Pets...And Why We Love Them (Pay Homage Here)

[HBHoss]

Ok. I have to introduce mine.

Here's KB:

A few years ago I was doing commercials for a cable company and needed to update an ad for a local animal rescue group called NOAH (Northwest Organization for Animal Help, Stanwood WA, We strive to reduce pet overpopulation). I'd never been there, so the lady who runs the place offered to give me a tour.

It's a really cool place with the kennels fronted by plexi glass with a little opening you can let them sniff you through or pass a treat to them, or if they're friendly, you can reach in and pet them without going inside. We entered one building housing 10 dogs. As soon as we went in the dogs started barking and jumping on the pexi and basically being obnoxious trying to get attention to be let out for a run... except one. One little lab-shepherd mix was just standing quietly... kind of sadly... with his nose poking through the opening in the glass. Of course, I had to go and talk to him and as I got there, he turned and pressed his neck against the opening, eyes pleading for me to just touch him. I reached through and pet him for a while and then had to go. As I walked away he got that sad look again and just watched me leave with his nose resting on the bottom of the hole in the glass.

I went back to work but couldn't get this dog out of my head. We are allowed pets where we live, but we're in an apartment so I never got one due to the necessary rain-or-shine walking and such. This dog just wouldn't leave my mind. By the time I got home and my wife asked me how it went, I just... ok... confession here... I started tearing up a bit telling her about this dog. We had 30 minutes until the center closed and jumped in the car then and there.

When we walked into the kennel area with 5 minutes left before closing, he perked up a little when he recognized me. We visited with him again and my wife and daughter were immediately taken with him like I was. The next day I got out of work early so we could go there and take him for a walk and play in one of the off-leash areas they have on site. 20 minutes later we sat down for our interviews with the "matchmakers" who volunteer there and by the time we left I'd put the adoption fee on my credit card.

He's not such a little dog anymore, but we haven't regretted it for a moment.

Awsome story! :rockin: That's why I never go to shelters because I'd take everyone of them home with me. Happy to hear it's worked out for all of you.

 

[Coastarine]

I was at the shelter today and I've been approved to adopt a female australian cattle dog mix just about a year old. She's got a lot of energy but she's really sweet. I'm nervous but excited too, but before I can take her home she needs to be spayed.

 

[Ryan_PA]

Yesterday I took the day off to have a small growth removed from Schroeder's rear back. The thinking is that it is just a cyst, but it is being biopsied just to be safe. The poor guy look so sad with his lampshade and stitches, but it is really for the best.

A guy in the office is giving me crap about having surgery on a dog. Clearly there are people in this world that are not animal lovers. I know Schroeder would do anything for me, anything. Shelling out a few bucks for peace of mind is the least I can do for this guy.

 

[ChshreCat]

You think you get crap for having surgery done on a dog? We kept pet rats for years and had surgery done on several of them when they developed tumors. Some people don't understand that pets are part of your family, no matter what kind of animal they are. I sure hope that guy in your office doesn't have pets. He obviously has the idea that they're just disposable objects.

We got pet insurance for KB and are happy with it. We haven't had to do a claim yet, but he's starting to have hip trouble and might need help with that in the next few years.

 

[HBHoss]

A really good book ( have tissue ready) is "Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin. My Shepherd is 10 yrs old now and almost blind but still a pup at heart. He still chases his tail and brings me a ball to throw for him. Now he has to rely on his other senses to find it, which he usually does. This book helped me to appreciate my companion more. My sons read it also and thought it was good reading.

 

[BleedsDogFish]

Here is my Mini Bull Terrier, Bruiser. Hes stubborn, fearless and overall a little bastard. But he curls up with us like a little kitty and loves all people.

 

[phissionkorps]

I had surgery on my dog when she had a histiocytoma. I had no problem getting it done because I would never want a pet to suffer. However, even though I consider pets "part of the family", people that get surgery after surgery and spend thousands of dollars keeping their pets alive for as long as possible in all cases are absolutely irresponsible. Part of being a good owner is knowing when to say goodbye, and not keeping a pet around "unnaturally" because YOU aren't ready to deal with the loss. Also, mostly with women, I think some people need to realize that pets are not kids. Dogs aren't supposed to wear clothes, etc, etc.

 

[gplutt]

Otto and Roland (aka Poop and Polly)

 

[vfinch]

I had surgery on my dog when she had a histiocytoma. I had no problem getting it done because I would never want a pet to suffer. However, even though I consider pets "part of the family", people that get surgery after surgery and spend thousands of dollars keeping their pets alive for as long as possible in all cases are absolutely irresponsible. Part of being a good owner is knowing when to say goodbye, and not keeping a pet around "unnaturally" because YOU aren't ready to deal with the loss. Also, mostly with women, I think some people need to realize that pets are not kids. Dogs aren't supposed to wear clothes, etc, etc.

+1 on that... My wife and I have talked about pet costs a lot. We both figure that we've taken on the responsibility of our dogs and that we are responsible for their health. If we can give them a surgery where their quality of life will improve, then we go for it.

