip to the vet in the car: “MEOW! MEOW! MEEEEOOOWWWW!!!” all the way over, when they know full well they’re coming home again and getting treats after a brief period of poking and prodding, and maybe a pill or two dropped down their throats.
Trip back home: SILENCE. Either they’re mad, or slightly sedated by medication, or anticipating extra attention and affection by the humans they own.
Once home again: Greedily devouring cat treats and lap snuggling.
Yep. Cats know what works. And CAT spelled backwards is TAC = TACTIC.
They’re experts at it, we know it, and most of us who love cats wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Cruciferi
Guest
I’m probably not getting a pet. I don’t need additional responsibilities. Also, most if not all animals bother my allergies anyways.
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christofirst
Guest
For you, I recommend a tortoise. They’re low maintenance (they sleep half the year) and hypoallergenic.
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JanR
Guest
I and my siblings had tortoises when we were kids. Grandparents took a trip to the desert and brought two tortoises back for us. One died right away, the other we had for a long time. I recall it bit our dog’s nose, and our dog got even by picking it up in his mouth and burying it in the yard. We couldn’t find the tortoise for quite awhile, until it finally dug itself out. Didn’t bite the dog, anymore.
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St.Leonard
Guest
From this…
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To this…
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To this…
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christofirst
Guest
That tortoise has lived in our backyard for 47 years now, and was also given to my dad (for me) from one of his buddies from work who used to ride dirt bikes out in the desert.
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J
JanR
Guest
Our Boxers were never chained. We had a huge yard, fenced and gated, and they had the run of the yard. We petted them and played with them. Our later Boxers were allowed to come into our house, and also got to enjoy the yard. Because they couldn’t get out and weren’t allowed to roam the neighborhood, there was no need to chain them up.
Tragically, one of us left the gate open one day, and one of our Boxers did get out. He ended up being hit by a semi on the freeway, because the driver couldn’t stop. He had ID tags, so we were notified.
This is one reason, of several, that dogs should be kept inside of yards – if they get out, they can not only annoy and harass neighbors, but are also in danger of being hit by cars or attacked by other dogs or by wildlife.
Pet owners need to be considerate of their neighbors.
My grandfather had a neighbor who would walk his dog past his house every day, and would stop and allow his dog to urinate on the newly-planted Pepper Tree in Grandpa’s lawn.
It was killing the tree.
Grandpa saw this happening, and apparently had tried numerous times, unsuccessfully, to talk to the neighbor about it and get him to stop doing that. So, one day, while this guy’s dog was doing his business against Grandpa’s Pepper Tree, Grandpa came out of his house with a metal pipe, went up to that neighbor and told him, in no uncertain terms, “If I see your dog urinating on my tree again, I’m going to wrap this pipe around your neck!” And he showed him the pipe.
That was the last time this neighbor walked his dog in front of Grandpa’s house. He had gotten the message.
Tragically, one of us left the gate open one day, and one of our Boxers did get out. He ended up being hit by a semi on the freeway, because the driver couldn’t stop. He had ID tags, so we were notified.
This is one reason, of several, that dogs should be kept inside of yards – if they get out, they can not only annoy and harass neighbors, but are also in danger of being hit by cars or attacked by other dogs or by wildlife.
Pet owners need to be considerate of their neighbors.
My grandfather had a neighbor who would walk his dog past his house every day, and would stop and allow his dog to urinate on the newly-planted Pepper Tree in Grandpa’s lawn.
It was killing the tree.
Grandpa saw this happening, and apparently had tried numerous times, unsuccessfully, to talk to the neighbor about it and get him to stop doing that. So, one day, while this guy’s dog was doing his business against Grandpa’s Pepper Tree, Grandpa came out of his house with a metal pipe, went up to that neighbor and told him, in no uncertain terms, “If I see your dog urinating on my tree again, I’m going to wrap this pipe around your neck!” And he showed him the pipe.
That was the last time this neighbor walked his dog in front of Grandpa’s house. He had gotten the message.
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I agree that dogs are happiest when they have yards. I also know that fenced yards are considered normal in some places (like California) but in other communities, they might be considered “rude”.
Can urinating on a pepper tree really kill it?!?! Around here they grow like weeds. I could have used that neighbor’s dog. (We are facing a hefty fee to remove a tree that sprouted in the yard of a rental property we own and is now causing problems in both on our property and the neighbor’s)
Can urinating on a pepper tree really kill it?!?! Around here they grow like weeds. I could have used that neighbor’s dog. (We are facing a hefty fee to remove a tree that sprouted in the yard of a rental property we own and is now causing problems in both on our property and the neighbor’s)
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JanR
Guest
What part of California are you at? With Pepper Trees, I’ll bet you’re in the southern part of the state? Them, and the Eucalyptus are two of the most common trees in that area. Also, lots of Palm trees. Sigh. I once lived down there and still miss it, from time to time. Can’t beat the climate!
And yes, urinating directly onto a tree or any other plant, continually, can kill it. It burns it, because it’s so acidic.
And yes, urinating directly onto a tree or any other plant, continually, can kill it. It burns it, because it’s so acidic.
I would say I’m “southern central coast” or perhaps northern southern coastal California.
Our previous home looked out on open space and that area was filled with pepper trees. They can be beautiful but if you aren’t careful they will take over everything.
Actually, some of the palm trees are like that too. We had one start growing in our back yard --probably a bird dropped a seed-- and it was cute when it was little but it quickly grew to the point it was starting to undermine our brick wall. I have come to the conclusion that trees should never be close to man-made structures.
Our previous home looked out on open space and that area was filled with pepper trees. They can be beautiful but if you aren’t careful they will take over everything.
