Show us your pets!

[Aggie_Ama]

I understand what you mean, once when I was very sad and I cried for half an hour, my dog came into my room (although he's not allowed to come into house cause of my sisters' baby, and he never does that) and just lied next to me and lick me and that really cheered me up. I got up an started to play with him - I couldn't resist. I don't think that anyone else would have been able to do so at that time.

Non-pet owners do not understand our pets. A few years ago I was on some medicine that was making me very depressed. I would often cry without knowing why I was crying. My beautiful little Maggie (my black Schnauzer) would always snuggle with me. She doesn't give kisses, but she nuzzles and they are the best! Maggie is a retired breeder and she definitely is a nuturing soul. She nuzzled me through a long, depressing summer.

[IFjane]

Ditto on the pets and the way they know when something is amiss. Attached are photos of three of our four cats (all indoor). The first picture is of our nurse, Lucy, tending to SO just this past Monday afternoon after he had surgery on his hand. The bottom photo is of our two "babies", Robbie (the tuxedo) & River. We rescued them when they are about 4 weeks old - they had been dropped beside our truck while we were out on a bike ride. When we returned to the truck, there they were. Robbie is now a hulking 16 lb. sixteen month old!

[bcipam]

Your Lucy looks ike my Pip. I am so partial to brown/black/silver tabbies. Not certain why but they seem to be sweet friendly cats. To me the coloring is much more like a wild cat than domestic.

Love the other "babies" as well. My old cat, Cooney, was a Maine Coon and at his most beautiful weighed close to 18 lbs. He was huge, very tall. Sadly, as he got older he began to shrink (as I guess we all do) and before he died he was around 8 lbs. It was sad to see him go from so glorious to old and feeble.

My Squeak kitty was unfortunately wild to the end. I called her my "half of cat". She lived under the bed and came out only for Cooney. Once he died, she never came out. It was almost a blessing (but sad) when she got sick and died.

Someday I would love to have another Coon cat but I only live with rescued kitties. Just so many need homes - dogs and cats alike!

[7rider]

Someday I would love to have another Coon cat but I only live with rescued kitties. Just so many need homes - dogs and cats alike!

And rabbits, too!!!
Rabbits are the third most commonly abandoned pet, after dogs and cats.

[bcipam]

...as well as exotic birds. I wish I liked rabbits. They are so cool looking but for for some reason they scare me. I got chased by one once and that's it no rabbit for me!

And I see so many exotic birds abandoned. They are very needy critters - very much like small children. People just don't realize how much care and attention they require.

I love all animals, find them fascinating but for some reason have always been drawn to cats. I have been fortunate to have some cool cats in my life. One miserable one (who lived with me for 20 years - she was too evil to die! ) and the poor half of cat. I think I like the fact this wild animal (and cats are always wild no matter how friendly) as accepted you and befriended you and allows you into his world. It's funny I also like dogs but tend to like what I call "cat-dogs" those that are most cat like or looking (like Keeshonds, samoyeds etc).

I just can't imagine not having a critter in my life! One rule I have... as an old single lady I can't have more than 2 cats (and right now I'm happy with one). I don't want to be known as that old weird cat lady!

[IFjane]

Pam - your Pip has a much prettier tail than my Lucy - Lucy's tail is skinny, not full and fluffy. Tail or not, she is a love though. Speaking of weird old cat ladies - my son teased me that if I got one more, he would quit claiming me!

Regina - I had no idea rabbits were so frequently abandoned. Do you think is is the quick reproduction rate? You buy two babies, thinking they are both the same sex and then, lo and behold.....

[bcipam]

Rabbits are actually abandoned because peole think they are cute (think like an easter gift for kids) and then realize they are work to care for. Poor chicks and bunnies get a raw deal at Easter.

And yes Pip does have a beautiful tail In act he has very nice fur. It's not that long but very full and soft, soft, soft, like mink. He is a love to stroke.

[missymaya]

BCIPam, your cat is gorgeous. I have 5 cats, one of which we think he's part maine coone and he's got that lovely coat. All were adopted and my boyfriend I think of them as roommates/family (of course)