BS: Our pets favorite things

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 06:52 PM

It turns out my dog Gromet is a great off leash dog. Since I blew out my Achilles tendon I take her to a huge field where she can run a couple hundred yards in any direction but she always stays in an eliptical orbit around me and immediatly comes with a mere whisper of 'c'mere'.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Anne Lister
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 08:33 AM

Persia (our recently acquired cat) has two favourite toys ... one is a plum stone (replacing a frozen pea which has been squashed underfoot) which is then batted around the kitchen floor and pounced on. The other is the cardboard cylinder from inside a toilet roll. This gives hours of entertainment, especially as we've started putting items inside the tube and she has to find ways to fish them out.
Not an expensive cat to maintain, as you see. The only problems come when she loses the plum stone and comes to tell us ..and we have to look for it for her.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 09:53 AM

Sadie may also be a good offleash dog, but I doubt it. Her background includes hundred of acres to roam, loose. She did get out once when we were not home and we were thrilled to find her waiting for us in the driveway. "I been waiting, I wanna go IN now!" (Raining.) I am sure she had roamed, first, though, and there is That Road.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 01:32 PM

I can state that one of my dogs' least favorite things is a skunk. The got skunked on Monday night and I washed them then, then several times the next day. Damage control involved getting rid of all collars and I spray them with the Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover several times a day. I'm going to bring them in for a through all-dog shampoo bath later today, and see if I can't drop it down another degree of stink.

These were two very unhappy dogs when I found them, and the next morning the pit bull, who killed the skunk, was still very stressed by the experience. I had them out there without collars for a day, but wasn't bringing the stinky ones in the house so left them on a table. A couple of times I went out and found her curled up on the lawn with one or both of the collars next to her. She seems to feel like she's missing something without the collar. I picked up new ones and drilled holes for the Invisible Fence device and they're back to normal that way. She's looking much more like her old happy self now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 11:38 AM

Our pets favorite things appear to be pregnant mice coming in from the cold, but they seem to prefer them dead. :~) I'll have to increase the territory they're guarding while we sleep. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 01:44 PM

Dead seal on the beach to roll in and toss about. The deader the better. Not quite skunk, I admit, but pretty honky nonetheless.
And the lead lady can smell them from half a mile off, up the wind.
At least it gives her (and us) a good run.


Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Sooz
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 02:49 PM

A 10 foot long cardboard tube which used to have carpet rolled around it with one end on a stool. Meg, our border collie, plays for ages dropping a ball in the top and running round to catch it as it rolls out of the end. Favourite ball at the moment is one with a bell in it.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 09:25 AM

That is a great idea for bored dogs-- I can do one in their run out of PVC.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Bee
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 03:47 PM

An old TV antenna made of fibreglass, with a long bit of twine tied to it, both cats love this toy. Husband calls it 'fishing for cats'.

Have I noted that I am only one husband away from crazy cat lady? Yet another kitten is hanging around my house, playing with my cats. It's very young, light brown mottled, long haired. It doesn't look really thin, though. Looks healthy. Maybe it's a neighbour's.

Must not feed stray kitty.
Must not make friends with stray kitty.
Must take this one to SPCA if it starts looking too skinny.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 09:49 PM

Might as well name it, Bee. :~)

Sadie went in the CAR to WALMART, and also got to visit a FRIED'S house for the first time since I've had her-- a house with lots of critter smells-- and she was a VERY good girl. Next time, off leash.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Bee
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 11:13 PM

Susan... Nooooooooo!!!!!!

Lesseee....


fluffy little kitty                                 

                                        husband

Nope - husband still tips the balance.

But... FLUFFY little kitty....

<<sigh...>>

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 08:14 AM

My cat's three favourite things are sleeping, snoozing, and eating in preparation for sleeping or snoozing.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 10:22 AM

Here's you new kitteh's name:

fluffy + little + kitty + husband

Flitteh-hubbeh

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 10:45 AM

My girls have made such progress from their skunking 10 days ago that I'm going to take them to the feed store with me today and show off how pretty they are after so many baths.

