Doggies and Kitties and "Pet" Peeves

[desdemona]

Hi all,

As many of you know, I'm a small animal veterinarian. I find it very rewarding to work with so many owners and share their love of pets. I'm always happy to entertain any pet questions from folks or just share in the warmth of the human/animal bond.

I recently acquired my fourth cat - an orange kitten named "Pumpkin." I have never had a kitten before, and I must say, the challenges he presents are quite novel to me. Introducing him to my older cats and my dog... they hate him. And he is such a rascal. A few weeks ago, he knocked a bag of kitten food into the toilet bowl (don't ask!). All I could think was Wow, he made his own auto-feeder. He is hell on wheels on his good days - he makes my "bad" cats look like angels.

It's been a year since I lost my oldest cat, Peaches. She was almost 22 when she passed away in my arms. I feel really blessed to have another life to celebrate - Pumpkin was rescued from the backwoods of southern Indiana not too long ago. He isn't as dainty as Peaches was he will never replace her, but he's a fine addition to my menagerie here.

So, on behalf of Dolly (my dog) and my kitties (Angel, Charlie Phoenix, Linus, and Pumpkin), I want to ask how many of you have pets. What kinds do you have? If you don't have one now, did you when you were growing up or at some point in your life? I find animals add so much unconditional love to our lives. I'm curious to see what others have to share.

 

[Bugman]

Congratulations on the new member of the family. May we expect pictures? 🙂

I've not been able to keep an animal in many years, but growing up we always had a cat and a dog or two around. Many of them stand out in my mind but I'm tired so I'll post that later today.

 

[JPie1]

ok des....I don't know how much you know about birds??? My son wanted a bird 3 years ago and like many moms I truly believed the cries of I will take care of it, and he does to some extent (some). We have a cockatiel, I think a lutino one, bright yellow with orange cheeks, it was like 2 months old when we got the bird.

It is really a very sweet bird, it really thinks I AM the mom! Sound like it is chirping mommy mommy all day! hence the problem. Since I have been working from home this little sweet birdie does not shut up!! The only time it shuts up is if I let it out of the cage and let it walk around in my office. I end up with poop on my desk, poop on my shirt. I don't mind keeping it out for a little while but there are times when I am really ready to give the little guy away!! Drives me nuts...

My dog will bark for me once in a while but for the most part just content to sit right outside my office. ughhhhh...... I know this birdie thinks we are it's family.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

I have two gorgeous, handsome, sweet, pain in the ass kitties, Rocky and Rambo.



They'll be two years old in December (Rambo) and January (Rocky). I've had them since they were only weeks old. I feel like they've been with me through everything, and I wouldn't give them up for the world.

I also have a puppy, Max, who lives at my mom's house. He barks at everything and reminds me of that dog in Dr. Dolittle who just wants him to throw the ball. But he's the sweetest, most affectionate little asshole in the world.



Right before I got Rocky and Rambo, my mom found Knizmo outside in her yard, meowing in the snow 🙁 Somehow I ended up with him. I had him for two weeks before we found out he was very sick and he died 🙁 But at least he spent his last few days warm in my house instead of out in the cold.



For the future? I really want to get a couple of ferrets! Not sure how that one is going to play out, but if and when I do get them there will be lots of pictures!

 

[kered]

Do owners of Weiner dogs quietly slip into insanity or is it a loud run off the cliff? Just wondering.

I have 4 parrots. Two different types of Amazons, one Meyers, and one Quaker.

 

[Bohemianne]

And he is such a rascal. A few weeks ago, he knocked a bag of kitten food into the toilet bowl (don't ask!). All I could think was Wow, he made his own auto-feeder.

Oh, things pet do...

 

[desdemona]

Congratulations on the new member of the family. May we expect pictures? 🙂

I've not been able to keep an animal in many years, but growing up we always had a cat and a dog or two around. Many of them stand out in my mind but I'm tired so I'll post that later today.

I'm sure I will have plenty of pictures of him sitting on the tree skirt.... or demolishing the tree. 🙂 I would love to hear your stories, Bug 🙂

ok des....I don't know how much you know about birds??? My son wanted a bird 3 years ago and like many moms I truly believed the cries of I will take care of it, and he does to some extent (some). We have a cockatiel, I think a lutino one, bright yellow with orange cheeks, it was like 2 months old when we got the bird.

It is really a very sweet bird, it really thinks I AM the mom! Sound like it is chirping mommy mommy all day! hence the problem. Since I have been working from home this little sweet birdie does not shut up!! The only time it shuts up is if I let it out of the cage and let it walk around in my office. I end up with poop on my desk, poop on my shirt. I don't mind keeping it out for a little while but there are times when I am really ready to give the little guy away!! Drives me nuts...

