BS: Our pets favorite things

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 01:58 PM

Yes definitely.

Faulkner started noticing when our hockey team's announcers would get excited about a potentially impending goal. That soon became his cue to watch US... so we reinforced the goal-scored happy dance with a treat. Over the years he's added awareness of specific players' names approaching the net, being likely to score and set off the sequence of celebratory dance moves. He can tell network from hometown announcers and home games from away games-- when the buzzer sounds for us or for the enemy. He can tell a replay from a fresh goal... all by learning what our behavior means and by watching us. He's geriatric now; may be his last hockey season.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 11:53 AM

I have just observed an interesting reaction from my cat Cleo. As I watched a football match on tv today, Chelsea v Liverpool, she curled up and went to sleep in her favourite-for-the-purpose chair. When the final whistle went, the commentator's tone altered: his delivery changed into summarising mode; the words accelerated and his volume increased, as he emphasised points about Liverpool's having turned the game around, and speculated on what the defeat might mean to Chelsea's embattled manager. Cleo immediately leapt up, & ran over to sit on my lap, as if to tell me it was time for me to stop watching the silly old telly and give some urgent time for her to be petted and fed. The point is, the change of the tone of the tv commentary had obviously indicated to her, even comatose as as she appeared, that the game was over, and I would soon be switching off and my attention could transfer to her. The commentator's voice and delivery at that point had clearly indicated to her what the following sequence of events would be.

There seem to me to be some extraordinarily sensitive reactions at play in her behaviour here. Has anyone else experienced such specific recognition of a particular situation in an animal's behaviour?

≈M≈

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 08:58 AM

For cheap entertainment, buy a set of Halloween animal ears on a headband. Put them on and take them off, several times-- in front of your dog. Hilarious!

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 15 - 04:19 PM

The shelter here is an easy scooter ride away aND TBTG is smater than i am.... I scootered over with Biscuit early this AM, for her to meet Newbie-- and also volunteered.

The first job they assigned was fostering/evaluating/advising/remediating for an "unadoptable" dog-- Newbie! (She's QUITE adoptable.) Many tests already given and passed. Plan of remediation taking shape.

Soon she will find her forever home-- maybe ours, but not my call; she has many tests to pass (and do do I).

I'm so glad this Ohio house has carpet that we plan to replace eventually, cuz it makes accidents no big deal!

My fitness app and I both hit the wall on keeping up with her/introducing her to Dog World with off-leash Biscuit-playtime. I declared it nap time for all 3 of us, while my back meds kick in.

OTOH this push to a new daily activity goal was just what I needed-- if I want to sleep drug-free. I bet I will tonite! ;-)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 12:35 PM

It's not often I want advice but now I do. 

We always let our senior dogs help train our new dogs. It's time. 
Faulkner is rapidly becoming not a senior dog, but a geriatric dog. 

I found a dog. Small pit/shep mix, F, abt 1 yr old. Not aggressive with people and will meet Biscuit, my beagle/basset 2yr old, tmrw.

I'm at our Ohio vacay home. Next wk I rendezvous with Hardi for an overnighter. I want to swap Biscuit for senior Faulkner, now that her training program is set, and let Hardi work with her while I socialize Faulkner with Newbie, here, where I have my scooter to exercise/tire/calm them. 

I use a sit-before feeding method of reminding our dogs who is boss, and I have worked with dominance-tending breeds before. I'm strong enough to manhandle Newbie on leash, and I have good separation here for a gentle intro period.

When I take Faulkner and Newbie home, I can teach Hardi what I 
learn about their ability to cooperate.

