Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 122,000 members

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:16 pm Subject: Do you love pets?

"There is some truth in the common saying that while dogs become attached to persons, cats are generally attached to places. A dog will follow his master anywhere, but a cat keeps to the house it is used to; and even when the house changes hand, the cat will remain there, so long as it is kindly treated by the new owners. A cat does not seem to be capable of the personal devotion often shown by a dog. It thinks most of its own comfort, and its love is only cupboard love."

I have a dachshund breed and I see him very fond of me. He keeps on searching me whole time if I am away from his eyes for a while. He loves and plays with me and feels very comforted in my arms. He loosens himself free from all the thoughts when he is sleeping in my arms. He realizes that his master will ensure his safety.

I understood the difference when I saw a cat in my neighbor's place who just could not love his master the way my dog loves me.

Do you have pets at home? Tell us something about your pet.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:16 pm Subject: His master's voice

ben,

Whenever I see a pet dog, I remember the picture � a dog is listening to gramophone that is playing his master's voice and his master has left forever!!

Bryan

P.S. Looking forward to hearing from twokidtwocat Very Happy

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:18 pm Subject:

I think you can guess that Im a cat lover.I like dogs also,but I dont have the time or money to take pn any more animals.My cats always run to the door when I come home,maybe they just want a treat,but Id like to think that they are excited to see me.I kind of like thier arrogant attitude.The kids and I sometimes sit around and pretend to talk for the cats.
I know it sounds silly,but its fun.Anyway,I love all animals,if I lived on a farm,I would most likely have lots of cats and dogs.Years ago my husband, at the time, rescued a dog from some mean kids,we nursed him to health and he pretty much became our first child.He was a small mixed,and I do believe he could understand everything we said to him.I dont know if cats can understand,or just choose not too,but whenever one of us is sick,they seem to cling to us,like they want to make us feel better.My daughters favorite cat,always sleeps outside her door at night,so there must be some attachment there.Cats can be very funny animals to,My son will not let the cats come in his room,so one day one of the cats got in the vent,crawled in and came back out at the vent in my sons room,my son was in shock,when he woke up to see a cat looking down at him.It had to take some kind of thought to get both covers off the vents to reach the forbidden room.I was just glad the heat or air was not on.We have made sure that they are nailed in good now,so it wont happen again.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:54 pm Subject:

Twokidtwocat

While I was posting the thread, I wished you to come here as you are very fond of your cats. I felt while writing that you include the cats in your family. Naturally, they will also show their love to you.

Since I have a dog, I can understand how good and energetic it becomes when you are playing with your pets. Since my dachshund is short in height, he fits in my arms and sleeps while looking at me. Its just like holding your new born baby. That care comes very naturally.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:54 pm Subject:

Goodness, I practically grew up in a zoo!
I shared my mother's love for animals and extensive knowledge of animal care, so we always had pets.
Growing up over the years, we had over time: 2 dogs (a Rottweiler and an Afghan Hound, 7 cats, 4 rabbits, several rats (very clean animals, actually!), 5 birds, a snake, an iguana, several fish, chinchillas, a hedgehog, guinea pigs, green anoles, turtles, and even a squirrel! I learned a lot about animal care, and grew up a lot less stressed because I had these critters in my life on a daily basis!

I'm mostly a cat person, but I also like exotic pets. Smile

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:06 pm Subject:

Lindsey,

Someday I wish to see you as a vet in the NGC or the Animal planet channel. Very Happy

Goodness gracious!! I kept reading and reading the names of all the creatures you grew with.

You never felt alone as you always had something to look on. If anyone felt sick, all of you felt the pain and used to be silent preying for the recovery. Oh god! I really visualize it. You must have read in my post that I also love pets.

Lindsey, it's good to know you. Keep posting. Very Happy

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:09 pm Subject:

LOL! Thanks Ben! I appreciate it!
I think of animals as people in little furry coats Very Happy

I'm an active member of PETA and the SPCA. It's good to lend a voice to those whose language we do not understand.
The neat thing about you is that you understand your pet. Most people don't take the time to really get to know their pets. Pets try to speak to you in their own way...you just have to listen.
Pets don't judge, they are not biased. If you care for them and respect them, they give that back to you tenfold. They don't care that you sneak Big Macs every other day, and they won't tell anyone about your obsessive Beatles collection. They are loyal and always friendly. They're pretty much everything humans should be Very Happy