My dog will bark for me once in a while but for the most part just content to sit right outside my office. ughhhhh...... I know this birdie thinks we are it's family.

I'm not a bird fan myself. One of my classmates had two love birds. They were loud and obnoxious. He eventually gave them away... 🙁

I have two gorgeous, handsome, sweet, pain in the ass kitties, Rocky and Rambo.

View attachment 334250

We have a Rocky, Rockette, and Balboa at the clinic (rescued from a local church). Rocky has a home 🙂
They'll be two years old in December (Rambo) and January (Rocky). I've had them since they were only weeks old. I feel like they've been with me through everything, and I wouldn't give them up for the world.

I also have a puppy, Max, who lives at my mom's house. He barks at everything and reminds me of that dog in Dr. Dolittle who just wants him to throw the ball. But he's the sweetest, most affectionate little asshole in the world.

View attachment 334251

Very cute!!!

Right before I got Rocky and Rambo, my mom found Knizmo outside in her yard, meowing in the snow 🙁 Somehow I ended up with him. I had him for two weeks before we found out he was very sick and he died 🙁 But at least he spent his last few days warm in my house instead of out in the cold.

View attachment 334252


Awwwww 🙁
For the future? I really want to get a couple of ferrets! Not sure how that one is going to play out, but if and when I do get them there will be lots of pictures!

Ferrets - well, even descented ones are still pretty...well, smelly. Musk in the morning... But they can be litter trained. And are like living slinkies!

Do owners of Weiner dogs quietly slip into insanity or is it a loud run off the cliff? Just wondering.



I have 4 parrots. Two different types of Amazons, one Meyers, and one Quaker.

Awesome!!

Oh, things pet do...

Yes, my one cat's nickname is "Bad Boy" - go figure!

 

[Bugman]

I'm sure I will have plenty of pictures of him sitting on the tree skirt.... or demolishing the tree. 🙂 I would love to hear your stories, Bug :

I can't let such a lovely lady as yourself down.

Blitz was a little mutt who looked like a Husky and weighed maybe twenty or twentyfive pounds. Blitz and Smokie the cat (named due to the color to her fur) joined our house at about eight weeks old, and and I've never seen a cat and dog bond like they did. If you saw one, the other was almost always close behind. On cold winter days, Blitz would curl up in a warm corner and Smokie would crawl on top of her while they enjoyed a long nap.

I remember waking up early one Saturday morning as usual and sitting in the living room, waiting for the cartoons to start. I heard Blitz scratching at the back door and let her in without paying much attention. I walked back and sat down on the couch, and Blitz was right behind me. She stopped at my feet and dropped a baby rabbit she had killed. She looked up at me like she was smiling and awating my praise. I rubbed her head, then took the poor dead rabbit to the field behind our house and gave it a proper burial. I could not be mad at Blitz, she was just doing what dogs do.

When my mother could no longer care for them, Blitz and Smokie went to live with a brother who lived out in the country. Smokie lived sixteen years, Blitz eighteen years. My brother told me when Smokie died, Blitz seemed lost. Today, they rest togeather on the land my late brother owned. I like that.

 

[chicago]

Just a rhino right now 😉

But growing up I had a whole mess of cats - Merlin, he was all white, old and bitchy. Junior was orange and real crazy. Smokey was this kitten we rescued from under a neighbor's house. Then there was Maestro, who was fat and kinda just layed around everywhere. Lucy was the tiniest full grown cat I'd ever seen and she was really nervous, but she was my favorite. Then lastly there was this blue-gray stray we took in. I referred to him as Satan because he was huge, like strong huge, and creepy lookin, and he caught a bird out of mid-air. It was cray.

Im not a big cat person, but we had a bunch of dogs too. There was the german shephard puppy I named Buster Gus after Buster Bunny and that fat mouse from Cinderella. lawlz. Then we had Rocky, a bull mastiff / german shepherd mix. She was the best dog in the world. I picked her out of the bunch cuz she was the only dog not barkin and she didn't scare me. And she was real smart. If my sisters and I would be fighting, she'd jump in between us. She seemed to kinda know if one of us wasnt feeling good or sad or something. Had her from the time I was 7 til I was like 15. Then there was Riley, this purebred bull mastiff puppy my mom dropped 1500 bucks on. Dog was kind of dopey, but she loved everyone. And she had stripes! Which was fuckin badass.

I also had two hermit crabs named Ren and Stimpy, but I was probably too young to have them cuz I buried them in food and then wondered why they were dead the next day. :/

 

[Bothersome]

My family is littered with animals. My mom has three dogs and two cats, my grandma has several cats, and my uncle has two dogs.