They smell pretty much like dogs again. Last week was rough, but I don't think they're going to smell like skunks for the next months or years.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Bee
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 03:55 PM

Anybody else have a cat that loves to be wrapped up in blankets with just their faces sticking out? Tommy loves this - being wrapped up and held on my lap having his little chin chucked is his idea of perfect happiness. Both of them demand to be towelled dry if they get wet in the rain. I started this to keep the furniture dry and prevent Snowball comsuming too much fur while grooming the water off, but now a little dew on their little toesies and they are meowing for a towel when they come in.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 04:38 PM

My dogs adore being towelled dry. Even if they aren't wet.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 10:34 PM

I just finished giving Wiggy (one of our dogs) a haircut. He loves having his hair cut but HATES being in the car so we compromise and he get's a top of the line, LilyFestre Chop Job. It's not pretty but he lays right out on the floor, head in my lap and lets me snip away. He's happy that he's not riding in the car and that he is getting lots of gentle attention and I'm happy that his hair is cut and I've saved money on both gas and the groomer.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 12:11 AM

We had a nice trip to the feed store. I didn't take them in together, but one at a time so they could each do their tricks for their friend, the guy behind the counter.

A woman there saw how well-behaved my pit bull is and asked if I do pit bull rescue (she does). Nope, just with this one. I could tell she was hoping I'd say yes--my pooch and I do the classic trick for a dog like this--I'm in charge of food, so until I tell her, she can't eat the treat I put on the floor in front of her. The thing about this breed is that they love the anticipation, that's as exiting as actually getting the food, and they really do want to please you. It's a breed that you have to understand to work in rescue situations, but I don't want to turn my yard into chaos by introducing a new dog every so often who needs to be socialized or nursed back to health. I'll stick with my two.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 11:04 PM

So, I was out in the garage this evening and had pulled a few items from the pickup to take in the house. I had a dishtowel in my hand and gave Cinnamon, the pit bull, a pat with it.

You know how they get that cute look when they wrinkle their noses and get just the right grip on a towel and lean back and want to tug and shake on it while you tug and shake right back at them? That is one of my pet's favorite things. We managed to have a little tug-o-war without destroying my good dishtowel, but it is now in the laundry awaiting de-slobbering.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: olddude
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 10:19 PM

New puppy loves my sock
when it is on my foot. tug of war until she gets it off then runs off with it. Impossible to put socks on in the morning unless I put her in the other room

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 10:47 PM

We have a wonderful golden retriever in our family and Murphy just loves to do two things: chase the water hose stream and chase the beam of light from the flashlight or the pointer - and he is relentless in his persuit; of course, he also loves to go in the car wherever it's going. We also enjoy taking him to music festivals but he cannot come to the stage when I'm performing because he sits there and wags his tail barking at me for attention - go figure. Cheers,........................mwh

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 12:29 AM

My dogs know the routine when we're going to go for a walk, and it is intentional because they wear a special radio collar to keep them in the yard (they stay in the fenced back yard, but if I let them through the gate to the front, there is no fence, just this radio signal). If the hat isn't on and the fanny pack and the leashes in place, etc. then they won't go near the line at the one place where we cross (after their collars are off and I've also said the magic word to let them through).

They love this ritual, and have figured out others "steps" I never thought to build in. When I sit down on the loveseat by the glass door with shoes and socks in hand, they get all excited. If I put my hat on, they're pretty sure they're leaving the yard, and if the pack is in place, they're practically doing cartwheels. But the socks and shoes are something they picked up on without it being part of the ritual I set in place, it's just one of those body language things they learned to read and it can really set them off in happy galavanting around the yard till I'm ready to go outside.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 10:45 PM

Faulkner's chief dogly pack-position attribute is his intense desire to understand and be an active part of the pack leaders' plans. To this end he has insinuated himself into many situations, often much to our perplexity. He wants to SEE and DO.

One of these situations arose some time ago while I was dealing with some health issues. I was having a hard time levering up and out of my oversized and poorly-working recliner. F began crowding in to try to help, eventually placing himself where I could hug at him as he braced himself or pulled back. I always thanked him for this spontaneous help. It was obvious that the helping was a release of pent up emotion for him. A little happy dance afterwards and much proud parading before settling.

Recently I needed help again and wondered out loud, talking to Hardi, if F could "help" me. F overheard this, and over he bustled, inquisitive eyes asking what he should do. He brought his paws and head up as he is sometimes invited up when he gets lap time, but pasued in midclimb at my unconscious signal. (I have no idea what the signal was, but he read it perfectly.) I grabbed his collar and said his walkies or time-to-go-out phrase-- "let's go." He braced and backed, and up I came. He instinctively stood firm as I leaned over him, bracing myself over his shoulders, as I slowly used aching back muscles to stand myself up straight a bit at a time. He was so proud.

We then proceeded to teach (reward) the "Help Susan?" command (praise) so that Hardi will be able to activate him towards me, also.