Does this sound crazy? ;-)

Subject: DOG YEARS/PEOPLE YEARS
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 02:38 PM

Our vet uses this chart:

DOG YEARS/PEOPLE YEARS

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jun 15 - 02:53 PM

Today we combed our dog and have enough hair to make a new dog.
The look of gratitude is beyond measure.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 01:42 PM

My Splodge used to like my oud case:

http://www.campin.me.uk/Cats/SplodgeWithUd.jpg

I got a piano accordion last week. None of the cats took much interest in it, though Marblecake sat in it briefly. I think the problem is that it's a big accordion. It's going to take three cats to make a really cosy pile inside that case. It'll probably happen once winter sets in.

Subject: PY: In That Space
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 11:46 AM

Like many dogs and cats (and people), Faulkner loves to lie in warm sunlight. As winter approaches we are mindful that this may be his last winter-- so it's on us to do all we can to make it an good one.

The amount of time the LR gets full sun is very brief, as I know from my own SAD usage of that south window in past years. TBTG my thyroid function now sends me OUT for sun... but into the outdoor cold is not what Faulkner's sore old bones need. So, thanks to FreeCycle, he is now the happily-dozing, sole occupant of a twinbed-sized electric blanket.

In the days ahead I am sure his new kitteh friends will take up corners of it. But till he gets his smell all over it, it's just his. Except for my bare feet. There is an adjoining chair I may occupy for brekky of a cold morning!


Using this end of the LR this way is bittersweet. It's had so many uses over the years....

In that place, looking out back at the corn crib and cow-punctuated hills, I discovered that I had lived in one place for more years than I had ever lived anywhere else and that I could start to organize my life and my home for stability, not chaos.

In that space, while the kids were with us, we said Morning Prayer before their schoolhouse pickup-- a big thing in the Blending Family years we enjoyed when we first arrived in this town.

In that space, one year I studied Scripture and prayed, many hours, in that pool of sunlight. (This year's books await winter nesting-time.)

In that space, last year, I had a Mini-Sick-Bay to transition from nursing home care to home nursing care to my own self-care.

In that space, I used the Sick Bay drapery/dividers to process 3 wardrobes-worth of clothing alterations, after my life-changing surgery, with two good friends who came to measure me and plan the work for my seamstresses.

In that space, I set up a closet I can SEE to supplement the Super-Closet which cannot have an electric light added, where hubby and I choose pretty outfits he likes to see me wear for him.

And since I no longer need him as a Service Dog, from that same place, beside that closet, I can now be Faulkner's Service Dog. It's good to know that if he can try to make one more winter, next year, we'll be all set.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 12:05 PM

Faulkner loves to trim his toenails and clean his paws after food, rain, mud, etc. I have never had a dog before that did that! Usually, about the time I think it's time to pay for a clip, he's already taking care of it himself!

~Susan

Subject: PY: Iz COWS?!?!?!?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 04:46 PM

Cows. When they appear in the picture window that faces the pasture across the south hill, and turn to look downhill ("at" F), "BARKBARKGRRRRRR MOMMY!"

Mommy: "Cows? Iz cows?" And thus anythng that akes him bark I just shush him quiet: It's just cows." Might be.... an airplane, etc., but the "don't worry" word has become COWS.

But today in the scooter-explore du jour, on the road, we passed a field with cows sleeping, up CLOSE, in tall GRASS. At his eye level! And nose level. F alerted-- "WhazZAT mommy?"

Mommy: "Iz COWS?"

F looks, cows get up in pairs to face the wolf-smell/visual: "Eh???? Iz wolf?"

Mommy pees pants on scooter.

So now F has a BIG visual AND a smell to go with that word next time he sees 'em on the hill-- when they again look like ants crawling on the windowframe.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Sep 12 - 11:42 AM

Let's leave the politics elsewhere and return to a discussion of things our domesticated animals enjoy.

Our old tomcat Bill is now suffering from arthritis that prevents him from doing anything very physically demanding, such as turning around to groom his lower back. Like all good housecats, he has trained us to meet this need, so the morning routine now includes loud baritone meows demanding an extended combing session. Edmund is careful to do this *before* getting dressed for work, as few garments show off white cat hair quite as well as Canadian Forces-issue trousers.