I was always sad whenever one of our pets would pass on or simply just not come home one day. I always found that it was easier to deal with if you had another pet to take comfort in. No new pet can replace one you lost... but who says that they have to?

 

[desdemona]

I can't let such a lovely lady as yourself down.

Blitz was a little mutt who looked like a Husky and weighed maybe twenty or twentyfive pounds. Blitz and Smokie the cat (named due to the color to her fur) joined our house at about eight weeks old, and and I've never seen a cat and dog bond like they did. If you saw one, the other was almost always close behind. On cold winter days, Blitz would curl up in a warm corner and Smokie would crawl on top of her while they enjoyed a long nap.

I remember waking up early one Saturday morning as usual and sitting in the living room, waiting for the cartoons to start. I heard Blitz scratching at the back door and let her in without paying much attention. I walked back and sat down on the couch, and Blitz was right behind me. She stopped at my feet and dropped a baby rabbit she had killed. She looked up at me like she was smiling and awating my praise. I rubbed her head, then took the poor dead rabbit to the field behind our house and gave it a proper burial. I could not be mad at Blitz, she was just doing what dogs do.

When my mother could no longer care for them, Blitz and Smokie went to live with a brother who lived out in the country. Smokie lived sixteen years, Blitz eighteen years. My brother told me when Smokie died, Blitz seemed lost. Today, they rest togeather on the land my late brother owned. I like that.

Awww...you're too kind, Bug. Thank you for sharing! They certainly seem like an amazing pair. My pets are buried behind our house. It will be sad when we move and leave them behind.

Just a rhino right now 😉

But growing up I had a whole mess of cats - Merlin, he was all white, old and bitchy. Junior was orange and real crazy. Smokey was this kitten we rescued from under a neighbor's house. Then there was Maestro, who was fat and kinda just layed around everywhere. Lucy was the tiniest full grown cat I'd ever seen and she was really nervous, but she was my favorite. Then lastly there was this blue-gray stray we took in. I referred to him as Satan because he was huge, like strong huge, and creepy lookin, and he caught a bird out of mid-air. It was cray.

Im not a big cat person, but we had a bunch of dogs too. There was the german shephard puppy I named Buster Gus after Buster Bunny and that fat mouse from Cinderella. lawlz. Then we had Rocky, a bull mastiff / german shepherd mix. She was the best dog in the world. I picked her out of the bunch cuz she was the only dog not barkin and she didn't scare me. And she was real smart. If my sisters and I would be fighting, she'd jump in between us. She seemed to kinda know if one of us wasnt feeling good or sad or something. Had her from the time I was 7 til I was like 15. Then there was Riley, this purebred bull mastiff puppy my mom dropped 1500 bucks on. Dog was kind of dopey, but she loved everyone. And she had stripes! Which was fuckin badass.

I also had two hermit crabs named Ren and Stimpy, but I was probably too young to have them cuz I buried them in food and then wondered why they were dead the next day. :/

Very cool, Annie! Always remember, Rhinos like dollars. I hope you find a collar big enough for him 😉 And hermit crabs I've only encountered a few times... never had an impression they were a "cuddly" pet! 😛

My family is littered with animals. My mom has three dogs and two cats, my grandma has several cats, and my uncle has two dogs.

I was always sad whenever one of our pets would pass on or simply just not come home one day. I always found that it was easier to deal with if you had another pet to take comfort in. No new pet can replace one you lost... but who says that they have to?

No, it's true, no one pet can replace another. I try to find a way to help my heart heal because each pet loss leaves a hole. And because I enjoy giving another little life a home.

 

[alchemy]

I have two cats: Monster and Doom

Monster is a mostly white, mixed fire-point siamese with blue eyes and Doom is a solid black cat with yellow eyes.

 

[TMF Jeff]

Do owners of Weiner dogs quietly slip into insanity or is it a loud run off the cliff? Just wondering.

I have 4 parrots. Two different types of Amazons, one Meyers, and one Quaker.

Loud run right off the cliff...

My dog, Blossom

 

[TropicThunder]

Cake & Moody

I have a love/hate relationship with my two cats. I'm not a cat person, but we took them in from a friend so they wouldn't have to go to a shelter. One cat is a grumpy old man, the other is still a youngling who spends all of her time harassing the older one. He hates her. They claw the furniture, howl at night, and roll around and do cute stuff like climbing into boxes.

God, they piss me off, but I wouldn't give them up for the world.

