Why your pet?

[WebLady]

Just curious how you all ended up with the type of pets you have. Like if you have dogs, how did you choose the breed you have? Did you choose them for a certain look, function, temperment, etc?

Again, lets not make this any kind of debate!

[WebLady]

Me; we have dogs, Italian Greyhounds actually. When DH and I decided we wanted a dog we made a list of what we liked and didn't like about dogs.

We wanted a fairly small dog, and one that didn't shed much and wouldn't bother my allergies. We came up with a list of a few different breeds and started looking into them; the more we researched the more we feel in love with IG's. They are not for everyone, but they ended up being perfect for us :)

DH likes their physique and that they are clean and don't have the typical "doggie odor" and that they are not slobbery and all the best. Of course, I like all that too, but I love their personalities and expressiveness and how lovey they are :wub: I don't think I would own any other breed of dog.

[Ninedays9]

Interesting, maybe I would like that kind of dog. Everything you listed sounded good to me. I've never been much of a dog person, but my fiance is, so we might end up with one in the future. I'd like to get cats when we can.

As far as pets right now... we just have a mouse. The apartment we were at would only allow caged animals. I had always wanted a mouse, and my sister just kind of randomly decided that I had to have some sort of pet, and she got me the mouse as a gift type thing. She picked an orange and white one 'cause she and I both like orange and white cats, haha. Sooo, right now it's just Lucy the mouse with the pending thoughts of cats.

[sweetvenus]

I found my cats through doing a search on petfinder.com. I was just browsing different cat breeds, and I was looking at siamese, simply because I like their markings. Oscar, who is a flame-point siamese, came up. I had never seen a flame-point before, so Ben and I went to go check him out and fell in love with him and his sister, so we ended up getting both of them.

[saltyveruca]

We have two cats and one dog. I picked my cat (the girl) because she's calico and my only other cat growing up was a calico. DH picked our boy cat because he looked like a Bengal cat-he may or may not be one, but he grew into a huge kitty! He is not really fat, he is just really BIG!

Our dog is a Great Dane. DH had a GD before we got together, and I loved him. I'd never even liked dogs until I met his dog. We had his dog while we lived together until he died. We decided to get another Great Dane because they are such sweet and loyal dogs, and they don't require a lot of exercise-great for us lazy bones. We picked the particular dog we have right now because he had awesome markings.

[NowAShelton]

i love all kinds of animals so we have had so many. any of them that didn't quite fit with us were found very good homes :) we have right now a dog and a cat. i really wanted a dachsund for their size and temperament but i got a shelter mutt instead! he looks like he has some dachsund in him though and that and his sweetness helped me choose him. some time in the future dh and i would like a larger breed dog also.

[PGDesigns]

Another petfinder.com rescue here.

The oldest and largest of our crew was on Petfinder with the most pitiful eyes ever. She was in our local shelter (high-kill, gas chamber, etc) and listed as special needs. It turns out, she ended up in a foster home with my supervisor's neighbor, so we found out she was HW+ and needed treatment (hence, the special needs bit.) While she is very much a velcro dog as her breeds (Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie) are, she is not high-energy. Otherwise, we would not have been a suitable home for her. We met her, fell in love, and she's just content to do whatever we're doing at the moment.

Ginger, was supposed to be FH's mom's dog. We pulled her from the local shelter. She was a "bite case" because the shelter, knowing she was afraid of men, adopted her to a guy with all male roomies. She bit one out of fear and was returned. She needed a quiet home who would spend time with her to help her gain confidence. Her rehab took MONTHS. By that time, we were too attached, and she was attached to me and her "sister," so we kept her. She was listed as a Poodle/Chihuahua mix, but she appears to have some Yorkie in her as well. Her breed was irrelevant to us, though.

Our old little man (Chihuahua) picked FH as his while we were fostering him. He was supposed to be FH's mom's dog, too, but he is very attached to FH. He splits time. :)

While we do admire several breeds and would love to own them some day, we've always based everything on personality, temperament, and their overall needs.