Rosie the Siamese likes anything Bill likes, especially if she can steal it from him. That includes lap space, which can lead to an Exchange of Paws.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Sep 12 - 09:16 PM

I remember starting this thread years ago after peple had become very nasty.


fir now ow bout

Barack to the Future
all nite long
Middle class wealth
MADE THE US strong

Barak and Roll back
the Neo-Con federacy
along with their
ownership society

thats nothin but
neo slavery
forclosed and owned
by the white man plan.




Bobert, With Romnesia, Mitt happens


Mitt & Wall St.
Mitt & Wall St.
go together like a gun & crime spree

ug



What really does work however is:

PROTECT YOUR MAMA
VOTE OBAMA

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Galloping Gwdihw
Date: 06 Sep 12 - 12:15 AM

I have a Tube Nosed Fruit Bat. I call him Gerald, he's getting rather old but he's a good Tube Nosed Fruit Bat. Here's a short list (in no particular order) of things he likes:
*Hanging upside down from the rafters, eating fruit. Have to hold my nose when he "kisses" me cos his breath smells like fermenting orange peel.
*Custard creams.
*Sudoku.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 05:03 PM

SAD ALERT

RIP Sadie (a few weeks ago). I wrote her obit here but it didn't "take." I know all the "you made the right call" stuff, and it was STILL the hardest put-down I have ever had to do; I have done more than my share.

RIP also Katy-Kat earlier this year, right after my mom's April 1 passing.....

Both had some pretty serious medical issues, as do remaining cats Atticus and Isis. Those two snbuggle-buddies have now become semi-outdoor kittehs for their last years of Real Cattitude, because F has taken over Sadie's corner; that means the kittehs find the outer door left open to his fenced yard, for his continue RealDoggitude.


On the plus side-- I managed a farm once and have this all-biz attitude alongside the soft-hearted pet-lover's default-- now we can afford the Good Stuff for Faulkner's dog food, AND he has more beds than ever. One in just about every room! ;~)

Bye Sadie, bye Katy-- you were each champs in your own unique ways!

Goodby Sally (my mom), too-- today is her memorial service; she was a committed cat rescuer.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Elmore
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 11:04 AM

My Bombay cat, Raven loves to scratch the daylights out of my shoes when I'm in them, despite the fact that she's declawed. When she merely wishes to greet me, the scratching is rather brief, but when she wants me to throw a toy for her to fetch the scratching is insistent. Our other cat looks on, puzzled.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 05:32 PM

Camping. Drinking lakes. Meeting people at restaurants (BAD Service Dog!). Quietly helping every time needed. Being, at last, just a Real Dog.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jul 12 - 07:41 PM

Service/therapy dog Faulkner quite liked his first visit to an indoor/ in-ground pool today, and was a big hit with pool patrons.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 12:52 PM

Faulkner's "The Bone Game":

Who's a good doggeh?
F!
Play the Bone Game?
Happydance, bone fetched.
Whose bone is this?
F! [gnargnargnar]
Maybe it's Mommeh's bone! [gnargnargnar]
No! F! [gnargnargnar]
Kitteh bone? [gnargnargnar]
F F F F F!!!!!! [gnargnargnar]
Bone game again?
Happydance, and repeat.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 13 Apr 12 - 10:22 AM

After ALL, sodit! Nothing to do with After The Ball Was Over...

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 13 Apr 12 - 10:19 AM

Further to my last post about 2 months ago: Cleo has now changed without demurral to Tesco jellymeat pieces.

I know all readers of this thread have been positively AGOG for this information [no ref intended to Agag, who, because he trod quietly, was the cat of Lord Peter Wimsey's mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver]. We are not after ball called Catters for nothing!

~M~

Subject: RIP Katy
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 06:58 PM

SQUEAM ALERT or bite me (whole post)

RIP Katy Kat, who had to be put down this afternoon; a trip I had planned got called of just intime to find her in trouble and yet not in pain.