As for clothes, if my wife ever puts a bandanna on our dogs I make sure to take it off quickly so they don't get embarassed

 

[Coastarine]

Finally got a dog!!!

We got Penny, a chocolate lab mix. She's 3 years old, 40lbs, and a military family had to give her up due to a deployment, so we felt really good about giving her a home.

I've never met a dog so well behaved without having to do any training. They did a really good job training her. She won't get up on the furniture, she won't come in the bedroom unless we guide her in by the collar, she plays very gently, is very calm when we stop playing, very obedient. We were even eating chips and salsa on the sofa in the living room and she laid down on the other side of the room with her back to us. No begging, not even watching. We couldn't be happier.

 

[Skins_Brew]

I have only had this little guy for about a week but I am attached already. His name is Monday. I am a huge Jimmy Buffett fan so when I want him to come I can say "Come Monday." I put of glass of homebrew up to him and he had a little lap, so I guess he likes it! No more until he is grown up though. I have wanted a dog who loves beer FOREVER!

 

[Saccharomyces]

One of my kittens loves HBT...

 

[flyangler18]

Redskins838891,

Great looking beagle pup. You're going to have your hands full with that one- looks like he's got some sass.

 

[Saccharomyces]

You're going to have your hands full with that one- looks like he's got some sass.

Especially if he keeps getting into the beer!

 

[Laurel]

Some new photos of Perry the enormous Siamese, and our friend's puppy, our god-daughter.

 

[ChshreCat]

KB and SWMBO

 

[Skins_Brew]

Redskins838891,

Great looking beagle pup. You're going to have your hands full with that one- looks like he's got some sass.

Yea you aint kidding. This guy is nuts, but I think its mostly puppy behavior right now. His attention span is about 5 seconds long. My number one peeve at the moment is getting him out of his crate in the middle of the night, placing him in the part of the yard that he likes to go potty in, watching him sniff around in circles like he is going to go, and then just rolling onto his back and starting to play, oh, did I mention its about 40 degrees out too? But he is pretty smart. Almost house trained and I taught him to sit in like half an hour.

 

[phissionkorps]

My number one peeve at the moment is getting him out of his crate in the middle of the night, placing him in the part of the yard that he likes to go potty in, watching him sniff around in circles like he is going to go, and then just rolling onto his back and starting to play, oh, did I mention its about 40 degrees out too?

Mine used to wake me up at about 4am scratching at the door like she needed to pee. I'd take her outside, and she'd tear ass in circles around the backyard barking. This happened last winter every day for about a month. Never figured out wtf the deal was, but I think there was a cat that used to live on my roof and eat squirrels from my trees.

 

[ChshreCat]

When we first got KB, I'd give him a treat every time he peed or poo'd. He caught on to that really quick. Even after his tank was empty he'd go to a bush or something, lift his leg a few seconds and then look for a treat.

 

[BierMuncher]

Some new photos of Perry the enormous Siamese, and our friend's puppy, our god-daughter.

Is Perry a "boy" cat?

 

[Laurel]

Is Perry a "boy" cat?

View attachment 8220

Perry IS a boy cat. But we've had our suspicions about his sexuality.

 

[g_rath]

This is a foster dog we have right now. He was taken from his owners for neglect. He has a bite wound on his face and is malnourished. I don’t know how long he’s going to stay as a “foster” or it just might be forever. But really how can you say no to a face like this.

 

[nystevecf]

This is a foster dog we have right now. He was taken from his owners for neglect. He has a bite wound on his face and is malnourished. I don’t know how long he’s going to stay as a “foster” or it just might be forever. But really how can you say no to a face like this.

I find myself hating people more and more.

 

[jpowers1]

I love animals so much more than people

This is Cyrus (in the foreground). The one and only cat I ever had. He died when I was active duty in 03. The sucker weighed 25 pounds and had the highest meoy I have ever heard. I still miss him

 

[flyangler18]

We haven't adopted her yet, but I'm going to introduce the newest addition to our home. She's the one on the left with the darker mask.

These were produced by a friend of mine, so Bailey already knows the pups well.

 

[TXCrash]

Oh boy...

Guess I better show off the "farm" ;-)

First is kiwi - our "vicious pitbull" ;-) Who's found a great pillow...

And as for the vicious part... well - she's a water attack dog ;-)

And then there's traum (left) and galaxy. Both Cardigan Welsh Corgi's

And of course cove. Alert as ever...

I wont even get started on the cats...

 

[TJ-Bill]

Few of mine.

 

[Jmac00]

First day home (6wks)

Always goes for drives

Loves to laze around sometimes...LOL.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

I find myself hating people more and more.

That is one cute dog- I hope you get some weight on him stat!

 

[Deacon1856]

Finally! A little more boxer representation!

This is Macy. She is 3.

This is her pup, Lola, who is now WAY bigger than this...sorry for the old picture.

Here's an old pic of them together:

How I made it without them I don't know. Best. Dogs. Ever.