Actually, some of the palm trees are like that too. We had one start growing in our back yard --probably a bird dropped a seed-- and it was cute when it was little but it quickly grew to the point it was starting to undermine our brick wall. I have come to the conclusion that trees should never be close to man-made structures.
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JanR
Guest
Are you too far north for Jacarandas? They have such beautiful lavender flowers, but they make a huge oily mess when they drop.
Strictly a warm-weather tree. Can’t grow them up here (north Idaho panhandle).
When we were living in Oceanside, we were driving toward Mission San Luis Rey, and were looking for a Pepper Tree seedling to bring home and plant in our yard. We took along this coffee can to transport it in – just a tiny thing to begin with. We planted it and it took off. By the time we moved, it was growing into the power lines. Those who rented our apartment after us had it removed.
I guess we’re off topic – back to pets …
Strictly a warm-weather tree. Can’t grow them up here (north Idaho panhandle).
When we were living in Oceanside, we were driving toward Mission San Luis Rey, and were looking for a Pepper Tree seedling to bring home and plant in our yard. We took along this coffee can to transport it in – just a tiny thing to begin with. We planted it and it took off. By the time we moved, it was growing into the power lines. Those who rented our apartment after us had it removed.
I guess we’re off topic – back to pets …
J
JanR
Guest
He looks proud of himself, 2nd pic.
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Tommy999
Guest
I appreciate all the personal contributions to this thread and the photos. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them.
A second question for your consideration:
If you have a dog and you are occasionally gone from it for up to 8 hours a few times a week, is it inhumane for it not to have another dog for company and companionship?
In our case, our dog Petey used to have a sister but she died of cancer a year ago. So far, we’ve held off from getting a second dog out of concern for cost of ownership (our dog is a 72 lb lab-border collie mix who eats a lot), and we spent a few thousand on unsuccessful surgeries for the cancer. However, he appears to suffer from separation anxiety when we are gone, according to our neighbor. We’re both gone about two or three days a week for about 8 hours but otherwise one of us is here with him.
A second question for your consideration:
If you have a dog and you are occasionally gone from it for up to 8 hours a few times a week, is it inhumane for it not to have another dog for company and companionship?
In our case, our dog Petey used to have a sister but she died of cancer a year ago. So far, we’ve held off from getting a second dog out of concern for cost of ownership (our dog is a 72 lb lab-border collie mix who eats a lot), and we spent a few thousand on unsuccessful surgeries for the cancer. However, he appears to suffer from separation anxiety when we are gone, according to our neighbor. We’re both gone about two or three days a week for about 8 hours but otherwise one of us is here with him.
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Pattylt
Guest
Are you leaving him outside for this time? Have you always done so, even when you had both of them? Sorry for your loss, btw.
I can really comment on that as, while I leave my dog for long hours often, I leave him inside. I have had many dogs over the years and all of them were often left for 8 hours…sometimes longer…but it was always inside and I’ve never experienced any of them with any anxiety. They are den animals so inside the house is more normal for them. I would even leave calm soft music playing. So, I’m sorry I can’t help with outside dogs.
I can really comment on that as, while I leave my dog for long hours often, I leave him inside. I have had many dogs over the years and all of them were often left for 8 hours…sometimes longer…but it was always inside and I’ve never experienced any of them with any anxiety. They are den animals so inside the house is more normal for them. I would even leave calm soft music playing. So, I’m sorry I can’t help with outside dogs.
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St.Leonard
Guest
Typical Labrador.
We had a black one, he saw himself as Mr. Innocent although if air escaped from his body he looked sheepish and crept upstairs.
We had a black one, he saw himself as Mr. Innocent although if air escaped from his body he looked sheepish and crept upstairs.
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Tommy999
Guest
If the weather is expected to be reasonable, we leave our dogs outside while we’re both gone for 8 hrs or so. We have a large yard they like to patrol and an igloo doghouse in case they need shelter. If the weather forecast is really cold or wet, we leave them inside.
When we had two dogs previously, our neighbors said that they appeared to play more and keep each other occupied outside. As I write this post, I am coming to the realization that the humane thing is to get Petey a compatible canine companion so he isn’t so lonely and anxious.
The downside is that their care falls mainly on me due to my wife’s health, dogs tend to need lots of attention and care, and we are in our early 60’s and at some point down the road we will need to focus on our own care versus being caretakers of our pets, and I’m afraid this cycle of having two dogs will continue indefinitely as it has for the last 35 year and I don’t see us doing this forever, but at the same time I want to be fair to whatever pets we have.
When we had two dogs previously, our neighbors said that they appeared to play more and keep each other occupied outside. As I write this post, I am coming to the realization that the humane thing is to get Petey a compatible canine companion so he isn’t so lonely and anxious.
The downside is that their care falls mainly on me due to my wife’s health, dogs tend to need lots of attention and care, and we are in our early 60’s and at some point down the road we will need to focus on our own care versus being caretakers of our pets, and I’m afraid this cycle of having two dogs will continue indefinitely as it has for the last 35 year and I don’t see us doing this forever, but at the same time I want to be fair to whatever pets we have.
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Pattylt
Guest
Part or a major part of the problem may be just what you are saying. He’s sometimes left outside and sometimes inside and for whatever reason he doesn’t like to be outside alone. I assume he’s barking a lot when left outside. Often this is a dog going into guard dog mode and any car door, screeching brakes, other dogs barking in the distance will set off their guard mode. If he’s crying, he’s wanting in but usually that isn’t loud enough to bother neighbors. Depends on the dog.
I’m in my 60’s, too and only have one dog at a time, now. There isn’t any hard and fast rule that the next dog you get will become overly dependent on another but it’s your decision.
I’m in my 60’s, too and only have one dog at a time, now. There isn’t any hard and fast rule that the next dog you get will become overly dependent on another but it’s your decision.
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