Tonight with this bad back, while Hardi out working for the evening, I had heavy laundry to haul thru the kitchen from the laundry room, to the LR for folding and sorting. "Faulkner, help?" I said as I headed off to the laundry room. Happyhappy yesyes howhow dance. I took his short lead and hooked one end to the laundry bag drawstring, ran the lead thru his collar, grabbed the free end, started off, and said "let's go." He was quite happy to furnish most of the pulling power to drag the big bag (a 33 gallon bag of cottons), as I furnished the steering and "led" the dog. When we got to the LR he was QUITE pleasd with his dogly self. He watched me fold the laundry as if he'd have liked to fold some, too.

Cesar Millan says dogs LOVE to be useful, and this is one who definitely does. He is so proud of himself that he licks ME in gratitude afterwards. I think I'd lick F if it wouldn't make Hardi barf.

I onluy need help periodically, so it is quite amazing that F remembers from one time to the next what the word means, and what I might want. Who knows what he will learn, next!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 11:50 PM

You should bring in a radio flyer-sized wagon for him to pull for you. Easier than dragging a bag across the floor. But I agree--dogs to enjoy anticipating what you're going to ask of them and they love to be part of the operation.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Anne Lister
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 02:55 AM

Our cat can read the "shoes and socks" thing, too, but it's with an air of extreme disappointment.
Her version of Pawball has now progressed to include the curtains at the French windows ... she hides there and detects the ball by sound, so out come the paws with a bewildering speed and accuracy. We must try to get the camcorder to work when she's doing this .. it's hysterical to watch.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 08:45 AM

You should bring in a radio flyer-sized wagon for him to pull for you. Easier than dragging a bag across the floor.

Oh, I have pull-carts for ME to use (and they help get things across the multiple changes in floor level that a wagon and dog would not handle well), but none were in evidence this time when I needed them. The lovely thing about F is that he does not need a training with a particular item or process, but is glad to lend his dog power in unique situations and to follow the person's lead to get it done.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 08:49 AM

The special doggie Christmas Elf hat I bought for my Patterdale terrier, Flora, is definitely NOT one of her favourite things. But it's certainly one of mine! Especially when she poses for pictures looking well pissed off...

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:37 AM

Tabster,
that brought back a funny memory from a couple weeks ago. I was in the livingroom doing an exercise DVD and my Sheldon (of the feline variety) was hiding under the blanket draped across the couch. Every time my left foot got close enough to the couch he would reach out from under the blanket and whack me. Got me laughing pretty hard.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:55 PM

Prolly been posted before, but WTH.

~S~

===

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish. Nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help, because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king- sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.


Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails traight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!


To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:


To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less.
2. Don't ask for money all the time.
3. Are easier to train.
4. Normally come when called.
5. Never ask to drive the car.
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends.
7. Don't smoke or drink.
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions.
9. Don't want to wear your clothes.
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children!

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Anne Lister
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 02:58 AM

That's great - I think our mog needs to read it, especially the bit about the staircase and the bathroom!   Although her most dangerous habit on the stairs is the way she stops on the first two or three stairs to rub her head on my foot...

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 07:43 AM

You might enjoy this web site:

http://catsinsinks.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 09:53 AM

I think I sent a photo to "cats in sinks" a couple of years ago. I have a fat calico (not as fat now, and ailing, but still sweet as ever) who sometimes naps in one of the bathroom sinks.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM

My boys could be the stars of that website! they love the sink

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:25 AM

Monday, Dec 8, 2008
Posted on Mon, Dec. 08, 2008
Studies show dogs have sense of fairness

AP No fair! What parent hasn't heard that from a child who thinks another youngster got more of something? Well, it turns out dogs can react the same way. Ask them to do a trick and they'll give it a try. For a reward, sausage say, they'll happily keep at it. But if one dog gets no reward, and then sees another get sausage for doing the same trick, just try to get the first one to do it again. Indeed, he may even turn away and refuse to look at you.
Dogs, like people and monkeys, seem to have a sense of fairness.

"Animals react to inequity," said Friederike Range of the University of Vienna, Austria, who led a team of researchers testing animals at the school's Clever Dog Lab. "To avoid stress, we should try to avoid treating them differently."

Similar responses have been seen in monkeys.

Range said she wasn't surprised at the dogs reaction, since wolves are known to cooperate with one another and appear to be sensitive to each other. Modern dogs are descended from wolves.

