Pets

[emilycat]

Okay, so this is a trifle unrelated, but you know, pets are part of the family, and a good family life is related to healthy living...well, maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but I hope no one minds. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
I'm wondering if you guys have pets, and what kind of roles they play in your families (do they live inside, outside, do you play with them, do you ignore them, are they the children you don't have http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif )

I'll go first. I LOVE animals. I used to be a big cat person, but that's changed for two reasons: 1. I'm allergic to my cats, 2. our most precious in the entire world miniature long-haired dachsund is an angel and a half, and has converted me.
Dogs are so much more personable, I feel like they love you for you, and not just for your fingernails. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I wish I could have a dog in my apartment (Abby lives with my parents) but it costs too much for me right now, but when I can afford it and I live somewhere cooler, I'd love to have a dog who will run long distances with me. I would love a Samoyed, but it's just not nice to have one in Georgia. I see all the Shelties and Golden Retrievers and Collies and everything else at the Chattahooche every weekend running with their people, and it makes me smile every time.

[Natasha]

Emily,

I love animals too. And apparently a lot of other CL fans do as well! You might find this thread interesting for starters, though I hope you get some new responses to this thread too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001034.html

[phantomcg]

I LOVE animals -- all animals. Right now we have 3 cats (between the ages of 11 and 13, one diabetic), 2 dogs (an 11 year old Keeshond and a 12 year old Dalmation) and one fish tank. My animals are "family" to me. We don't have kids (although I would love to) so I put my love into my animals. In the past we've also had hamsters, guinea pigs, a red tail boa and, when I lived at home on the farm, pigs (yes a couple were pets - I had one who would come when called and played "chase") and horses.

Great topic Emily!

Cheryl

[kwormann]

Pets??? They are my CHILDREN! I have 2 cats and they are family! They are not allowed outside..one sleeps next to my ear at night and the other one has a bed in the laundry room (night owl that would keep us awake if she was in the bedroom!!!

ps emily, i have lived in charlotte and hickory and miss NC!!!

[Laura]

Emilycat-

You raise an interesting point for me. I am in the process of looking for a dog. I used to have a golden retriever who I loved who died at the ripe old age of 14. I would love to get another one but my fiance doesn't want a "big" dog. So I am looking for a smaller dog that I could run with. It would only be 3 mile runs most likely. Does anyone know how big a dog needs to be for me to run with it? I am seriously considering a beagle. Any advice?

[MrsReber]

Two dogs, one cat. My husband hates my dog. Well, she is a bit challenging and defiant. His dog is a 13 year old black lab named Jed(part lab, part golden, part Chesapeake). He's huge, over 100 pounds. My dog is Lindsey, an 8 year old Bichon Frise who constantly demands attention and won't listen to anyone but my husband. But she just wants to be loved. We also inherited my sister's cat. I've had him since I was 16. My sister had to have a cat then she met her husband, moved out and left the poor cat behind. She's not a true animal lover like I am. My cat, named Stryper by my sister, is 14 now and lives outside in the summer. Won't even come in. Now that it's been getting cold at night, he knocks on the door to come in and sleep on the couch. Lazy! He has plenty of personality and comes to greet me at the end of the driveway when I come home each night. They are all MY babies, but my husband can be a meanie and didn't want MY pets in HIS house at first. After all, he already had a dog and didn't want more pets. Uh, no pets, no Susan. He gave in. He does like my cat, but he and Lindsey have a very tense relationship, to say the least. It'll be interesting when the baby arrives next year. He says after these pets go, we aren't having anymore. I just laugh and laugh!

[emilycat]

Laura,
I'm by no means an expert on dogs, but I have seen a lot of beagles running at the Chattahoochee, as well as Shelties. Dachsunds are not a good idea for running dogs, because they can very easily develop back problems (we have enough trouble trying to prevent Abby from sailing off of beds and tables)
Good luck with your dog hunting...Are you planning to find a breeder?
MrsReber, your cat sounds just like my boyfiend's! She has so much personality, she's very old and very playful and loveable. He insists that she "talks" to him sometimes and knows what he's saying.
um hm. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 11-07-2000).]

[phantomcg]

Laura:
Once you decide whether to get a "certified all breed" or a purebred dog then you can look closely at your options of where to get your new family member from. If you do decide on a specific breed, you might want to look for a breed rescue group in your area. Most (if not all) breeds seem to have rescue groups. That way you would know a little more about the specific dog in question.
Depending on your definition of a "big" dog (ie: height, build, weight, etc) what about considering a retired racing greyhound?
One note on beagles -- we always had beagles growing up and they can be very aggressive. It always surprised me that such a little dog could have such aggression.