My first pet, I got when I was 2 years old. He was a black cat with a stub of a tail. It was a birth defect, and he was alone in a pound, so my parents took him home to me. Who knew that this little kitten would end up being my best friend in the whole world?
We named him "Spooky" since we got him around Halloween. I noticed he was very unique when he would follow me around ALL OVER house all the time! Whereever I went, he went; he even liked to get in the bathtub with me and play with the soap bubbles! LOL!
At night, when I went to bed, he would lay down on my pillow and wrap his arm and paw around my neck. He did this every night for the 14 years that he lived.
Another neat thing about Spooky was that he'd try to communicate with me. He'd put each of his paws on each of my shoulders and try to stare into my eyes. It was really neat to watch him try to convey a message. If he couldnt get my attention, he'd give me a small, light bite on my ankle or blink hard at me.
Anytime I was upset or crying, he'd rub my face and give me "kisses."
He was the best thing in my life and I never could imagine life without him. But around Christmastime, 2 years ago, he started getting sick. He wouldn't eat and tried to hide from me and my family. It was apparent that he knew he was about to go and he didn't want me to see him like that.
My mom took him to the vet and the vet informed us that he couldn't feel one of Spook's kidneys. They were failing and he needed to be put down.

Maybe I was selfish or maybe Spook didn't feel that it was quite time to go, but I refused to have him euthanized. After all, he was still purring and giving me his little kisses. By Christmas eve, his health had really deteriorated and I placed him in a box next to my bed with one of my baby pillows and a soft shirt. He laid there for awhile and when I went to bed that night, I started crying. Spook managed to climb into my bed and wrap his arm around my neck one last time. He purred in my ear until I fell asleep.

On Christmas morning, I found him back in his box, barely breathing. My mom suggested that I open my gifs under my tree, then check back on Spook. Reluctantly, I did this, but when I went back for Spook, he had passed away. I hated myself for not staying with him, and I felt selfish for going and opening my gifts instead of keeping constant vigil on him. My father buried him and placed a headstone over his grave that read, "If tears were a stairway and memories a lane, I'd climb right up to heaven and bring you home again." For the rest of the day, I was miserable. While everyone else was happy, and playing with gifts, I spent the day in my room in tears. I STILL am not over his death. And I keep a big 8X10 picture of him on my mantle.

I truly think that pets, even animals are more than just "animals." I believe that they carry the same thoughts and emotions as people. We're lucky to have them in our life and they should be cared for just like you would care for another human.

I appreciate you starting this topic, Ben. YOu always have the nicest topics and thought-provoking ideas. It's really good to know you too and I hope you stick around for awhile Very Happy

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:17 pm Subject:

I think alot of us think of our pets as children,I get very upset when I see a pet running around on the streets,or when people leave thier pets outside all the time.I live in a small house,so thats one reason I have cats instead of a dog.Any pet that I have ever owned has lived with me in my home,I get very attached fast.Our pets depend on us for everything,and they are always there for us,rich or poor.My sister has a beautiful dog,she cant have children,it is the most spoiled dog Ive ever seen.But I just love to see how happy its makes my sister to have this adorable little creature in her life.
Ben,I thinks it cute that you hold you dog like a baby,Im sure he knows that he is loved.
Lindsey,(my fellow cat lover), Wow,thats alot of animals,maybe becoming a Vet is your calling.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:33 pm Subject:

LOL! Well, I've considered becoming a vet on many occasions, but I must say I'm too sensitive for that. I'd love to save animal's lives and help improve their health, but I just can't put an animal down. As I learn that in most cases, that is for the better, perhaps I will overcome that fear and become a successful vet Smile

That'd be a very rewarding occupation!
For now, I stick to animal activism and pet sitting. If I can help enrich animal's lives for the better, then I'm happy Very Happy

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:38 pm Subject:

Lindsey,What a beautiful post,it made me cry.Dealing with the lost of a pet is very hard.I have been thru it before,but it wont be any easier when the time comes again,I know that cats dont live as long as we do,so its something that will happen,but I try not the think that far ahead.Im looking at my kitties now,they are sleeping in a basket together all curled up,They look so cute,and after reading your post,I want to go hug them both,but I'll let them get thier sleep,they have a long night of running around,jumping on cabinets and sratching up the funiture ahead of them.(HA HA)

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:59 pm Subject:

OMG!! I got a little emotional reading this thread. Thanks Ben for bringing such a lovely topic.

