Doesn't she know I'm sleeping?
I'm not going to open my eyes and look at her. I'm NOT going to open my eyes and look at her.
Come on lady, really???
Fine, I'm going back to sleep. You just take as many pictures as you want, I don't care!
Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hey lady, I'm sleeping here!
Doesn't she know I'm sleeping?
I'm not going to open my eyes and look at her. I'm NOT going to open my eyes and look at her.
Come on lady, really???
Fine, I'm going back to sleep. You just take as many pictures as you want, I don't care!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
One fish, two fish....
...red and blue fish. :-)
Since the passing out our two office dwarf frogs (here, here and here)....a couple months apart.....the fish tank on my desk has been sitting basically empty.
Last week I decided I'd had enough. The official mourning period was over.
I got some new plants and a fun broken pot to put in it. I brought the filter assembly from home. I filled it with water, and let it run over the weekend.
Today, over lunch, I went and bought some new residents.
7 neon tetras (it's all they had left)....and one Otocinclus catfish to help keep the algae under control.
We haven't really had a fish tank at home since we moved into Omaha. (Well, we had Puffer, my fish, for a while, but he passed about a year after we moved, and the tank it still sitting empty.)
I'm now remembering how much I enjoyed having a tank in the house....
.....and in about a week, I'll be remembering how much I DON'T miss having to clean a tank in the house.
:-)
Since the passing out our two office dwarf frogs (here, here and here)....a couple months apart.....the fish tank on my desk has been sitting basically empty.
Last week I decided I'd had enough. The official mourning period was over.
I got some new plants and a fun broken pot to put in it. I brought the filter assembly from home. I filled it with water, and let it run over the weekend.
Today, over lunch, I went and bought some new residents.
7 neon tetras (it's all they had left)....and one Otocinclus catfish to help keep the algae under control.
We haven't really had a fish tank at home since we moved into Omaha. (Well, we had Puffer, my fish, for a while, but he passed about a year after we moved, and the tank it still sitting empty.)
I'm now remembering how much I enjoyed having a tank in the house....
.....and in about a week, I'll be remembering how much I DON'T miss having to clean a tank in the house.
:-)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Dog for sale.....
They spend Sunday morning buying plants. He buys veggies (tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc)...she buys flowers.
He's in charge of planting the garden, she's in charge of filing the pots on the back deck.
One afternoon after work, she comes home and does just that.....fills all the pots. Ponders over what to put where.....and then digs in, literally.
The finished product is happy, fun, and colorful. Bright pots of colorful Gerber daisies and other things she doesn't know the names of.
Names aren't important though. It looks nice. She can't WAIT to get more pots and make the big bare back deck into an oasis of color.
_________________________________________________________________
He wakes her up on his way out the door this morning. "Uh...honey?"
"Hmmmm?" (still clinging to the last minutes of sleep)
"I'm sorry. I tried to pick up all the pieces."
_________________________________________________________________
She's instantly awake. She puts on her robe and walks to the kitchen.
Through the window she can see the aftermath.....the debris.....the horror.
The back deck is covered.....COVERED.....in mud, muck, greenery....and bright little bits of plant life here and there.
C.O.V.E.R.E.D.
She could tell he'd tried to pick up the pieces before he woke her. You could tell where he tried to put the plants (or what was left of them) in the pots they came from.
She loves him for it more than anything.
________________________________________________________________
As for the dog.......
.....she's priced to sell.
(Badass - you get first dibs if you want her.)
:-) :-)
He's in charge of planting the garden, she's in charge of filing the pots on the back deck.
One afternoon after work, she comes home and does just that.....fills all the pots. Ponders over what to put where.....and then digs in, literally.
The finished product is happy, fun, and colorful. Bright pots of colorful Gerber daisies and other things she doesn't know the names of.
Names aren't important though. It looks nice. She can't WAIT to get more pots and make the big bare back deck into an oasis of color.
_________________________________________________________________
He wakes her up on his way out the door this morning. "Uh...honey?"
"Hmmmm?" (still clinging to the last minutes of sleep)
"I'm sorry. I tried to pick up all the pieces."
_________________________________________________________________
She's instantly awake. She puts on her robe and walks to the kitchen.
Through the window she can see the aftermath.....the debris.....the horror.
The back deck is covered.....COVERED.....in mud, muck, greenery....and bright little bits of plant life here and there.
C.O.V.E.R.E.D.
She could tell he'd tried to pick up the pieces before he woke her. You could tell where he tried to put the plants (or what was left of them) in the pots they came from.
She loves him for it more than anything.
________________________________________________________________
As for the dog.......
.....she's priced to sell.
(Badass - you get first dibs if you want her.)
:-) :-)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Crouching Tiger, Stalking Sam
She's been retrieving really well since we brought her home...but the other day Mot was working with her, and all I could hear was him laughing hysterically.