Cheryl

[BeckyM]

I think in this regard, I'm most like lindrusso. We don't have any pets right now, but we'd really like to have a dog someday. My husband always had a dog growing up, but I never did -- just hamsters & fish. We both decided we wanted a dog when we moved into our house, but then we decided we're not around enough to give a dog the attention it deserves. Plus, our house is brand new, and I am a bit hesitant about having a dog living in it just yet. We also don't have any kids yet, though we are getting closer (he's actually agreeing to TALK about the possibility now). I think now we've decided maybe it would be best to wait until we have kids, because until then, we'll still have the lifestyle of never being home.

When we do finally get a dog, we're thinking of something along the lines of a lab or a golden retriever -- a larger dog, but not huge. We'd also like a dog that is really good around families. I've talked to quite a few people who have gotten dogs through "Rescue" services for particular breeds, so I think we'll look into that. It's not important to me to have a purebred (in fact I think I'd rather not, for some of the reasons mentioned in other posts), so a rescue or the pound sound like good ways to help an animal in need.

[JLS]

Laura: definately try a rescue organization if you are decided on getting a purebreed. And if you do not want to go to the shelters/pound. They have rescues for pretty much every breed ! And just think what a difference you can make in an animals life.

[mommywannabe]

What a great topic http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif My husband and I have our two girls, Latte' and Buster, who are the prettiest and best behaved kitties in the world...ok, I'm biased http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif My husband named Buster and my stepmom insists she's got psychological problems because she doesn't have a girlie name. I think she's just happy to have a home. The girls are sisters, but they have a bit of a problem figuring out who's the dominant cat in the house. Occassionally, Buster sprays to establish her territory...drives my hubby nuts!

We definitely see the girls as part of our little family. Latte' had an accident recently and had to have a leg amputated...talk about an emotional experience for us all! She's doing well and is constantly running her motor as usual. I can't imagine what we'd do if she hadn't made it through.

Laura - my stepmom has a really cool dog. She's a Shiba Inu (don't quote me on the spelling) and she's soooo cute; kind of looks like a fox. She's small enough to be a lap dog, but big enough to keep up with you. She likes attention a lot and loves her humans. When my dad was ill with cancer last year, she was very loving and gentle with him & when he passed away earlier this year, she was depressed. She has bounced back well though.

[JLS]

I love ANIMALS !

I currently have 2 wonderful 4 year old cats. (A seal point siamese, and a dsh who is dk brown w/seafoam green eyes.)


Lately, I have been thinking about adopting another pet. I would love to adopt a large dog from a rescue, because I know that I could provide a good home to another pet. Currently, I am living in an apt., so I cannot right now. But, as soon as I can I am going to.

Thanks for the great topic and the chance to share !

[lindrusso]

No pets here. There's always been some reason or excuse. We lived in apartments until just 3 years ago, so no animals allowed. When we finally moved into our new house, my youngest was just 2 weeks old - not exactly the best time to get ANY pet!!

We'd really like to get a golden retriever some day (I had two growing up), but puppies are rambunctious and I'd like my boys to be a bit older before we take the plunge. We had planned to get a dog right away - we even bought a station wagon to accomodate a dog!!

I'm just afraid that now that I'm so used to no pet hair flying around, no ugly smells, no early morning rising to walk the dog that it will be hard to get a pet! My parents live in the country and have 3 dogs and 2 cats (at last count, anyway), so we get to live through them when we visit.

I'm trying to talk my husband into starting with a cat (he's not a big cat fan). I just want a lazy house cat - I've done the kitten thing and I don't think I want to do that again! He's resisting (part of it is that we have no good place for a litter box - no basement, no attic - it would probably end up in our tiny little bathroom - yuck), but I keep telling him it's either that or another baby http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif .


[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 11-07-2000).]

[Laura]

I will definately go to a breeder...or the pound. The only hesitancy I have about the pound is that sometimes the humane society is unclear about a dog's different breeds so you end up with a dog that is much larger than expected. My kids are now old enough to be really involved in the caretaking of a pet (plus I have made that a condition) but honestly I really have missed having a dog around. I grew up with a dog and want my kids to have that experience as well.

[MrsReber]

Laura, PLEASE go to the pound! There are so very many homeless animals. In Richmond VA, I have seen many horrible stories of how many animals are put to sleep each day because the shelters are overloaded. They even try to take dogs into other states to get them adopted. It is so very very sad. Many times you can fine a pure breed in a shelter. Also, it seems that mixed breed dogs actually live longer than pure breed dogs, which are prone to many more problems.

