Share your pet stories!

[Kris10]

We seem to have a lot of pet lovers on theBubbler, so I thought a post to share pet stories would be appropriate! What kinds of pets do you have?

Currently my husband and I have two cats, Maverick and Finner. We adopted Maverick from the Washington County Humane Society, Finner is from the Dane County Humane Society. We also have various fish and a snail named Corneluis.

I grew up with Rottweilers and German Shepherds, so cats are change for me. My husband and I thought cats would be better pets for us because they are rather self-sufficient. We didn't count on getting the most affectionate, social cats ever! Both cats have to be near us at all times, following us around the house. They cry when we leave for work!

Maverick is full of energy, always running around the house. I think he's part dog since he loves to be petted and play fetch. Finner is more laid back and likes to sleep. He has a rather long, sad history of being abandoned and surrendered prior to living with us. I am so happy that we were able to give him a stable home where he can be lazy as cats should.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your pets, Bubbler members!

[mod_wagon_driver]

i have a few pets, i grew up on a farm we allways had a few begals. had a blind husky that i loved to. after moving off the farm dad started raising boxers. we did that for a few years until dad passed. i miss those dogs alot. :cry:

now i have my daschund duke, ive had him since i was a freshman some 11 years ago. he is showing his age but still thinks he is a pup. ill be lost when he is gone.



i also have 3 russian dwarf hampsters that are probly the most babyed ones youl ever see, and i keep 2 fish tanks 30 gall and a 55 gall. the 55 is home to one very large oscar and one even larger pleco, the 30 houses some smaller chiclids.

[AJE]

Yep I have one for you. You know that old wisecrack, "my dog ate my homework." Well I dedicate this quote to my bunny Dusty and Sunshine the Conure Parrot. A lot of you have seen them in my web page portfolio. I can't begin to count how many times they will steal right from my plate. For example God forbid you have a cookie and look away for one second. My bird will drink whatever fluid you happen to be appreciating. Dusty will act exactly like mans best friend, give him a treat and he'll take it to go. Just like a dog taking a bone and hiding the thing so he won't have to share. Also my rabbit, doesn't appreciate clutter, if something is in his way...he'll move it. This is why some of my term papers took some bunny nips. My bird is very much a people person; she craves attention and will additively seek out her human companions. Gotta Love ‘em!

[JuJu]

We have a Chocolate lab and a cat. Our lab is 5 months old. Not sure about the cat. My Husband found him in his work warehouse and brought him home. Sure is a smart bugger though! :lol:

Heres a pic of our lab when she was MUCH, MUCH smaller! LOL

[madcityhippiechick]

Right now I share my life with two "fur kids" Phat Katt was found abandoned (in a burlap sack!) as a kitten. She has semi long black fur and gold eyes.
Bridget is my 7 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. My late husband wanted a hunting dog who would also protect me and decided on this breed. I have retired her from hunting - she is a great companion and "best friend".
The cat and the dog enjoy each others company. One night Bridget was being a pest - constantly bringing toys to me so I would play with her. I was trying to get some work done and told her a bit more sternly than usual to leave me alone. She picked up her ball and dropped it inches from the cats nose and gently nudged it right up to the cat. Unfortunately - the cat didn't want to play either and got up and walked away!

[goofycow]

This is my precious little baby Yum Yum. She is about 9 months old in this photo. To say I got the weirdo of the litter would be an understatement. She just loves to help her mommy change the bed linen, but this time she had to take time off to chase her tail. She also likes to help fold the laundry. I just love Siamese. I blame that on my mother! 8)

[AJE]

“Pet Therapy”
I’ve had a horrible day…what more could possibly go wrong? The estimates on damage from the hailstorm are starting to be determined; the windows still haven’t been repaired, and to top it off I’m starving. Worries about the unknown future are flying through my head. Things like is my Cockatiel Angel or Sun Conure Sunshine going to fly out the window if they escape from their cages. Is my 45-gallon saltwater tank going to stay warm enough? But my biggest concern is a cat going to invade my home and kill my beloved bunnies Ash and Dusty. I should be more focused on that mid-term essay which is due in a few days, but my mind is on my babies. I understand that to some these critters would have been considered pets; but for my mom and myself they are family.