I'd told Mot, a while ago, that she's been stalking me.
Yep, stalking.
Instead of running to me....she slllloowwwwllllyyyy creeps up, and at the last second...pounces!!!!
Well.....this particular day,she was doing it with her stuffed goose. Over and over and over. Each time changing up her speed of stalk....changing how close she got before she 'made her move'......and each time we laughed harder and harder.
I'd told Mot, a while ago, that she's been stalking me.
Yep, stalking.
Instead of running to me....she slllloowwwwllllyyyy creeps up, and at the last second...pounces!!!!
Well.....this particular day,she was doing it with her stuffed goose. Over and over and over. Each time changing up her speed of stalk....changing how close she got before she 'made her move'......and each time we laughed harder and harder.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New digs
We took a little time last Tuesday and got the new digs for "TL" (Tastes Like) and "Chicken" all set up and going for them.
The home they came with was wayyyy too small. Wayyyy too boring. And wayyyyy not cool.
From the research we've done, they need a gallon of water per frog...and the tank they came with (for both of them) was maybe a quart.
Maybe.
We took them from a studio apartment to an uptown loft.
Aren't we good parents???
I brought in a 6 gallon tank I had on my desk when I worked at the zoo...stopped at the pet store and got a heater, and some silk plants....while Jean stopped in to get the pot (for hiding) and the base (for feeding) over lunch today.
You can already tell a difference in their personalities (even though they are technically nocturnal creatures). They are swimming, checking things out...and looking less like depressed little amphibians.
It's amazing how attached the whole office has become to them already.
You can even see little "Chicken" sitting on the right side of the big black rock in the middle...if you look really close. :-)
The home they came with was wayyyy too small. Wayyyy too boring. And wayyyyy not cool.
From the research we've done, they need a gallon of water per frog...and the tank they came with (for both of them) was maybe a quart.
Maybe.
We took them from a studio apartment to an uptown loft.
Aren't we good parents???
I brought in a 6 gallon tank I had on my desk when I worked at the zoo...stopped at the pet store and got a heater, and some silk plants....while Jean stopped in to get the pot (for hiding) and the base (for feeding) over lunch today.
You can already tell a difference in their personalities (even though they are technically nocturnal creatures). They are swimming, checking things out...and looking less like depressed little amphibians.
It's amazing how attached the whole office has become to them already.
You can even see little "Chicken" sitting on the right side of the big black rock in the middle...if you look really close. :-)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Play it again, Sam
People are pestering, I mean, asking me politely for new pictures of Sam. Everyone loves a good puppy picture, right?
Last weekend when we brought her home, she was just up over our ankles....as of yesterday, her head is up to Mot's knee. She's doubled in size in the last WEEK.
Cowguy, I might need some advice on how to raise a horse...because I think we mistakenly purchased one.
Actually, we went looking for a big lab. I hope she gets to be the size of her mother!!! That would totally make my day...
or my year.....
or...well, you know what I mean. :-)
This picture was taken three or so days after we brought her home. I can tell the approximate time because she's sitting still long enough to get a picture....yet, she's old enough to not be sleeping 24/7.
Her feet are so darned cute.
And so darned BIG!! :-)
My sister and brother in law brought her a stuffed goose Saturday afternoon. She takes it with her everywhere. Sometimes just carrying it, sometimes shaking it to death....and sometimes growling.
It makes a noise if you squeeze it. She's figured out how to make it squawk. And she growls at it every time it does.
Natalie, Eat the Worm owner, bought her this pet bed, in anticipation of our visit to the bar last weekend. She had plenty of room to move around in it, plus room for a toy or two to sleep with her. She behaved so well....playing with all the patrons, sleeping the rest of the time.
As of yesterday, she just barely fits into it, by herself.
We opted to not take her to the bar this weekend. The "I sleep all the time" puppy phase is officially gone.
This was the exact moment she realized the world extends past our driveway and yard. It was like she finally looked up and went "holy cow - there's MORE??"
This tree is right by the ONE patch of grass we have. The cedar tree in our yard blocked the blowing snow from the blizzard two weeks ago. There is now a path from the driveway to this ONE patch of snow.....for puppy. She spends half the time ferociously protecting her people from the tree, by chewing, tugging and growling at it.
Well...there you go folks. Enough cute puppy pictures to last you a little while, yes????
And, on a final note....today is the longest day of the year...it only gets better from here on out!!!! FINALLY!! :-) Happy winter solstice!!!!
Last weekend when we brought her home, she was just up over our ankles....as of yesterday, her head is up to Mot's knee. She's doubled in size in the last WEEK.
Cowguy, I might need some advice on how to raise a horse...because I think we mistakenly purchased one.