Katy was a ripe-old-aged kitteh who had been starting the Long Sleeps, amidst other health problems too numerous to katalog. She went to the vet today following a nice porch lap-visit, listening to birdehs and wishing I'd let her get down to get just ONE more birdeh in a long life of birdeh-presenting; first tho she kicked the porch kitteh's ass just kuz she kould.

This was a kat about whom we had kollected many Katy Kronikles, after we'd rescued her some years ago from a FreeCycler who turned out to be a very good friend... whose wife kould no longer tolerate Kat Allergies.

How we knew it was indeed the right time I am not prepared to describe further than to say: KATY failed to howl and projektile-poop her karrier-kennel in her usual fashion, despite the lack of Kalm-Down meds. Not a howl, bless her little kitteh soul.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 06:36 PM

Faulkner was presented today with his Service Dog (trainee) patch!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 11:52 AM

Cats and dogs in pools of sunshine on the floor on a cold day? Yes... and F just discovered that the hot oil rad I needed to run by my feet is a GREAT alternative when the kittehs have taken over his dogbed and Mommie does not want his muddy butt on the good rug where the sun temporarily is. Plus the oil rad doesn't move across the floor requiring him to move with it. It's all good! This offers a great winter nighttime alternative to his "cold" corner bed, too.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 12:54 AM

BTW, just for the record, Cleo lives on Felix meat/fish in jelly pax, & Wiskas bix. Emma tried her on Sainsbury's own-brand catfood, but she turned her nose up & wouldn't touch it.

Little Madam!

〠☺〠~M~〠☺〠

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 04:15 AM

About 65 years ago we had a cat who would sleep nowhere but on a 3"-wide ledge by the fanlight above the kitchen door in our ordinary N London suburban semi, which she would access by climbing up my mother's overalls and aprons hung from hooks on the back of the doors.

Not sure where our present cat Cleo sleeps; she is always there in the morning, outside our bedroom door when one of us emerges, waiting for her Felix jellymeat breakfast: but where she has actually spent the night we have not yet managed to establish. The other evening I thought she had absolutely disappeared ~ knew she was in the house but couldn't find her anywhere. Suddenly she came strolling into the room where I was, having presumably been napping wherever-it-is...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:51 PM

Oh dear! Faulkner missed the PUPPY BOWL!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Crowhugger
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 02:22 PM

Our 3 dogs favourite things:
In winter Kay's is to run through fresh snow skimming mouthfuls off the top. Without fresh snow, just running is tops in her book. I think Mulligan can outrun her but he chooses not to, rank ordering behaviour I guess.

In summer she and Missy play hidey ball in the creek, both pushing their balls under the bank into the cutaways made by currents below surface level. And both dive or reach to get the balls back, then repeat forever or until it's time to play fetch or go home. Both are blonde and both finish this game looking like blackface sheep.

Missy's favourite thing outside the creek: Owning every ball in the known universe. So far, everyone who told me their dog is the One True Master Ball-owner has been mistaken, yet never a woof spoken or a hair ruffled. The longest effort took her 20 patient minutes. Usually 30 seconds of hovering and then they yield to her calm demand.

M's favourite thing is food. 2nd fave is whatever lives under the neighbour's garden shed. We've never seen it but it occupies his attention at length. When those aren't on, he'll do minor gymnastics to get any other dog to chase him. Lately he also enjoys keeping balls away from Missy. He may end up being the spoiler to her clear title as One True Master Ball-owner, the irony being that she taught him to do it so well.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 12:58 PM

Sheldon is OK with Meghan again and often snuggles beside her on the futon. The dog on the other hand...they will never be friends but Sheldon has, for the moment, stopped openly stalking her

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: ranger1
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 11:30 AM

So has Sheldon decided that she and the dog are part of the family yet? And when will she wake up to find Sheldon in one cup and either Mikey or Madmardigan in the other?