[saltyveruca]

Oh, and all of our pets are adoptions.

Our two kitties were a buy-one-get-one-free deal at the Houston SPCA (and we just stopped in to look! That was dangerous, as DH soon found out.) Our dog was a puppy from a puppy mill rescue. They'd found the mom on the side of a road (alive) and, oops! found out she was pregnant.

[Whitewater]

When I was a kid I had allergies to animals (but not as severely as I do now!!) that could be managed with a couple of Benadyl a day. And I didn't have asthma, so the field for pets was pretty wide open. I had fish, and gerbils, but no cats because Dad hated cats (and still does) and Mom had some bad experiences with dogs so she didn't want dogs.

Then, however, one of Mom's dental clients was a vet and he told her a sad story about how he was supposed to euthanize a Standard Poodle because the dog was being used as a pawn in a nasty divorce. Mom felt strongly that putting the dog down to force the other spouse into the agreement was wrong. The vet agreed.

And that's how we got our first Standard Poodle! Poor Max had a TON of emotional problems because of his past but we gave him the best life we could and had him for a number of years. He didn't shed, didn't smell bad, didn't drool, and was remarkably responsive and obedient -- traits that Mom liked a lot. She also liked him because he looked pretty. Dad liked the fact that he was a bigger dog and didn't look 'girly'. That experience taught Mom that maybe some dogs were ok, so that's how we came to have Standard Poodles. They don't shed, aren't dirty, don't drool, are easy to train, and best of all they don't aggravate my allergies!!!

I'm now the proud owner of my own Standard Poodle, Roxie, and Fiance and I are about to rescue our second Standard, a 1 year old purebred named Willough. Aside from the fact that I grew up with Standard Poodles and they don't make my allergies/asthma flare, I fell in love with them because they have a sense of humor, they're intelligent, loyal, and able to do just about anything! One of our past poodles visited the elderly folks that were confined to their nursing home and Roxie looks like she might be able to compete in tracking competitions. Poodles retrieve birds, a Poodle team finished the Iditarod dog-sled race, and they are good helper dogs too (for people with disabilities).

I love the Standard Poodle's humor, grace, and multi-tasking abilities. I love that I can have a dog or two in my home that won't set off my allergies/asthma and I enjoy knowing that my Poodles LOVE my friends and enjoy having human visitors to 'their' house -- I don't have to worry about anyone ever getting bitten by my dogs out of a misplaced sense of protectiveness. Oh, and I enjoy the fact that they're really easy to train -- Roxie picks up on stuff I want her to do without me even actively teaching her anything!

The only things about a Poodle that I would mention that are not happy are two things:

1) they require regular grooming because of their coats. You can have them in a short coat style but they will still need to be brushed 3-5 times a week and have their hair cut every 6 weeks or thereabouts. For us that's $75/dog, every 6-8 weeks.

2) Poodles need consistancy and rules, limits, and boundaries. If you're one of those people who can't provide and enforce consistant rules for your dog, don't get a Poodle! They'll walk all over you. Either that or they'll turn into nervous, neurotic Nellies because they can't figure out what you want.

But they're loyal, beautiful, sturdy, friendly, outgoing, smart, funny dogs and I love them.


Whitewater

[neebelung]

We just have our two kitties…. We’ve been wanting a dog for a long time, but we’re not home a whole lot, so we know we don’t have the time to dedicate to properly caring for/training a dog…

Well my family has always had cats (typically rescues/cats who adopted US) but FH wasn’t keen on cats. However, we had friends that we always stay with when we go out of town, and they have this cat Fred. Fred is just the coolest cat ever. His personality is just great… and FH grew to adore Fred.

So a couple years ago, after visiting our friends, he started entertaining the idea of adopting a cat.

We went to our local Humane Society one Saturday, and played with a bunch of the cats, and there was one beautiful, full grown cat we both just adored. We wanted to adopt her on the spot, but they said “Oh, she has an appearance to go to tomorrow… go to such-and-such tomorrow after 11:00 and you can adopt her from there.” (basically it was a pet fair with animals from various area shelters and foster organizations). We were kind of put off, because here we were wanting to give this animal a home right then and there, and they were refusing… BUT we really liked this cat, so we went the next day.