Actually, we went looking for a big lab. I hope she gets to be the size of her mother!!! That would totally make my day...
or my year.....
or...well, you know what I mean. :-)
This picture was taken three or so days after we brought her home. I can tell the approximate time because she's sitting still long enough to get a picture....yet, she's old enough to not be sleeping 24/7.
Her feet are so darned cute.
And so darned BIG!! :-)
My sister and brother in law brought her a stuffed goose Saturday afternoon. She takes it with her everywhere. Sometimes just carrying it, sometimes shaking it to death....and sometimes growling.
It makes a noise if you squeeze it. She's figured out how to make it squawk. And she growls at it every time it does.
Natalie, Eat the Worm owner, bought her this pet bed, in anticipation of our visit to the bar last weekend. She had plenty of room to move around in it, plus room for a toy or two to sleep with her. She behaved so well....playing with all the patrons, sleeping the rest of the time.
As of yesterday, she just barely fits into it, by herself.
We opted to not take her to the bar this weekend. The "I sleep all the time" puppy phase is officially gone.
This was the exact moment she realized the world extends past our driveway and yard. It was like she finally looked up and went "holy cow - there's MORE??"
This tree is right by the ONE patch of grass we have. The cedar tree in our yard blocked the blowing snow from the blizzard two weeks ago. There is now a path from the driveway to this ONE patch of snow.....for puppy. She spends half the time ferociously protecting her people from the tree, by chewing, tugging and growling at it.
Well...there you go folks. Enough cute puppy pictures to last you a little while, yes????
And, on a final note....today is the longest day of the year...it only gets better from here on out!!!! FINALLY!! :-) Happy winter solstice!!!!
Monday, December 14, 2009
What did we just get ourselves into??
After waiting just over 2 years, the day finally arrived!!! That's right....he finally talked me into it, and I couldn't be happier.
Well....I couldn't be happier, until I woke up to find her in between our pillows....trying to chew on the headboard of our bed.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Everybody, say hello and give a warm welcome to Sam...the newest member of our household!!!
During previous visits to the kennel, we'd narrowed our choice of pups from 5 to 2.
They were both sweethearts, they were both loving, they were both energetic and playful, they were both going to be exactly what we wanted.
But we couldn't take them both home with us.
Mot threw a dead pheasant onto the floor. All 7 puppies tore across the floor and pounced...all but one, that is. She ran over there just as fast.....but she wandered around the group......she waited for an opening....she plotted against her litter mates....she charged in, and took the bird from all six of the other pups. One yank, and that's all she wrote. Sam carried that bird out of the group with the biggest grin on her little puppy face.
She's a thinker.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
_______________________________________________________________________________
When we get home, she explored the house a little, then curled up on Mot's lap for a nap. We decided it would be a good time to let the adult dogs in to check her out.
Isaac gives her a couple sniffs, and walks away. Penny growls a little....then walks away. The growling wakes the puppy up, and she gets up to follow Penny. (Probably not the brightest move...but she's young and will learn.)
Isaac walks over to Mot....sniffs the new puppy smell of his lap.....then......lifts his leg and marks him.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
Well....I couldn't be happier, until I woke up to find her in between our pillows....trying to chew on the headboard of our bed.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Everybody, say hello and give a warm welcome to Sam...the newest member of our household!!!
During previous visits to the kennel, we'd narrowed our choice of pups from 5 to 2.
They were both sweethearts, they were both loving, they were both energetic and playful, they were both going to be exactly what we wanted.
But we couldn't take them both home with us.
Mot threw a dead pheasant onto the floor. All 7 puppies tore across the floor and pounced...all but one, that is. She ran over there just as fast.....but she wandered around the group......she waited for an opening....she plotted against her litter mates....she charged in, and took the bird from all six of the other pups. One yank, and that's all she wrote. Sam carried that bird out of the group with the biggest grin on her little puppy face.
She's a thinker.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
_______________________________________________________________________________
When we get home, she explored the house a little, then curled up on Mot's lap for a nap. We decided it would be a good time to let the adult dogs in to check her out.
Isaac gives her a couple sniffs, and walks away. Penny growls a little....then walks away. The growling wakes the puppy up, and she gets up to follow Penny. (Probably not the brightest move...but she's young and will learn.)
Isaac walks over to Mot....sniffs the new puppy smell of his lap.....then......lifts his leg and marks him.
(sigh)
What have we gotten ourselves into?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Welcome Emalee!!
My sister and her family have a new puppy. They came to our house two weekends ago to visit.
(Yes, yes....I missed doing my weekend post last week. Consider this part one.)
Everybody - say hello to Emalee!!!
(Yes, yes....I missed doing my weekend post last week. Consider this part one.)
