Pets & the humans who love them

[Miss Scarlett]

For the past 13 years I have been personal assistant to the little gray cat who showed up on my patio on one of the hottest days of August 1997. I cannot and do not want to imagine my life without her. She is very much her own cat.

I love all animals and if my lifestyle/schedule permitted would definitely have a dog too. Of course I do have a "part-time dog" as in the Shih Tzu my boss brings to work. He is a delight and I love having a dog on my desk or in my lap when working.

I would love to have a raven. They are one of the smartest birds as well as being one of my animal totems.

[Isadora]

We lost four companions in one year. All of them from age. They were our family for many many years. First there was Zeke. Zeke was the elder to everyone else that came and went. He tolerated them all with his usual cat tolerance. He was a black fluffy green eyed cat that was my last connection to Andre. Andre's cat Molly had her very last litter and Zeke was the runt. 16 years of love and devotion he died roaming the countryside he grew up in. He was the only four legged companion that was not rescued. I still miss him. We had Queen Zelda the Persian, Magic and Mic the dumped in the country lab mixes and my rescued bichon the Zigmeister. Ziggy was my lover boy and followed me everywhere and always had to be touching me. I miss him.

Now we have Bert and Ernie. Bert is a sweet butch terrorist and Ernie is a sweet femme bottom. LOL They were rescued as part of the City of Oakland Catch and Release program for stray cats. Momma was caught, had her kittehs, neutered and released back in her neighborhood. Bert and Ernie (or as Toughy calls her Ernestine) are tortoiseshell and diluted calicos. I lub them. We are considering a dog but I am torn between a rescue mastiff and a bichon. Don't laugh. I grew up with a Great Dane named Dede and a Chihuahua named Pixie. Heh. We shall see...

[AtLast]

My 15 year old cat, Luciano is in kidney failure, but doing well, actually. He gets sub-q fluids every other day and is on Rx food. He is still king of the abode (even over my French Bulldog) and keeps the neighborhood in check. Yes, he has slowed down, but is a tough cat! Now he comes in early in the evening to snooze in his heating pad adorned bed under my desk. I have a talk and ear scratch session with him every night on the floor and he purrs the best tunes!

Have another cat, an orange manx (Mario), also a rescue. He is 7 years old. Always been a nervous fellow and very sweet. I have caught him more than once cleaning Luciano's ears under my desk. He knows his big brother doesn't feel well all of the time. Fortunately, Mario loves the dog and they are pretty close. So, when we lose Luciano, he will still have a fur person he loves around.

I lost the last of my Boxers 2 years ago (Valentino) to a brain tumor at age 8 years. Had Boxers for 30 years, some rescused, others, not. I miss him and the breed, but it is best to have a small breed for me now.

That brings me to Ranocchio the Frog Dog!! He is a tiger-brindle French Bulldog and he is 5 years old. Kind of like having a short Boxer, actually. Total clown... with attitude! A great companion and friend!

I'm an introvert and although I do like people in general, I prefer home and quiet and being able to trust my fur kids. My human family is number one on the people scale. I spent my working life in fields directly dealing with people and people problems and education. Unless someone truely loves pets, I'd rather they not even visit me. This is their home, too. I'm done taking care of people in my personal as well as work life. Totally retired! The kid is raised and has his own family and is stable. The rest is for me and responsible, conscious, considerate humans ... and my pets! The only shit I am going to clean up any more is what's in the litter box!

I would like to have another pooch, but right now with my older cat's health needs and expenses, that isn't the thing to do. Probably piss him off, anyway....

[Lady Pamela]

All 5 of my animals right now are rescued animals.

Angel is 17 (Cat)
Belle my most recent rescue (cat) Still healing her from a tramatic assault and stavation..but shes doing better
Samantha (Rat) She is still having issues as well.
Ekock (boy bird) & Halo (girl bird...doing great * Peach face and black nose love birds *

YES THEY ARE ALL MY BABIES AND PART OF THE FAMILY.

[katsarecool]

So many stories here of abused animals! It makes me sad. But it makes me happy that so many have found good loving homes.

The neighbors kid me about being the Cat Woman and often come to me asking advice about their cats. Several of the former neighbors moved out leaving their just barely kitten to fend for themselves; males intact and females not spayed and so hungry and scared. If I could get away with bitch slapping these women who abandoned all the cats I would slap em good!

When I get up and outside; at least three cats come running over to my house and walk up the sidewalk.

Update on Jeffery; she is home safe and sound with her halo and meds. Sleeping mostly. If my daughter lets her out again I will be pissed off!

I love this thread and all your furr babies! Oh and the babies without furr some are even a bit slimy!

[Mtn]

I have the delightful July, chi pom mix that Sassy rescued...my constant companion, and the best dog I ever met....

[katsarecool]

Hello Mtn, welcome to the Planet and to this thread. Hello July!!!!

[perfekly_flawed]

Starting with the diva-dog on the left and then going clock-wise:

Coco Joi, 10-year old Rat Terrier that I got as an 8-week old puppy when I lived in Virginia. She is the most devoted dog I've ever known. She's a bit of a cover hog but a complete lovebug so it's okay with me! Oh, and she's butch...

Leo, 10 year old DSH rescued from a camp ground by my ex when she was very tiny. She's been horribly overweight for years and despite numerous attempts at different diet, forced exercise (as if)... she just stays HUGE. She's quiet and loving and one of those cats who'd sit in your lap for 5 hour stretches if you'd let her. Oh, and she's the object of Coco's butch affections... no, seriously!

Bobby, 7 year old tuxedo boy (the ONLY boy in the roost now that my son is out on his own) who is absolutely the best cat I've ever had the privledge of sharing a house with. When *I* sneeze, no matter where he is in the house, he always meows VERY loudly ... it's the only time you hear that particular tone from him and he only does it for ME.

Ruby, 3 year old rescue kitty - found clinging to a fence in the rain by someone who then brought her in to a friend of mine who is a vet... After being bottle fed til she could be weaned, she joined our family.

Since I've recently gone thru a break up, and chose to move to a small condo, I currently have Coco and my ex has our 3 cats and I have open/liberal visitation. I miss them... horribly!

[oblivia]

We have a wonderful cat, Balor, who is now just over 11 years old and a really fun and entertaining Green Cheek Conure, Jasper, who is really chatty and who we spend a lot of time with. Both are very much members of the family, right along with Sparx, me, and the man-children.