So that night we made our list of items we needed to buy, got a cat carrier, and went the next day to adopt our kittie. Well the humane society wasn’t yet “ready” when we got there, so we were just dinking around, looking at other cats from other groups. We stopped at this tent for Cat Angels, a foster group from a neighboring town. There were these two kittens, grey tabbies, both girls, who were just as cute as could be. They were about 4 months old, and they were twins/littermates. We fell in love… but we talked ourselves out of them because we didn’t want to separate them, and didn’t think we wanted TWO cats. So we left, and went to see the other cat… well the humane society STILL didn’t have their stuff set up, so we went and bought a litter box and some other stuff and went back to ‘visit’ the pair of kittens. Someone was holding one of them, and I thought they were going to adopt them, so we walked away again. A little while later, we returned, and both kittens were still there…. We held them again, and just fell in love…. And decided to adopt both.

Here’s Piglet and Tigger the day we adopted them:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/neebelung/NewParents.jpg

[SerendipityCrafts]

When I was a kid, I had a mix breed dog from the pound. She had short hair, long ears and she reminded me of a beagle. When my brother's beagle had pups, my ex and I were moving into our first home so, we adopted one of his pups. IMHO it was the best family pet - she was great with the kids (letting DD dress her up and DS wrestle with her), required little fuss (ie brushing or even attention at times) and she just "fit" perfectly.

My brother doesn't have or breed beagles any longer :( but my other brother breeds golden retrievers (DH's fav dog). Only time will tell which type of dog we will get when we move into the new house. If it's a retriever - Hugh is going to have to brush her!

http://www.findoutaboutpuppies.com/Beagle%20puppy%20400.jpg

http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/530/medium/PUPPY_LOVE001_GOLDEN_RETRIEVER.JPG

[amisteratwisterandme]

I have two fur babies. Twister, a border-Collie/pit mix and Sable, a ****zu..
For my birthday 2 years ago, my om decided to adopt a puppy for me after losing a ****zu that I had for over 21 years. We get to the pound and I was looking for a small dog. (breaks my heart to go to the pound) I seen Twister, he was about 2 months old and as happy as could be, but I by-passed him thinking I wanted a smaller dog. After going around and around the shelter, my mom spotted Twister and fell in love.

They do a meet and greet before you make any decisions on purchasing one, and when they brought him out he twisted around in circles in my arms and I thought that he was way to much of a hand full. A few minutes later one of the volunteers there told me that he was available for $25.00, shots and license included. Huh? Come to find out he was heading toward puppy heaven also. At that time I knew I had to take him home.

I was trying to figure out a name for him that had something to do with a natural disaster (Which he was) but I didn't want to go with something like tsunami seeing as what just happened in Sri Lanka, or hurricane, anything like that. He has turned out to be the smartest dog I have ever had.

While I was at work I got a call from my FH asking if I noticed that on the dog's back there was a perfect marking of a tornado. Started thinking around and that's how we came up with Twister.

With Sable my grandmother bred her two ****zu's and she gave him to us when he was about 5 weeks old. He is nothing like the sweet docile ****zu I had before, this one thinks he is 10 feet tall, and has so much gumption. He fits in very well with Twister.

They are definately our kids!

[LadyDante]

This is a story that I wrote for another board a while back, but it outta explain why we brought Jasmin home.