Everybody - say hello to Emalee!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lady Rowan of the Loess
If you've read this blog for any time at all, you know I like to keep it as upbeat as I can. But, the original reason for creating it was to 1) have a place to permanently put all the journals I write while we're on vacations 2) to vent, to voice an opinion, and sometimes, to be sad.
Rowan, one of our Scottish Terriers, passed away this morning.
Actually...Mot had to put her down.
She loved us both, but Mot and Rowan had extra special places in each others hearts.
We found Rowan in a pet store about 10 years ago. I had my female Scottie, Penny, and we were looking for a playmate for her. Actually, we were on our way to the first Thanksgiving I'd spent at Mot's parents house. And the pet store we frequented was on the way.
We saw Rowan, and fell in love. She was extremely timid though, after having been just brought to the store the day before. We had them take her out, and let her run around on the floor. (She mostly just cowered around Mot.) And I think the bond between the two of them was sealed right there!!!
About 2 years ago, we'd noticed Rowan had lost an insane amount of weight in an incredibly short period of time. We took her to the vet, and she was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes.
Two shots a day.....every day.
About a year later, she went through the same thing again....with no warning. After another trip to the vet, her insulin dosage was doubled. Our vet had never seen an animal suffering from diabetes as bad as Rowan. (we're overachievers sometimes - sigh) In fact, it was so bad, her blood sugar maxed out his testing equipment. But, after three or four days, he had her back to herself again.
She's a fetch freak! She'll fetch a ball, a Frisbee, a stick.....whatever.....and she won't stop until you stop.
This second round of....well, the second round of diabetes attacking her body took her sight almost completely. Yet, she still fetched. She'd follow Isaac (our male), and when he found it, she'd take it from him. It got to where he knew it was his job to lead her around.
Pets never cease to amaze me sometimes!!!
On Saturday morning, we'd found that she'd peed in her kennel. I hoped (really hoped) it was just from her drinking too much water before bed. It's been warm out.
We threw her ball for her, and she ran after it, as usual. All systems go. (phew!)
Saturday night...I noticed she was drinking allot of water...but so was I....it was HOT!!!
Sunday am....peed in kennel again.
Crap.
Took her outside, she wanted almost nothing to do with her ball. I threw it...she walked to it...then stayed out in the yard.
Shit.
Over the course of the day, she just laid in the shade, near her water dish. She'd still perk her ears up when one of us came out....but she was not doing well. We increased her insulin dosage.
Monday am....we left them outside that night (they have a kennel and such they can get into). When I came out to feed them...she didn't come. I called and called...nothing.
Damn.
I found her lying on the other side of the deck, by her wading pool. (we keep a wading pool of water for them during the summer) She didn't really even acknowledge I was there. I sat with her for a long time. I put her bowl of food right beside her, so she didn't have to move to get to it. But I just knew.
Rowan and I had a bond of our own. It usually included her and I napping together on the couch. She knew she wasn't supposed to be on the furniture, so she'd wait until I fell asleep...then sneak up. I'd wake up, see her there, and go back to sleep. :-)
Even as of this weekend, if I was ever sitting anywhere near her, she wanted to be on my lap. I tried to get her to sit on my lap on Monday...but Rowan was gone. I mean, she was there physically, but the Rowan we loved was gone.
F*ck.
Mot came home this morning. She didn't even acknowledge he was there. Her breathing was very labored, and when she did try to sit up, her front legs just shook and shook...so she laid back down.
It was then we decided this was probably it. We'd seen her in bad shape, but never this bad.
Mot called me at work around 9:30 or this morning.
He put her down. He did it himself...and was about sick over having to do it.
She was bleeding from her nose, and her eyes were yellow. Her liver had shut down.
It was time.
I need another box of Kleenex.
Rowan, one of our Scottish Terriers, passed away this morning.
Actually...Mot had to put her down.
She loved us both, but Mot and Rowan had extra special places in each others hearts.
We found Rowan in a pet store about 10 years ago. I had my female Scottie, Penny, and we were looking for a playmate for her. Actually, we were on our way to the first Thanksgiving I'd spent at Mot's parents house. And the pet store we frequented was on the way.
We saw Rowan, and fell in love. She was extremely timid though, after having been just brought to the store the day before. We had them take her out, and let her run around on the floor. (She mostly just cowered around Mot.) And I think the bond between the two of them was sealed right there!!!
About 2 years ago, we'd noticed Rowan had lost an insane amount of weight in an incredibly short period of time. We took her to the vet, and she was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes.
Two shots a day.....every day.
About a year later, she went through the same thing again....with no warning. After another trip to the vet, her insulin dosage was doubled. Our vet had never seen an animal suffering from diabetes as bad as Rowan. (we're overachievers sometimes - sigh) In fact, it was so bad, her blood sugar maxed out his testing equipment. But, after three or four days, he had her back to herself again.