Next, she said, will be experiments to test how dogs and wolves work together. "Among other questions, we will investigate how differences in emotions influence cooperative abilities," she said via e-mail.

In the reward experiments reported in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Range and colleagues experimented with dogs that understood the command "paw," to place their paw in the hand of a researcher. It's the same game as teaching a dog to "shake hands."

Those that refused at the start - and one border collie that insisted on trying to herd other dogs - were removed. That left 29 dogs to be tested in varying pairs.

The dogs sat side-by-side with an experimenter in front of them. In front of the experimenter was a divided food bowl with pieces of sausage on one side and brown bread on the other.

The dogs were asked to shake hands and each could see what reward the other received.

When one dog got a reward and the other didn't, the unrewarded animal stopped playing.

When both got a reward all was well.

One thing that did surprise the researchers was that - unlike primates - the dogs didn't seem to care whether the reward was sausage or bread.

Possibly, they suggested, the presence of a reward was so important it obscured any preference. Other possibilities, they said, are that daily training with their owners overrides a preference, or that the social condition of working next to a partner increased their motivation regardless of which reward they got.

And the dogs never rejected the food, something that primates had done when they thought the reward was unfair.

The dogs, the researchers said, "were not willing to pay a cost by rejecting unfair offers."

Clive Wynne, an associate professor in the psychology department of the University of Florida, isn't so sure the experiment measures the animals reaction to fairness.

"What it means is individuals are responding negatively to being treated less well," he said in a telephone interview.

But the researchers didn't do a control test that had been done in monkey studies, Wynne said, in which a preferred reward was visible but not given to anyone. In that case the monkeys went on strike because they could see the better reward but got something lesser.

Range responded, however, that her team did indeed do that control test as well as others in which food was moved or held in the hand but not given to the dog being tested.

In dogs, Wynne noted, the quality of reward didn't seem to matter, so the test only worked when they got no reward at all.

However, Wynne added, there is "no doubt in my mind that dogs are very, very sensitive to what people are doing and are very smart."

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:27 AM

My dogs sit side by side when I offer them treats and have them do tricks. I wouldn't want to try this experiment because there would be hurt feelings. They cooperate when the other gets food, I'm convinced, because they know I take turns in rewarding them and they both get their fair share.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:59 AM

There is a photo with the story.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 12:33 PM

Whenever we cook in bulk, Faulkner has a minor role in the cleanup. He has learned to recognize the signs of such a day beginning-- the rattling of pans, all hands reporting to kitchen, the bustling about, the big bags being carried in or moved about.

His reaction as soon as he sees this starting: "I don't know what holiday this is, but I like it!" He likes it all the way till bedtime, because that's how long it usually takes for me to stow the last of it. Sometimes it's even a multi-day holiday, like today. The cooking and cooling are done, but the stowing starts later this afternoon.


BLUNTSPEAK ON*   And last night as Hardi cut up and soaked rabbit parts in salt water, F clearly connected the doorstep interaction with the visiting hunters, my alpha-female role in that, and the giving of the prey to the alpha male, with the smells that had already been in the air. BLUNTSPEAK OFF*


He so absolutely fawned his submission that he scared himself half silly till I indicated what we wanted him to do ("OH THANK YOU I'LL WAIT HERE," he said).

It's so cool watching him mature into these little understandings. F: "People at the back door-- MAY be a good thing, go with MomWolf to see... stay quiet as long as the intruder is not IN the doorway."

~S~

* This is NOTNOTNOT a thread to debate hunting, just a language warning for a friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 09:00 AM

A sense of fairness and the emotion of jealousy are nearly one and the same.
Humans, chimps and dogs know when an equity of affection or resources has been offended or denied.

I am probably more jealous than my dog right now in that I feel it is unfair that others can ask for good thoughts for their family on this forum in their own way, while mine have been completley deleted.




......................................>    >    >
walking away with tail between legs /'\ /'\ /'\

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 03:10 PM

Donuel, was it in the Mudcat Slimometer thread? I saw it there.... folks seeing it here, please go see.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Big Andy
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 11:04 AM

chrli a boxer cross rottweiler, likes to give you a present when you come in through the door i.e an onion, half chewed,and her breath smells lovely when she climbs on the sofa on a night for her cuddle.
the other dog likes drinking out of the toilet even though they both have water in the kitchen, then trying to lick you. She's a german wire haired pointer, that only points the ferrite

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 08:30 PM

"ferrite?"