3 years ago, Jasmin came into my life. I just graduated from uni, and didn't have a cat for a few months by then. And I missed having a furball in my life so bad. I had several cats before, my very first cat being a black kitten I dragged home off of the street, who turned out to be the most amazing cat.
Walking down the street at night, we saw a lady coming outta the car and heading towards a liquor store holding a tiny kitten. And I couldn't resist striking a convo with her. Turned out, she knew nothing about cats, and somehow Jasmin ended up in my arms, that tiny little 5 week old baby. Her little claws went into my shirt and she wouldn't let go, crying when I tried to pry her off to check whether it was a boy or a girl. So there I was, holding her and thinking just how much I wanted to take her home, but thinking I couldn't. My fiance, surprisingly, piped up and asked lady if she was gonna keep her. She said she couldn't, and my fiance said that Jasmin has a home with us now.
We took her home, and little furball was so starving, she couldn't even walk more than a few steps without falling over. She didn't even know how to eat food. That weekend, we spent taking care of her and just hoping that she would survive and learn how to eat.
She needed us, and we needed her. She's been with us for 3 years, and there wasn't a moment that we regretted bringing her home, and I think she's pretty happy to have a home with us.

[snowgdss]

My FH calls me "Snow White" because of my many pets and how they seem to be bonded to me. I'm REALLY glad this isn't a debate zone.... meet my brood:

My cat, Monty, I have had for 15 years (an adoption). He is actually a few months older than my daughter (thus, my first child...lol).

Then along came my ferrets: Mocha (a cinnamon) and Roxy (a silver). They are commuters- they come to work with me for periods of time (have a complete second set up at school). I'm a speech therapist working with children with autism. The kids really enjoy them and it truly has been an aid having them to help foster language. Plus, they are so personable, I selfishly love them with me.

I also have four betas: Mitch and Sid (named by my daughter) and Cherry and Blueberry (named by students of mine- yes, this pair also commute during the school year to school).

Last year, I took in a chihuahua puppy. Cody is truly my baby!

(obviously, my FH and I have no plans for human babies...lol)

[Nekochanpurr]

I got my Angel kitty because they were giving away kittens in front of Kmart and mom said i could have one.. They looked pretty pitiful. The owner was trying to get rid of them because their dog came at them.. o.o; My poor baby!!

I got my Mellows from my officant.. She was living under her porch.. But was a dummy and tried to make friends with a dog.. Who tried to eat her. o.o; So um.. Yeah.

My kitties have puppy related stories.. I never noticed that! LOL Anyway, i never go by breeds or any of that cr@p.. it all goes by need and what i can take care of.. When i get a house, i'll NEED a doggie. :D He'll be coming from the humane society... And probably won't be a puppy.

[mitch]

I saved a little Black and White "Tuxedo" cat from a Neighbour and He was in My life for Eight Years. When i got My Divorce, the Ex-Husband got Custody of the Cat and i never saw My Little Lad again. I don't even know if the Cat is still alive or not. :bbcry:

Anyhow. When FH and I got our own place i was missing the Cat like crazy. So we went to the local pet shop and found an advert asking for good homes. I was insistant on another Male Black and White Cat.

We made our purchase. Took Him Home but He fell ill over night so we rushed Him to the vets. The vet said He was riddled with Fleas and Ticks from the Farm He was born on. So they kept Him in for a few days. At the cost of £280 (Approx $536)

Got Him back Home. Named Him after the Website where i met FH and He has turned out to be the most Loving Cat i've ever known.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229/mitchymoomoo/elektraonseat2.jpg

[Goin2thechapel]

We had two ferrets but just recently had to put one to sleep because he had Cancer. We tried soooo hard to save him. Medications for SEVERAL months and it helped keep him with us for a little longer...
So now we jsut have one ferret...

Then we have two dogs with completely different personalities.

Rufus (Our Poodle) is very smart. Knows commands in sign language. VERY cuddly...

Duncan (Our Schnoodle) is very...Yes, Just very...We actually call him our Hyperactive autistic child...He will not sit still for one minute and HATES when people hold him against his will. But, when he wants to cuddle...He's the best!!! He's just two **** hyper!

[fireprincess2009]

I've always been a cat person. I was walking back to my apartment after class one summer day and saw a sign on a tree - free kittens. A cat had abandoned hers under the porch down the street. I walked in and saw Alex and immediately fell in love. He was so little he fit in the palm of my hand. 15 lbs later...

