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A Poll - Do you own a dog? (or in most cases, they own you)

(45 posts)

Started 2 years ago by JustanotherNorwegian
Latest reply from gordy

JustanotherNorwegian

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First let me say ` I am a true dog and cat lover. Right now I have the best dog in all of Ballard, of course. I have noticed that it seems like everyone has a dog or two or three when out walking.
Do you own a dog or dogs?

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahFK

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I have two dogs and many kitties.

Posted 2 years ago #
GoldenRetriever

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We have two dogs (goldens of course)

Posted 2 years ago #
JustanotherNorwegian

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Sarah - jealous you having kitties. My baby passed away a year ago and now I'm starting to get that yearning for a little kitten in my house. Thankfully my dog gets along with cats/kittens very well.
And GR - if I had a bigger house/yard I would have a Golden. They are absolutely awesome dogs.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahFK

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aww.. I think you need a kitten. Dogs are wonderful, but there is something special about a kitty.

Posted 2 years ago #
Catherine

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the 3 cats and dog wrestle over ownership of me... the bird, he's trying to figure that out.

Posted 2 years ago #
kellydeen

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One dog - Pictured to the left . . .

Posted 2 years ago #
Apple

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One excellent dog and, unfortunately, one annoying cat.

Posted 2 years ago #
cobaltblue

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I'm owned by a cat.

Posted 2 years ago #
miss julie

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One dog and two cats. I'm taking my dog in to the vet on Monday, send good vibes that the growth on her ear is nothing.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahFK

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Good luck Miss Julie! Will send good thoughts your way. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
LovrienS

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I have a love/hate relationship with my cat. Half the time he is the sweetest, cuddliest kitty around, and then all of a sudden he's a demon that grabs at my bare ankles, does the back leg bunny scratch, and goes all wolf-bitey on my fingers when we're laying in bed.

As much as I love the cat, I really want a dog. We tried it once. Cat beat the dog up, starved the dog, kept the dog from going into certain rooms. Dog had to go back.

Posted 2 years ago #
hummingbird

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I wish. And the bigger the better! Love dogs.

Have a beautiful cat though, and we are inseparable <3

Posted 2 years ago #
msballard30

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Three dogs (sadly, soon to be two), two cats and a spouse. It's quite the menagerie.

Posted 2 years ago #
earl danger

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We've got the Schnauzer in the awesome jersey in my avatar over there. We adopted him about 4 months ago, and it's been an experience but a good one. We also have a goldfish that has lasted a surprisingly long time.. he's rather resilient.

Posted 2 years ago #
Apple

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@LovrienS: Sounds like your cat might be the brother/sister of mine. Starts each day by standing on my chest. When I pet her, she bites me, hops on my wife's head, neck or stomach and runs away. At night she sits in my lap on the couch as long as I ignore her. As soon as I move or pet her, she bites me and runs away. Often ends her day by darting out from under the bed and scratching my feet as I climb in. We tried to get another cat that was more affectionate (and normal)...disaster. At least I have a great dog who has now learned the command "go chase that kitty!"

Posted 2 years ago #
LovrienS

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Yeah... I have a theory that my cat is either born from some sort of feral barn cat or has a personality disorder. Or, you know, his hunting instinct is just really strong, since his phases are always according to the time of day. Howling at 6:00AM, sweet awesomeness when we wake up at 7:00AM, manic from 5:00PM-10:00PM.

Posted 2 years ago #
gordy

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Two large dogs, one chubby cat, a betta fish and a chicken. Our cat likes to get attention by batting at cable cords in the middle of the night (and waking up the staff). She was an expert lamp and other electrical cord chewer as a kitten. If anyone needs advice regarding rewiring a lamp just ask me.

Posted 2 years ago #
bikerchick

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No dog right now - on the fence about making that kind of commitment again (cats are SO easy in comparison).

But really just posting to say to msballard30 - I am so sorry to hear about Zeus's cancer (you mentioned it in another thread) - what a difficult time for you and your menagerie - you're in my thoughts.