She's a fetch freak! She'll fetch a ball, a Frisbee, a stick.....whatever.....and she won't stop until you stop.
This second round of....well, the second round of diabetes attacking her body took her sight almost completely. Yet, she still fetched. She'd follow Isaac (our male), and when he found it, she'd take it from him. It got to where he knew it was his job to lead her around.
Pets never cease to amaze me sometimes!!!
On Saturday morning, we'd found that she'd peed in her kennel. I hoped (really hoped) it was just from her drinking too much water before bed. It's been warm out.
We threw her ball for her, and she ran after it, as usual. All systems go. (phew!)
Saturday night...I noticed she was drinking allot of water...but so was I....it was HOT!!!
Sunday am....peed in kennel again.
Crap.
Took her outside, she wanted almost nothing to do with her ball. I threw it...she walked to it...then stayed out in the yard.
Shit.
Over the course of the day, she just laid in the shade, near her water dish. She'd still perk her ears up when one of us came out....but she was not doing well. We increased her insulin dosage.
Monday am....we left them outside that night (they have a kennel and such they can get into). When I came out to feed them...she didn't come. I called and called...nothing.
Damn.
I found her lying on the other side of the deck, by her wading pool. (we keep a wading pool of water for them during the summer) She didn't really even acknowledge I was there. I sat with her for a long time. I put her bowl of food right beside her, so she didn't have to move to get to it. But I just knew.
Rowan and I had a bond of our own. It usually included her and I napping together on the couch. She knew she wasn't supposed to be on the furniture, so she'd wait until I fell asleep...then sneak up. I'd wake up, see her there, and go back to sleep. :-)
Even as of this weekend, if I was ever sitting anywhere near her, she wanted to be on my lap. I tried to get her to sit on my lap on Monday...but Rowan was gone. I mean, she was there physically, but the Rowan we loved was gone.
F*ck.
Mot came home this morning. She didn't even acknowledge he was there. Her breathing was very labored, and when she did try to sit up, her front legs just shook and shook...so she laid back down.
It was then we decided this was probably it. We'd seen her in bad shape, but never this bad.
Mot called me at work around 9:30 or this morning.
He put her down. He did it himself...and was about sick over having to do it.
She was bleeding from her nose, and her eyes were yellow. Her liver had shut down.
It was time.
I need another box of Kleenex.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Waaaay Back When-sday, Episode 6...Pets of Years Past
Call me Ishmael,
Moby-Dick
When I was a kid, and living with my parents and younger sister, we had 2 fish.
I don't remember exactly where they came from...but I'm pretty sure they belonged to someone who didn't want them anymore.
Orphan fish.
Very sad.
One was white and one was black - with big, bulging eyes.
The white fish was Moby, the black one was Dick.
The names were cute............
................until Moby died.
It was death by golf ball.
The golf ball was in the tank for a reason.
(Mom - why was there a golf ball in their tank?????)
Anyway, one day, aforementioned golf ball came loose from it's moorings, dropping on poor unsuspecting Moby.
The impact was fatal.
It burst his swim bladder, propelling him into a life (albeit short) of floating on his side.
(sigh)
When CSI arrived on scene. All that was found was a floating, soon to be dead fish, and a golf ball at the bottom of the tank. We'll never truly know what happened that fateful evening.
From them on, we just had Dick the fish.
Dick wasn't young when we got him...and he lived at least 8 or so years at our house.
Dick was a couch potato? Aquarium potato?? Ah, hell....Dick liked to watch TV.
It's true. We noticed he always hung out in one corner in his tank. After careful observation, we found that corner was always the one closest to the TV.
Every time we rearranged the living room furniture....Dick would find a new favorite place to swim. And it was always, always, the corner closest to the TV.
If the TV was on.....he just sat and watched....and watched.
He was an addict.
"Hello, I'm Dick the fish. And I'm a TV addict."
"Hello Dick!"
An orphaned fish, survived the loss of his tank mate, and an addict.
Poor little fella.
Photo Source
Moby-Dick
When I was a kid, and living with my parents and younger sister, we had 2 fish.
I don't remember exactly where they came from...but I'm pretty sure they belonged to someone who didn't want them anymore.
Orphan fish.
Very sad.
One was white and one was black - with big, bulging eyes.
The white fish was Moby, the black one was Dick.
The names were cute............
................until Moby died.
It was death by golf ball.
The golf ball was in the tank for a reason.
(Mom - why was there a golf ball in their tank?????)
Anyway, one day, aforementioned golf ball came loose from it's moorings, dropping on poor unsuspecting Moby.
The impact was fatal.
It burst his swim bladder, propelling him into a life (albeit short) of floating on his side.
(sigh)
When CSI arrived on scene. All that was found was a floating, soon to be dead fish, and a golf ball at the bottom of the tank. We'll never truly know what happened that fateful evening.