 

[voided9]

I grew up with cats, usually between 3-6 of them at any given time haha. My parents couldn't say no to kitties. We usually had one dog as well. My cat Rudy is the best cat I've ever owned though. He is back in Maine, living with my sister-in-law, and I miss him a lot. He's my baby boy! I got him as an early Christmas present from the guy I was dating at the time [way back in high school, six years ago =P] and my Mom named him Rudolph, which I obviously shortened to Rudy.

 

[PhilipRJ_UK]

Sadly, my history of pet ownership doesn't stretch any further than various goldfish and a hamster, called Spike, who died seven days after we got him. I'd love a dog though; either a Saint Bernard or a Newfoundland 🙂

 

[Tortuga]

Des has actually met this pain in the butt...This is Gypsophelia, or just Gypsy. She goes where I go. She looks sweet as can be but she is a royal pain. I have never had a cat that has been as much an attention ***** as she is. She'll follow you everywhere, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, sometimes to the bedroom during "stuff". She HATES being alone and insists on sleeping between me and the Manfriend.

and she's kinda stupid, she stayed in my Kinex carousel for over 20 minutes.

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[Bugman]

Around 1972 or '73 I saw The Daring Dobermans which in retrospect is a dreadful little film, but never mind. In this film, some people train a gang of seven Dobies to rob a bank, naming them after infamous outlaws of the 30's like Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker etc. Walking out of the theater, I just had to have a Dobie.

Without telling my parents (I was still living with them) I started looking at ads in the paper and called one of the numbers. Arriving at the woman's house I looked at a litter of seven pups. One in particular seemed drawn to me and after we settled on a price Dillinger went home with me. Walking in the door my mother was less than pleased but let me keep him. He was raised with lots of love and attention by me, and as he grew into the big baby he was, mother came to love him too. She called him "Dilly" which I didn't care for, but what are you going to do? When he was fully grown and well over 100 pounds, he through he was a lapdog and often when I sat down he would jump up and join me, them I'd tell him to go lay down. Many times while sitting in the living room reading or watching TV Dillinger was nearby. If someone knocked on the door or rang the bell he would get up, walk over and sit in front of me until he saw who was coming in the door. If someone had made what he thought was an aggressive move on me, they would have faced a very large, angry dog. I'm glad that never happened. I'd tell him everything is fine, go lay down.

Then, the day came when we had to move to a smaller house, and it would not have fair to take him with us. I worked with a guy who lived on a farm, and he went there to live. Dillinger was my best buddy, an almost inseparable companion, and watching him being driven away broke my heart, but it was best for him. He was going to a home where he would be loved and could run free in the country. My mother was standing next to me when he left, and started crying. Hell, I shed some tears too.

 

[Bothersome]

Des has actually met this pain in the butt...This is Gypsophelia, or just Gypsy. She goes where I go. She looks sweet as can be but she is a royal pain. I have never had a cat that has been as much an attention ***** as she is. She'll follow you everywhere, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, sometimes to the bedroom during "stuff". She HATES being alone and insists on sleeping between me and the Manfriend.

and she's kinda stupid, she stayed in my Kinex carousel for over 20 minutes.

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No fair! I wish I had a cat that wanted attention. >>

All of my cats are the typical, "I shall call upon your services when I require them" type of cat.

 

[desdemona]

I have two cats: Monster and Doom

Monster is a mostly white, mixed fire-point siamese with blue eyes and Doom is a solid black cat with yellow eyes.

Charlie Phoenix and Linus are both Red-point or flame points like Monster. Which one beat up the other lately????? 🙂

Loud run right off the cliff...

My dog, Blossom

Awwww...I've heard so much about her. Don't listen to Kered, Wiener dogs rule (and he can't spell for crap!)

View attachment 334398View attachment 334399

Cake & Moody

I have a love/hate relationship with my two cats. I'm not a cat person, but we took them in from a friend so they wouldn't have to go to a shelter. One cat is a grumpy old man, the other is still a youngling who spends all of her time harassing the older one. He hates her. They claw the furniture, howl at night, and roll around and do cute stuff like climbing into boxes.

God, they piss me off, but I wouldn't give them up for the world.

I'm so pleased to see so many cat lovers... lol. Seriously, can't live without them. First pet of my own I got in college was a Seal point Siamese. As most cat owners know, you don't own a cat, they own you 🙂

I grew up with cats, usually between 3-6 of them at any given time haha. My parents couldn't say no to kitties. We usually had one dog as well. My cat Rudy is the best cat I've ever owned though. He is back in Maine, living with my sister-in-law, and I miss him a lot. He's my baby boy! I got him as an early Christmas present from the guy I was dating at the time [way back in high school, six years ago =P] and my Mom named him Rudolph, which I obviously shortened to Rudy.