Posted 2 years ago #
crownhiller

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Sorry to hear about your pup MsBallard - that must be so very heartwrenching :(
Two cats here - one too smart for her own good, the other kinda brainless but adorable. She's sitting on me right now rubbing her cold little nose on my arm so I'll pet her instead of posting ;) she will win shortly. The smart one got a record 4 timeouts yesterday after repeatedly opening a cupboard, climbing in and trying really really hard to get into my husband's stash of teriyaki beef jerky. I might not have caught her two of the times, except little brainless one took off running everytime I came around the corner. Oh right, nothing's up there! :o)

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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3 hellhounds here :-)

msballard30...

Such sad news about Zeus. Hang in there and give him a big old hug from me.

Posted 2 years ago #
RickyBobby

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2 friendly fun cats and a dog!

Posted 2 years ago #
biophile87

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Sadly, none right now. I can't fathom life without non-human companions, but after my last geriatric cat left me when he was 20 years old, I haven't opened my home to another critter. It's like a hole in my soul coming home to an empty house, but alas, we plan to be away from home quite a bit in the next year, so no babies till next summer.

Instead, we serve as a halfway house / sitter to assorted snakes, salamanders, spiders, dogs and cats. Currently hosting a friends kitty. Not the one in the photo.

Posted 2 years ago #
msballard30

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Thank you so much for the kind notes and e-mails about Zeus (not to mention the yummy gifts that Isabel dropped by my house today) - it means a lot. He's a tough dog and has been hanging in there much longer than any of us had expected, so we're in a much better frame of mind about it than we were about five weeks ago (and counting).

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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msballard30...

My Winston hung on for much longer than anyone thought he would. He was a resilient piece of work. The vet kept saying it was his time, but I would look at Winnie (as we called him) and he would give me the look back that it was OK to carry on for a while.

One morning he gave me 'the' real look. I chatted with him for a while. Yes, everyone, I know dogs can't talk, but they can connect. He told me it was time. I was with him when it happened and I wouldn't have it anyway else.

RIP Winston Smurchill :-(

Posted 2 years ago #
iPlod

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Good on you pennygirl for the depth of your compassion with animals.

Your story breaks my heart but also makes me glad that the bond you & Winston had enabled a rare moment like that.

Posted 2 years ago #
julesage

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i have the best dog in ballard (of course!) named bella.
and miss my dear ole girl sage (my rottweiler of 10 plus years) every freakin day after going 1 year now without her...RIP girl. xo

Posted 2 years ago #
isabel

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Two cats. One so sociable that he attaches himself to every repairman who walks in the door, insisting on sitting on their shoulders or laps while they work. And one so shy that few of my friends have ever caught more than the quickest glimpse of him.

miss julie - Fingers crossed for your dog. Which vet did you decide to go to?

msballard30 - Give Zeus a big hug for me too...

Posted 2 years ago #
julesage

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msballard 30: i have been meaning to email you about zeus!! motorrad said he saw you at the movie shop the other evening and told me the bad news about zeus. i was so bummed i hesitated calling you but am so happy to read the news as it seems ALOT more positive now. i am doggy praying for him and hope to stopby at some point soon. thinking of you all over there:)...woof and xo from bella too!

Posted 2 years ago #
julesage

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pgirl: interesting as sage and i had that "talk" one night when she was sick too, on the green warm lawn outside at a church actually, and it was very soon after that she knew i would be okay if she left me here to move on. i get it and find it awesome that you do too.

animals are so amazing.:)

Posted 2 years ago #
Cate

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Nelly, my little calico kitty. And before her Creamy. And before her Kittle. My life is measured in my kitty companions.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jonathan Pryce

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I _so_ wish I could have my own sweet little kamooks. My schedule just wouldn't be fair. Instead, I am a dog uncle to several fine dogs, all of whom I see on at least a fortnight basis.

Posted 2 years ago #
msballard30

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PG and Julesage, your stories both made me cry, but I know that in the end that that's exactly how things will go ... he'll tell us when it's time. We're pretty much carrying him into and out of the house several times a day at this point, but he's clearly not ready yet. And really, neither are we, but at least this extra time together is helping all of us prepare.

Last Saturday I took him with me to Picolino's for our last weekend coffee together. He's too weak to get in or out of the vehicle anymore on his own, so I got him out with help, set up a giant dog bed for him next to the Adirondacks, tucked him in with a purple UW blanket, and he was as happy as could be (I, on the other hand, froze to death). It was quite the scene, but I was just happy to have him with me there one last time (he's been my "coffee dog" for the past decade).

