Pet Thread

[USS Monitor]

I don't officially "own" any pets, but I do have some cat friends in the neighborhood -- including one very friendly tabby who likes to climb in my lap, come in my house, etc. I have to kick him out again so his actual owner(s) won't think I am stealing their cat.

[Asardia]

I'm going to adopt a cat next month!

[Meguminsk]

Got one beagle. He's really lazy, he just lies around all day, doing nothing. He doesn't even try to do normal dog things like bark at things outside or stuff like that. Despite this I love him so much~! If anybody ever tried to harm my dog Imma pull a John Wick on 'em and erase their whole bloodline.

[The Black Forrest]

Get a herding dog. It can help get them in a row.

I don't ACTUALLY have ducks... I meant I'm in the process of 1) getting a recommendation for a vet 2) investigating pet health insurance 3) getting recommendations for a reliable dog walker for while I am at work 4) finding an accredited breeder 5) getting a dog trainer that can teach me and the pup using positive reinforcement, 6) getting an estimate for upgrading the fencing in the back yard.

Why do people take me serious?

1) Vet is good. I had one I liked and I don’t like the new one. Observe the interaction. Good vets try to make friends if they can.
2) Health insurence can be tough. It helps in some cases and does nothing in others. Especially if a breed is known for certain issues.
3) Walker good.
4) AKC has been good for us. Word of mouth is good as well. We are on a couple facebook groups for St. Bernards. A friend of our resecues elder Saints which are dumped by people (hate them). She hooked us up with a good one.
5) Dog trainer really good especially if you never owned one. The vet can help you with that.
6) Fencing? If it’s bad…..makes sense. The breed can define that as well…notorious jumpers. Neighbors have dogs? Are they good at keeping them in line? We have a couple people who like the idea of a dog but don’t like having to do things with the dog. Add in territory issues….they started digging and the people told us to F off. We ended up sinking metal barriers…..

Life with a dog is fun. A good breeder will measure your personality and try to match you with a dog with a proper temperament.

[Pasong Tirad]

Got a six-year-old dog with epilepsy. Love him to bits.

[Australian rePublic]

I don't officially "own" any pets, but I do have some cat friends in the neighborhood -- including one very friendly tabby who likes to climb in my lap, come in my house, etc. I have to kick him out again so his actual owner(s) won't think I am stealing their cat.

Make sure they don't get hit by any cars, get pregnant or an STI. The last thing you want is for you to have to explain to your neighbours is that their cat got run over by a car on the way to your place. Also, uuugghhh... please don't encourage wild roaming of cats. This is how we end up with stray cats, neighbours being pissed off with neighbourhood cats, cats shitting in their neighbour's yards (which used to be their case in my yard until I got a dog) and cats getting hit by cars. It's bad enough that your neighbours are irresponsible with their cats, please don't encourage it by giving the cats attention

[Esternial]

We've got one calico that we adopted from some people that couldn't take care of her anymore.

She's the cutest thing ever.

(Image)

Almost as cute as meeeeee

But certainly just as chonky.

[Katganistan]

I don't ACTUALLY have ducks... I meant I'm in the process of 1) getting a recommendation for a vet 2) investigating pet health insurance 3) getting recommendations for a reliable dog walker for while I am at work 4) finding an accredited breeder 5) getting a dog trainer that can teach me and the pup using positive reinforcement, 6) getting an estimate for upgrading the fencing in the back yard.

Why do people take me serious?

1) Vet is good. I had one I liked and I don’t like the new one. Observe the interaction. Good vets try to make friends if they can.
2) Health insurence can be tough. It helps in some cases and does nothing in others. Especially if a breed is known for certain issues.
3) Walker good.
4) AKC has been good for us. Word of mouth is good as well. We are on a couple facebook groups for St. Bernards. A friend of our resecues elder Saints which are dumped by people (hate them). She hooked us up with a good one.
5) Dog trainer really good especially if you never owned one. The vet can help you with that.
6) Fencing? If it’s bad…..makes sense. The breed can define that as well…notorious jumpers. Neighbors have dogs? Are they good at keeping them in line? We have a couple people who like the idea of a dog but don’t like having to do things with the dog. Add in territory issues….they started digging and the people told us to F off. We ended up sinking metal barriers…..

Life with a dog is fun. A good breeder will measure your personality and try to match you with a dog with a proper temperament.

I'd say you have that sort of face.... but I'm assuming your avatar looks nothing like you.

1)Have a friend who is involved in pet rescue and whose elderly Silkie passed a few months ago. She's going to put me in touch with her vet -- she absolutely loves him.
2) I know the health insurance is a trick, but I saw friends wiped out by their vet bills when one of their dogs became diabetic and got cancer, and the other got pancreatitis and is now blind due to cataracts caused by the treatment. I'll have to look for what each plan offers and if it won't cover specific conditions.
3) Need a walker. I'm in work 8-10hrs a day and can't expect a dog to wait that long.
4) Yes, since I prefer a specific breed I am looking in the AKC marketplace. Even there, you need to be choosy -- I know I will pay more but I want a breeder who will do all the health checks and have a guarantee over one that does not and seems to be breeding multiple litters every few months.
5) I've never had a dog, so yes, I want a trainer -- one that has a philosophy of positive reinforcement rather than punishment. TBH I think I need the training as much or more than the prospective dog.
6) The neighbor to the right has a little bichon-friese who is friendly, the neighbor with whom I will share a drive has a cat, but they keep it inside and bring it out only on leash and harness. The area I want to fence has a waist-high chain link fence between my neighbor to the right and a six foot one with plastic lattice over the back fence to the neighbor behind. The rest of the yard is bordered by the house, and the garage, with a maybe ten foot open run between the house and garage. I want to fence that bit in with a garden gate, since I will be living with my mom. Even if she can't walk the dog, she could certainly let it into the garden for half an hour or so (with supervision) to let it get some energy out/relieve itself. I am looking for a mini schnauzer. Lest you think this garden too small -- it is, but there is a large park three blocks away and nature trails through a salt marsh nearby as well. It would literally be for short times during the day until I could take them for a nice long walk when I get home.

[Ethel mermania]

Almost as cute as meeeeee

But certainly just as chonky.

I am not fat, I am just drawn that way