Very cute! Love the name 🙂

Sadly, my history of pet ownership doesn't stretch any further than various goldfish and a hamster, called Spike, who died seven days after we got him. I'd love a dog though; either a Saint Bernard or a Newfoundland 🙂

Awwww... sad for the fishy. And those are some BIG dog breeds!!! I love those kinds of dogs... but I would never own one. Too much fur and drool.

Des has actually met this pain in the butt...This is Gypsophelia, or just Gypsy. She goes where I go. She looks sweet as can be but she is a royal pain. I have never had a cat that has been as much an attention ***** as she is. She'll follow you everywhere, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, sometimes to the bedroom during "stuff". She HATES being alone and insists on sleeping between me and the Manfriend.

and she's kinda stupid, she stayed in my Kinex carousel for over 20 minutes.

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Heehee... Gypsy puts the "special" in special ed. Poor kitty...

Around 1972 or '73 I saw The Daring Dobermans which in retrospect is a dreadful little film, but never mind. In this film, some people train a gang of seven Dobies to rob a bank, naming them after infamous outlaws of the 30's like Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker etc. Walking out of the theater, I just had to have a Dobie.

Without telling my parents (I was still living with them) I started looking at ads in the paper and called one of the numbers. Arriving at the woman's house I looked at a litter of seven pups. One in particular seemed drawn to me and after we settled on a price Dillinger went home with me. Walking in the door my mother was less than pleased but let me keep him. He was raised with lots of love and attention by me, and as he grew into the big baby he was, mother came to love him too. She called him "Dilly" which I didn't care for, but what are you going to do? When he was fully grown and well over 100 pounds, he through he was a lapdog and often when I sat down he would jump up and join me, them I'd tell him to go lay down. Many times while sitting in the living room reading or watching TV Dillinger was nearby. If someone knocked on the door or rang the bell he would get up, walk over and sit in front of me until he saw who was coming in the door. If someone had made what he thought was an aggressive move on me, they would have faced a very large, angry dog. I'm glad that never happened. I'd tell him everything is fine, go lay down.

Then, the day came when we had to move to a smaller house, and it would not have fair to take him with us. I worked with a guy who lived on a farm, and he went there to live. Dillinger was my best buddy, an almost inseparable companion, and watching him being driven away broke my heart, but it was best for him. He was going to a home where he would be loved and could run free in the country. My mother was standing next to me when he left, and started crying. Hell, I shed some tears too.

Awwww... it's sad to have to give a beloved furry friend. I've been lucky and never had to make that difficult decision. And you're no less a man for shedding some tears... just means your human!

Thanks so much everyone for sharing! It warms my heart to share my love of animals. I got to see two of our recent adoptees tonight - they have an awesome home and are getting so big! Bringing people together with the right pet is so rewarding. I'll try to get some pics of my crew on this weekend (I'm really bad at taking pics in general so hopefully they won't be a blurry mess!)

 

[Dussicar]

I have five cats. Two more than I intended but the other two were starving foundlings.

 

[kered]

I have five cats. Two more than I intended but the other two were starving foundlings.

Give them a good home and they become great pets. Two of my birds were abandoned by their owners and they have turned out to be wonderful, if not noisy, additions to my home.

 

[Bugman]

I have to add one more memory. My Uncle Harold was a big, strapping man (could have been a stand-in for John Wayne) and on the surface a crusty old sob who served under Patton in North Africa and Europe, but he had a heart of gold and loved children and animals. He had a German Shepherd named Old Joe, and I loved them both. If we visited when it was time for Joe to eat Harold would let me open two cans of dog food and put them in Joe's bowl. Then, we would mess around in the yard until Joe got tired of me and took a nap. One day, Joe was not around and I asked Harold where he was. Harold said something like "He's not here" and let it go. After a few more visits with no Joe it was pretty clear what had happened, but my uncle never spoke of him again. I think it hurt too much. I still miss them, after all these years.

 

[Libertine]

I had a female cat in high school who would ignore me unless feeding was required. The only other time she'd condescend to notice my existence was when she was guarding my teenage chastity. If I brought a male friend home she'd pay no notice. The sight of a female human my age would cause her to interpose herself between us on the couch, returning to the same position if physically removed, and glaring balefully at both of us in an obviously conscious effort to scupper my already incompetent attempts at 'courtship'.

 

[Dussicar]

Give them a good home and they become great pets. Two of my birds were abandoned by their owners and they have turned out to be wonderful, if not noisy, additions to my home.

Very, very true. I see how lively they are and glad that feel safe and cozy.