We're down one pet, as of last week. The calico cat loved to take naps with us in the big recliner in the living room. As soon as she heard it move we'd hear her bell as she came to join us.

She's gone, but I've heard her bell a couple of times this week. Or thought I did.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 09:43 PM

Did you know that the act of pointing to somthing and a dog looking at where you point and finding it is a talent that Chimpanzees do not have.

Dogs are smarter than Chimps in many ways, and chimps are 99.5% human in their DNA makeup.

what does that say of us compared to dogs?

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 10:28 PM

My dogs are such keen observers that they've parsed out every move of my signals to them. A dog trainer told me that holding my hand up, open palm like waving, beside my head is a good signal for "lie down" because they can see it from most angles. My dogs are usually right in front of me because I have treats in my hand as a reward.

At first they simply responded to the hand in the air, but they were always so close they'd end up on my shoes, so I started stepping back to make room for when I raised my hand. They caught onto that. And they also know that before I step backwards I shift my weight at the hips to make that step, and they see that also.

These days, all I end up doing is shifting my weight and they plop down on the ground in front of me, before any of the other parts of the signal.

SRS

Subject: Prayer for a Pet
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 10:27 PM

A few days ago I got quite a scare-- the dog door was stuck. This is the door that lets the dogs out into their run, or back into their corner from their run. A piece of plywood it abuts (in their dog porch) had gone sproing, bowed out, and made a new, outside door jamb. Hardi and I were able to determine why it was stuck, and with his pry bar I got it unstuck, but what scared me was thinking about-- what if it had happened while we were on vacay? Which of the pet-sitters we've employed in the last several years would have known what to do, or have been able to do it safely? (The farmer/landlord's resourceful son now does the job, so no worries. They have tools AND they know a hot wire when they see one!) I know, they could feed and water the dogs thru the fence, but picturing poor F trying and trying to get that door open till his paws were bloody.....


Anyway, that had just happened, so I especially appreciated the item below when a friend sent it in email. (Her own beloved dog Lizzie BTW is terminal with cancer, and the number of "good days" left to them is short but unknown.) I thought I'd stash it here in this thread for those who might like it but have never seen it.

~Susan

===

LANGUAGE ALERT-- CHRISTIAN PRAYER FOLLOWS

God our Creator, you have made all things good.
In love look now on us and on our pets
and on all the creatures you have made.

As you once sent your angel Raphael
to guide your servant Tobias and his faithful dog,
send your angel to watch over our pets.

Keep them in health and safety,
secure in our care and guardianship
to be our comfort and joy.

Remember all pets who have no home,
and especially those neglected and abused.

Bestow on them a special blessing,
and give them comfort and release from evil.

And when their days in this life are complete,
take them to yourself, where they, with all creation,
wait in hope for the fulfillment of your kingdom,
that blessed day, when the lamb and the wolf,
and the young child and the adder,
will joyfully play, side by side.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

*** The Rev. James Flager

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 02:10 PM

F had another nameless holiday today as I divided a spiral-cut ham for the freezer. I used the holiday to start teaching him the word, because after he'd had his fill from the kibbles-in-hamjuice pan, he HAD to come find me and interrupt me till I received his thanks and a face-licking homage. He insists on being a lifelong learner! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 12:25 PM

I just know that THIS handy household tip is going to improve the lives of pet owners everywhere. [widly giggling]

If you spill almost anything on your kitchen counter and you want your dog to clean it up for you, now the answer is easy! Just use a slice of ham as your sponge, and watch the mess disappear!

Then use a de-greasing spray on the counter top and BINGO! Sparkly-clean kitchen AND a happy, happy dog.

Use new Pork-O-Wipe today! It's better than Fugg!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 08:19 AM

At the moment the cats are quite fond of the new fountain-style water bowl I purchased a few days ago. Until now, Mikey would only drink from the bathroom faucet so he'd go all day without any water (heaven forbid he stoop to drinking from a common BOWL!) and he has problems with crystals forming in his urinary tract so lots of water is important for good health. This new "watering system" is great. The water is constantly moving and oxygenating and he instantly took a shine to it. Now, if I can just get his brother Sheldon to stop sticking his paw down the hole and then flinging water everywhere, I think we'll be all set.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 10:09 PM

Perhaps I will be accused of doggy porn but I have to post a photo of our dog Gromet. I assure you it is not altered in any way.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 05:35 PM

Here it is
On her tummy there are markings that look like another pooch going the other way...
http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don1/gromet.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 07:10 AM

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