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 08:47 AM

Since my niece with the huge knockers moved in, Sheldon's new favorite thing is sleeping in her bra (while she's not wearing it - just cuz someone's gonna ask!)...I have started referring to it as the "bucket seat hammock".

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: ranger1
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:39 PM

Our "new" kitty Kaylee's current favorite things are slightly too small paper bags.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 10:57 PM

FROM EMAIL:

===

One day, an older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home, and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me. I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside, resumed his spot in the hall-- and again slept for about an hour.

This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is, and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day, he arrived for his nap with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3.
He's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

===

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 10:46 AM

Faulkner had a thorough romp with the scooter last night. TBTG I had a portable water-bowl on board because the old boy got totally panted out! I thought for a minute he'd have to ride the scooter back to the car-- no cell on board to call Hardi-- but altho he got on it, he declined to ride, LOL. He strolled happily back all 3.5 miles, asked for a few more runs, climbed up into the car with no issue, had no car jitters as he usually does, slept hard all night-- and is his usual playful seff this AM (tho starving!).

Funny how he and Sadie handle scooter-runs so differently. She's happy just to slog along. He wants to choose whether he's on grass or asphalt, and not all grass will suit, BTW! She's more like ponying a horse; he's more like driving one. She comes along; he partners. She pulls bad on a leash and he does not; but with the scooter he wants to pull it and she wants to be beside me.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 09:21 PM

Sadie just logged an hour-plus, most of it at a good clip, with the scooter. First time I have ever seen her tired enough to flop. BTW there is nothing funnier than a dog trying to do what a horse does easily on a trail ride, without even stopping-- unless it's when they do it on a treadmill.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 02:47 PM

So proud of our doggehs.

Sadie is now scooter-safe on the local rail-trails, with my scooter and her short leash, and is learning voice cues to go around the back when asked to change sides. She is also quite smart about moving on voice request to initiate a turn (so her toes stay safe), when we must turn. I'm using a combo of dog and horse languages. She figured out the program very quickly.

Faulkner continues to amaze me. On the one had he actually thought he could nose my fingers off his food bowl one day (NO!), but OTOH he is getting more and more responsive to eye-fingerpoint cues to go where I ask him to go. Today the complex task was to run up and get Sadie off whatever she was nosing into or chewing, upstairs, and get her to follow him down. He knows that no GOOD dog goes up there w/o our permission, so he asked with his eyes to be sure I DID really want him to run up there... his usual stair-safety procedure is to stay at least 4 steps behind me so he doesn't knock me downstairs, so he thought that he could certainly not go first!!! He went, albeit a tad slowly to be SURE.... But by the third time we did this, there was just my eyes and finger, and a little "go on" of murmured encouragement from me. Up he went, so happily and freely that Sadie was attracted to the fun she saw him having, and did follow him back down, and they then happily romped back to the respective places where they belonged, having had that good, strenuous stair-climb/roam.

Treats for all, YAY!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 12:43 PM

Every time that I've gotten a new animal I am aware that they cannot take the place of the one I've lost. However, the new one can fill the space, and in time they make their own place. My new dog is just beginning to make his place; it is not his fault that he's not Meggie.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 07:59 AM

It still hurts losing the 3 of mine 2 cats and a dog. The youngest cat was killed in tragic circumstances and my older cat was always constantly looking out for her not knowing she wasn't going to come back it was just too much to bear. The older cat some years later watched my youngest pet dog pass away, this time she was more aware that there was a problem with the dog. The cat held on for a few years later and on until 18 years old she was tiny but so strong not wanting to go and give up her life until it got to the point that she could hardly stand, eat or drink. She died more or less the same month as we got her. They were 3 good natured animals best companions I've ever had but somehow I don't think I will ever be that lucky to find anything like that again.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 03:00 PM

I know what you mean, Bruce. I lost a dog more than 30 years ago, and I still miss her.