I also have a 7 year old Doberman in my home. His name is Boxie. He is the most active creature in our family. He runs here and there, plays with all of us and just responds to each and every of our reaction in his own way. He understands that we care for him and that is why he feels so comfortable with us.

When he was 14 days old, I got him from an uncle whom I knew for quite some time. At that time, the mother had given birth to 4 pets. Boxie had a small area at the back where there was no hair at all. As you know, Doberman has small hair all over the body but this particular area was absolutely having no hair at all. In spite of realizing it, I still decided to choose him out of all the four. I can't explain why I did so knowing the fact that my mom will say that I brought a dog with some abnormality. But still I clasped him in my arms and got it home.

My mom at first didn't accept him not because he had some defect but because we never had any pets at home ever. I was decided that I will keep him with us and if necessary, I will bring all the eatables and take him out for natural duties everyday.

I used to keep him with me all the time and I was also young at that time. I enjoyed his company a lot and spent most of the time with him. Boxie was so small at that time that he even managed to hide himself in my dad's DM black boots. He is also black in color and when he was away from my eyes, I searched for him crazily. Suddenly, in this shoe, I see two blue colored eyes staring at me. It was soooo....cute....

This way we both spent time loving each other and by this time, everyone in my family also gave the same care or even more. I could feel the care the most from them when he fell ill at one time. My mom and sister didn't eat the whole day and tried every way to comfort him. They took him to the vet, got expensive injections and medicines at the end of the month when there was not enough money at home. This happened when he was a couple of months old and then I felt relaxed that I was not the alone at home to care for him.

Boxie has this habit of not eating on his own right from his little age. Sometimes, I have to leave home for some urgent work and I couldn't return home during lunch time. My mom because of her age can't bend down so she puts him in his special chair in the dining table and feeds him by her hand sitting next to him in another chair. The scene is like your child is not enjoying eating and you are feeding him forcibly. Now Boxie at the age of 7 is not worried about feeling hungry as he has not learnt what hunger is in his entire lifetime. Sometimes my mom feels sad of what will happen to Boxie when she will not be...

Whenever Boxie finds me, all his nerves and cells gets active and two notorious kids hover around the whole house.

Lindsey, tears were about to come from my eyes and I realized the feeling of parting away from the dearest "Spooky" in your words. It's so painful but it happens to all. I wish we can stop the time then.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:05 pm Subject:

I forgot to mention that out of the 4 dogs from which I chose Boxie, all the other three died later in just a couple of months due to some reason. But Boxie is still with my for 7 long years and will remain with me forever...

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:27 pm Subject:

Lindsey, my heart started beating faster as I was sensing the painful parting while you were writing. It's so sad that we have to part from the dearest possession we own. I am an emotional person so I just don't like things that can be hurting. I wish if god had invented everything except PAIN.

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:25 pm Subject:

Lindsey,

After reading your post I feel so much better. When I tell people the types of pets we have had, their mouth drops in awe. One Christmas I bought my kids two geckos. They have also had a ferret, two snakes, four dogs, an iguana, three hamsters and a few tree frogs that they kept as pets. We had to get rid of the snake when it became to big and would get out of its tank. Now we are down to two pit bull puppies. The kids love pets, but my 2 year old was scaring all of them. The two pit bull puppies run when they see my two year old around.

The puppies are 12 weeks old. We got them when they were 6 weeks old. I fell in love with the pups as soon as I seen them. Even though we are not allowed to have pets, I couldnt resist. So everytime the landlord comes over I bring the puppies next door to a friend that we got them from. Smile

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 11:05 pm Subject:

Wow! We all are a bunch of pet people aren't we. My kids and I are home to Arthur the goldfish, foofie the beta fish, three cats that have a mind and personality of their own and a chihuahua who sleeps with my daughters socks in his bed.
That crazy chihuahua will whine until she takes her shoes off and then steal her socks and whine until he hides them. He takes them out at bedtime and falls asleep with them by his side. BOY! What devotion! LOL

*Name:
*Email:
*Phone:
*Zip:
Debt

	* denotes required field

Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 122,000 members

Do you love pets?

Members Area

Free Debt Counseling

Ask the community

Featured Discussions

Featured Articles

Question of the Month

Useful Links

Recent Forum Discussions

Recent Blog Post