FH always wanted a dog but was allergic. Shortly after I met him, he discovered he was no longer allergic? so on his birthday, he went to the pound with his roommate. He had me meet them there to see what I thought. I waited in the outside pen for the shelter worker to bring him in. He passed FH and roomate and walked right up to me, put his paws up on my knees and looked into my eyes. Done. In love.

Saida found my sister. Kept killing the bird in her yard and my 5 yr old niece was very upset. They couldn't keep her so I offered to take her until I could find her a home. I'm a sucker. She never left!

[Rainbow Brite]

Ya'll's stories are so cute!

A friend of my ex-bf was holding my Dachshund puppy, On-X, for another family. We'd go over to his house all the time and I'd spend the entire visit playing with On-X and her sister, Lucy. They were so tiny and CUTE!! OMG!! But On-X was always my favorite. Well one day my ex calls me and says the family decided they didn't want her...and that I could have her if I wanted. I was still living with my mom at the time, so had to ask her permission, but she said yes so....8 years later she's still my baby :) And Adam loves her too :biggrin:

Before On-X, I never cared for Dachshunds. I thought they looked funny...lol. But now I ADORE them. She's a smart little thing, only barks when someone's at the door, licks my tears when I cry, loves to play and no longer chews anything up...lol. She'll never be entirely house-trained, but we can live with that. She's worth it :) I think our next dogs will be adults from shelters though. I can't do the puppy thing again!

[pkking]

After my fiancé (then boyfriend) and I had been together for about 6 months I kept after him about getting a new cat. I was ready for one, my previous beloved child (Jake) a Siamese mutt had been put to sleep 2 years prior and I was finally ready to love another kitty. My fiancé kept saying we could not afford a new cat at that time. I figured we would get one sooner or later. Well September of that year my father passed away and on the night of his death we had to go to his house to remove any items of value from his home due to the bad area of town he lived in. My fiancé and I went to dad's house and I attempted to load things in the vehicle all I could do was stand in the middle of the living room and ball my eyes out. So my fiancé says go sit in the truck I will take care of this. So as I sat in the truck holding some small items of my dads, balling eyes out my fiancé walks up and says here I will trade you and he was holding a teeny tiny kitten. He said there were three babies all together. I played with her and loved on her and I looked at my fiancé and said you know we now have a kitty. We guessed her to be about 3 weeks old so he said we can not take her now she is too young, we will have to wait until she is old enough. When we returned a week later from dads out of town service we were unable to find any of the babies or the mama. We left notes and asked everyone if they had seen the babies, no one had. LL My fiancé kept going to my dad's everyday looking but no luck. A week and half later he calls me and says I have something I want you to hear and all of a sudden I hear her crying and throwing a fit. He found only her we never found the other 2 babies or the mama. We named her Gracie aka Gracie Grace after the song Amazing Grace, my fathers favorite. It has now been 3 years and I did not know that I could love something as much I love her, she is truly my child. I am attempting to post a picture of her but this is my first attempt of posting a picture. I hope it comes through.
http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/4/S/10000000d135e05/1/43/USDbwjkK4z9TaKppz-xRPVDIpgdZZuMk.jpg (http://www.slide.com/s/BZAcVzxR4D9UmfMQ6YEWHsRmaE9O-kKC?referrer=hlnk)

Ok on the preview it shows a red x but if I click on the x it links to my picture. Hope it works for you!

[08chrissy08]

I love all the rescue stories!

I'm currently petless as the house we rent doesn't allow pets. I grew up with animals and have always loved them so not having one is really hard. I love cats and dogs both, but am really allergic to cats so it makes the choice on which to get a bit easier. As soon as we are in a place where we can have them, we'll be getting a dog or two. Probably a smaller to medium sized breed and it really is going to depend on who we find. I'd prefer to adopt from a recue group or humane society so we'll just find out who we find that suits our lifestyle. I can't wait to be able to do this!

You know, I never thought about an italian greyhound as being a little more hypoallergenic. I might do some more research on them. Sounds like they would be ideal!