From them on, we just had Dick the fish.
Dick wasn't young when we got him...and he lived at least 8 or so years at our house.
Dick was a couch potato? Aquarium potato?? Ah, hell....Dick liked to watch TV.
It's true. We noticed he always hung out in one corner in his tank. After careful observation, we found that corner was always the one closest to the TV.
Every time we rearranged the living room furniture....Dick would find a new favorite place to swim. And it was always, always, the corner closest to the TV.
If the TV was on.....he just sat and watched....and watched.
He was an addict.
"Hello, I'm Dick the fish. And I'm a TV addict."
"Hello Dick!"
An orphaned fish, survived the loss of his tank mate, and an addict.
Poor little fella.
Photo Source
Friday, October 3, 2008
Our Pets
I don't think I've ever taken the time to introduce everyone to our children. So here goes....
This is Lady Rowan of the Loess (nickname Neeners). Passed away May 26th, 2009. Origin of nickname? Well...it's silly actually. I started calling her Ro-Ro, then it progressed to Ro-Neeners, then eventually went to Neeners. It means absolutely nothing, and just goes to show that nicknames don't always have a story. They can simply be the evidence that you've officially lost your mind!!
Rowan is one of three Scottish Terriers dogs we have residing at our house. Back in the day, we used to breed Scotties. We stopped breeding once we thought our females had had enough. We weren't a puppy mill, no worries there. I think there were a total of 5 or 6 litters in our house over the course of as many years. 5 or 6 litters between 2 breeding females. I miss having them around...allot! Puppies are an experience that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. :-)
Anyway, back to Rowan. Mot and I found her at a local pet store, on our way to his parents for Thanksgiving. She was this shy little black ball of fur, hiding from everyone. After playing with her in the store for quite some time, we decided that it would be convenient to play with her if we owned her....and Penny needed a friend. (I'll introduce you to Penny later.)
Rowan is our athletic dog. She LOVES to fetch. If you throw a ball for her, she'll keep bringing it back all day long. Rowan won't stop until you stop throwing. We found out early in 2008 that she is diabetic. We are now required to give her a shot in the morning and at night, with feedings. We have no children, because we don't want to be tied down. We're still busy being kids ourselves.
So...to find ourselves having to find dog sitters to come by and 'shoot' our dog if we want to leave town....it's quite frankly annoying. But, we took Rowan into our home as a pet. We took the responsibility of this animal's life...neither of us can turn our backs on that. Not at all!!
Rowan is also blind...almost 100%. From the diabetes. She follows Isaac (you'll be introduced later). When he finds the ball, she takes it from him and brings it back. They both seem satisfied with the arrangement, so we let it continue.
This is Lady Penelope of the Loess (nickname Penny). She is the oldest of the three, as I purchased her before I met Mot. Where Rowan is Mot's dog, Penny is mine. :-)
Penny could care less when we throw a ball. She has no interest in playing fetch. She would much rather go off on her own to hunt moles. Penny is the mole hunting/killing queen!!!! If there is one in the yard, she'll find it. She also loves to roll around on the dog, as any dog does....but she seems to really, really enjoy it. Notice the dead winter grass in her fur. :-)
I'm not going to talk about what our yard looks like when she's completed her mission. It's not pretty. But - the mole is gone...so there's the silver lining for you. :-)
This is Sir Isaac of the Loess (nickname Nose). Origin of nickname? He's a klutz...in every sense of the word!!! And where he goes, he goes nose first. His poor nose should be either completely gone, or just a bloody, gnarly mess at all times. If he comes to see you, he runs into you. If he runs after a ball, he goes after it a nose dive. If you've seen him in action, you know I'm not exaggerating. He will plant his nose into the ground when grabbing the ball. But, he still hasn't stopped moving, so planting his nose usually means he ends up doing a cartwheel (nose over tail) across the yard. I've never seen a dog do so many somersaults!!!
When he's running, he just falls down, for no reason. And, the worst part....he's so excited about chasing whatever it is he's chasing, he has an almost impossible time getting back up. His brain is working in two directions at the same time..... #1 "must keep legs moving, must catch ball" #2 "oh wait, I'm on the ground, need to get up."
We saved Issac from a puppy mill in Northern Iowa. He was forced to lay (no room to actually stand) on a concrete pad day in and day out. His muscles had atrophied, and it took us a while to get him to where he could walk 'normal.' All of the falling down doesn't seem to bother him, so all we can do it laugh....and hope that we don't have to go help him up. :-)
Moving on to the cats....this is Nala (nickname You Little Shit, You Better Run!!!). Origin of nickname? The second night we had her, Nala and I were alone for the evening. I went to bed to read a book, and she came in with me. The cute little fur ball was laying on my chest, purring. How cute. Then I notice that she's REALLY looking at me. Right into my eyes actually. As this is not normal cat behavior, I put my book aside to see what she was doing. No more had I looked away, she pounced...at my face.