Lindrusso, the dog hair never really bothered me. The lab and the cat shed, but not the Bichon. One of my close friends was visiting us back in September. She has four dogs, five cats, two birds, and even had a mouse- it was food for a snake, but the snake wouldn't eat it so she kept it as a pet! Well, she went into our bathroom to wash her face. When she dried her face on the handtowel, she got dog hair in her mouth! She said "ah, I feel right at home". Hey, they can't help that they shed. It's a small thing to have to overlook when I think of all the love we get in return. I would not even think of taking an animal into my home if I did not plan on keeping that animal for its entire life.

And Emilycat, it seems that cats "just know things". I can't explain it. He is always waiting for me when I come home and if he's not outside looking for me, I start to worry. No one would ever guess that he's 14. He is in great shape and just keeps to himself.

One final word to everyone- PLEASE spay and neuter your pets!!!!! Not only does it keep the pet population in control, it also reduces the risk (by 99%!) of your pet getting certain kinds of cancer! I still yell at my husband for not getting his dog neutered. Especially when he used to run away for hours. Leave it to a man.

[cookgirl]

My husband and I have Chloe (6yr old, solid black cat), Hale (pronounced Haley...4 yr old white cat w/ big black moo cow spots) and Sadie(8 months beauuuuuuutiful black puppy dog). All of them fell into our laps. Chloe ran into my husband's house one night when he left the door open. Chlo was tiny and covered with oil..and wet from the rain. My husband was single then and lived in a log cabin, so he took Chlo in as a roommate. Hale was given to us by a waitress at a bar my husband used to play. She brought him (yep..It's a him) in one night...in one hand, tiny and fuzzy. Her cat had had a litter and she couldn't handle them. Sadie was found by our good friends one night, while they were on their way home from a party for the Humane society. Our little girl nearly ran out in front of their car on a very busy street...they screeched to a stop and looked for her. Finally they found the four week old puppy in a Mcdonald's lot.
Sometimes we're horrified to think of what our animals went through before they found us. We know Chlo was abused, because of the way he freezes up every time he sees a newspaper or a broom. All of Hale's brothers and sisters died, whether by starvation or sickness. Sadie...was just a little baby all alone, and nearly killed by a car.
But all we can do is give them the love they need and deserve and thank god that they have enriched our lives.
Laura...if you can stand it, if you can deal with the risk of hving a dog grow a little larger than you wished, and if you're willing to go broke sometimes to give an animal great medical treatment, and occaisionally spoil the living daylights out of her/him. Please adopt. You'll never have a more grateful pet.

[This message has been edited by cookgirl (edited 11-07-2000).]

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by MrsReber:
Hey, they can't help that they shed. It's a small thing to have to overlook when I think of all the love we get in return. I would not even think of taking an animal into my home if I did not plan on keeping that animal for its entire life.

Mrs Reber,

Oh, you're definitely right about all of that, it's just that the longer you are without pets, the more you get used to it. And I'd never think of NOT keeping a pet (unless it turned out to hate kids or something, but not because of shedding!) - I'm too much of a softy and get too attached.

I'm just being finicky - we have a small house with dark carpets that show everything (and they are in very good condition, so we can't justify ripping them up - darn!). I suppose the perfect living arrangement may never come our way and that we'll just have to take the plunge some day! Kind of like deciding to have kids!

I'm also hesitant because my kids are very nervous around dogs since they are not used to them (they run away crying when my mom's dogs jump on them). I certainly wouldn't want to make their lives miserable by having a puppy that nips and jumps on them. Maybe it would be different if it were OUR dog, but I'd like them to be a little older so they can feel more in control.

I remember how much I loved my two dogs when I was growing up and I know that the joys would outweigh the negatives, I just need to feel more "ready". I've just moved past the potty training and night-time waking with the our youngest - so maybe that's another reason I'm hesitant since that will start all over again with a puppy! That's why I think it would be better to start with something easier, like a cat.

[lanie]

What a great post - I love animals - I can't stand to see all the squirrels killed at this time of year - just makes me so sad! I have 2 golden retrievers (lost one Shelby 2 years ago September and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her and shed - a beautiful girl) I have Chloe who will be 8 in February, and I have Buddy who was 2 in August (he has a HUGE personality) I love these dogs to pieces - Bud unfortunately had hip surgery a year ago (only 11 months at the time) but he is fine - knock wood - now - they are at my feet right now - we all use the computer together!

