Show us your pets!

[Kim1976]

Well... between my husband and I, we have 3 "kids".

Fluffy - she is 12 yrs old, and is the black & white cat
Cinnamon - also 12!!
Odie -- 12 yr old basset hound .. who has lived with my mom & dad for 10 yrs now (ex husband made me chose )

and, Guinness .. my husband's 5 yr old French Bulldog ...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Warm holiday greetings from the she-devil.

Suki (aka Bolognius Chunk) sends holiday greetings to Ruthie:

[NoNo]

That's a very serious stare! Bolognius Chunk cracks me up!

[Kim1976]

That's a very serious stare! Bolognius Chunk cracks me up!

Very captivating!

[mtbdarby]

Just wanted to share. Here's my old man and dearest friend - Zeus just turned 13! He's still pretty spry for an old guy and still loves visiting the nursing home 2x month. I hope we have a few good years ahead of us.

[TsPoet]

Just wanted to share. Here's my old man and dearest friend - Zeus just turned 13! He's still pretty spry for an old guy and still loves visiting the nursing home 2x month. I hope we have a few good years ahead of us.

Happy Birthday Zeus!
Give him a scritch for me.

[lunacycles]

Zeus is beautiful and looks very alive on every level. That's cool that you take him to nursing homes. I am sure it is deeply appreciated. My dog is so incredibly sweet and gentle, I have thought of doing the same. How do you go about it? Just call them up?

[mtbdarby]

Pretty much, lol. They just have to be current on their rabies and well behaved. Zeus has been doing it for over 8 years and was originally screened through a humane society program called Love-a-Pet. Now a days they have certification programs for therapy dogs but here it is only required to bring them into hospitals and schools/libraries for reading programs (being certified covers them under liability insurance). Call a local nursing home/assisted living facility and ask them what their requirements are.

It's wonderful! I really enjoy it myself and I take my son once a month too. Everyone wins! We just have to be a little careful in the winter because it's so warm in the nursing home that we sometimes take a break outside to cool off a bit (more so when I brought my elkhound). I've never had a problem finding a facility to bring him too. Good luck!

[Maxxxie]

Zeus is just gorgeous!!

Max

[Selkie]

Zeus is simply gorgeous and looks like a good boy (very dignified). I bet he is a big hit during his visits!

[Trekhawk]

Zeus is one cute boy.
Give him a big birthday hug for me.

[divingbiker]

My dog is so incredibly sweet and gentle, I have thought of doing the same. How do you go about it? Just call them up?

When I did it with Remy (RIP) we had to be approved by a local organization called Pets on Wheels. They did screening tests on the dog. There were three deal breakers: no jumping on people AT ALL, must take treats gently, and couldn't freak out at wheel chairs, walkers, canes, etc. Then they trained the owners on what we could and couldn't do, basically nothing even resembling nursing care or bringing food, etc, because some residents would ask for that.

It was very rewarding, but sadly none of my current dogs have a suitable temperament.

And happy birthday to Zeus!

[bouncybouncy]

Just had to show off my new addition Lillie! She and Lucie (black dog) are getting along wonderfully...I just love puppies!!! Although I forgot how time consuming potty training is...yawn!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriea...7622935304441/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriea...7623060454522/

[divingbiker]

How adorable! It's like she's posing for you.

[mtbdarby]

Lillie is such a cutie! I've thought about a puppy but cringe at all the work, lol. I think when Zeus is gone I might be more suited to an older dog. We old dogs have to stick together I guess