Next thing I know...she's actually gotten a hold of my eyelid and is trying to run away with it. I kid you not!!! My new kitten bit me in the eyelid. I guess my eyelashes were prey???? Anyway, I slapped at my face, she went flying!!!! About an hour later, she jumped up on me in bed. The lights were off, and I was almost asleep. She pee'd on me right there. Then jumped off the bed and went about her cat-ly ways. Payback for throwing her off my eyelid I guess??
Nala and I were buddies after that, if you can believe it. I had shoulder reconstruction surgery a week after we got her...and she was with me 24/7 for the weeks after. I taught her to fetch....she's as addicted as Rowan. :-) But, when I went back to work....she took it personally. She hates me now....2 1/2 years later. Little snot!!!!
This is Morgan (nickname Stray). Origin of nickname? We got her from the Humane Society. She had just been through quite a few surgeries to fix a broken leg. Morgan had one shaved leg, a partially shaved tail....and three 2 inch x 2 inch square shaved patches on her sides (from the Morphine patches). She had officially been up for adoption 1 hour when we came across her. People were walking past her cage and she could care less....but when I walked past, she would jump up and come over. We walked on to see other cats, but I noticed she went back to lay down. Dozens of people walked by her cage, stopping to tap on the glass....but she didn't move. When I went back, she jumped up (as well she could) to come see me. So really, she picked me...not the other way around!!!
Even though she didn't actually spend much time being a stray cat....before she broke her leg and was taken in by the Humane Society...she still has major "stray cat" tendencies. Alot of them are going away though. Things like hunting her food, jumping onto any surface that she can reach, and trying to escape from the house to chase the squirrels outside. OK...she still does the last one. :-)
Last but not least....this is Puffer. Actually, this isn't my Puffer....he's shy. This is a picture I found online. Puffer is my fish. We bought him not long after getting married 10 years ago. Puffer is a puffer fish - I know...what naming imaginations we have!!!!
The specialty fish store that we frequented had him in an aquarium in the back of the store. No one wanted to buy him - he ate live fish for food....and I guess people didn't want to deal with it. So, they fed him the fish that were injured and unsellable.
Puffer has a smile...100% of the time. I love it!!!! We fed him live feeder fish for quite a while, but have sense moved on to feeding him brine shrimp pellets. He's in a tank by himself...always has been. He's a killer....whether his aquarium-mates are bigger or smaller...he destroys them!!! Since he doesn't play well with others, he lives by himself.
Well....there you go. You've now officially met the crew. :-)
Please note that pictures of the dogs were taken at the end of the cold season, so we hadn't groomed them short in many months. They don't ALWAYS look like homeless strays, I promise!!! :-)
This is Lady Rowan of the Loess (nickname Neeners). Passed away May 26th, 2009. Origin of nickname? Well...it's silly actually. I started calling her Ro-Ro, then it progressed to Ro-Neeners, then eventually went to Neeners. It means absolutely nothing, and just goes to show that nicknames don't always have a story. They can simply be the evidence that you've officially lost your mind!!
Rowan is one of three Scottish Terriers dogs we have residing at our house. Back in the day, we used to breed Scotties. We stopped breeding once we thought our females had had enough. We weren't a puppy mill, no worries there. I think there were a total of 5 or 6 litters in our house over the course of as many years. 5 or 6 litters between 2 breeding females. I miss having them around...allot! Puppies are an experience that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. :-)
Anyway, back to Rowan. Mot and I found her at a local pet store, on our way to his parents for Thanksgiving. She was this shy little black ball of fur, hiding from everyone. After playing with her in the store for quite some time, we decided that it would be convenient to play with her if we owned her....and Penny needed a friend. (I'll introduce you to Penny later.)
Rowan is our athletic dog. She LOVES to fetch. If you throw a ball for her, she'll keep bringing it back all day long. Rowan won't stop until you stop throwing. We found out early in 2008 that she is diabetic. We are now required to give her a shot in the morning and at night, with feedings. We have no children, because we don't want to be tied down. We're still busy being kids ourselves.
So...to find ourselves having to find dog sitters to come by and 'shoot' our dog if we want to leave town....it's quite frankly annoying. But, we took Rowan into our home as a pet. We took the responsibility of this animal's life...neither of us can turn our backs on that. Not at all!!
Rowan is also blind...almost 100%. From the diabetes. She follows Isaac (you'll be introduced later). When he finds the ball, she takes it from him and brings it back. They both seem satisfied with the arrangement, so we let it continue.