P.S. I also have 3 kids! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[lindrusso]

Mrs. Reber - I'm sorry to hear about the cat, but I have to admit that was a pretty funny story. I know cats can be a handful - that's why I want an older, lazy cat! I had a crazy kitten once and so I know how much damage they can do. Maybe it was my fault - he was black and I named him Damian http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif .

I had a cat once that jumped down our chimney! Didn't get hurt, but my mom heard scratching in the wall one night and saw little black pawprints leading out of the fireplace the next morning. This same cat used to stalk me in my bedroom - lurking in the shadows until I moved even a tiny bit and then - POUNCE!! She would also ambush me when I came up the stairs - hiding around the corner and then attacking. She really was a fun cat - except for the headless squirrels and disemboweled mice we'd find - yuck! Cats are much more of a crapshoot in my opinion since they are much less trainable than dogs.

Although I'm partial to Golden Retrievers since that's what I grew up with, we have also considered labs - black or otherwise. Decisions, decisions!! Most of my mom's animals have found her - strays that just wandered in or that friends or neighbors convinced her to take in. I guess they know a real softy when they see one!

[lanie]

A dear friend just sent this to me and I wanted to share with the rest of you animal lovers, so profound (get kleenex)

Killer Angels
I had just graduated from veterinary school, and I was volunteering at the local shelter in Twin Falls, Idaho. As I looked down at the dog napping in her run, I knew I was going to have to wake her up to put her "to sleep." What a cruel euphemism.

She was a Heinz-57 mixed-breed with no name, no home, no hope. She was horrifically malnourished, and her coat was a mass of mats and burrs.

In a way, she was lucky to be here. Found on the side of the road – like living garbage – she'd been left to die in a remote area of our county.

The kind rancher who found her brought her to the local shelter where she joined dozens of other cuties and uglies pressing against the front of the cages hoping to catch the eye of someone who had a heart and home big enough to give them another chance.

Problem was there were too many homeless pets and not enough homes. Day after day for a week the dog waited and waited, her still-wagging tail marking the time.

But on this day, her time was up. No one had adopted her; like many in the shelter, the animals were too big, too small, too hairy, too young, too old. Without enough cages to hold all that came through our doors, we were prepared to end her life quickly and without suffering. "Better than starving to death in the country," I said, finding little solace in the words.

I was inspired to enter this profession because of a deep love of animals. I had been highly trained and entrusted to save lives and prevent pain and suffering. Yet here I was about to end the life of this innocent creature. I hated this part of the job, but I had to do it. Choking back my emotions, I readied myself to perform the procedure for which I'd been trained.

I set her on the table, and she wiggled her gaunt frame with delight as I spoke some soothing words and patted her head. The tempo of her tail quickened as she looked up at my face. Looking into her eyes, I saw total trust, unconditional love and absolute loyalty. I felt the cruel irony of what was taking place. God's precious creatures, embodying the kindest virtues on the planet, being killed for the crime of not being wanted. She held out her leg for me to inject and licked my hand. She was ready. I wasn't.

I collapsed onto the dog and held her tight as I bathed her with tears. Never, ever would I do a convenience euthanasia again. I'd euthanize a pet if it was suffering terribly, or had an incurable disease, but never again because of an uncaring owner's mere request.

I took the dog back to my veterinary practice and named her G.H. – short for Good Home. I'd observed over the years that people who raised litters of puppies or kittens always said, "I just want to find them a 'good home.'"

I soon entrusted G.H. to a loving client who had a heart and home big enough to welcome yet another four-legged family member.

Saving G.H. set me on a new path as a veterinarian. Although my hands still held the power of death, my heart didn't. Now, whenever I look into the dancing liquid eyes of a pet, brimming with love, I realize that looks can save. They did me.

by Marty Becker, D.V.M.
Reprinted by permission of Marty Becker, D.V.M. © 1999, from Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marty Becker, D.V.M. and Carol Kline.

[cookgirl]

Lindrusso:
It's not that cat's aren't trainable....It's just that they CHOOSE not to be trained. (Or at least to appear that way). My cats look at me when I say "get down from there" or "move over" like I've just asked them to donate their liver, or like they just don't understand. But I swear...the moment that front door closes behind me, they get up and walk around on their two hind paws, make themselves a meal and watch t.v! One time, we came home and the stereo was on. "Naaaaaa," we thought. Until one day we both saw the cat turn the thing on. Now THAT is weird!!!