Miss Julie, I'll keep my fingers crossed for your dog.

On a cheerier note, if anyone is truly looking for a dog fix and is hoping to strengthen his/her forearms in the process or perhaps just be reminded why some people opt for small dogs, I could always let ya borrow the Fatty Monster. Really, I remind him daily how lucky he is that he's so damn cute, usually while I'm cleaning up what used to be a pair of shoes that he's reduced to a pile of leathery chunks ... or books I used to love ... or fluffy chenille blankets ... or anything with natural fibers ... or large chunks of wood ... or ...

Posted 2 years ago #
malia

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msBallard - I, too, have been thinking of you and your dear dog. I have been down this path with a dearly loved old dog.And she, too, let me know when it was time. It was not easy, but I have no regrets about the last days of her life, and now have another dog in my life and home who is quite different, yet also dearly loved.
And thanks for the reminder of how great it is to have lived through the chewing stage, and have an adult, mostly well behaved dog!

Posted 2 years ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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I have been there also msballard and know how tender and special your time with Zeus is now. My Chloe (first dog) wanted shorter and shorter walks in the woods, and the day she didn't even want to enter, I knew it was time. She did, however, eat some spaghetti that day.

I never thought I could have such a bond again, but my sweet, tolerant little girl in my avatar sure proved me wrong!

Just one dog for me now, but we go visit the rescued kitties in All The Best at least twice a week (they work with several rescue groups and have an adoption event every weekend, although they keep several in the store. For those of you thinking about bringing one into your life, Van is there now and sooo handsome. If you're thinking about a pair, they can make that happen too.

Posted 2 years ago #
PlantLover

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When I had a cat dying of cancer my vet told me I would know when it was time. She was totally right - he continued eating, purring, and playing and then one day I woke up and he was in distress and that was the day I called the vet and took him in. That has happened two more times since with terminally ill kitties. They do talk to you. Enjoy these last special moments together.

Posted 2 years ago #
briana-n-pugs

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I have two pugs and my mom has two pugs. Get-togethers are great!!!

Posted 2 years ago #
Nehalennia

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One beagle (see avatar), and two kittehs: a tuxedo DLH and a Turkish Van. I also have three pet rats who act like spoiled little dogs.

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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<<<<<<<< Winston Smurchill :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
dguy

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One completely lazy couch potato of a standard poodle (except at meal time). Sleeps on the bed all day, MAY deign to come greet us when we walk in the door, then finds a good place to sleep some more, then starts bugging us to go up to bed.

Posted 2 years ago #
JustanotherNorwegian

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So many cute dogs! I, too, miss my darling cat. He died in my arms a year ago and I still miss him a lot. Nothing like coming home and he would always be sitting in the same spot outside waiting for me. And even though he had his own pillow/bed, mine always seemed to be better. when I walked my dog he would walk behind us about 15 feet with his tail straight up in the air. When I stopped, he stopped. Funny cat loved by many.

Posted 2 years ago #
cobaltblue

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We really lucked out with the cat we have now. He's sweet, very affectionate, calm, well-behaved (most of the time - all cats are clinically insane, you know), and best of all - dumb as a box of rocks. Having had cats that were evil geniuses, it is such a relief to have one now that is mostly incapable of thinking up ways to get into mischief.

To msballard and everyone else who has had to make THE DECISION, my heart goes out to you all. It's so hard, even when you know it's coming and unavoidable. I'm still kicking myslef for not putting my Mr Blackie to sleep at least a month before I did. I swear i will never make that horrible mistake ever again.

Well, I'm gonna go wake up Mr Doofus and hug the living daylights outaa him!

Posted 2 years ago #
msballard30

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I just wanted to encourage all of you who are owned by your furry friends to give them all big hugs today and every day. We lost our Zootie a few hours ago, but he passed peacefully. He was a gentle giant of a dog and will be greatly missed.

Posted 2 years ago #
Catherine

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I'm so sorry msballard - hugs from us and licks from our furry friends.

Posted 2 years ago #
gordy

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I'm sorry about your loss MsBallard. Making the decision is never ever easy no matter how ill the animal is. The two dogs and the cat got big hugs and cuddles just now.

Posted 2 years ago #