I’ve just gotten home from a difficult college course. I no more than shut my car door and head towards my parent’s front door when I hear the calls from the birds. “Moms here, Mom’s here” is probably what they’re saying to rejoice in my arrival home. Within seconds after I open the door I’m greeted not by my mother, but my bunny Ash. You can just tell she’s happy; she runs over not hops to me and starts doing loops around my legs. Then she’ll stop if not picked up and will stand on her hind legs and just stare with begging eyes. “Please mom, pick me up” So I did what any animal lover would do, I put down my backpack and up into my arms she came. By now my mother has come to greet my arrival with the typical conversation all parents will do with their children. We plop down on the family room recliners to talk about our day. As I’m sitting there holding Ash in my arms, she begins to give me kisses…well I’m hooked because all the worries I had are melting away.

Ahh, the joys of pets! There is no doubt that pets serve us as companions, friends and protectors. They give a great deal to us and ask little in return — just the love of a caring master who will shelter and protect them, just as we do our children. If you’re a pet lover like myself, you may in fact treat your pets like children. But maybe the benefits of pets go beyond this emotional bond. A growing amount of evidence suggests that those who keep pets are likely to benefit from a variety of improvements in their health. Thus the relationship between pets and humans appears to be symbiotic.
·Companionship and pleasurable activity
·Facilitate exercise, play, and laughter
·Give something to care for and a source of consistency
·Allow feeling of security
·Are a comfort to touch and a pleasure to watch thus lessen ones anxiety
·Provide a link with reality to enhance emotional stability
·Become a receptive partner in a relationship of mutual trust that promotes self awareness
·Provide non-judgmental acceptance and love
·They are an outlet for one’s ancient primate grooming urges
ie: Dusty: “mom you groom me, I’ll groom you”
·We feel a sense of improved well being

www.therapydogs.com

[lsaliture]

Do you own a dog that you got from the Humane Society or a rescue? I am starting something new. I am gathering stories about dogs who are not from breeders or kennels, but dogs who nobody wanted, and you adopted.

These abandoned dogs need to be recognized for how amazing they are. I have gotten every dog I owned from a shelter or from someone who didn't want the dog anymore, and they have made my life so great!

If you have a story about a dog you rescued from a shelter or a bad situation, email me a short one or two page story about: where you found them and what your life is like now with your companion. Please send a picture along of your dog, or both of you. I will add it to my website, on a page called, "Dog Paw Tales" on the Dog Paws website (a local wisconsin website dedicated to dogs)
Email stories to: lsaliture@aol.com

WE have some really heartwarming stories and pictures of some dogs that were rescued and adopted already on the website. Check them out and bring a kleenex. Go to the website when finished here at: http://www.kenoshadogpaws.org

Who knows, maybe when I gather enough stories, I will look for a publisher and have it made into a book.

[lsaliture]

Each Month, on the Dog Paws Organization's website, you could have a chance to win a great gift for your dog by adding your dog's photo to our Dog Paws Photo Gallery. If you dog is voted "Top Dog," you win something great for your pup.
This month, we are giving the winner a gift-basket full of dog treats and grooming products from Cloud Star worth $100!!! Plus, the second runner up receives a very nice gift too. Voting ends November 30th, so you still have time.

Go to the Dog Paws website, and add a photo of your dog. Ask family and friends to vote for your dog. Just give them the web address and send them to the Dog Paws Photo Gallery.
Rules: One vote per person per photo, which means, you can vote once for as many photos as you want.