Addition:
I just read the post prior to mine. How beautiful. I'm so happy for G.H. and for G.D. (the good doctor)

[This message has been edited by cookgirl (edited 11-08-2000).]

[andi]

I have to put in the plug for golden retrievers! We got ours as a puppy when my second child was six months old. She is SUCH a good natured dog!!!! She loves to play, chase tennis balls, run and wrestle with the kids. She will tolerate my littlest one tugging on her whiskers, checking her teeth and gums and pulling on her fur to stand up. She has never bitten anyone. She does shed a bit but if we keep her brushed it's not too much of a problem. She loves to run but is also content to just hang out in the house. She's laying beside me now as we speak! Labs are also great family dogs. Do check out the pound though-a mix of this sort would be super too.

[Natasha]

Originally posted by andi:
I have to put in the plug for golden retrievers!
Andi,
I'm with you 100%! I am a real dog lover generally, but have a weakness (okay, bias http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) for Goldens. Unfortunately, due to overbreeding health concerns are creeping up (hip dysplasia, cancers of all types...I have even seen one or two who snapped at people! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Can you imagine a Golden snapping at anyone?) Anyway, I digress.

My Golden had been abused by a previous owner and needed lots of TLC. It was a tremendous experience to see him becoming much, much more confident and happier from living in a loving household.

[MrsReber]

Lindrusso, don't be fooled by cats! My sister recently adopted a stray, thinking "gee, cats are mellow and easy to take care of". They can be a handful too! There is probably less maintenance required, but they get into their share of trouble! My sister's cat recently disappeared, but they could hear him meowing. Couldn't find him until finally my brother in law decided to take apart a cabinet. Well, there was the cat, IN the floor! He got into the heat vent somehow. I have to laugh, but I'm sad because now she's going to give him up. Says she can't have an animal in her new house (they moved Oct 30th). I am so angry with her about it that I can't discuss it with her. They did the same thing to a dog about six years ago.

As for the carpets? Get a dark dog! We have a black lab and dark blue carpets so we don't see the hair much, but we know it's there! My mom loves the freedom of not having pets anymore. I took them all with me when I moved out 7 years ago. I still wouldn't have it any other way, though. I just love having pets around. I am never alone in my house.

[MrsReber]

Cookgirl that is so funny that your cat turns on the stereo! Yes, you are right on the mark when you say cats refuse to be trained. My husband will not allow a litter box in our house so the cat now just goes to the door like the dogs. We never taught him that! Oh, he knows he doesn't belong on the counters or in the basement, but he'll go where he pleases and twitch his tail angrily if you yell at him. He's so funny. My sister wanted an older, mellow cat. Guess she forgot how wild they are when they're kittens! My cat will still attack feet moving under blankets at 14 years old! Older cats are more mellow, though. I wish I could go adopt some pets at a shelter, but I am not allowed any more animals in our house at this time.

[cookgirl]

Neither are we! If we get one more animal, either my husband or I will have to hit the road for sheer lack of personal space!

[laden]

We have two girls who we adore. Muffin is a 7 1/2 lb. Yorkshire Terrier and Sweetie is a 10 lb poodle mix. These girls definely run the show in my home!

I grew up on a farm so we had pets all over the place. When I moved away from my parent's home (quite a few years ago) I didn't want a dog "dirtying up my house" so I had no pets. Then my SO moved to Dallas with his job for about 9 mos and I was sooo lonely!
I got Muffin almost 4 years ago and she changed my life.

Yes it is harder to keep the house clean, yes it does cramp your social life ("I can't go because I have to let the dogs out"), yes vet bills can be costly...but I can't tell you how much my babies give back to me.

[Laura B]

I grew up in a house full of pets. We always had one dog (usually a cocker spaniel but when I was little we had Irish Setters) and several cats at any given time (plus squirrels and birds and any other thing that needed rescuing). Cats are my real love. When I left for college I missed having cats desprately. Then I married a man who doesn't like cats. (An old lady in a store once told me when she heard that my husband didn't like cats that I should have found that out before I married him). After almost three years of tearful fights, he caved in and we got a kitten with a promise that "if he makes the apartment smell or bites me, etc., you will take him back to the shelter." Ok, I said (yeah right).

Now, we have two precious cats, my husband is the biggest cat lover in the world. He spoils the cats as much as I do. The first one we adopted was a black kitten named Learned (the "ed" is pronounced like the man's name - he is named after Judge Learned Hand). He is a crazy cat and gets into lots of trouble, but he is also my baby. He loves to cuddle with me and gets very mushy.