As for the one I lost this summer, I still bleed...

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,999
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:08 PM

I had a German Shepherd named Tamar. When she had to be put down I was crying for about three days. Best dog I ever had and I still, decades later, think of he at least once a week. Best to those of you who`ve lost a pet. I know they are just dogs or cats or, or, or, but man it still hurts like hell.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 08:57 AM

Eddie,
After my calico Mara passed a few years back I heard her in the apartment for quite awhile afterward. It wasn't just me, either. My other cat Madmardigan would hear it, too. Once I brought home the new kittens 8-10 weeks later I stopped hearing her.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 08:11 AM

(((Eddie)))

(((J-Boy & Tami)))

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: eddie1
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:47 AM

Susan & Becca
Thanks for the messages of comfort.
Was cleaning up yesterday after it was all over. Never thought I would cry over dumping a trayful of poop?
Got up during the night and was convinced I heard her objecting to havingn her sleep interrupted.

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: J-boy
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:23 AM

Tami and I lost our stupid and beautiful cat on saturday. The hardest part is that I keep seeing and hearing her everywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:27 AM

My new dog, Ellery, is a rescued Chinese Crested Hairless, now 2 1/2 years old. He had major surgery about four months ago and is finally feeling well - loves to leap and run with a big grin on his face.

But as I said, he is hairless so he loves to be toasty. In the apartment his sweater keeps him warm enough but not toasty so the 'royal robe' I drape over him is a favorite thing of his. He is careful not to shake it off as he trots around.

He loves to go to bed- it is the toastiest place he knows. He sleeps inside the sheets, starting down by my feet and then sometime during the night he shimmies on his belly up to my pillow and there he is when morning comes: the covers around his shoulders but his tiny face on my pillow.

But I think his very favorite thing in the world is when he first wakes up. He has trained me to give him a complete rub down every morning - from massaging his feet and working the muscles in the upper legs to the special scratch just above his tail and the next most important spot on his long neck. In between those points all he asks is a full body massage. He can hardly contain himself; his eyes are dreamy, his mouth chews on my arm as though he thought I too needed a massage. Reminds me of the reciprocal attention that horses give each other.

I have read that the Crested is considered the Clown of the Dog World- I can see why.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 02:29 PM

Thinking of you today, Eddie. I'll give my 3 boys an extra scratch behind the ears tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 01:48 PM

My pet is a dog. His favourite things seem to be his nuts.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:52 PM

(((Eddie)))

In my lap. It's big enough. Have a tissue.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: eddie1
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:41 PM

It's fate that this thread has just appeared!
Suzie - our cat who only ever answered to Wooz, has lived here longer than I have. A cat who hated all other animals except humans who she loved dearly.
Her favourite things? Food, my lap and more food (including custard!!).
Sadly, at the ripe old age of 20, she's off tomorrow to take that long sleep. Mostly blind, decidedly deaf, somewhat arthritic and finally, a facial tumour which is inoperable. I know it's the best thing for her but.....
In the supermarket yesterday I bought a couple of tins of outrageously expensive food as a final present and I, 6'7" built like a brick outhouse, burst into tears at the check-out as I picked them out of my basket.
This evening she's been lying on my lap with whiskers full of cuatard and purring loudly.

Bye darling, I'll miss you.

Eddie

Subject: Peter's Passing
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 04:58 PM

F's new fave is His Own Couch. It's really our "company" couch, a very nice one given to us almost new several years ago. It's not comfy for TV watching or hoomin-napping, so it usually sits swathed in protective blankies to be saved for the day we move to a house with a real "company-parlor;" several other chairs on hold will go there, with it. But since we recently acquired a used sectional recliner (LOVE it), and since the LR re-arrange and the cold winter sent F's dog bed to his sleeping corner-- he gained Couch Status.