Visit the Dog Paws photo gallery at: http://www.kenoshadogpaws.org
or click http://www.kenoshadogpaws.org

Here the latest addition to my family. This is Everett -

[PatW]

I am a believer in finding my pets at the Humane centers. I have always had good luck over the last 20 years getting my dog this way. My 1st black lab in 1986 was adopted with ease. He was an adult dog & lived with us until his passing in 1997. Our next black lab was adopted as an adult dog, but it took a few more questions, waiting period, etc. by the Humane Society. She developed cancer after six years being with us. I mourned for a year before returning to the Humane Society to look for another dog. By this time, the Humane societies became more selective with interviews & questions. They evidently did not like my answers - one of them being "No, I do not tie my dog up", and "yes, my dog is allowed to run without being on a leash". What they refused to beleive is that each dog I have owned has never gone off the property, never leaves my side, has been obedient & friendly. They refused to beleive that my dogs are trained gently. I will never return to the Humane Society. They made me very angry. My newest black lab is a hunting dog reject I got as a 3-yr old. He is by my side constantly, is seldom tied and never on a leash unless we are travelling. He, like the other dogs I have owned has developed an intelligence level far beyond what is average. Why are Humane Societies discriminatory to the point they do not recognize a dog lover when they see one?

[Kris10]

PatW, I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the Humane Society. It certainly make sense for a dog to be off a leash when it is working, as hunting or herding dogs often are. Please understand that they are just trying to weed out people who may be neglectful. It's probably easier for the Humane Society to receive "yes" or "no" answers so volunteers don't have to debate grey areas.



On a happier note, this is Lil' Hank, our newest addition. He was found by my mother-in-law under her porch and we took him in. How could we resist? He is now Maverick's best friend and Finner's biggest annoyance, but we love them all!

[lsaliture]

Both of the last forum posts should definately add their stories to the Dog PAWS (Pooches Off-Leash in Wisconsin) website. we have a section on the website where people are submitting their heart warming stories about dogs they have found or rescued, and how amazing these dogs are. If interested, go to the Dog PAWS website, read the submissions that already posted, and be touched by the wonderful stories. http://www.kenoshadogpaws.org

Anyone wishing to submit a short story about their dog, please submit a short story about: how you found tthis dog and how the dog has changed your life. (Also a photo would be great) Please email: Kenoshadogpaws@aol.com
please submit

[Kellbell]

I am a big volunteer for the Jefferson County Humane Society..Home of some of the most dedicated and loving workers. We adopted Nadia, our chubby little beagle in May. She touched our hearts and healed it when our dog Josie died after 18 faithful years. Then along came Daphne, another beautiful beagle who almost got hit by a car. She was (and still is a little) very timid and sweet. I wasn't sure I wanted 2 dogs until I saw the sweetness in her eyes and discovered after a little while that she must have been abused. She cowered and cried alot. We worked with her and she has made a lot of progress. These two sisters get along wonderfully and we are so glad they are part of our family. I fully support all the work that Humane Societies do. They are passionate about what they do and they are very dedicated to getting the animals adopted to good loving homes. Please understand (Pat W.) that if you had a bad experience because they asked alot of questions, it is because they want to make sure these animals go to a good home. It is not personal or anything against you, please believe that. You would not believe some of the stories...in regards to good and bad adoptions. It truly is about the love for the animals.

[imkaydee]

This is the newest member of our family - Hannah
She is a 5 month old lab/retreiver mix. We adopted her from the Wisconsin Humane society in August. She only weighed 5 lbs. She is a wonderful dog. I love her very much. She is my constant companion - so much that I nicknamed her "Slippers".



My mom sent me this pic in an email- so cute and this pup looks just like my Hannah.





Rest in peace sweet Emma Bear
1991 - 2005
This is Emma and our cat Maestro. We adopted Emma when she was 3 - 4 years old. She was a lab/chow mix. I miss her very much. She was my best friend, very kind and gentle - even with cats and babies. I still see her sometimes... in my dreams.

[JuJu]

Originally Posted by JuJu

We have a Chocolate lab and a cat. Our lab is 5 months old. Not sure about the cat. My Husband found him in his work warehouse and brought him home. Sure is a smart bugger though! :lol:

Heres a pic of our lab when she was MUCH, MUCH smaller! LOL

Here's an updated picture...from puppy toooooo......



We recently got the yellow lab....she's a beautiful girl too! And Saddie, my Chocolate, just turned a year on the 10th! [/img]