Pets

[NS'Creter]

Hi guys. I know a couple of you have pets...I was wonderin' if we all do. We have a housecat right now. Daisy, we call her, is just over a year old. She's a pretty little thing and very determined...she hates for any of the doors in the house to be closed and pulls and scratches at them until someone opens them. ;D We had a female German Shepherd until about a year and a half ago. She was perfect. Absolutely beautiful, incredibly intelligent, loyal, obediant...perfect. She was between 14 and 15 years old and was starting to suffer from hip displacia...we had to put her down. It broke our hearts but we also couldn't bear to let her suffer. I said that I wouldn't have another dog...don't wanna go through that again. Well, here I am missin' my dog and lookin' at pictures online at the different breeds. I love the Shepherds. Another favorite of mine is the English Bulldog. Sandy would prefer a smaller breed, like a miniature Dashund. They are cute. I miss the company of a dog...I really like our cat, but it's not the same. Josh, our 16 year old, wants the biggest, most macho male German Shepherd we can find. Did I mention that he's 16? Ours doesn't need to be a purebred...any suggestions? I love the big dogs too, but I'm concerned that since I will be the primary care giver a large dog may be too much for me to handle. Saint Bernards are definately not a consideration.

[alexwright]

I'm not much for animals, I can have pets but they must be outside. I will eventually be getting one for our little boys but once they get a little older. Right now they are 1 yr old and 3. I would like to get a Lab. pup to grow up with them, or I would like Shitzu or small cute puppy that stays small but they are not for outdoors. So we would be back at Labs. They are good family dogs and have been impressed by the ones I have known. Any other thoughts? I must say I hate Chihuahas. They are fierce, mean, little, annoying dogs. Animals are animals and I always have to consider the safety of my little ones.

[Lindy]

We have always had 2 Golden Retrievers, they are great people friendly dogs. Jake and Sadie are indoor dogs, that have access to the great outdoors (back yard) through a doggie door. Neither, even as a puppy have chewed up anything but their own toys. They are always ready to go ... camping in our RV, out our county place (ranch), to Grandma's house, etc/etc.

Their love of water goes above and beyond that of most other dogs ... in the winter, we sometimes have ice on our pond (not thick, just out a few feet from edge), they will break through it to get to open water to swim in that frigid cold water. We also take them out on our boat (is a 22 foot trihull with wall out sitting area in front); although we rarely get to sit there because both dogs claim this space, standing up front with the wind in their ears, looking as if they are grinning. I know this sounds DUMB, but we have special large dog life jackets (we got them at PetSmart) ... since every time we stop the boat, even if it is in the middle of the lake, they want to jump out of the boat and swim ... we are not sure how long their stamina is, and you can't pick Sadie/70 lbs or Jack/90 lbs back up to get them back in the boat (which takes 2 people) without something to hang onto (being the life jacket straps). They are pretty good about not jumping out, but if we get out and swim, they won't stay in the boat ... and sometimes they just can't help themselves since they want to get in the water more than listening to us saying STAY.

Also have 2 cats. One likes no one but me (really ugly, skinny, 14 year old female/Sasha) who hisses at anyone else that tries to touch her; other, is a male/Tigger, that is a huge (20 lb) cat that loves everyone (even if they don't love him, he is determined that they will pat him).

Lindy

[NS'Creter]

My Dad is about to retire his 2nd guide dog, both of which were Golden Retrievers. First was Zack...a fairly large male about 90 lbs and Anna is a smaller female at about 65 lbs. Anna has about another year to go before retirement. It's funny how some cats will force themselves upon folks. My Mom isn't very interested in ours and Daisy won't leave her alone.
Last night I found a couple of rescue associations that we may look into. If we decide that we're ready that is.

That lifejacket thing is priceless! ;D I'll hafta tell Dad that one.