"His" couch is a repository the cats appreciate for the lap-rugs we toss on there when we exit our own warm nest. This Dog Sofa adjoins ours, in a huge L that takes up most of the LR seating space.... F gets to snuggle inches from o Hardi's Nuzzling Hand. F's aging bones appreciate the promotion, but we are having a heck of a time teaching him that if he is called over to us he must first hit the floor and not just ooze across Hardi's Recliner Armrest onto OUR couch. (I do not care; Hardi does.) Faulkner and the cats, tho, sleep together quite happily on that Dog Couch. (They used to sleep in his dog bed when they could, and he was afraid to eject them from it.) So really (it USED to be called the Kittteh Kouch), it's a Critter Couch.

The kittehs also are enjoying the two used Kitteh Kondos we acquired last week. I set one under a lamp, nuff said.


A friend of ours lost a grand dog this week. His obit was so eloquent that I wanted to share it with fellow Dog Lovers:

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Peter's Passing
1/03/2000 to 2/07/2011

It will come as a shock to most reading this letter that Peter, our beloved Irish Water Spaniel, was humanely put to sleep this morning. We learned about ten days ago that he had inoperable abdominal cancer. The veterinarians at Cornell told us to take him home to enjoy his final days. The three of us did enjoy his last days just as we had enjoyed every one of his eleven years. He was a wonderful dog and he had a wonderful life.

Peter was born in Canada. He had fine breeding and breeders. We were in touch with his breeders throughout his life and their help was greatly appreciated. As you know, he was a happy, sweet and healthy dog. He brought great joy to his parents. He was our workmate at [my] dental office for his entire life. Peter was rarely apart from his parents. He was only boarded at one kennel and they took special care of him so we could go away without worry. He had a caring veterinarian who took care of him his whole life. Peter and groomers did not always get along, and after the five who did their best for him, Peter had his parents groom him for his final year. Peter had a way of making friends and getting attention his whole life. I cannot remember how many people, seeing him for the first time, said the same thing. "What a beautiful dog!" He also had a special student friend at Cornell.

Neither Joan nor I can believe that these eleven years have ended so soon. Both Joan and I have had many special dogs in our lives, but without any doubt Peter was the one most special dog in our lives. My mother once told me that he was the perfect dog. She was not one easily snookered by canines, but he got to her too. Joan and I have a big hole in our hearts that could only have been filled by him.

Irish Water Spaniels are often referred to as the "clowns of the spaniel world." Without spending as much time with him as we did, it would be hard to understand just how funny he could be. It was not just that great face, those knowing brown eyes and that crazy topknot. He did great physical comedy. If you don't believe he was an acrobat, just ask those five rejected groomers what he put them through. Until just a few years ago he would stand on his head on the sofa.

He was able to balance whimsy with dignity. He had definite ideas about how the world should be. His Canadian breeder told us that his was a noble breed. He lived up to those princely standards. He could live a dog's life of running, swimming and hunting. However, he expected pillows on the sofa, blankets on the furniture, cushions on the rugs and plenty of good home-cooked food. It is easier to be a great dog when you have a great mom. If there was anything he needed from Joan in eleven years, she gave it to him with a joyful heart. He was great; Joan was better.

Peter was blessed in church nearly every year of his life at the "blessing of the animals" service. Five different priests blessed him and in his final hour another priest prayed for him over the telephone. He always went to church with us except for unusually frigid weather. During my years as senior warden that meant a lot of trips to church. He was happy to go there, just as he was happy to go anywhere with us. We planned vacations only to places that took dogs.

Unfortunately, dogs do not live as long as they should. We are much richer for his life. He taught us much more that we taught him. Even in this time of sorrow, Joan and I are thankful and grateful to God for having had him. We gave him all we could and he returned that by giving us much more. May angels surround him, and welcome him in peace.

(From Steve Sampson, by permission)
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Good ole Peter. Bye, Peter!

~Susan