Our second is Vergil, a black and white manx mix (he has a full tail though). The pads of Vergil's feet are multicolored, some toes are pink and some are black, even though all four of his feet have white fur all over them! Vergil was waiting for us to come and adopt him. He had lived his whole life at the pound. When he got there as a kitten he was sick and had to be kept in seclusion. The girls at the shelter were all very attached to him and that is why he was not put to sleep. He was there for 6 months before we found him. He must have been there when we adopted Learned, but we didn't notice him I guess. The day we adopted him one of the girls had to leave the room because she was going to cry! Anyway, after spending his early life in a cage, we take great joy in spoiling him and giving him a luxurious life!

I just cannot imagine life without my boys. They are exclusively indoor cats, so we hope to enjoy their company for at least 15 or more years to come (they are each only one year old now). You can see pictures of them on my web page at www.geocities.com/laurahboyd/petcentral.html (http://www.geocities.com/laurahboyd/petcentral.html) !

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 11-11-2000).]

[emilycat]

Laura,
Your cats are so precious! I'm so glad you found them at the shelter and gave them such a warm home! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Laura B]

Thank you, emilycat! I am thankful everyday that we found them.

[SusanL]

Laura B- we have a Bombay cat also, all black short hair with green/yellow eyes (depending upon what colors she is near). Someone had spayd her/declawed also, then dropped her off in our neighborhood, guess she was too much to handle? We had just moved into our new house and when I would go running, I would her a mew from the builder's dumpster-her home. I fed her for two weeks and she tried to come into our house. Being very allergic to cats, thought I couldn't keep her. However, one night when I couldn't find her outside, I was very upset! She crawled up the hill, an animal had attacked her. That was it, into our basement and to the vet. Sophie has been in our house ever since. She goes outside with me to garden and sit on the patio. The best cat a family could have.
My husband, who hated cats, comes home every day from work to eat lunch with her! I know that he loves her as much as I do!
By the way, I take entex or allegra for the cat allergy. Both work!
We have light colored rugs but don't notice the hair. Maybe because she is a short hair! Someone commented that you are not fully dressed without pet hair! I like that.

[mommywannabe]

Laura,
What cuties http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Looks like Learned is quite the little character!

My hubby was also not a realy cat lover, but we adopted our girls from a friend a few years ago and he spoils them rotten http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Guys are such marshmallows http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Laura B]

Yes - it is amazing how husbands can come around to cats. I think they just assume that to like cats is "girly" and they have never really been around cats. Then they get hooked!

I have a funny story about my dad. We had two male cats at home (the two on my web page, Boo and Bubba) when this adorable little white cat showed up. He would rather have been petted then eat, so starved for love was he! He was fixed, so we think he some how got seprated from his family (but we never found any one who claimed him). My two cats didn't like him being around AT ALL and they were fighting all the time. Mom and I wanted to keep him but dad was very firm about the fact that he had to go. Nevertheless, we fed him and snuck him inside when dad wasn't home. Dad was mean to him in an attempt not to get too attached. Then it started to get cold outside. One day, I came home from school and dad had taken the cat carrier and set it up under the ledge on the back deck with a heating pad and a little blanket!!! It was a matter of days before OC ("outside cat") made his way into the house for good. He is still with my parents and he is the biggest love bug you will ever meet.

[KristaMB]

Laura,

Just wanted to give you some input on beagles. I have a three year old male, (Winston) and love him to death. I'm typing one handed right now because he snoozing in my lap and has his head resting on the other hand... I'm not a beagle expert by any means, but here are some of my observations:

He loves to run, but I don't know if he could keep up for three miles. Maybe I just haven't conditioned him the right way, but he gets pretty beat on three mile walks. Also, one of the cons of having a dog whose nose rules his universe is that walks become games of tug-o-war. Often times when he picks up a scent, his manners and training disappear and he follows his nose instead. He wants to stop and sniff everything, while you want to keep moving.

Also, a word of caution about the beagle puppy stage. We almost gave him away, it was so bad. He chewed on everything and was so hyper. If I put him in the back when he wanted to be inside he would howl and bark incessantly and drive us and the neighnors insane.

I know this is not sounding very pro-beagle, and that's not what I intended, but I just wanted to let you know. He is a great pet now. He is great with the neighborhood kids and our two cats. He sleeps at the foot of the bed with us, and is so incredibly sweet. He's definitely a part of the family!

Good luck with the dog hunt!

Krista