This is Lady Penelope of the Loess (nickname Penny). She is the oldest of the three, as I purchased her before I met Mot. Where Rowan is Mot's dog, Penny is mine. :-)
Penny could care less when we throw a ball. She has no interest in playing fetch. She would much rather go off on her own to hunt moles. Penny is the mole hunting/killing queen!!!! If there is one in the yard, she'll find it. She also loves to roll around on the dog, as any dog does....but she seems to really, really enjoy it. Notice the dead winter grass in her fur. :-)
I'm not going to talk about what our yard looks like when she's completed her mission. It's not pretty. But - the mole is gone...so there's the silver lining for you. :-)
This is Sir Isaac of the Loess (nickname Nose). Origin of nickname? He's a klutz...in every sense of the word!!! And where he goes, he goes nose first. His poor nose should be either completely gone, or just a bloody, gnarly mess at all times. If he comes to see you, he runs into you. If he runs after a ball, he goes after it a nose dive. If you've seen him in action, you know I'm not exaggerating. He will plant his nose into the ground when grabbing the ball. But, he still hasn't stopped moving, so planting his nose usually means he ends up doing a cartwheel (nose over tail) across the yard. I've never seen a dog do so many somersaults!!!
When he's running, he just falls down, for no reason. And, the worst part....he's so excited about chasing whatever it is he's chasing, he has an almost impossible time getting back up. His brain is working in two directions at the same time..... #1 "must keep legs moving, must catch ball" #2 "oh wait, I'm on the ground, need to get up."
We saved Issac from a puppy mill in Northern Iowa. He was forced to lay (no room to actually stand) on a concrete pad day in and day out. His muscles had atrophied, and it took us a while to get him to where he could walk 'normal.' All of the falling down doesn't seem to bother him, so all we can do it laugh....and hope that we don't have to go help him up. :-)
Moving on to the cats....this is Nala (nickname You Little Shit, You Better Run!!!). Origin of nickname? The second night we had her, Nala and I were alone for the evening. I went to bed to read a book, and she came in with me. The cute little fur ball was laying on my chest, purring. How cute. Then I notice that she's REALLY looking at me. Right into my eyes actually. As this is not normal cat behavior, I put my book aside to see what she was doing. No more had I looked away, she pounced...at my face.
Next thing I know...she's actually gotten a hold of my eyelid and is trying to run away with it. I kid you not!!! My new kitten bit me in the eyelid. I guess my eyelashes were prey???? Anyway, I slapped at my face, she went flying!!!! About an hour later, she jumped up on me in bed. The lights were off, and I was almost asleep. She pee'd on me right there. Then jumped off the bed and went about her cat-ly ways. Payback for throwing her off my eyelid I guess??
Nala and I were buddies after that, if you can believe it. I had shoulder reconstruction surgery a week after we got her...and she was with me 24/7 for the weeks after. I taught her to fetch....she's as addicted as Rowan. :-) But, when I went back to work....she took it personally. She hates me now....2 1/2 years later. Little snot!!!!
This is Morgan (nickname Stray). Origin of nickname? We got her from the Humane Society. She had just been through quite a few surgeries to fix a broken leg. Morgan had one shaved leg, a partially shaved tail....and three 2 inch x 2 inch square shaved patches on her sides (from the Morphine patches). She had officially been up for adoption 1 hour when we came across her. People were walking past her cage and she could care less....but when I walked past, she would jump up and come over. We walked on to see other cats, but I noticed she went back to lay down. Dozens of people walked by her cage, stopping to tap on the glass....but she didn't move. When I went back, she jumped up (as well she could) to come see me. So really, she picked me...not the other way around!!!
Even though she didn't actually spend much time being a stray cat....before she broke her leg and was taken in by the Humane Society...she still has major "stray cat" tendencies. Alot of them are going away though. Things like hunting her food, jumping onto any surface that she can reach, and trying to escape from the house to chase the squirrels outside. OK...she still does the last one. :-)
Last but not least....this is Puffer. Actually, this isn't my Puffer....he's shy. This is a picture I found online. Puffer is my fish. We bought him not long after getting married 10 years ago. Puffer is a puffer fish - I know...what naming imaginations we have!!!!
The specialty fish store that we frequented had him in an aquarium in the back of the store. No one wanted to buy him - he ate live fish for food....and I guess people didn't want to deal with it. So, they fed him the fish that were injured and unsellable.
Puffer has a smile...100% of the time. I love it!!!! We fed him live feeder fish for quite a while, but have sense moved on to feeding him brine shrimp pellets. He's in a tank by himself...always has been. He's a killer....whether his aquarium-mates are bigger or smaller...he destroys them!!! Since he doesn't play well with others, he lives by himself.
Well....there you go. You've now officially met the crew. :-)
Please note that pictures of the dogs were taken at the end of the cold season, so we hadn't groomed them short in many months. They don't ALWAYS look like homeless strays, I promise!!! :-)
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